Your UAE trading partner and consultancy for United Kingdom businesses
A UAE-based trading partner for UK importers, wholesalers and food businesses, plus tax and setup support for UK founders and companies expanding to the UAE.
- TradeUK and GCC concluded free trade negotiations in May 2026
- Tax treatyUK and UAE have a double tax treaty
- Time zonesThe UAE is 3 to 4 hours ahead of the UK
Talk to our UAE team
Tell us what you need. A specialist replies within one business day.
Why work with a UAE-based trading partner
UK buyers of rice, tea, coffee and spices want reliable sourcing and clean documentation. From the UAE we work close to suppliers and ports across the Gulf and South Asia, and consolidate shipments for you.
Our London office covers UK contracts and cross-border advisory, so you can work with a UK-based contact backed by our UAE team.
As your trading partner, we find and vet suppliers, negotiate terms, arrange quality checks, and coordinate shipping and documents, so you deal with one counterparty. Our fee or margin is agreed in writing before you commit.
What we do for United Kingdom clients
Use one service or combine them. Each starts with a short call and a written scope.
- Request a quote
Commodity sourcing and supply
Rice, tea, coffee and spices sourced, checked and shipped to United Kingdom buyers, or supplied to you within the UAE and GCC.
- Plan your setup
UAE business setup
Mainland or free zone company formation, licensing and bank account introductions for United Kingdom founders and groups.
- Ask a tax question
Cross-border tax
UAE corporate tax and VAT, and how they interact with the rules in United Kingdom.
- Discuss an IT project
IT consulting
ERP, cloud, security and automation, delivered with our Bengaluru team.
Trading between United Kingdom and the UAE
Choose a commodity to start a quote. We confirm the current rules for your product and route before you commit.
- Import rules
- UK food imports must meet UK food safety, labelling and plant-health rules. We work to your specification and prepare the documents your importer or agent needs.
- Trade agreement
- The UK and the GCC concluded free trade negotiations in May 2026. Until an agreement takes effect, standard UK import duties and rules of origin apply, and we check the position for each product.
- Payments
- GBP, USD and AED settlement are common. Payment terms are agreed in the contract.
- Logistics
- Containers run from Gulf and South Asian ports to UK ports. We coordinate freight, insurance and documents.
Tax across United Kingdom and the UAE
The UK and UAE have a double tax treaty. UK residents and companies can still face UK tax on a UAE company if it is managed and controlled from the UK, or if UK anti-avoidance rules apply.
We review residence, permanent establishment and UAE corporate tax (9% above AED 375,000) together before you set up, and we coordinate with your UK accountant.
The standard UAE VAT rate is 5%. Rules change, so we check current guidance from the Federal Tax Authority and the authorities in United Kingdom for your case.
Compliance comes first
Questions from United Kingdom clients
What does a UAE-based trading partner do for me?
We act as your sourcing and trading partner: we find and vet suppliers, negotiate terms, arrange quality checks, and coordinate shipping and documents. Our fee or margin is agreed in writing before you commit.
Will a UAE company owned by a UK resident pay UK tax?
It can, if the company is managed and controlled from the UK or falls under UK anti-avoidance rules. Real substance in the UAE, such as local decision-making, premises and staff, matters. We assess this before you set up.
Do you screen for sanctions and compliance?
Yes. We screen every counterparty, bank and vessel against UN, EU, UK and US sanctions lists, and we decline any deal that would breach sanctions or export controls.
How quickly will I hear back?
We reply to every enquiry within one business day.
Other markets we serve
Start a conversation
Our UAE office is in RAKEZ, Ras Al Khaimah. We also have offices in Bengaluru, London and Central Hong Kong.
Send an enquiry
The more detail you share, the more useful our first reply.