If you want to import quilling cards into the UAE, the short answer is this: handmade greeting cards from Vietnam clear UAE customs like any other commercial consignment, with a 5% customs duty on the CIF value under the GCC common tariff, 5% import VAT, and a commercial invoice that must be attested once the shipment is worth AED 10,000 or more. Since February 2026 the UAE–Vietnam CEPA may also cut or remove the duty, provided your paperwork proves Vietnamese origin.
This guide is written for buyers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah: gift shops, stationery and bookstores, hotel and corporate gifting teams, concept stores and online sellers who are planning a first range or a private label line of handmade quilling cards. It covers documents, border costs, the CEPA and order timing.
Why are UAE buyers sourcing quilling cards from Vietnam?
The UAE is a gifting market. Hospitality, corporate gifting and festive seasons such as Ramadan, Eid, National Day and the New Year create steady demand for cards that feel personal and premium rather than mass printed. Quilling, where narrow paper strips are rolled, pinched and glued by hand into flowers, calligraphy-inspired patterns and geometric motifs, fits that brief because every card shows visible handwork.
Two changes make Vietnam a practical source for that demand in 2027:
- A trade agreement now in force. The UAE–Vietnam Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on 3 February 2026, and according to Middle East Briefing Vietnam gains tariff reductions on 95% of product categories it exports to the UAE. The UAE Ministry of Economy publishes the agreement on its CEPA Vietnam page.
- Real customisation. A Vietnam partner can work from your own artwork, add your logo, and pack the cards in private label sleeves and boxes, which matters for hotels, brands and corporate clients who want gifts that carry their name.
What documents do you need to import quilling cards into the UAE?
The paperwork is not complicated, but it has to be consistent. The U.S. International Trade Administration’s UAE import documentation guide lists the core set, and every one of them should describe the cards in the same way.
| Document | Who prepares it | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Exporter (Viet Farm Vision) | Addressed to the UAE importer; quantities, descriptions and values match the packing list |
| Packing list | Exporter | Carton count, weights, packing method and HS code for each item |
| Certificate of origin (CO) | Exporter, issued in Vietnam | Shows Vietnam as the country of origin; use the CEPA form if you want the preferential rate |
| Bill of lading or air waybill | Freight forwarder or carrier | Consignee name matches your trade licence |
| Trade licence of the importer | UAE importer | Licence from the emirate’s economic department or a free zone covers the goods |
| Invoice attestation | UAE importer or broker | Required by MOFA when the invoice is AED 10,000 or more |
Who can be the importer of record?
The consignee has to hold a trade licence that allows importing, issued by the emirate’s Department of Economic Development or by a free zone authority. If you sell in mainland UAE you need an onshore licence or a licensed importer acting for you; goods landed in a free zone under a free zone licence stay outside the customs territory until they move onshore.
How does commercial invoice attestation work?
Commercial invoices for imports worth AED 10,000 or more must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and linked to the customs declaration. As Al Tamimi & Company explains, the importer has 14 days to complete it and each non-compliant invoice can draw an AED 500 fine. Ask your supplier for a clean, signed invoice early so your broker can attest it without waiting for corrections.
How much duty and VAT will you pay on greeting cards in the UAE?
Under the GCC common customs tariff, the general rate of customs duty is 5%, charged on the value of the goods plus cost, insurance and freight. That is confirmed on the UAE government portal’s rate of customs duty page. On top of duty, imports are subject to 5% VAT; VAT-registered importers usually account for it through the reverse-charge mechanism and recover it as input tax, as summarised in this import VAT FAQ.
Three points keep these costs predictable:
- Agree the HS code before you ship. Printed greeting cards normally sit under HS heading 4909, but cards with added decoration can be classified differently. Your customs broker should confirm the code, and we will use it consistently on the invoice, packing list and CO.
- Check the CEPA schedule for that code. If the line is reduced or zero under the CEPA, a valid certificate of origin is what unlocks the lower rate. Without it, the standard 5% applies.
- Price on a landed basis. Freight, insurance, duty, VAT, attestation and clearance fees all add to the cost of each card, so compare suppliers on landed cost, not ex-works price.
How does the UAE–Vietnam CEPA change the cost of importing cards?
A free trade agreement only saves money when the paperwork is right. For handmade cards, that means three things.
First, the cards have to qualify as Vietnamese origin under the agreement’s rules of origin. Cards that are designed, cut, quilled, assembled and packed in Vietnam are strong candidates, but your broker should confirm the specific rule for the HS code.
Second, the certificate of origin has to be the correct CEPA form, issued by the competent authority in Vietnam, and its details must match the invoice exactly. A mismatch in quantity, description or invoice number is a common reason for a preference to be refused.
Third, the importer has to claim the preference at clearance. If your broker files the declaration without it, you pay the general rate. Tell your broker before the goods arrive that you will claim CEPA treatment.
What should you plan for when shipping quilling cards to Dubai?
Quilled designs are raised, delicate and easy to crush, so the shipping plan matters as much as the customs plan. Most UAE buyers choose one of two routes:
- Sea freight to Jebel Ali suits full seasonal orders where the cards are booked well ahead. It is the economical choice for volume.
- Air freight to Dubai or Abu Dhabi suits samples, top-ups and urgent seasonal reorders, at a higher cost per carton.
Whichever route you choose, insist on rigid inner protection for every card, cartons that are sized to avoid movement, and moisture protection for the sea leg. We cover the detail in our guide to packaging quilling cards for export shipping, and the choice between routes and Incoterms in our freight and Incoterms guide.
How early should UAE buyers order for Ramadan, Eid and year-end gifting?
Handmade production cannot be rushed, so work backwards from the date the cards must be on shelf or in gift boxes. The table below shows the planning logic in stages rather than fixed dates, because lead times depend on design complexity, order size and the freight route.
| Season | Cards needed for | When to approve samples | When to ship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2027 | Retail displays and iftar or corporate gifting | Around four to five months before Ramadan | Sea freight timed to arrive several weeks before Ramadan starts |
| Eid al-Adha 2027 | Family and corporate greetings | Around four months before the holiday | Sea or air, depending on order size |
| UAE National Day and year-end | Hotel, government and corporate gifting | By mid-year | Arrive by October to allow for packing and gift box assembly |
| Weddings, birthdays and thank-you | All-year core range | Any time, then reorder by sell-through | Consolidated sea shipments |
For Ramadan and Eid designs specifically, see our Ramadan, Eid and Diwali quilling cards guide, which lists popular motifs and a full ordering calendar.
What designs and customisation work for UAE buyers?
UAE ranges usually serve Emirati families, expatriate residents and tourists at once. Crescents, lanterns, geometric patterns, palm fronds and florals in gold, deep green, teal and sand tones suit festive ranges, while florals and minimal designs cover everyday occasions. Our partner workshop can work to your own brief, so hotels and brands get a card nobody else stocks.
Customisation options include:
- Custom designs made from your sketches, mood boards or brand guidelines.
- Logo printing or attachment for corporate, hotel and event clients.
- Private label packaging, such as sleeves, header cards and gift boxes that carry your brand.
- Inner text in English, Arabic or both, supplied by you as final artwork so wording and calligraphy are approved before production.
Every order begins with a pre-production sample for your approval, then follows our four-step quality check: sample approval, an in-process check at the workshop, a card-by-card inspection before packing, and a final carton count with photos and video sent to you before dispatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a trade licence to import quilling cards into the UAE?
Yes. The consignee must hold a trade licence that allows importing, either from the emirate’s economic department or from a free zone authority. If you do not have one, a licensed importer or customs broker can act as importer of record for you.
Is there customs duty on greeting cards in the UAE?
The general GCC rate is 5% of the CIF value, and 5% VAT applies on import. Under the UAE–Vietnam CEPA, the duty on many product lines is reduced or removed, but you need a valid certificate of origin to claim it. Your broker can confirm the rate for the exact HS code.
Can the cards include Arabic text or our logo?
Yes. We can add your logo and produce inner text in Arabic, English or both, using artwork you approve. We recommend that a native speaker checks the final Arabic text before the sample is made, so that calligraphy and wording are correct.
What export documents will Viet Farm Vision provide?
We provide the commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin for every shipment, prepared to match each other so your broker can clear the goods and attest the invoice without delays. We reply to document requests within one business day.
How do I get a quote for a UAE order?
Send us your designs or ideas, quantities per design, packaging needs and the date the cards must arrive in the UAE. We will come back with options, timing and a quotation.
Ready to plan your UAE quilling card range?
The UAE rewards suppliers who deliver on time with clean paperwork, and handmade quilling cards give your shelves and gift boxes something mass-printed cards cannot. Browse our handmade quilling greeting cards, then request a quote with your designs, quantities and target arrival date, and we will reply within one business day.