Emirates speeds up cargo clearance with Dubai Customs

Dubai Customs and Emirates SkyCargo have introduced an integrated logistics bridge to maintain the movement of goods through Dubai International Airport Cargo Village and Al Maktoum International Airport Air Cargo Centre amid regional supply chain disruptions. The system has increased cargo handling capacity, sped up customs clearance and supported the transport of essential goods across the UAE and GCC.

The initiative has helped businesses avoid delays by keeping food, medicines and general cargo moving during a period of geopolitical uncertainty. Faster customs processing and additional inspection capacity have reduced congestion at cargo terminals, helping importers, exporters and logistics companies maintain supply chain continuity.

Between January and May 2026, imported cargo handled at the two facilities increased by more than 82%, rising from 26.6 million kg to 48.3 million kg. The highest daily cargo handled also grew from 1.24 million kg to over 2.1 million kg during the same period.

In May, Dubai Customs and Emirates SkyCargo completed 529 truck movements, transporting 2,636 tonnes of meat, pharmaceutical products and general cargo to markets across the GCC.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, said: "Dubai's ability to maintain trade flows and ensure the continuous delivery of vital goods amid the evolving regional and global environment is a testament to our leadership's vision and sustained investment in building a world-class economic and logistics ecosystem distinguished by flexibility, readiness, and proactivity. What we have achieved demonstrates the strength of integration between government entities and strategic partners, and reaffirms Dubai's ability to respond with agility while maintaining the uninterrupted movement of trade. We will continue advancing our digital solutions and smart services in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, further reinforcing the UAE's position as a leading global gateway for trade."

To handle the higher cargo volumes, Dubai Customs expanded inspection activities, opened additional inspection windows and used the Green Corridor and Shahin initiatives to speed up the clearance of priority shipments. These measures helped maintain cargo flow while reducing processing times during peak demand.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo, said: "Dubai has once again demonstrated its exceptional ability to maintain the continuity of global trade movement, benefiting from advanced infrastructure, effective strategic partnerships, and an operational system distinguished by flexibility and high readiness. Close cooperation with Dubai Customs and relevant government agencies played a significant role in ensuring the continuous flow of vital shipments and expediting logistics operations to meet the needs of local, regional, and global markets. The results achieved further strengthen Dubai's position as a global hub for air cargo and logistics, and demonstrate its ability to efficiently connect markets and continents in all circumstances. We continue to invest in smart solutions and expand our operational capabilities to support global trade growth and strengthen the resilience of future supply chains."