Dubai Customs corridor lifts Oman trade

Dubai Customs has reported a sharp rise in cargo handled through its Green Corridor with Oman, underscoring the growing importance of alternative land routes as disruptions to sea lanes reshape regional supply chains.

Customs declarations processed through the corridor jumped from about 12,000 in March to nearly 100,000 in April 2026, while the declared value of goods moved through the route rose from AED1 billion to more than AED8 billion. The figures point to a rapid shift by importers, re-exporters, freight forwarders and logistics companies towards bonded road movements through Oman and Dubai as businesses sought greater certainty for critical shipments.

The initiative was activated in March in cooperation with Oman Customs as a temporary customs facilitation measure for diverted cargo. It allows goods arriving at Omani ports and airports to be moved overland to Dubai under sealed, bonded transport, with expedited customs procedures and verification at designated border points. The arrangement covers containers bound for Jebel Ali Port, air cargo destined for Dubai airports, imports entering Dubai’s local market and re-export shipments moving onward through Dubai’s logistics network.

The route has become an operational buffer for traders facing pressure from shipping disruption, higher insurance costs, port congestion and altered schedules across parts of the region. Cargo arriving through Oman is transported by road via the Al Wajajah border point and the Hatta Border Crossing before continuing to Dubai’s customs centres, ports, airports or free zones. The system relies on customs seals, cargo manifests, bills of lading, pre-arrival information and screening procedures to reduce delays without removing security controls.

Dubai Customs said the corridor was operationalised within about 72 hours of disruption affecting key trade routes, reflecting an attempt to preserve business continuity rather than wait for shipping patterns to stabilise. The speed of the response has helped companies maintain access to food supplies, consumer goods, industrial inputs and re-export cargo, all of which are central to Dubai’s role as a redistribution hub for the Gulf, Africa and South Asia.

Dr Abdulla Busenad, Director-General of Dubai Customs, said the Green Corridor reflected Dubai’s “proactive and flexible approach” to managing regional and international developments through an integrated framework supporting economic sustainability and trade continuity. He said the corridor had become a vital trade artery that demonstrated the emirate’s readiness and ability to turn logistical pressure into operational solutions.

The customs notice underpinning the corridor sets out a controlled process rather than a blanket waiver. Containers diverted to Omani ports must undergo transit declaration procedures in Oman, remain sealed during transport and be verified at the border before being cleared through Dubai’s systems. Air cargo moved from Omani airports to Dubai airports follows a similar bonded road feeder process, including advance transmission of manifest data and document checks at Hatta.

The initiative also gives companies more time to reorganise shipments. Dubai Customs extended the transit period for goods from 30 days to 90 days, a move aimed at helping traders manage rerouting, storage, onward delivery and re-export planning. That extension is particularly relevant for companies handling consolidated cargo, perishable goods, high-volume retail shipments and manufacturing inputs that depend on predictable clearance windows.

Alongside the Oman route, facilitation measures have also covered shipments headed for Jebel Ali Port and Jebel Ali Free Zone through Fujairah and Khorfakkan. Containers arriving through those ports may move directly overland to Dubai without completing standard clearance at the arrival port, cutting duplicated procedures and easing pressure on companies already dealing with altered schedules.

The corridor strengthens Oman’s role as a transit partner while reinforcing Dubai’s position as a regional logistics platform. For Oman, the arrangement gives its ports and airports a larger role in handling diverted cargo flows. For Dubai, it protects throughput linked to Jebel Ali, Dubai Airports, free zones and re-export trade at a time when supply chains are placing greater value on redundancy and rapid customs coordination.

The surge in declarations also highlights a wider shift in Gulf logistics planning. Companies are placing more emphasis on multimodal routes, bonded trucking, digital customs integration and alternative port access. The Green Corridor’s performance shows that emergency trade measures can become commercially significant within weeks when they address a clear operational need.