It is reported that the de minimis threshold, that is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties, is AED 1,000 (approx. USD 270).

According to Section 7 of the Internet of Things (IoT) Regulatory Policy, IoT service providers are required to register with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and obtain an IoT Service Provider registration certificate. As a prerequisite, providers must establish a local presence in the UAE or appoint an authorised representative who is physically based in the country and responsible for liaising with the TDRA and other law enforcement agencies. The Regulatory Procedure for Internet of Things (IoT) further specifies the application and approval process.

Under Section 3.1 of the Voice over Internet Protocol Regulatory Policy, any person seeking to provide VoIP services within the United Arab Emirates, insofar as such provision constitutes a regulated activity, must obtain a licence issued by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) pursuant to Federal Law by Decree No. 3 of 2003. The policy further clarifies that only two licensees are currently authorised to offer VoIP services and that the TDRA does not presently intend to grant additional licences for such services. In addition, under Section 3.2, if a licensee identifies that VoIP services are being offered over its public telecommunications network by an unlicensed party, it is entitled to block access to those services, unless directed otherwise by the TDRA.
In parallel, Art. 28 of Federal Law by Decree No. 3 of 2003 stipulates that a telecommunications licence may only be issued to a corporate entity established under a decision of the Board, thereby precluding foreign companies from providing services on a cross-border basis without first creating a recognised legal entity within the UAE.

According to the UAE Import and Export Guide, import activities require a valid trade licence issued by a competent UAE authority, as well as registration with the Customs Department. It has been reported that such licences are currently issued by the respective local customs authorities; however, efforts are ongoing to establish a unified, UAE-wide licensing system.

Art. 9 of Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2021 prohibits the import of items within its scope without prior authorisation. This provision applies to a range of goods listed in the schedule of controlled commodities adopted under Cabinet Resolution No. 50 of 2020. The latter includes electronics, computers, and telecom and information security.
In addition, the Lists of Prohibited and Restricted Goods in the States of the GCC establish categories of goods subject to trade restrictions. Telecommunications-related equipment, specifically base stations (HS code 8517.61.00) and transmission apparatus incorporating reception apparatus (HS code 8525.60.00), is included in the restricted list. The import of such items may require prior authorisation or the issuance of special licences by the competent authorities.
In addition, under Section 3 of the Telecommunications Equipment Type Approval Regime, importers of radio and telecommunications terminal equipment (RTTE) in the United Arab Emirates are required to register with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). Each importer must ensure that the company is duly registered and that the relevant equipment has obtained type approval from TDRA prior to being placed on the UAE market. In addition, Section 5 stipulates that customs clearance for RTTE will only be granted where the equipment has been type-approved and imported by a registered entity.

It is reported that, within the framework of import and export regulations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), all DVDs and other media materials must be submitted to the National Media Council (NMC) for prior content approval. In addition, a licence issued by the NMC is required for the import and distribution of such media within the UAE. These provisions equally apply to digital content and media disseminated via local domains.

The United Arab Emirates has progressively adopted measures to enhance the participation of Emirati nationals in the workforce. Ministerial Resolution No. 279 introduced the first phase of mandatory Emiratisation quotas, requiring private sector companies with 50 or more employees to increase their share of skilled Emirati workers by 2% annually, with the objective of reaching 10% by 2026. Subsequently, Ministerial Resolution No. 455 of 2023 broadened the scope of these requirements to cover specific sectors, including ICT-related activities such as data processing, web hosting, and associated services. Under this framework, companies with a workforce of 20 to 49 employees are required to employ at least one UAE national from 2024, rising to a minimum of two by 2025.

According to the UAE Import and Export Guide, export activities require a valid trade licence issued by a competent UAE authority, as well as registration with the Customs Department. It has been reported that such licences are currently issued by the respective local customs authorities; however, efforts are ongoing to establish a unified, UAE-wide licensing system.

A basic legal framework on intermediary liability beyond copyright infringement is absent in the United Arab Emirates' law and jurisprudence.

Pursuant to Section 8.1 of the Registration Requirements for Mobile Consumers, a licensee shall not activate mobile services on a SIM card for any new consumer until that consumer has been duly registered. In accordance with Section 5.4, licensees, acting exclusively through their authorised representatives, are obliged to obtain registration details from mobile consumers. For individual consumers, such details include the full name, a mailing address within the United Arab Emirates (or, where unavailable, an alternative contact address within the UAE), nationality, and an identification document as specified in Sections 1.1-1.3. Where the consumer is a business entity, the licensee must collect alternative registration particulars as prescribed by the policy. Section 6.1 further mandates that licensees verify the accuracy of the information submitted during the registration process. The term “licensee” is defined under the Federal Law by Decree No. 3 of 2003 as Etisalat Corporation and any other entity licensed by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) in accordance with the Law and its Executive Order. It is also reported that the United Arab Emirates currently employs biometric verification measures, including the collection of consumers’ fingerprints, as part of the SIM card registration process.

According to Section 9.1 of the Internet Access Management (IAM) Regulatory Policy, telecom licensees are responsible for implementing and maintaining a technical system for classifying and detecting prohibited content, in compliance with the provisions published by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). Section 9.2 further provides that all licensees must bear the direct setup and maintenance costs of implementing this policy and any related regulatory procedures. They are also responsible for covering the costs associated with enabling the TDRA to monitor compliance and ensuring that the TDRA has access to all complaints, observations, comments, and messages submitted by users in relation to the policy.

According to Section 4.1 of the Regulatory Policy on Internet Access Management of 2017, licensees are required to block access to prohibited content. As specified in Section 3.1, prohibited content refers to online material considered unacceptable or contrary to the public interest, public morality, public order, national security, Islamic values, or any other matter prohibited under applicable laws, regulations, or administrative requirements in the United Arab Emirates. In practice, it has been reported that the country’s two main Internet Service Providers (ISPs) use proxy servers to filter and block material deemed inconsistent with national values, including content from certain international media sources.
Moreover, it is reported that Grindr has been inaccessible in the United Arab Emirates at least since October 2016, and this restriction remained in place through 2024. Additionally, in March 2021, local media reported that users in the UAE experienced significant audio and quality issues when attempting to access the audio-based social platform Clubhouse. As of March 2024, Clubhouse appears to remain blocked. The government also restricts the use of most voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services, including VoIP access via virtual private networks (VPNs), as well as the use of VPNs through domestic internet service providers (ISPs). It is further reported that authorities censor selected content on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and X.

The indicator "7.2.4 - Government Internet shut down in practice" of the V-Dem Dataset, which measures whether the government has the technical capacity to actively make internet service cease, thus interrupting domestic access to the internet or whether the government has decided to do so, has a score of 3 in the United Arab Emirates for the year 2024. This corresponds to "Rarely but there have been a few occasions throughout the year when the government shut down domestic access to Internet."

According to Art. 12 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 Concerning Media Regulation, the competent authority is tasked with issuing licences or permits for electronic and digital media activities involving promotion and advertising, whether remunerated or not, through social media and other modern technological platforms. In addition, the Council is authorised to grant permits to natural persons who provide advertising or media content on such platforms, regardless of whether the activity is conducted for compensation.
Art. 27 of Cabinet Resolution No. 68 of 2024, issued as the Executive Regulation of the Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023, specifies that the UAE Media Council is responsible for licensing particular media activities, including the design and production of advertisements of all kinds, as well as the provision of media and advertising consultations and studies.

According to Art. 5 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 Concerning Media Regulation, the UAE Media Council or the competent authority, each within its jurisdiction, is responsible for issuing licences or permits to practise media activities. Art. 8 defines media activities to include the production, transmission, distribution, publishing, broadcasting, and dissemination of media content - whether audio, visual, or digital - and its availability to the public through media outlets, irrespective of whether such activities are conducted for remuneration. These activities encompass: (i) radio and television broadcasting, including Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), over-the-top (OTT) platforms, and video-on-demand (VOD) services; (ii) interactive and non-interactive video game and arcade game services developed and distributed within the UAE; (iii) newspapers and publications (including foreign publications); (iv) electronic and digital media activities; and (v) any additional activities determined by the Executive Regulation of this Law.
Cabinet Resolution No. 68 of 2024 further specifies the procedures and conditions applicable to each of these licensed activities.