Importing Platycerium and Tropical Plants into the UAE

Import permit, phytosanitary certificate, the no-soil rule and release on arrival — what a UAE buyer needs in place before plants leave Asia.

Plant imports into the United Arab Emirates are regulated by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) under the federal agricultural quarantine law. The main difference from many other markets is that the import permit is issued to a licensed business, and it has to be in place before the plants are shipped.

The law

The current law is Federal Law No. (7) of 2025 Regarding Agricultural Quarantine, issued on 26 December 2025 and in force since 30 January 2026. It repeals Federal Law No. (5) of 1979; regulations and resolutions made under the 1979 law stay in force until new ones are issued, as far as they don't conflict with the new law (Article 27). Under Article 5, every agricultural consignment imported into the UAE is inspected and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate authenticated by the competent authority of the exporting country.

1. Import permit — before shipping

The importer applies to MOCCAE online through the "Import an agricultural consignment" service. According to MOCCAE's service page:

• the importer must have a valid agricultural activity license — for plants and seedlings, one that includes importing and exporting plants and seedlings;
• the import permit must be obtained before the consignment is shipped from the exporting country;
• anything not listed on the permit will be rejected;
• the permit is valid for six months from the date of issue.

Because of the license requirement, a private buyer usually cannot apply on their own. If you don't hold such a license, work with a UAE-licensed importer, or check your options with MOCCAE directly (call centre 800 3050).

2. Phytosanitary certificate and documents

To release the consignment on arrival, MOCCAE lists these documents for plants and seedlings:

• phytosanitary certificate issued by the competent authority in the country of export;
• certificate of origin;
• copy of the customs manifest, bill of lading or delivery authorization (for airfreight, the air waybill);
• invoice or product list.

If plants are packed in material of plant origin (coconut fibre or sphagnum, for example), the phytosanitary certificate must state that the packing has been treated and what the treatment was.

3. No soil

MOCCAE's requirements for plants and seedlings prohibit natural soil accompanying the plants, and Article 12 of the law bars agricultural sand, natural soil and soil accompanying agricultural consignments from entering without a separate permit. In practice, ship plants bare-root or on a clean mount — see bare-root shipping of Platycerium.

4. Inspection and release on arrival

Consignments are inspected at the point of entry. The importer applies for release online, pays, and the consignment goes through visual inspection (and laboratory tests if required) before an electronic release permit is issued. MOCCAE runs agricultural quarantine centres at the main entry points, including Zayed International Airport (Abu Dhabi), Al Maktoum Airport, Sharjah Airport and the Dubai Flower Center — so plants can arrive through Dubai (DXB) or Abu Dhabi (AUH), for example, though these are not the only options.

5. Fees and timing

As listed on MOCCAE's service page in September 2026: AED 100 to request an import permit, AED 500 to request release of a consignment, and AED 200 for analysis of a plant, soil or water sample if one is needed. The stated service time is five working days. Fees and procedures change, so confirm them on the service page before you apply.

6. Plants from Thailand routed through Taiwan

Plants sourced in Thailand and shipped to the UAE through our facility in Taiwan travel on a Taiwanese phytosanitary certificate for re-export. How that certificate and the country of origin work is explained in phytosanitary certificates & re-export. If you are buying from Thailand yourself, see how to buy rare plants from Thailand.

What we do, and what you handle

Planning an order for the UAE? See our plant sourcing agent service →

Official sources: Federal Law No. (7) of 2025 Regarding Agricultural Quarantine, UAE Legislation — uaelegislation.gov.ae · MOCCAE, "Import an agricultural consignment" (import permit, release, documents, fees) — moccae.gov.ae

This page is provided for reference only. Actual shipping and import requirements are governed by current regulations. Please contact us directly with any questions or specific needs.