Last week, one of my clients had 10 boxes stuck at Dubai Customs for three days. No movement. I called and found out the recipient didn't reply to a verification SMS. I've seen this at least five times since June 1.
Here's the deal: since June 2026, UAE Customs requires every cross-border parcel to include a valid recipient phone number. Customs sends a verification code via SMS. The recipient must reply to confirm. No reply? Parcel gets held, and you pay 50 AED per box per day storage fee.
In my experience, many sellers still use old labels—just address, no phone number, or a dead number. One client told me he processed 1,000 orders, but 300 had wrong phone numbers. Customs caught every single one. To return them? Double shipping fees plus fines.
So what to do? First, print the recipient's phone number on every label—especially for COD or prepaid orders. Make sure it's a local number that can receive SMS. Second, validate the phone format before shipping, or force it in your order system. Third, send a heads-up to the buyer: "Customs will send you a verification code. Reply immediately." Don't let them delete it as spam.
Also, if your logistics provider hasn't updated their clearance system, switch now. Some small forwarders still use old channels and get all parcels stopped—costing you more in the end.
Oh, and this isn't just Dubai. Saudi Arabia is piloting a similar rule. Shipments to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah—same requirement.
Is your label ready for this change?