Jebel Ali Container Clearance: DO, Customs Release & Gate-Out Checklist

Submit endorsed original ocean bills of lading (OBL) or confirm telex release with the shipping line. Settle outstanding ocean freight, local Terminal Handling Charges (THC), and container deposit guarantees. The carrier issues an e-DO (Electronic Delivery Order) directly into the Dubai Trade portal linked to your container number and trade license.

Your customs clearing broker logs into Dubai Customs Mirsal 2 via Dubai Trade. Submit the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and HS tariff codes. Settle applicable customs duty (typically 5% CIF) and UAE VAT through your Dubai Trade CDR (Customs Duty Settlement) account or digital payment gateway.

Once Dubai Customs automated risk engine clears the declaration, the status switches to Cleared / Released. If routed to Yellow or Red channels, fulfill inspection requirements (such as X-ray scanning at DP World Inspection Center) to obtain the electronic Customs Clearance Certificate.

Settle DP World port handling, security, and storage dues electronically on Dubai Trade. Once paid, execute Haulier Nomination—electronically designating your registered road transport company to collect the specific container from DP World yards.

The nominated transport company accesses the DP World Truck Appointment System (TAS) to book an arrival time slot. The booking links the container number with the specific truck registration plate, trailer chassis ID, and registered driver mobile number to produce the digital eToken.

The truck enters the port gate during its eToken slot. The rubber-tired gantry (RTG) crane mounts the container onto the chassis at the yard stack. At the exit gate barrier, the system prints the Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR), which serves as the official gate pass to town.

Confirm the container is off the ship and assigned to a physical yard block (e.g. T2 Block 2B).

Check days left in your port free time (indicative: 10 days for standard import containers) with the Storage Calculator.

Verify no active customs holds, phytosanitary quarantine stops, or shipping line financial locks.

Cause: Pending ocean freight invoice, unpaid carrier container detention deposits, or unendorsed original bill of lading.
Fix: Confirm e-DO issuance in Dubai Trade before instructing your customs broker to register the import declaration.

Cause: Automated risk profiling flags the cargo for non-intrusive X-ray or physical de-stuffing.
Fix: See Customs & Inspection Guide and book the inspection promptly so the hold clears before free time runs out.

Cause: Container stayed in the yard beyond its free time, creating an unpaid storage balance.
Fix: The haulier's eToken will be blocked at the gate. Settle the storage invoice on Dubai Trade immediately so the gate barrier opens.

Cause: Traffic congestion on Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) or Yalayis Street (D57) delays truck arrival.
Fix: Instruct transporters to track arrival progress; if delay is unavoidable, cancel and re-book the TAS token before it lapses.

Cause: Transporter delays exiting the outer security barrier after mounting the box in the yard.
Fix: Make sure the driver exits directly after loading. Check the current exit-validity rules with DP World or your haulier.

An e-DO (Electronic Delivery Order) is issued by the ocean shipping line transferring title of cargo to the importer. An eToken is an appointment pass generated on DP World's Truck Appointment System (TAS) giving a registered truck a time slot to enter the terminal and pick up the container.

No. All commercial transactions at Jebel Ali Port—including customs declaration, port payment, e-DO verification, and haulier nomination—are processed digitally through registered Dubai Trade enterprise accounts. If you do not hold a login, an authorized clearing agent or freight forwarder must execute on your behalf.

No. Under the DP World tariff, free time counts from the discharge date. Indicatively that is 10 days for standard import containers, 3 days for IMDG class 8, and none for IMDG class 5. Customs reviews and inspection queues don't automatically pause it. See indicative storage charges.

Gate entry is normally refused for a truck outside its slot. The haulier has to cancel the expired token and book a new slot in TAS.

Once the container is lifted onto the transport chassis and the EIR is generated, the truck must pass through the outer security barrier within the exit validity period set by the terminal. Check the current rule with DP World or your haulier.