Together for Prosperity of Trade and Security of Society

Ras Al Khaimah Customs is one of the earliest government departments in the Emirate, established in 1930. We are responsible for applying UAE and GCC customs laws and policies to facilitate trade, and combat smuggling, trade fraud and money laundering.

We also control the entry of restricted items and the seizure of prohibited materials. Services are delivered through twelve customs centers spanning Ras Al Khaimah’s sea, air, land and free-zone borders.

Our Vision

To be the leading customs administration in protection of society and supporting of the competitive economy. At its heart, customs is built on trust. That trust is earned through the dedication of the officers and professionals who uphold our responsibilities at every checkpoint, port, and service center across the Emirate.

Our Strategic Objectives

A vision without a plan is only a wish. To translate our vision and values into a measurable, lasting impact, Ras Al Khaimah Customs has built its work around three core priorities. Each represents a distinct area of responsibility, and together they form the operating framework that guides us across every customs center in the Emirate.

Protection & Enforcement

Every effective customs administration is built on the confidence that borders are secure. We are responsible for enforcing import and export prohibitions, correctly applying official controls, and safeguarding society from smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeiting, and money laundering.

Trade Facilitation & Economic Growth

Central to our work is a long-term view of the balance between security and speed. This includes maintaining the flow of legitimate trade across our sea, air, land, and free-zone centers, so that businesses can plan and grow with confidence.

Institutional Excellence & Partnership

Finally, we hold ourselves to the same standard we ask of others. By strengthening collaboration across our departments and with the wider community, we ensure that our credibility as an institution matches the ambition of our mandate.

Our Values

We hold ourselves to the highest standards of customs administration, benchmarking against the best practices in the region and beyond, not for recognition, but because it validates that our systems genuinely serve the traders and travelers who rely on them.

The world of trade does not stand still, and neither can we. We anticipate change rather than react to it, building the systems and skills that let Ras Al Khaimah's economy move with confidence.

Trust is the foundation of any customs administration and nowhere is that more true than at the border, where decisions affect livelihoods, security, and public confidence. We act with transparency, fairness, and accountability in every declaration we review, and every case we handle.

No customs center succeeds in isolation, and neither do we. We work together across our sea, air, land, and free-zone centers, and with the government entities and communities we serve, believing that shared goals are best achieved together.

Our Leadership

“We have further calibrated our main goal around enhancing the role of partnerships with the private and public sectors to ultimately achieve our strategic objectives and support the sustainable economic development of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and the United Arab Emirates.”

Dr. Rashed Rashed Al Mehrzi

General Manager, Ras Al Khaimah Customs