Fees and steps checked on
Commercial document attestation is the legalisation of trade and business papers so that UAE customs, banks, buyers or authorities accept them. Commercial invoices and certificates of origin are attested electronically through MOFA's eDAS system. Other commercial documents go through the chamber of commerce and then MOFA attestation, and documents from abroad need their own country's chain and the UAE embassy first.
Price: a UAE commercial document needing only MOFA is from AED 2,600 plus VAT, a UK commercial document from AED 4,200 plus VAT and a USA commercial document from AED 4,000 plus VAT, all official fees included. eDAS invoices and other countries are quoted after you share a copy. See attestation fees.
Which documents count as commercial
MOFA charges a higher fee for commercial documents than for personal ones, so the classification matters. Commercial documents include:
- Commercial invoices and packing lists for imports
- Certificates of origin
- Price lists, agency and distribution agreements
- Chamber-certified trade letters and certificates
- Company records such as incorporation certificates and board resolutions, covered in detail on company documents attestation
Invoice attestation through eDAS
Since 1 February 2023, commercial invoices are attested through eDAS 2.0. It is mandatory for goods valued at AED 10,000 and above.
- The UAE importer logs in to eDAS with the MOFA company account.
- Upload the invoice details and the certificate of origin where needed.
- Pay within 14 days. After the grace period, MOFA adds a fine of AED 500 per invoice.
- Download the attested invoice. MOFA states the service completes in about 2 minutes.
Invoices and certificates of origin are not accepted on MOFA's regular attestation route: they must go through eDAS.
Certificates of origin and chamber attestation
Dubai Chambers issues certificates of origin, usually in about 2 hours, and attests signatures for member companies. Businesses in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates use their own chamber. After the chamber stamp, documents other than invoices and certificates of origin go to MOFA for commercial attestation.
Commercial documents from abroad
A trade document issued abroad needs the issuing country's chain before it reaches the UAE: usually a notary or chamber of commerce, the foreign ministry, then the UAE embassy. For the UK and the USA, the embassy and MOFA stamps are added together on MOFA's digital route. In the USA, business documents are first attested by the Secretary of State of the state concerned.
| Where the document was issued | Usual time | Our total price |
|---|---|---|
| UAE, MOFA attestation only | 2 to 3 working days | from AED 2,600 plus VAT |
| UK | 22 to 24 working days | from AED 4,200 plus VAT |
| USA | about 7 weeks | from AED 4,000 plus VAT |
| Other countries, see attestation by country | depends on the country | quoted after you share a copy |
Documents you need
- The original document, signed and stamped by the issuing company
- The UAE company's trade licence copy
- For eDAS: invoice value and details, and access to the MOFA company account
- The destination country, for documents going abroad
Common problems and how to avoid them
- Late eDAS payment. The AED 500 fine per invoice adds up quickly on a busy import month. Pay within the 14-day window.
- Sending invoices to the regular MOFA route. They are only accepted on eDAS.
- Chamber membership lapsed. Dubai Chambers attests signatures for members only, so renew first.
- Documents in another language. MOFA needs Arabic or English, or a legal translation.
See why attestation gets rejected. Salary and experience letters for staff are covered on experience certificate attestation.
