GTL Summary:

This service guide explains the formal procedure for Clearance Companies Deregistration with the United Arab Emirates Federal Tax Authority. It details the process for customs clearance and freight service providers to cancel their TINCO (VAT) or TINCE (Excise) registrations. The document establishes strict prerequisites for deregistration, notably that the company must have zero pending tax liabilities and that all suspended VAT amounts on imports must be fully released. Upon successful approval, the authority will cancel the Tax Services Agreement and permit the company to retrieve their original financial guarantee documentation.

Document Type: GUIDE - Federal Tax Authority Service Guide
Guidance Code: clearance-companies-deregistration
Year: 2025
Related Law: uae-indirecttax-law-vat-uaevat-8-of-2017-as-amended
Authority: Federal Tax Authority
Last updated at: 2026-03-13 08:58:00 UTC

Federal Tax Authority Service Guide

Clearance Companies Deregistration

2025

Service Card Template
English
Service CodeA reference code generated by the FTA.
Main ServiceRegistration
Service NameClearance Companies Deregistration.
Categories of CustomersAll persons with a commercial activity falling within the category of customs clearance and freight services.
Service TypeTransactional
Service ClassificationGovernment to Business Services
Service CategoryVariation Service
Service DescriptionThrough this service, the FTA De-registered Customs clearance companies for VAT and Excise Tax purposes.
Channels and Working Hours for Providing the Service

Phase 1

EmaraTax Portal: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Phase 2

Taxpayers Support Center Dubai branch: https://goo.gl/maps/ZgrVzVAexoJNZJW37 During the specified official hours.

Time Required to Submit Application45 minutes
Time Required to Complete Application by the FTA20 business days from the date the completed application was received.
Obligation to Sign-upApplicable
Required Documents and FormsDe-Registration Application in EmaraTax portal.
Procedures and Steps

Phase 1

  • Sign in to the EmaraTax portal through FTA official website.
  • Access your EmaraTax dashboard and click on "Action" tab located under your Clearing Company registration account.
  • Start the De-Registration Application in EmaraTax portal and submit it.

Phase 2

Collect the original Financial Guarantee (when applying for VAT clearing Company TINCO registration and Excise Clearing Company TINCE).

FAQs
  1. Can I save the application as a draft to be updated later?

    If yes, for how long? Yes, you can save the in-progress application (as a draft) and complete it at a later point in time. However, if you do not submit your application within 60 calendar days of initiating it, it will be cancelled automatically. You will receive SMS and email reminders.

  2. Who can submit a TINCO deregistration application to FTA?

    The application can be submitted to FTA by you (registered VAT clearing company TINCO and Excise Tax Clearing Company TINCE), your tax agent or legal representative.

  3. What are the prerequisites to deregister your TINCO account?
    • To be unregistered as an Excise Tax Clearing Company (TINCE) with the FTA. If you are registered, you need to cancel the registration of your TINCE company account first before submitting your application for TINCO deregistration.
    • Your suspended VAT amount on the import of goods is released.
    • You have no liabilities to be paid to FTA.
  4. What is the estimated time to complete application review by FTA?

    Generally, the estimated time to complete the application by the FTA is 20 business days from the date the completed application was received by the FTA. However, in case where any additional information is needed, FTA may take additional time to process the application. The applicant needs to provide the additional information and re-submit the application. The FTA may take additional 20 business days to respond to the updated application. If the application is not resubmitted within 60 calendar days from the date you received the notification from FTA, the application will be auto-rejected.

  5. What should I expect after I submit my Clearing Company deregistration application?

    Processing your application:

    • Your application will now be reviewed by the FTA. If we require any further details from you in order to assist with the verification of your application, you will receive an email notification setting out the information required from you.

    • Once we have completed our review, we will either approve, or in some cases, may have to reject the application. We will notify you by email of our review or decision.
    • Where we approve an application, you will be informed the approval notification via email.
    • Where we reject an application, we will provide you with the reasons for doing so. You may re-apply but only once you have resolved the matters brought to your attention.

    Clearing Company deregistration completion:
    On approval of your deregistration application:

    • Your Clearing Company account will be deregistered. Your company details will be removed from the published list of clearing companies in our website (www.tax.gov.ae).
    • Your Tax Services Agreement and Addendum with FTA will be cancelled.
    • If you had submitted the original financial guarantee documents (like a bank guarantee) to FTA, you may visit our office to collect the originals (if there were no liquidation of your financial guarantee due to any pending liabilities).
    • Applicant can schedule a meeting by emailing Freight Forwarders freight.forwarders@tax.gov.ae.
    • The person collecting the financial guarantee must also hold a letter of undertaking issued by the authorized signatory verifying the details of person.

    Important notes: The status of your application will be updated in the dashboard of your taxpayer portal. You can view the status by logging into your account.

  6. How to check the status of the submitted application with the FTA?

    The application status can be viewed on the applicant's dashboard in EmaraTax. The following provides a summary of the application status:

    • Drafted: You have not completed or submitted the application form.

    • In Review: Your application form has been received by FTA and is under review.
    • Awaiting Information: You need to provide additional information to the FTA.
    • Rejected: Your application form has been rejected by the FTA.
    • Approved: Your application form has been approved by the FTA and your Clearing Company account is deregistered.
  7. Does deregistration result in deactivating the relevant EmaraTax account?

    The EmaraTax account is not deactivated upon deregistration and remains accessible.

FeesFree
Relevant PublicationsNot Applicable
Terms and Conditions
  1. The FTA may require more time if the FTA requests further info due to information not being provided with the application.
  2. Financial Guarantee would be submitted in original copy to the authorized person.
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