Accounting for Trading Companies
Imports, exports, re-exports and stock in several locations: we get landed costs, customs, import VAT and foreign currency right, so your margins and VAT returns can be trusted.
Trading margins are thin, so small accounting errors matter. Freight booked as an expense instead of stock, duty missing from landed cost, or exchange differences buried in sales can turn a profitable product line into an apparent loss, or the reverse.
We set up product-level costing and stock controls, reconcile customs declarations to your purchases and VAT returns, and keep the documentation the FTA now expects from traders.
What we do for you
Inventory and landed cost
Freight, insurance, duty and clearing charges allocated to stock, with FIFO or weighted average costing.
Customs and import VAT
Customs declarations reconciled to purchases, and import VAT accounted for correctly on your return.
Designated zone transactions
Goods moving within and out of designated zones such as JAFZA treated correctly for VAT.
Supplier due diligence
The supplier checks required before claiming input VAT from October 2026, documented.
Foreign exchange
Multi-currency purchases and sales, revaluation and realised gains and losses booked correctly.
Margin reporting
Gross margin by product, customer and market, every month.
How we work with you
Set up
Item master, costing method and warehouses configured.
Capture
Purchases, shipments and customs data recorded with landed costs.
Reconcile
Stock, customs and VAT reconciled every month.
Report
Margins, stock ageing and cash cycle in a monthly pack.
Built for businesses like yours
General trading companies
Mainland traders with mixed product lines and local customers.
Import and re-export businesses
Goods passing through UAE ports to GCC and African markets.
Free zone distributors
Designated zone rules and QFZP distribution conditions.
Building materials and electronics
High-value stock and closer FTA scrutiny of supply chains.
Partner-led chartered accountants in Dubai
Years in chartered practice
Big 4-trained Chartered Accountant partners on every engagement.
Businesses served
From solo founders to multinational groups across the UAE.
Partner response time
Direct WhatsApp access to a qualified CA partner, not a junior.
Frequently asked questions
How is import VAT handled for UAE trading companies?
VAT-registered importers generally account for import VAT through the reverse charge on their VAT return, declaring the VAT due and recovering it as input tax in the same return where entitled.
What should be included in landed cost?
The purchase price plus costs to bring goods to their current location, such as freight, insurance, customs duty and clearing charges.
Do free zone trading companies pay 0% Corporate Tax?
Only if they are a Qualifying Free Zone Person and their income qualifies. Distribution qualifies only in or from a designated zone, to customers who resell or process the goods, and sales to individuals are excluded.
What supplier checks are now required before claiming input VAT?
From 1 October 2026, FTA Decision No. 13 of 2026 requires businesses to verify their suppliers and transactions before deducting input VAT, with extra checks for suppliers above AED 375,000 a year.
Talk to a partner about your situation
A free 15-minute call with a Big 4-trained Chartered Accountant. Fixed fees, no obligation.
General information based on UAE law and FTA guidance as of November 2026, not tax advice. Requirements depend on your facts; verify with the FTA or a qualified adviser before acting.