UAE and Eurasian Economic Union trade agreement enters into force

The Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) entered into force on 6 October 2026. The agreement was signed on 27 June 2025 and now opens a preferential trade corridor between the UAE and the five EAEU member states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation.

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said the agreement would turn growing commercial ties into a practical platform for exporters, manufacturers and supply-chain partners.

The key facts

• In force: 6 October 2026, as announced by the Eurasian Economic Commission.
• Market access: both sides grant preferential access on more than 86% of tariff lines, covering around 96% of the value of goods currently traded between them.
• Scope: reduced or removed customs duties, simpler trade procedures, and rules on customs cooperation, rules of origin, technical regulation, intellectual property, e-commerce and the participation of small and medium-sized businesses.
• Trade today: UAE-EAEU non-oil trade reached US$33.6 billion in 2025, up 16% on 2024 and more than four times its 2021 value. In the first half of 2026 it rose 6.2% year on year to US$14.3 billion.
• Outlook: annual trade is expected to reach nearly US$50 billion by 2032.
• Wider programme: the agreement forms part of the UAE's Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) programme, which supports the national target of AED 4 trillion in non-oil foreign trade by 2031.

Why it matters for international clients

For founders and families from Russia, Kazakhstan and the wider CIS who already trade through the UAE, the agreement adds lower duties and clearer customs rules to the existing advantages of a UAE base. It strengthens the case for the UAE as a regional hub for trading, logistics and distribution between the Gulf and Eurasia, with sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, automotive products, technology and precious metals named by the Minister as areas of opportunity.

What to do

• Review which of your products move between the UAE and EAEU countries and check whether they fall within the preferential tariff lines.
• Confirm that your goods can qualify under the rules of origin before relying on reduced duties.
• If you are planning a new trading company, consider whether a free zone or mainland licence best fits your customs and distribution model. Our guide on free zone or mainland is a useful starting point.
• Make sure the structure works for corporate tax and VAT as well as customs. See our corporate tax and company setup services, and our country guides for Russia, Kazakhstan and the CIS.

Sources

• Eurasian Economic Commission: Economic Partnership Agreement between EAEU and UAE came into effect (6 October 2026)
• Eurasian Economic Commission: UAE trade agreement page
• Gulf News (WAM): UAE-EAEU trade deal takes effect as bilateral trade hits $33.6 billion
• Kazinform: EAEU-UAE free trade deal enters into force

This page gives general information as at the date shown and is not advice for your specific situation. Rules in other countries are summarised for orientation; your home-country position should be confirmed before you act.