By Staff Reporter
DUBAI-Trade through Dubai’s Hatta Customs Crossing surged 175 percent to AED37.08 billion in the first half of 2026, up from AED13.48 billion recorded during the same period last year, according to Dubai Customs.
The sharp increase comes amid changes in regional trade routes and supply chains, which have resulted in increased overland cargo movement through Dubai.
Loaded trucks crossing the border rose 160.1 percent to 108,811 during the six-month period, compared with 41,831 in H1 2025. Passenger traffic also increased, with bus movements rising 77.5 percent, while more than 919,000 travellers and about 322,000 light vehicles passed through the crossing.
Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said the figures demonstrated Dubai’s ability to respond quickly to regional changes while maintaining the movement of goods through supply chains.
He described Dubai as a trusted partner and key hub for global trade, while Dr Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, said the competitiveness of modern trade hubs increasingly depended on their ability to adapt quickly rather than solely on geographical location.
Dubai Customs attributed part of the growth to measures aimed at improving trade efficiency, including expanding the number of licensed logistics providers and introducing the Shahin electronic seal system to enhance shipment tracking and security at no additional cost to customers.
The Hatta Customs Centre used 7,870 electronic seals on trucks during the first half of 2026.
The Green Corridor initiative also helped facilitate the movement of goods during a period of regional disruption.
Meanwhile, customs officers at Hatta Crossing recorded 129 seizures during the first six months of the year as Dubai Customs continued to balance trade facilitation with measures to protect the economy and strengthen border security.
