Armoring request
What documents are required to apply for import / export service of armored vehicles?
Please see guide and demo video on service application page
What are the required documents to apply for import / export service for spare parts and armored glass?
Please see guide and demo video on service application page.
What are the prescribed fees to export armored vehicles?
AED 150 per armored vehicle
What are the prescribed fees for the modification of application data?
AED 50 per permit
Is it possible to apply for the service manually by a representative?
No. applying for the service is only available online through the Executive Office website for registered armoring companies.
To which countries the exporting of armored vehicles is prohibited?
Export is available to all countries except for countries to which such act is prohibited according to Security Council resolutions.
For more details, see the UN sanctions page or contact the service provider in the Executive Office.
What is the validity period of permits?
60 days from the date of final approval
Does the permit require any other attestations after issuance?
Yes. In the case of export, the permit is required to be attested at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation.
Is there a specific number of armored vehicles allowed to be exported during the year?
There is no specific number.
What methods of payment are available?
E-Dirham and credit cards.
When can I apply for the service?
Applying for services is available online throughout the day.
Can I use (Armoring request Service) to apply for import / export of non-armored vehicles?
No, Applying for non-armored vehicles can be done via "Strategic Commodities" Service.
Can I use (Armoring request Service) to apply for import / export of military vehicles?
No. Military vehicles are out of the Executive Office jurisdiction.
Who is eligible to apply for armoring request services?
Application is only available for registered armoring companies.
Which entities are exempted from service fees?
United Nations organizations only.
How can I contact Committee Executive Office if an individual or company detects any suspicion, abuse or violation?
You can report any detected abuses confidentially by contacting Sand Service at 80018000
International and National Sanctions Lists
What does ‘freezing’ mean?
Freezing is the prohibition to transfer, conversion, disposition or movement of any funds or other assets that are owned or controlled by designated persons or entities.
What does ‘funds’ mean?
Funds: Assets of every kind and in whatever form, whether tangible, intangible, electronic, digital, cryptic, movable or immovable, corporeal or incorporeal, however acquired, and any documents or instruments in any form, including national currency, foreign currencies, documents or deeds establishing ownership of such assets or any associated rights or interest in them, in whatever form, including electronic, and digital, forms, or any interests, profits or income derived or earned from such assets, as well as economic resources considered as assets of any kind, and that may be used to obtain any funds, goods or services including internet posting services or related services.
Why I am obligated according to Federal Cabinet 74 - 2020, to freeze targeted funds?
The UAE is under an obligation under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter and relevant EU Council Resolutions to freeze, without delay, all funds or other assets of any person, group or entity designated by the United Nations Security Council or a relevant United Nations Security Council Committee to associated with Iran’s or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear or ballistic missile activities and to ensure that no funds or other assets are made available to or for the benefit of any such person, group or entity either by a UAE national or any person or entity within UAE territory.
Why are individuals or entities listed in the sanction lists?
This sanction list includes names of individuals and organizations that the UAE and the UN believes are detrimental to growth, development, and peace. These individuals or entities or groups are mostly involved in acts of terror and violation of International Law.
Who must comply with sanctions?
Sanctions restrictions must be implemented by any persons (both individuals and entities) located in the UAE, including governments.
The UAE persons (both individuals and entities) must also comply with the sanctions restrictions when they are located or engaged in activities abroad.
What are the consequences in case of failure to comply with the obligations set out in the Cabinet Decisions and this guidance note?
Not compliant with the obligation in the cabinet decree or failing to implement procedures to ensure compliance by Financial Institutions and designated businesses and professions will expose to prosecutions and punishment of imprisonment for a period up to 10 years and a fine no less than AED 50,000 and no more than AED 5,000,000 or both of these penalties, as indicated in the decision.
What needs to be done if targeted funds are detected?
- In case a financial institution or designated non-financial business or profession determines that any of the funds it holds or administers are targeted funds as indicated above, it shall take the following steps:
- Immediately freeze all of these funds and any funds derived or generated from such funds without providing any notice to the customer or potential customer.
- Refrain from providing any financial or other services or from providing funds to or for the benefit of a designated person, group or entity.
- Immediately inform the Supervisory Authority with the freezing measures taken.
- The financial institution or designated non-financial business or profession is under an obligation to fully cooperate with the respected Supervisory Authority and the Executive Office in verifying the accuracy of the information provided.
- The Supervisory Authority within five days from the taking of the freezing measure, inform the Executive Office of that fact, including information on the status of and any action taken with respect to assets, the nature of assets and amount of assets frozen, and any other information that is relevant to or would facilitate compliance with the Resolutions.
What is the legal framework about the Implementation of United Nation and National Terrorist Sanctions Lists?
The UAE issued Federal Cabinet-74 in 2020 establishes the framework in regards to the sanctions lists either the National Terrorist Lists and the UN consolidated list.
How can I find out who is a designated person, group or entity?
- For a person, group or entity’s funds to become targeted funds and thus subject to a freezing obligation measure under the Cabinet Decisions, that person, group or entity first has to be “designated” as falling within the scope of a relevant UN Security Council Resolution. Either the United Nations Security Council or the relevant United Nations Sanctions Committee makes such “designations”.
- The updated national and international sanction lists can be accessed through the following website: https://www.uaeiec.gov.ae/en-us/United-Nations-Security-Council-Sanctions
For better experience, it is advisable to subscribe to our mailing list to our e-mailing list to receive updates regarding the United Nations Security Council Consolidated List and the UAE National List.
What needs to be done if no targeted funds have been detected?
If a financial institution or designated non-financial business or profession has determined that none of the funds it holds or administers are targeted funds, the financial institution or designated non-financial business or profession must nevertheless inform the Supervisory Authority immediately whom accordingly will report to the Executive Office in case a current or former customer or any person with whom the financial institution or designated non-financial business or profession has or had dealings with is a designated person, group or entity.
Is there any permit to access frozen assets by the designated person?
- For the United Nation Consolidated List, the Executive Office in some limited circumstances may permit access to frozen funds and clearly determine the extent to which access is granted, based on a request submitted directly by the designated person to the Executive Office. Financial institutions and designated non-financial business or profession must in all cases receive directly a written statement from the Executive Office stating the amount and conditions of access to the assets.
- For the National Terrorist Lists, the Ministry of Justice may permit access to frozen funds in some limited circumstances based on a request submitted directly by the designated person. Financial institutions and designated non-financial business or profession must in all cases receive directly a written statement from the Ministry of Justice stating the amount and conditions of access to the assets.
May I permit transfers to be made into frozen accounts, and if so which ones and subject to what conditions?
- The Cabinet Decision provides that financial institutions may credit frozen accounts with interest or other earnings on those accounts; or with payments due under contracts, agreements or obligations that were concluded or arose before the date on which the person was designated, provided that any additions to such accounts shall also be frozen.
Prior notification or approval by the Executive Office or respected Supervisory Authority to inform the Executive Office about such transactions without delay after the frozen account has been credited.
Can I be held liable for freezing funds of a designated person based on the Cabinet Decision?
The Cabinet Decision clearly states that any person is exempted from criminal, administrative or civil liability if a freezing measure is carried out in good faith and for the purpose of complying with the provisions of the Cabinet Decision. Thus, as long as the freezing measures was taken based on the believe that funds are targeted funds, the person, financial institution or designated non-financial business or profession is exempted from any liability resulting from this freezing measure even if it later turns out that the frozen funds are in fact not funds that are targeted by the Cabinet Decision.
- At the same time, financial institutions shall note that the criminal sanctions under the Resolutions apply to any person who violates or fails to comply with the freezing obligation. Accordingly, both intentional and gravely negligent conduct resulting in the lack of application of a freezing measure may trigger criminal liability.
What if my customer name does not match exactly, or I am suspicious that the customer is listed or acting on behalf of a designated person?
In case of a partial match or suspected match with a designated individual or entity, financial institution or designated non-financial business or profession shall immediately contact the respected supervisory authority.
How can I determine whether I am in possession of targeted funds?
- Financial institutions and designated businesses and professions must have in place procedures to implement the provisions of the Cabinet Decision. This involves frequently checking the customer databases and any information obtained on potential or existing customers against the designations by the relevant UN Security Council Committees and National Terrorist Lists to determine whether a financial institution or designated non-financial business or profession is in possesses of or administers funds that are subject to the Resolutions. The obligation by financial institutions and designated businesses and professions to freeze funds of designated persons applies immediately after a designation was published by a relevant UN Sanctions Committee and National Terrorist Lists. Failure by a financial institution or designated non-financial business or profession to apply freezing measures within a matter of one or two hours after a designation has been made, or making funds available to or for the benefit of a designated person constitutes a breach of UAE law and may result in the application of both pecuniary and incarceration sanctions set out in the Cabinet Decisions.
- Some financial institutions and designated businesses and professions rely on services such as World Check to verify that their clients are not subject to any UN sanctions. It is important to note in this regard that such online services are useful but should not be viewed as an absolute guarantee of compliance with the obligations under the Cabinet Decisions. Additional periodic checks against the designations made by the UN Sanctions Committees must be carried out.
How long do I have to keep the funds frozen?
- The Cabinet Decisions do not limit the timeframe for any given freezing measure. Accordingly, the obligation to keep funds frozen could apply indefinitely in some cases
- In addition, the obligation to freeze funds also ceases to exist where the competent UN Security Council Committee and the National Terrorist Lists removes such designation. A decision by the competent UN Security Council Committee and the UAE Cabinet to remove a name from the list of designated persons, groups or entities also terminates the obligation to freeze funds in relation to that person, group or entity. A financial institution may only lift a specific measure if it could verify that the competent UN Security Council Committee has indeed removed the relevant person, group or entity from the list of designations.
What shall I do if my name is similar to a designated person?
- In cases freezing measures were taken in relation to funds of a person that has the same name as a designated person but who is in fact not the same person as the one that was designated. In such scenarios, the Committee for Goods and Executive Office Subject to Import and Export will issue a written to the relevant supervisory authority.
- A financial institution or designated non-financial business or profession may only alter or lift a specific measure if it could verify that the Executive Office has issued and published a decision to this effect.
Is my supervisor going to check compliance with the Cabinet Decision in the course of their onsite inspections?
The Cabinet Decision provides that financial institutions and designated businesses and professions are under an obligation to have in place procedures to verify that it is complying with all aspects of the Cabinet Decisions. Supervisory authorities will verify compliance by financial institutions and designated businesses and professions with this obligation during their onsite visits. A failure to have in place such procedures may result in the application of criminal as well as supervisory sanctions as stipulated in the Cabinet Decisions.