Dubai Customs cashless rate reaches 99.3%
Dubai Customs reported a 99.3% cashless payment rate in the first half of 2026, slightly down from 99.4% in 2025 but up from 99.2% in 2024.
This achievement supports the ‘Dubai Cashless’ strategy, which aims to simplify procedures, improve the customer experience, and raise the efficiency of doing business.
The ‘Dubai Cashless’ strategy, launched in October 2024 by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, set out a roadmap for a fully integrated cash-less society, emphasizing streamlined procedures and enhanced customer experience across government services.
Building Digital Infrastructure for a Cashless Economy
The results reflect the development of Dubai Customs’ digital infrastructure, the efficiency of its electronic payment systems, and its commitment to providing a smooth and secure experience for customers.
By embedding digital payments within customs operations, Dubai Customs contributes to a broader economic vision that prioritises an innovative, sustainable economy and reinforces the emirate’s reputation as a global benchmark for cash-less transformation. These efforts support the construction of a more efficient, innovative and sustainable economy, while reinforcing Dubai’s standing as a leading global model in the transition toward an integrated cashless society.
Record Customs Transactions and Customer Satisfaction
Dubai Customs completed 23 million customs transactions during the first half of this year, with the digital channel adoption rate reaching 99.6%.
It is important to note that the 23 million customs transactions reported reflect the total volume of trade operations processed, and are distinct from the count of cash-less payment events, showing the scale of overall customs activity.
The happiness index for the digital services it provides rose to 98% during the first half of 2026.
The Dubai Department of Finance, on 9 October, highlighted Dubai Customs’ key role in achieving the cashless targets, praising its digital transformation performance and its influence in driving greater reliance on cash-less transactions throughout the emirate. The department specifically commended Dubai Customs for its leadership in digital transformation and for encouraging broader adoption of cashless payments across the public sector.
Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director-General of Dubai Customs, affirmed that the integration of government services and digital payments embodies the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Dr. Busenad said they are turning the efficiency of customs services into a competitive advantage that supports business growth and investor confidence in Dubai.
This approach is in line with the Dubai Customs Strategy 2026-2030, which is built on enabling trusted trade, according to Dr. Busenad.
Rashid Al Sharid, Executive Director of the Finance and Administration Division at Dubai Customs, said, “Integrating customs procedures with digital collection enhances revenue management efficiency and facilitates doing business.”
Atiq Al Muhairi, Executive Director of the Customs Development Division at Dubai Customs, said, “We are linking system development to trade needs to deliver faster, more integrated and more reliable services, by reviewing the customer journey, reengineering procedures, improving data quality and integration, and using automation to reduce repetitive steps and raise transaction processing efficiency.”
Mirsal 2: Integrating Services and Risk Management
The ‘Mirsal 2’ system is a key pillar in integrating customs operations, e-services, payment procedures and risk management.
The ‘Mirsal 2’ platform not only integrates e-services, payment and risk management but also streamlines transaction completion, bolstering business resilience while preserving rigorous control and compliance standards.
On 9 October, the Dubai Department of Finance announced that the Dubai Cashless strategy’s key targets have been met, with the emirate-wide cashless transactions index reaching 90.1%—surpassing the 2026 goal—and the government sector’s digital enablement index achieving a full 100%.
