Customs Compliance in the Middle East Conference, 29 – 30 September 2026, Dubai, UAE
Customs Compliance in the Middle East Conference, 29 – 30 September 2026, Dubai, UAE
Our annual gathering for Middle Eastern customs and trade compliance professionals, discussing topics ranging from Free Zones, FTAs, origin, transfer pricing and classification.
Our annual gathering is the definitive conference for Middle Eastern customs and trade compliance professionals. This critical event offers an unparalleled opportunity to deepen your expertise across the region’s dynamic regulatory landscape. We’ll engage in in-depth discussions on essential topics, including the strategic utilization of Free Zones, the complexities of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and their precise rules of origin, and the intricate relationship between transfer pricing and customs valuation. Furthermore, our agenda covers the vital aspects of accurate classification of goods, effective strategies for managing investigation and enforcement actions, and navigating broader compliance challenges.
Join us to connect with peers, share best practices, and gain actionable insights to master the evolving demands of Middle Eastern trade and ensure robust compliance
- Mr. Nicolas Collart, Chief Trade Operations & Compliance Officer, Customs Support Group
- Mr. Lalu Pillai, Senior Trade Compliance Manager – Middle East, Africa & Pakistan, Trane Technologies
- Mr. Sajan Thomas, Regional Head of E-Customs, SGS
- Ms. Mbali Nkuna, Country Global Trade Compliance Officer & MEA Cluster Leader, ABB
- Mr. Mohamed Nadeem, MEA Export Control Manager (Operations), Schneider Electric
- Mr. Shyam Harsha, Global Logistics Import & Export Region Leader – MENAT & SSA, Baker Hughes
- Mr. Rameez Khan, Customs and Trade Compliance Specialist, IKEA
- Ms. Wanieska M. Torri, Regional Head of Tax and Trade – IMEA Region, Henkel
- Mr. Firas Altaweel, Global Director Customs Policy & Compliance, Huawei
Should you wish to join our esteemed speaker panel at this event, please contact Miss Isra Mahmoud on isra.mahmoud@nielsonsmith.com
The agenda for the Customs Compliance in the Middle East Conference is prepared by and for industry professionals, and includes the most interesting topics, currently pertinent to the field.
Please contact your NielsonSmith representative to discuss the programme in more depth.
Day One
08:15 – 09:00 Registration opens with early morning refreshments
09:00 – 09:20 Chairman’s welcome, opening address & introductions
09:20 – 10:20 An Update on the Trade Landscape Between the Middle East and Europe
10:20 – 11:20 Re-Exports, Saudi Arabia & the GCC: The Real Operational Challenge
11:20 – 11:50 Morning refreshments and networking
11:50 – 12:50 Designing Trade Structures in the Middle East: What Works in 2026
14:10 – 15:10 Panel Discussion: The Future of GCC Trade: Fragmentation vs Integration
15:10 – 16:10 Logistics Rerouting & Emergency Customs Rules: Responding to Disruption in Real Time
16:10 – 16:35 Afternoon refreshments and networking
16:35 – 17:25 Where Customs Value Is Lost: Structural Drivers of Duty Leakage
17:25 – 17:30 Chairman’s closing remarks
17:30 – 18:30 Conference drinks reception
Day Two
08:30 – 08:55 Early morning refreshments and networking
08:55 – 09:00 Chairman’s opening remarks
09:00 – 10:00 Free Zone Reconciliation: Closing the Gap Between Customs, Inventory & Reality
10:00 – 11:00 HS Classification Across the GCC: Inconsistency, Risk & Cost Impact
11:00 – 11:30 Morning refreshments and networking
11:30 – 12:30 Voluntary Disclosure & Audits: Taking Control Before Authorities Do
13:45 – 14:30 Panel Discussion – Where Customs Compliance Breaks in the Middle East: Real Case Discussions
14:30 – 15:30 E-Commerce & Low-Value Trade: Scaling Compliance in High-Volume Models
15:30 – 16:00 Afternoon refreshments and networking
16:00 – 16:45 Customs Valuation & Transfer Pricing: Where Authorities Are Challenging Companies
16:45 – 16:50 Chairman’s remarks
End of Conference
If you are interested in speaking at this conference, please contact Miss Isra Mahmoud on isra.mahmoud@nielsonsmith.com
CSG is the leading European provider of customs and trade solutions, facilitating seamless cross-border operations through cutting-edge digital innovations and unmatched industry expertise. With a presence in all major European strategic locations and the most comprehensive service offering in the market, we deliver unparalleled value to our customers by enhancing their operational efficiency, optimising duties and costs, ensuring regulatory compliance, and safeguarding their brand reputation amidst the ever-changing complexity of the customs landscape. Backed by a team of over 1700 dedicated customs professionals, we ensure our clients’ goods can cross borders with minimal risk and maximum efficiency without hassle or delay.
Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensive businesses. Descartes helps customers to work smarter by making access to and analysis of global trade data easy. Our suite of solutions helps businesses achieve higher trade compliance rates, reduce duties paid, minimize transactions with sanctioned parties and provides insight into potential customers and supply chain resources.
Descartes is the world’s largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com.
Should you wish to become our Partner at this event, please contact Mr. Reyhan Perera on reyhan.perera@nielsonsmith.com
1 physical 2-Day pass and the Company-wide Post-Event Microsite license for 1 year – 1149 USD
The event in Dubai includes sessions, lunch, refreshments and available documentation. Please contact us for Groups. Please note: “Vendor” companies may attend as sponsors only.
Conference Venue
TBC
Accommodation Allotment
TBC
Information
Delegate tickets are for in-house participants only. Compliance vendors may only attend by becoming a sponsor, please request a prospectus via the button below. Vendors purchasing tickets will not gain access to the event and will receive only a 70% refund.
