The United Arab Emirates market for Indian vitrified & ceramic tiles
GCC anti-dumping duties on ceramic/porcelain tiles from India have applied since June 2020; a 2025 review reportedly extended them for five years from 28 May 2026 (trade press - confirm with the GCC Technical Secretariat).
Indian community in United Arab Emirates (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 4,344,008 (NRI 4,326,248 + PIO 17,760) — largest NRI population after Saudi/US.
Vitrified & Ceramic Tiles specification for United Arab Emirates orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Water absorption | ≤ 0.5% for vitrified/porcelain (ISO 13006 Group BIa); 10-20% for ceramic wall tiles (typical) |
| Sizes | 600x600, 600x1200, 800x800, 800x1600, 1200x2400 mm; wall 300x450, 300x600 (typical) |
| Thickness | 8-9 mm (600x600), 9-15 mm slabs, 20 mm outdoor (typical) |
| Modulus of rupture | ≥ 35 N/mm² for BIa (ISO 13006, typical) |
| Finish | Glossy, satin, matt, carving, sugar/lappato, anti-slip R10-R11 (typical) |
| Shade/caliber | Batch-wise shade and size grading (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping vitrified & ceramic tiles to United Arab Emirates
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Jebel Ali: 3-6 days. Direct daily/near-daily services; feeders from all Indian ports; Gulf services were affected by the 2026 Hormuz disruption - check carrier advisories
Supply window: Indian vitrified & ceramic tiles is mainly produced or harvested Year-round. Allow 3-6 days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and United Arab Emirates customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' ~24-27 MT (≈ 1,200-1,400 m² of 600x600x9 mm), 40' HC Weight-limited; 20' used.
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP; CIF Jebel Ali is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in United Arab Emirates
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi Ports) / Zayed Port (Mina Zayed) · Abu Dhabi International / Zayed | government/oil-sector catering & FM contractors, construction materials, uniforms/textiles |
| Al Ain | Inland; Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi) / Jebel Ali (Dubai) · Al Ain International (AAN) | Indian grocery retail, agri-input importers, food processors |
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from India to United Arab Emirates take?
Typically 3-6 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Jebel Ali, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does United Arab Emirates have a trade agreement with India?
India–UAE CEPA in force since 1 May 2022 — zero/reduced duty on ~97% of UAE tariff lines over time with a CEPA certificate of origin [S7][S8][06 §C.1] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to vitrified & ceramic tiles from India?
Usually HS 690721. United Arab Emirates applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
What is the difference between vitrified and ceramic tiles?
Vitrified/porcelain tiles have water absorption of 0.5% or less, so they are dense and strong for floors. Ceramic wall tiles are more porous and lighter.
Do EU anti-dumping duties apply?
Yes. Indian ceramic tiles carry producer-specific EU anti-dumping duties, so the rate depends on the factory.
What is GVT/PGVT?
Glazed vitrified tiles, and polished glazed vitrified tiles, both with digitally printed designs.
Related guides
Request a quote: vitrified & ceramic tiles to United Arab Emirates
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in United Arab Emirates. We quote CIF/CFR with full export documentation.