Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormCrystalline powder (monohydrate)
Industry PositionFood and dietary-supplement ingredient (carbohydrate sweetener / excipient)
Market
Monohydrate dextrose (dextrose monohydrate / glucose monohydrate) is used in the UAE primarily as an imported carbohydrate ingredient for food manufacturing and supplement formulations, and as a traded B2B input. Trade statistics for the closest HS6 category commonly used for glucose/dextrose trade (HS 170230) show the UAE imported about 17,610,800 kg valued at about USD 12,505.84 thousand in 2023. In that HS6 category, India was the largest reported origin supplier to the UAE in 2023, followed by Saudi Arabia, China, Indonesia, and France. Market access risk is driven less by agronomy/seasonality and more by importer-controlled compliance (product classification, label/registration workflows, and batch documentation such as certificates of analysis).
Market RoleNet importer and import-dependent ingredient market
Domestic RoleB2B input for food manufacturing and supplement blending/packing; traded via importers and distributors
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighMisclassification of the product (bulk ingredient vs. prepackaged food/supplement), incomplete label compliance to GCC standards, or missing emirate-level registration/label assessment can trigger port detention, delayed release, rejection, or forced relabeling in the UAE.Before shipment, align with the UAE importer on (1) HS/classification and intended market use, (2) whether food-item registration/label assessment is required in the destination emirate, and (3) a document pack including label artwork (Arabic where required), product images, and batch COAs.
Documentation Gap MediumMissing or inconsistent batch documentation (especially COA-to-bill-of-lading/invoice linkage) increases the probability of clearance holds and additional inspection/testing requests for supplement-adjacent or regulated consignments.Use a batch-controlled documentation set: COA per batch, certificate of origin, invoice, and bill of lading with matching product names/weights/lot identifiers.
Food Safety MediumIf the shipped material does not meet buyer/authority purity expectations (e.g., solids, dextrose equivalent, ash, sulfur dioxide), the consignment may be rejected or require remediation actions that are costly in a high-throughput UAE import environment.Set contract specs and test plan aligned to a recognized reference (e.g., dextrose monohydrate specifications under 21 CFR § 168.111 as a benchmark) and perform pre-shipment COA review against acceptance criteria.
Logistics MediumBecause dextrose monohydrate is typically shipped as a bulk commodity input, ocean freight volatility and routing disruptions can materially change landed cost and delivery lead times into the UAE.Diversify qualified origins, book ocean freight with schedule flexibility, and hold safety stock sized to replenishment lead times for core formulations.
FAQ
Which HS code is commonly used as a starting point for classifying dextrose (glucose) shipments into the UAE?A common HS6 reference for glucose (including glucose in solid form) and glucose syrup without added flavouring/colouring and with less than 20% fructose (dry basis) is HS 170230 (per the UN Statistics Division HS classification detail). The exact tariff line should still be confirmed by the UAE importer or customs broker based on the product’s presentation and specification.
What does recent trade data indicate about the UAE’s reliance on imports for glucose/dextrose-type products?WITS (UN Comtrade via the World Bank) reports that the UAE imported HS 170230 (glucose and glucose syrup, <20% fructose) valued at about USD 12,505.84 thousand and about 17,610,800 kg in 2023, indicating an import-dependent supply profile for this category.
Which origin countries supplied most of the UAE’s HS 170230 imports in 2023?WITS/UN Comtrade data for UAE HS 170230 imports in 2023 lists India as the largest origin supplier, followed by Saudi Arabia, China, Indonesia, and France.
What purity/specification benchmarks can be used when contracting dextrose monohydrate?As a reference benchmark, 21 CFR § 168.111 defines dextrose monohydrate and specifies criteria such as total solids of at least 90.0%, dextrose equivalent (as D-glucose) of at least 99.5% on a dry basis, sulfated ash not more than 0.25% (dry basis), and sulfur dioxide not more than 20 mg/kg. UAE buyers may specify equivalent internal specs or pharmacopeia/FCC criteria depending on end use.