A step-by-step, experience-based guide to securing the UAE MOCCAE e-permit for importing live mud crabs (Scylla serrata) from Indonesia in 2026. What to file, who files it, required BKIPM health certificates, timelines, validity, and what happens at veterinary quarantine on arrival in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
If you’re planning to bring live mud crabs from Indonesia into the UAE in 2026, your linchpin is the UAE MOCCAE live mud crab permit. We’ve helped buyers, chefs and distributors do this for years, and the truth is the process isn’t hard. It’s just unforgiving when you miss a small detail.
Here’s the playbook we actually use with partners shipping Scylla serrata ex-Indonesia to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The three pillars of a clean import
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Correct permit and species. The UAE importer must hold a valid MOCCAE e-permit for live aquatic animals, and the species must appear exactly as Scylla serrata. Spelling matters. Common names cause rejections.
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Right certificate from Indonesia. The shipment must carry a BKIPM (Indonesian Fish Quarantine) health certificate that aligns with UAE requirements. In our experience, this single document makes or breaks the clearance.
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Arrival discipline. Pre-alert, vet inspection, and packaging that keeps crabs alive and calm for the entire journey. Good paperwork can’t save a stressed box.
Who applies and how the MOCCAE e-permit works in 2026
Only the UAE-based importer applies for the permit through MOCCAE’s online services. Exporters in Indonesia can’t file it. We can guide, but approval sits with the UAE license holder.
What you’ll fill in on the MOCCAE e-permit form:
- Importer details. Trade license, Emirates ID of the authorized user, address and mobile.
- Species. Scylla serrata (live). Use the scientific name and choose the correct category: live aquatic animals for human consumption.
- Quantity and unit. Count of pieces or total live weight. Keep it realistic against aircraft limits.
- Country of origin and exporting country. Indonesia for both if the crabs are Indonesian-caught.
- Purpose of import. Human consumption. Not aquaculture or ornamental.
- Port of entry and arrival point. DXB, DWC, AUH, SHJ or seaport if relevant. Choose the actual gate you’ll use.
- Transport mode. Air most commonly for live crabs.
- Exporter/consignor details. Indonesian company name and address.
- Flight details or ETA. If unknown at application, update before arrival.
- Attachments. Copy of UAE trade license, prior invoices or pro forma, and any species approvals if MOCCAE requests them.
Approval timeline and validity:
- Approvals typically issue within 1–2 UAE working days when everything’s aligned. We apply 3–5 days ahead to create buffer for clarifications.
- Validity is usually 30 days from approval and is generally for a single shipment. If you’re doing weekly flights, expect to apply per consignment.
- Fees are paid online at submission. The portal shows the current federal fee for permit issuance.
Need help tailoring the application to your exact route and entry point? You can Contact us on whatsapp and we’ll walk you through the data fields and typical officer questions.
What documents from Indonesia actually clear live crabs?
Your core document is the BKIPM health certificate for live aquatic animals. In practice, MOCCAE officers look for:
- Species and quantity matching the permit and invoice. Scientific name listed as Scylla serrata.
- Country of origin. Indonesia. If crabs are re-exported, indicate clearly.
- Statement of health. Free from notifiable diseases per WOAH Aquatic Code and UAE list, inspected at the approved facility, fit for human consumption.
- Packing and transport declaration. Live, packed to prevent leakage, maintained at suitable temperature, no contaminants.
- Endorsement. Signed and stamped by BKIPM with certificate number and date.
Pro tip. We’ve seen avoidable holds where the certificate lists mud crab as “Scylla sp.” or a local Indonesian name. Don’t do that. Use Scylla serrata and align all documents.
What happens at MOCCAE veterinary quarantine on arrival
At DXB, DWC, AUH and SHJ, live aquatic animals go through MOCCAE Veterinary Quarantine. The flow is predictable when you’re prepped.
- Pre-arrival. Your clearing agent creates the inspection request in the MOCCAE system and uploads AWB, permit and BKIPM certificate. Aim for a pre-alert at least 24 hours before ETA.
- Physical inspection. Officers verify documents, open selected boxes, assess vitality, check temperatures, and confirm packaging is leak-proof. They can sample if there’s suspicion of disease but routine shipments are usually visual checks.
- Decisions. If everything aligns and the crabs are lively with acceptable mortality, you get release. If there are inconsistencies, expect holds for clarification, partial re-export, or destruction of affected lots in severe cases.
Our on-ground observation. Clear labeling on each master carton with species, piece count, origin, and MOCCAE permit number speeds the inspection. Small touches save 30–60 minutes at the dock.
Packaging that survives the flight (and scrutiny)
We don’t run freight, but we do see the results at quarantine. What works consistently:
- Tie claws securely to prevent injuries and cannibalism. Crabs that fight don’t pass visual checks.
- Use breathable, moisture-holding media. Jute, damp paper, or seaweed layers. Avoid standing water.
- Insulate for a stable cool range. Aim for cool, not ice-cold. Use gel packs thoughtfully. Direct ice contact kills and flags the shipment.
- Vent, don’t suffocate. Boxes must be leak-proof yet allow gas exchange. Follow IATA Live Animals Regulations for crustaceans.
- Label boxes. “Live Aquatic Animals,” species, origin, quantity, and permit number. Many officers now expect this standard.
Acceptable mortality and red flags
There’s no published UAE-wide percentage that guarantees acceptance for live crabs. In our experience:
- Under 5 percent mortality is common and usually passes without friction.
- Between 5–10 percent triggers questions about packing, temperature or transit time.
- Above 10–15 percent invites deeper checks. If officers see disease signs, bad odor, or excessive mortality in a specific lot, they can order sampling, re-export or destruction of affected units.
Reasons MOCCAE rejects or destroys shipments:
- Wrong species name or permit mismatch. Classic and costly.
- Expired permit or health certificate issued after departure. Dates must make sense.
- Leaking boxes or evidence of contamination. Any leakage at the terminal is a hard stop.
- Visible disease or unfit for human consumption. They won’t take chances.
Wait, do I also need Dubai Municipality FIRS?
For live aquatic animals entering Dubai for human consumption, MOCCAE’s veterinary permit and clearance are the primary controls. Many importers don’t undergo a separate Dubai Municipality FIRS food inspection when the consignment is live and released by MOCCAE. If animals arrive dead, partially dead, or are processed, that becomes a food product and FIRS applies. Your clearing agent will align both systems so you’re not bounced between desks.
Quick answers to the questions we hear most
Do I need a MOCCAE permit to import live mud crabs into the UAE?
Yes. A MOCCAE import permit for live aquatic animals is mandatory for each shipment.
Can my Indonesian exporter apply for the MOCCAE permit, or must the UAE importer do it?
Only the UAE importer can apply and hold the permit. Exporters can support with documents and pre-alerts.
What documents from Indonesia (BKIPM) are required for live crab shipments?
A BKIPM health certificate for live aquatic animals with Scylla serrata named, quantities matching, and disease-free statements aligned with UAE standards.
How long does approval take and how long is it valid?
Approvals often take 1–2 working days. Permits are typically valid 30 days and are for a single shipment.
What happens at MOCCAE veterinary quarantine on arrival—are crabs sampled or quarantined?
Most shipments receive document checks and visual inspection. Sampling happens only if there’s suspicion. There’s no routine long-term quarantine for live crabs for consumption.
What mortality rate is acceptable and when could MOCCAE reject or destroy a shipment?
Under 5 percent is rarely an issue. High mortality, leaks, or disease signs can lead to holds, partial rejection, or destruction.
Is Dubai Municipality (FIRS) registration also required for live crabs entering Dubai?
If the consignment is live and released by MOCCAE, a separate FIRS food inspection usually isn’t required. Dead or processed product will need FIRS.
Scale your program without drama
After your first clean clearance, standardize everything. Save your species text, quantity ranges, port codes, and exporter details in templates. Apply 3–5 days before each shipment, and set a calendar alert for permit expiry. Keep a one-page SOP for packers that covers claw-tying, layering, cooling, and labeling. This is exactly how we keep weekly programs steady.
If you hit unexpected permit delays or seasonal tightening and need a chilled or frozen fallback, we can fill menus without compromising quality. Many UAE buyers use our Indonesian white-fish range like Grouper Fillet (IQF) and Mahi Mahi Fillet to keep promotions live while live-crab slots catch up. You can also View our products to line up alternates in advance.
What’s changed lately and what to watch
MOCCAE continues to digitize inspections and tighten species-level accuracy. Officers are paying closer attention to scientific names, box labeling, and pre-alert completeness. We’ve also noticed better staffing at airport vet centers during peak hours, which helps if your documents are airtight. Expect subtle updates in the online forms as systems evolve through 2026. Double-check species selection and attachment requirements each time you apply.
Key takeaways you can use today:
- Use Scylla serrata on every document, not “mud crab.”
- Apply 3–5 days before departure and plan one permit per shipment.
- Align BKIPM health certificate text with UAE requirements. Don’t leave species or disease statements vague.
- Pre-alert quarantine 24 hours before ETA and label every box.
- Treat packaging as seriously as paperwork. Officers do too.
If you want us to review your MOCCAE application or BKIPM draft before you book cargo, just Contact us on whatsapp. A 10-minute check now usually saves an hour at the vet counter later.