How International Brands Can Sell in UAE & GCC via Multichannel eCommerce — And Why EximScouts Is the Ideal Partner.

Dibyendu Ganguly
May 30
3 min read

Sell your products in the UAE? We are there for your help.

The UAE and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region — including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain — represent some of the most dynamic and high-potential eCommerce markets in the world. Fueled by high internet penetration, mobile-first consumers, and affluent demographics, the region is increasingly becoming a magnet for global eCommerce brands.

However, entering these markets is not without its share of regulatory, logistical, and operational challenges. This is where EximScouts becomes your local growth partner — offering a seamless, end-to-end market entry and eCommerce management solution across the UAE and GCC.

The eCommerce Opportunity in UAE and GCC

The UAE eCommerce market is expected to exceed USD 10 billion by 2025.
Saudi Arabia, the largest GCC market, is projected to cross USD 20 billion in eCommerce sales within the next few years.
Consumers in the region are highly digital, brand-conscious, and willing to pay premium prices for quality products.
Key online sales channels include:
- Amazon.ae, Noon, Namshi, Carrefour Online
- Fashion and beauty-focused platforms like 6thStreet, Faces, and Sivvi
- D2C stores hosted on Shopify, Wix, and Magento

For international brands, the region offers a fast-scaling, high-margin market. But the route to market comes with barriers.

Common Challenges for International Brands Entering GCC

Need for Local Legal Entity
- Marketplaces and logistics networks often require brands to have a UAE or KSA-based entity.
- Incorporating in the region is time-intensive and expensive.
Compliance & Import Regulations
- Customs documentation, labeling, registration with local authorities (like Dubai Customs or SFDA in Saudi Arabia), and product certifications can slow down go-to-market plans.
IOR/MOR Requirements
- You can’t sell locally without a registered Importer of Record (IOR) and Merchant of Record (MOR) — both of which are mandatory for legal compliance.
Last-Mile Logistics & Warehousing
- Navigating the complex warehousing and shipping ecosystem — especially for cash-on-delivery (COD) orders and returns — requires local expertise.
Consumer Behavior & Market Adaptation
- Marketing messages, product bundles, and seasonal buying trends in the GCC differ from Western markets. Brands need localized insights.

How EximScouts Helps You Overcome These Challenges

At EximScouts, we simplify your GCC entry by offering a fully managed solution that covers import, compliance, selling, fulfillment, and growth.

✅ Your IOR & MOR in UAE, Saudi Arabia & Beyond

We legally represent your brand as the Importer of Record and Merchant of Record, enabling you to sell without setting up a local entity.

✅ Access Top Marketplaces

We help you launch and manage operations on:

Amazon.ae, Noon, Namshi, 6thStreet, Carrefour
Shopify/Wix-based D2C stores, optimized for Arabic and English users

✅ Warehouse & Fulfillment Infrastructure

Our local fulfillment hubs in Dubai, and beyond enable you to store products in small batches, ship locally, and handle returns quickly.

✅ Market Entry Testing

Start with a low-volume test run. We help you identify Hero Products, run analytics, and then scale efficiently based on real data.

✅ Multichannel eCommerce Management

We handle:

Product listings and catalog optimization
Digital marketing and ad campaigns
Localized customer service
Inventory management across platforms

✅ Local Growth Experts

Our on-ground team understands Gulf buyer behavior, platform algorithms, pricing strategies, and seasonal patterns (like Ramadan and Eid).

Expand with Confidence

Entering the GCC market doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Whether you’re a health brand from the US, an electronics brand from Europe, or a fashion label from Asia — EximScouts can be your plug-and-play eCommerce partner in the Middle East.

Let’s Grow Together

Looking to unlock sales across the UAE and GCC without establishing a local business?

📩 Write to us at info@eximscouts.com

🌐 Explore more at www.eximscouts.com

We help you focus on what you do best — building great products — while we handle the complexities of cross-border eCommerce and multichannel operations.