Bookkeeping for marine and shipping companies
Shipping and marine businesses deal with voyages, port costs, crews and clients around the world. We cost each voyage or vessel properly, handle multiple currencies and get the VAT treatment of international transport right.
Common challenges we fix
- Costs per voyage or vessel hard to see
- Port, bunker and agency charges from many countries
- Crew payroll and allowances
- Mix of zero-rated international and local services
What we handle for you
- Revenue and costs by voyage, vessel or charter
- Port, bunker and agency invoices reconciled
- Crew payroll and allowances
- Multi-currency accounts and exchange differences
- VAT treatment of international and local services
- Free-zone Corporate Tax checks for shipping activities
Frequently asked questions
Is international shipping zero-rated?
International transport of goods and passengers, and certain related services, can be zero-rated when the conditions are met. Purely local services are usually standard-rated.
Can a free-zone shipping company pay 0% Corporate Tax?
Ship ownership, management and operation are qualifying activities, so a free-zone company that meets all the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions can pay 0% on that income.
Guides for UAE businesses
Bookkeeping for Small Business in UAE: Step-by-Step Guide
Eight simple steps to set up and keep bookkeeping for a UAE small business, with basic examples and the UAE-specific rules you need.
Read the guide →VAT Registration Threshold UAE: Who Must Register?
AED 375,000 mandatory, AED 187,500 voluntary: how the UAE VAT threshold works, how to calculate it and when you must apply.
Read the guide →Corporate Tax Registration Deadline UAE (Including New Companies)
New companies have three months to register for Corporate Tax. Here's how the deadline works, the AED 10,000 penalty and the waiver.
Read the guide →Get your books in order this month
Tell us about your business and get a fixed monthly quote within one business day.