Regulating Fuel-Linked Price Increases in Transport, Logistics and Delivery Services

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism issued Ministerial Decision No. (82) of 2026, adopting a Technical Guide governing the mechanism for calculating increases in the prices of certain transport, logistics and delivery services arising from changes in fuel prices. The Decision was issued and came into force on 3 April 2026.

The Decision is significant for both service providers and customers because it establishes that fuel-price increases cannot simply be passed on to consumers in full. Instead, any permitted adjustment must reflect the actual impact of fuel costs on the relevant service.

Services Covered

The framework applies to:

1. land transport of goods;
2. handling, storage and customs clearance services; and
3. delivery services, including food delivery and similar services.

The Core Principle

The Technical Guide makes clear that the full increase in fuel prices may not be passed on to the consumer. Price adjustments are limited to the portion of the service’s total cost attributable to fuel, and costs unrelated to fuel-price changes cannot be included in the calculation.

The prescribed formula is:

New Price = Base Price × (1 + Fuel Impact Percentage)

where the Fuel Impact Percentage is calculated by multiplying the fuel-cost share by the fuel-price change percentage.

February 2026 as the Reference Point

A particularly important feature of the framework is the establishment of the February 2026 service price as the Base Price.

Service providers must be able to substantiate this price through supporting documents such as invoices, contracts and approved operational records.

This makes proper historical record-keeping particularly important for businesses seeking to apply a fuel-related price adjustment.

Maximum Permitted Increases

The Technical Guide specifies the following parameters:

The Guide identifies these percentages as regulatorily binding.

For example, the Guide illustrates that where a land transport service had a February 2026 base price of AED 1,000 and a fuel-cost share of 40%, the applicable calculation produces a 35% fuel impact, resulting in a permitted price of AED 1,350. The Guide states that a price exceeding that amount would constitute a violation.

Obligations of Service Providers

Service providers are required to:

1. comply with the percentages and controls prescribed by the Technical Guide;
2. not exceed the applicable maximum increase;
3. not impose additional charges unrelated to fuel-price changes; and
4. disclose the price-calculation mechanism upon request.

The competent authorities may monitor prices, verify compliance, request supporting documents and investigate complaints. Applicable penalties and administrative sanctions may apply to violations.

Practical and Legal Significance

For businesses, the Decision makes documentation and calculation central to any fuel-related price adjustment. A provider should be able to demonstrate the February 2026 Base Price and explain how the permitted increase was calculated under the Technical Guide.

For customers, the framework provides greater transparency and establishes that a fuel-price increase does not, by itself, justify an equivalent increase in the price of the service.

For lawyers and compliance professionals, particular attention should be given to the interaction between the regulatory mechanism and existing commercial contracts. The Decision establishes the regulatory controls governing covered price adjustments, while the specific contractual consequences will depend on the wording and circumstances of each agreement.

Conclusion

Ministerial Decision No. (82) of 2026 introduces a structured and transparent mechanism for linking service-price adjustments to actual changes in fuel costs. Its central principle is that only the fuel-related impact may be reflected in the permitted increase, subject to the prescribed methodology and maximum limits.

The Decision therefore provides a common regulatory framework for service providers, customers and supervisory authorities, while placing particular importance on accurate calculations, documentary evidence and pricing transparency.

Effective date: 3 April 2026.