Shipping times and costs from United Kingdom to United Arab Emirates

Shipping from
United Kingdom
Shipping to
United Arab Emirates
Shipping times
1 - 3 Days by air
9 - 11 Days by sea

1 Bedroom flat

Shipping costs by air £6,484 - £7,166
Shipping costs by sea £3,404 - £3,762

3 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £5,237 - £5,788

5 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £7,856 - £8,681

The cost of shipping is all dependent upon how much you need to ship, and how far. Read up on all you need to know about international shipping to your chosen country.

Please note: the prices listed here are meant as an estimate only. The best way to get a comprehensive, tailored quote is to fill out our form and be matched with a supplier.

Shipping Container Costs to United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a luxury expat hotspot. Situated at the southern end of the Persian Gulf, the Arab nation is home to some ultramodern cities, gorgeous beach resorts and year-round sunny weather. The capital is Abu Dhabi, although it’s Dubai that has become the UAE’s big financial centre. To receive free shipping quotes, simply fill in this quick form and our trusted suppliers will get back to you.  

Different shipping options

If you’re thinking of relocating permanently to the UAE, you’ll probably want to bring a few belongings with you. There are two main options to choose between: air freight or sea freight. Air freight offers a fast service. Cargo planes are able to reach the UAE from anywhere in the world in just two or three days. However, air freight is expensive, so it’s handy if you need to move abroad quickly but not great for keeping costs low. Sea freight is the slower option but it’s also much more affordable, being around five times cheaper than air freight. If you’re moving on a budget, sea freight is ideal, but you also need to allow several weeks for your cargo to arrive. If you choose sea freight, your belongings will go in either a 20ft container or a 40ft container, depending on the amount of stuff you’re bringing. If the total volume of your cargo is less than around 15 cubic metres, you will share a container with other people (in a process known as Less Than Container Load, or LCL). Most of our shipping suppliers provide a full door-to-door service, which means they’ll take your belongings all the way from your old home to your new one in the UAE. Easy!

Major shipping routes

The largest container terminal in the UAE is Dubai’s Port of Jebel Ali, the busiest commercial port in the whole of the Middle East. It’s highly likely that your shipment will be heading there, although there is also Khalifa Port beside Abu Dhabi. Once your container reaches UAE soil, it will pass through customs before going by truck and/or train to your new home.

Clearing customs in the UAE

Papers please! Customs can seem a bit daunting, but our experienced shipping suppliers will help you through it. Fortunately, the UAE’s customs process is fairly straightforward. You are required to create an inventory (i.e. a detailed list) of all the items you’re bringing into the country, being as thorough and accurate as possible. Customs officials may physically open your shipment and inspect it, so it’s important that everything inside matches up with what’s written in your inventory.You can bring your personal belongings and household goods duty-free into UAE, but these items must a) be used and b) arrive no more than six months after you have obtained your UAE residence visa. See below for an idea of what’s prohibited or restricted by UAE customs, while you can also find out more on their official customs website.

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Shipping Container Options

20Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
33 Cubic Meters
5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £5,237 - £5,788

Get a quote for a 20ft container
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  • Boxes
    16 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedrooms
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

40Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
67 Cubic Meters
12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £9,951 - £10,996

Get a quote for a 40ft container
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  • Boxes
    28 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedroom
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x car, 1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

Car shipped by sea freight

Max Dimensions: 5.75m x 2.2m x 2.2m (l x w x h)

Base Price: £1,621 - £1,791

Quarantine & Taxes: £1,000 - £2,500

Price: £7,337 - £11,038

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Unusual Restricted Items

Products from Protected Species
Crude Ivory and Rhinoceros horn.
Non-Islamic Religious Pamphlets
Pamphlets that are meant for missionary activities
Controlled medicines and Narcotics
All medicines on the controlled drugs list. See exemptions.
Money
Amounts in excess of AED 100,000, forged and duplicated currency.
Goods from Israeli origin
Goods from Israeli origin or bearing Israeli trademarks or logos.
Cooked food
Cooked and home-made foods