Container Shipping to Abu Dhabi — Get Instant Quotes
Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to Abu Dhabi?
- Big-ship capacity you can rely on. The new CMA CGM terminal and other expansions raised Khalifa Port’s capacity to almost 10 million TEU in 2024—enough room for 24 000-TEU megavessels and weekly main-line calls. (ship-technology.com)
- Built-in air-cargo back-up. Abu Dhabi International Airport moved ≈ 679 000 t of freight in 2024, +21 % YoY, so urgent spares reach the Gulf in 3-to-5 days. (adairports.ae, mediaoffice.abudhabi)
- Predictable landed cost. Imports face a flat 5 % GCC customs duty plus the UAE’s 5 % VAT, both auto-calculated in our platform so clearance is painless. (u.aetaxsummaries.pwc.com)
- Seamless inland reach. Direct motorway links and on-dock rail at Khalifa whisk containers to KEZAD, Mussafah and Ruwais in < 90 minutes.
Our Container Shipping Services to Abu Dhabi
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping
Energy projects, FMCG importers and auto distributors favour FCL for bulk cargo. We move 20′, 40′ & 40′HC—plus reefers—straight into Khalifa Port (AEKHL) or smaller consignments into Zayed Port.
Less-than-Container Load (LCL) Shipping
SMEs and e-commerce brands cut costs up to 50 % on loads < 15 m³ via our weekly LCL consolidations that dev-an inside Khalifa’s bonded depot—no extra cross-docking.
Popular mode: FCL still rules oil-&-gas and construction gear; LCL is booming for electronics and fashion restocks.
Gateway ports / airport: Khalifa Port, Zayed Port; urgent air via Abu Dhabi Int’l (AUH).
Typical cargo: Oil-field equipment, project steel, consumer electronics, packaged foods.
Transit-time guide:
- Shanghai → Khalifa: ~ 24–30 days port-to-port (Middle-East loops). (adports.ae)
- Rotterdam → Khalifa: ~ 16–20 days via Red-Sea routing.
Local insight: Customs is fast, but trans-shipment via Jebel Ali can add 2-3 days during Ramadan—book space 6 weeks ahead.
Alternative option: Air freight—3–5 days door-to-door via AUH for high-value electronics, pharmaceuticals or AOG parts.
Container shipping rates to Abu Dhabi
How much does it cost to ship a container to Abu Dhabi?
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to Abu Dhabi?
East Asia → Khalifa: 24–30 days
North Europe → Khalifa: 16–20 days
US East Coast → Khalifa: 28–35 days via Med trans-ship
Air freight trims door-to-door to 3–5 days via AUH. (adairports.ae)
Popular Routes and Ports for Shipping to Abu Dhabi
Asia–Gulf loops sail Shanghai / Ningbo → Khalifa weekly; North-Europe services route via Suez into Khalifa or Jebel Ali. Feeder barges connect Khalifa to Zayed Port for city deliveries and to Ruwais for petro-chem complexes.
Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers
Quote: Enter origin, destination and cargo specs for an instant price.
Upload docs: Commercial invoice, packing list & HS codes.
Book & pay securely online.
Track: Follow vessel, trans-ship and customs milestones in real time.
Clear: Pay 5 % duty + 5 % VAT (many food/medical items are duty-free). (u.ae)
Deliver: Arrange last-mile truck or rail to KEZAD, Mussafah or project site.
What Can You Ship in a Container to Abu Dhabi?
- Oil-&-gas machinery
- Construction steel
- Consumer electronics
- Processed foods
- Automobiles & parts
Restricted / Prohibited: Alcohol (50 % duty), tobacco (100 %), counterfeit brands, hazardous chemicals without MoI approval.
Location of Abu Dhabi
FAQs About Shipping Containers to Abu Dhabi
Yes—UAE levies 5 % VAT in addition to the 5 % customs duty. u.ae
Definitely—under 15 m³ you avoid paying for empty FCL space, saving 40–60 %.
Not mandatory, but strongly recommended—add door-to-door cover at checkout.
Reserve space 6–8 weeks ahead of the pre-Ramadan retail rush to avoid roll-overs and rate hikes.