Container Shipping to United Arab Emirates — Get Instant Quotes

Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to the U.A.E.?

• Mega-port capacity when you need it. Jebel Ali processed 15.5 million TEU in 2024 (+7.4 % YoY) while Khalifa Port just expanded to ~10 million TEU of annual capacity—plenty of weekly main-line calls and equipment even in peak season. (dpworld.com, businesswire.com)
• Straight-forward landed costs. Imports face a flat 5 % GCC customs duty on most goods and the U.A.E.’s standard 5 % VAT—both auto-calculated in our quote so clearance never stalls. (u.ae, taxsummaries.pwc.com)
• Air-cargo back-up. Dubai’s airports moved ≈ 3.1 million t of freight in 2024, giving you a 3-to-7-day door-to-door option for urgent replenishment. (aircargonews.net)
• End-to-end visibility. Our platform links ocean schedules, customs and inland trucking in one dashboard—plus bilingual (English / Arabic) support.

Our Container Shipping Services to the United Arab Emirates

Full Container Load (FCL)

High-volume shippers land sealed 20', 40', 40'HC and reefers at Jebel Ali (AEJEA), Khalifa (AEKHL), or Sharjah’s Port Khalid—ideal for petro-chem gear, electronics, auto parts and supermarket FMCG.

Less-than-Container Load (LCL)

SMEs and e-commerce brands save up to 50 % on < 15 m³ consignments via weekly LCL consolidations that de-van in bonded depots at Jebel Ali and Khalifa—no secondary cross-dock needed.

Popular mode: FCL still dominates oil-&-gas and retail supply chains; LCL demand is soaring for Amazon.ae and Shopify restocks.

Major ports / airports served: Jebel Ali, Khalifa, Port Rashid, Sharjah-Khalid; urgent air via DXB and DWC.

Typical cargo: Petro-chem equipment, packaged foods, consumer electronics, automobiles & parts.

Transit-time references:

• Shanghai → Jebel Ali: ≈ 27–33 days port-to-port.
• Rotterdam → Jebel Ali: ≈ 28–35 days via Red-Sea routing.

Country-specific challenge: Ramadan & Eid peaks tighten feeder slots—book FCL space at least six weeks ahead to avoid roll-overs.

Alternative option: Air freight trims door-to-door to 3–7 days via DXB/DWC for high-value electronics, pharma and AOG spares.

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to the U.A.E.?

• East Asia → Jebel Ali / Khalifa: 27–33 days
• North Europe → Jebel Ali / Khalifa: 28–35 days
• U.S. East Coast → Jebel Ali: 30–35 days (via Med trans-ship)
• Air freight via DXB/DWC: 3–7 days door-to-door

Popular Routes and Ports for Shipping to the U.A.E.

Asia-Gulf loops sail Shanghai / Ningbo → Jebel Ali / Khalifa weekly; north-Europe services route via Suez into Jebel Ali; Mediterranean feeders link Valencia and Port Said to the Gulf. Inland trucking moves boxes from Jebel Ali to Dubai’s JAFZA, Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD and Sharjah Free Zone in under two hours.

Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers

1. Quote: Enter origin, destination and cargo specs for an instant rate.
2. Upload docs: Commercial invoice, packing list & HS codes.
3. Book & pay securely online.
4. Track: Follow vessel, trans-shipment and customs milestones in real time.
5. Clear: Pay 5 % duty + 5 % VAT (exemptions apply to some food & medical items) and release your box. (u.ae, taxsummaries.pwc.com)
6. Deliver: Arrange last-mile truck or rail to warehouse, free-zone or project site.

What Can You Ship in a Container to the U.A.E.?

• Oil-&-gas machinery
• Consumer electronics
• Construction steel
• Packaged foods
• Automobiles & parts

Restricted / Prohibited:
Alcohol (50 % duty), tobacco (100 % duty), counterfeit brands, hazardous chemicals without MoI permit.