Nowadays, many importers choose China for importing all the markets’ needs and selling them in their intended market; this seems like an easy plan, find the supplier of the product, select your needed products, and ship them from China to UAE (Dubai).
So why do many still feel wary about it? Because they have trouble finding the best shipping method, which should be easy, reliable, and affordable for themselves.
Most suppliers in China are not familiar with shipping methods, so they offer overpriced services to the client; they also prefer EX-works terms so they won’t have trouble with customs in China. In this situation, a freight forwarder is needed to pick up the cargo and help with the process; this is where we come in.
ERA, as one of the most experienced freight forwarders in China, will help you understand all about the shipping methods and processes.
We will guide you through determining which shipping way is needed for your goal and how it would be the most efficient one for you.
In this article, we’re going to read all about the process of importing goods from China to UAE (Dubai), all the necessary documents, different methods, transit time, cost, etc.
Read more: Door to Door (DDP) shipping
The first step is to determine what kind of goods you want to import and what is the quantity?
Express Shipping from China to UAE (Dubai)
If you plan on importing product samples and a low quantity of goods from China to UAE (Dubai), Express shipping is usually the best solution. Express companies like FedEx, UPS, DHL, TNT, ARAMEX, etc., offer a relatively more comfortable mode of transportation than air and sea freight, especially for small shipments, Needless to say, ERA freight also offers excellent Express shipping from China to UAE for small shipments.
As you already know most Express shipping companies charge for duty and tax separately upon arrival, but with ERA’s Express shipping, the service is all included, from company to your doorstep, with delivery duty and taxes, to make it even easier and more convenient for the importers.
There’s lots of information about Express companies on the internet, but the main questions about them are:
“When are they most cost-effective?”
“What type of goods can be transported via Express.”
“Which Express company should we choose?”
The first thing to consider is Express shipping from China to UAE is a fast method, and also, you won’t have to bother about customs and duty payment.
Secondly, delivery to Dubai is much faster compared to other places in the UAE as usually the distributors are in Dubai. Still, the delivery fee to other areas is almost the same.
Express shipping from China to UAE is suggested for two types of importers:
- Online sellers who are in a hurry to restock
- those who plan to get samples and small boxes very fast to test the goods for more oversized orders
Express shipping will be pricey for bulky goods, and there might be extra customs costs added to the shipping fee, so it’s not very popular for those.
Now we want to know what type of goods can be sent from China to UAE by Express?
Besides the DGR goods forbidden in all types of shipping, Express has some additional restrictions. Some of these depend on the express courier you choose, but most of them are shared among all.
- Stand-alone battery: NONE of the express services are able to send this kind of goods.
- Built-in Battery: Only can be sent by DHL China, DHL Hong Kong, UPS Hong Kong, and FedEx Hongkong.
- Liquids: Only by Hong Kong Post and EMS Hong Kong.
- Furniture: only can be sent when they’re flat-packed; volume and weight must not exceed the limited area.
As we already mentioned, Express services are expensive. As an agent in China, ERA can get special offers and better discounts due to the annual volume and gross weight of shipments we have.
Therefore we can offer better prices to our clients who want to import from China to UAE; Using Aramex and TNT for parcels weighing less than 20kg is recommended. FedEx also offers a low express price to Dubai, but TNT and ARAMEX cover all over UAE.
Air Freight shipping from China to UAE (Dubai)
when you have heavier goods and need a short transit time for shipping from China to UAE (Dubai), air freight is the best solution, although you should consider some points when choosing this method.
We also offer Door-to-Door (DDP) Air freight service in which import and export procedures such as local logistics in China, export documents, customs clearing and delivery from the airport, etc., are also included.
Later in this article, we’ll explain all about the customs process in UAE and the needed documents in both countries.
When choosing air freight for shipping from China to UAE, first, you should pay attention to your supplier’s trading terms as some of the freight forwarders only quote you the price from the airport in China to the airport in UAE. The two popular methods which most Chinese suppliers offer are EXW and FOB. let’s see what they’re about.
FOB or EXW?
If you’re trading on EX-works terms, the local expenses such as pick up and documents and costumes in China need to be paid by you, the supplier is selling the goods at the door of the company and won’t bear any responsibilities from that place on.
but suppose you’re trading on FOB terms. In that case, all of these are handled by your seller; meaning the seller has to deliver the goods to the point agreed by both of you (whether it’s the port directly or your forwarder warehouse) and take care of the costumes and etc. up to the point of being shipped to the destination.
In other words, air freight can be divided into three steps:
- The cost from the supplier’s factory to the airport in China.
- The cost from the origin airport to Dubai / Abu Dhabi / Sharjah airport.
- The cost from the destination airport to your door in UAE.
If you need further information on their information you can check out the video below.
So How to avoid this long and challenging procedure and easily receive the goods?
ERA, with its easy, reliable, and affordable service, can help you with this; with our door-to-door service, we will take care of all three steps and deliver the goods straight to your doorstep from China to UAE (Dubai).
Later we will talk about our door-to-door service.
After the term is determined, what more do we need? now we need to know about the quantity of the goods.
Dimensional Weight vs. Gross Weight
One of the tricky things in shipping with air freight and also express shipping is the difference between Dimensional weight and Real weight and which one will be charged by the airline or Express company.
Let’s start with an example; you want to ship 50kg of cotton, and the dimension of the cartons is 100cm x100cm x100 cm, so for this cargo, we need to check both weights.
Dimensional weight is:
Air freight: 100 x 100 x 100 cm3/6000 = 167kg
or in other words, Total CBM x 167 = dimensional weight
Express: 100 x 100 x 100 cm3/5000 = 200kg
As you see, the dimensional weight is quite bigger than the Gross weight; therefore, the airline will charge based on the space the boxes will take.
This is one of the points that should always be checked before sending the goods by air so you won’t be surprised by the big change in weight.
Major airports of the UAE.
Here is the list of the most important airports in the UAE:
- Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
- Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
- Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT)
- Fujairah International Airport (FJR)
The UAE Airlines
There are two world-class airlines in the UAE:
1. Etihad Airways
Based in Abu-Dhabi and founded in 2003. It’s the national airline of the UAE and one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world.
2. Emirates Airlines
It started in 1985 and is headquartered in Dubai. It has a fleet of 113 aircraft. It’s the eighth-largest airline in the world.
Airfreight transit times in shipping from China to UAE (Dubai)
As we’ve mentioned already, air freight transit time from China to UAE (Dubai) is very short; once your freight forwarder booked the flight, you just need 2-3 days to send the goods to the chosen airport, and after that, the flight will be done in a few hours.
Here, we mention flight times from famous airports in China to the international airports of the UAE.
*Please note these times are for general guidance, and for direct flights, your freight might have different transit times due to different situations.
Airport of China | Airport of the UAE | Transit time (hours) |
Guangzhou | Dubai | 7 |
Beijing | Dubai | 8 |
Beijing | Abu Dhabi | 8 |
Shenzhen | Dubai | 8 |
Shanghai | Dubai | 8 |
Shanghai | Abu Dhabi | 8 |
Hong Kong | Dubai | 8 |
Hong Kong | Abu Dhabi | 8 |
Airfreight costs for shipping from China to UAE (Dubai)
All the air freight rates come from the Airlines, the rates are not the same all the time, and they are very changeable, so what is the reason for this change?
Here are four factors that influence air freight rates:
- Economic Conditions
These conditions directly affect supply and demand, and these two are the heart of all pricing changes. This is also true for air freight; when the economy is flourishing, the demand for air freight is higher; therefore, we expect higher prices, and vice versa; as the market demand drops due to economic downturns, so does the rates so the carrier can fill up the space that is currently unused.
- Regional Factors
These factors have an impact on supply, demand, and operating costs as well. Abnormal circumstances like war, labor strikes, civil unrest, epidemics, pandemics, and terrorism can both lower the demand and make it costlier to operate.
Given the situation of the 2020 pandemic, the demand was low, as were the shipping services available; therefore, all importers faced a big rise in freight rates all around the world.
- Operating Expenses
The operating expenditures are both quite varied and very changeable. Many factors can be considered in this area, for example, the price of fuel, tariffs, landing fees, parking fees, security measures, etc.
- Weight and Volume
These two factors have already been explained; the weight and volume of the shipment determine the total fee of any flight. The airlines charge based on their own measurements in their warehouse and mention the amount on the MAWB.
If you need a quote for shipping your cargo from China to UAE (Dubai) by air freight, contact the sales team of ERA, they’re available 24/7 at affordable prices.
Door to Door Airfreight shipping cost from China to UAE (Dubai)
*Please note the prices are just for reference and for an accurate price you need to contact our sales team.
Air DDP Shipping cost from China to UAE | +22kg | +100kg | +300kg | +500kg |
Normal Goods (No brand/battery/magnet/liquid/powder etc.) | 43 | 43 | 42 | 42 |
Electronic goods with inset battery | 51 | 51 | 50 | 50 |
Brand Goods (without battery) | 45 | 45 | 44 | 44 |
Brand goods (battery) | 53 | 53 | 52 | 52 |
Cosmetic goods (normal) | 56 | 56 | 55 | 55 |
Cosmetic goods (brand) | 57 | 57 | 56 | 56 |
Electronic cigarette (no oil) | 72 | 72 | 71 | 71 |
CCTV/Slab/Mechanical quartz watch | 62 | 62 | 61 | 61 |
Sea freight shipping from China to UAE (Dubai)
Sea freight is the most suitable way for goods with significant gross weight and big volume. This way is the most economical, but the transit time is much longer than the airways.
Shipping by sea might be a bit more complicated than in previous ways, but we’re going to read about all the important notes and make it easy and straightforward to understand.
FCL (Full container load) or LCL (Less than container load)
Based on the number of your goods, the freight forwarder will help you to choose between LCL and FCL,
If your goods are less than 25cbm, then you can send them by LCL; this means that your container is shared with other importers and, after it’s filled, will be shipped together.
On the other hand, if your goods are more than 25cbm or large enough for a full container, FCL is the better option for you; the whole container is booked for your cargo, and after booking, it’s ready to be shipped out, so also the transit time will decrease because there’s no need to wait until the container is full.
Now that you’re familiar with FCL and LCL, it’s time to know about different types of containers.
Different kinds of containers for sea freight
Container Type
|
Internal Dimensions |
Door Opening |
Cubic Capacity |
Cargo weight |
|
20ft |
20ft General
|
5.89 x 2.35 x 2.36m
|
2.33 x 2.26m |
33m³ |
21,700kgs |
20ft High Cube
|
5.89 x 2.35 x 2.69m
|
2.33 x 2.59m
|
37m³
|
21,700kgs |
|
20ft Flat Rack |
5.89 x 2.35 x 2.23m
|
Side Opening |
30m³ |
26500kgs |
|
20ft Flat Rack |
6.00 x 2.35 x 0.23m
|
___________ |
33m³ |
23500kgs |
|
20ft Open Top
|
5.89 x 2.35 x 2.36m
|
2.33 x 2.29m
|
32m³
|
21700kgs |
|
20ft Reefer
|
5.44 x 2.26 x 2.24m
|
2.26 x 2.20m
|
27m³
|
21700kgs |
|
40ft |
40ft General
|
12.05 x 2.35 x 2.36m
|
2.33 x 2.26m
|
66m³
|
26500kgs |
40ft High Cube
|
12.05 x 2.35 x 2.69m
|
2.33 x 2.59m
|
76m³
|
26500kgs |
|
40ft Flat Rack |
12.05 x 2.35 x 2.23m
|
Side Opening |
63m³
|
3600kgs |
|
40ft Flat Rack |
12.20 x 2.35 x 0.65m
|
___________ |
67m³ |
3900kgs |
|
40ft Open Top
|
12.05 x 2.35 x 2.36m
|
2.33 x 2.29m
|
66m³
|
26500kgs |
|
40ft Reefer
|
11.55 x 2.26 x 2.24m
|
2.26 x 2.20m
|
58m³
|
25000kgsE |
Even though all these container types work in Seafreight shipping from China to UAE, these four ones are the most popular container types in Sea Freight, which can carry the most types of goods with them; here are the names and approximate capacities of these containers.
*Please note these are approximate, and based on the package style, it may vary.
20ft | 20ft | 40ft | 40ft |
20GP | 20HD | 40GP | 40HQ |
25cbm-28cbm | 35cbm-38cbm | 55cbm-58cbm | 65cbm-68cbm |
Based on the total quantity of your shipment, you can choose which container best suits your needs.
CBM (cubic meter) is a measurement of one meter wide by one meter long by one meter high; CBM is used to calculate the chargeable weight.
Major ports of the UAE
The UAE has made major investments in its infrastructure; It has resulted in having modern ports as one of the most active gateways for business, commerce, and also for tourism.
Here is the list of Major ports in the UAE:
- Jebel Ali, Dubai
Considered the largest seaport in the Middle East. this seaport offers connections to more than 150 ports around the world/ world’s ninth-busiest port, Port Code: AEJEA - Mina Rashid, Dubai
The port primarily deals with non-containerized cargo/ It was Dubai’s first commercial port; in 2018, cargo operations moved to Jebel Ali Port/ It currently serves as a seafront coastal destination, tourist cruise destination, and residential area, Port code: AEMRP - Mina Khalid, Sharjah
- Khor Fakkan, Sharjah
- Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi
The main gateway for bulk and general cargo /is Abu Dhabi’s main port and one of the biggest commercial ports in the UAE. This port is equipped to handle ten ocean-going vessels at once, along with general and bulk cargo.
Dubai represents 77% of port activity in the UAE; Jebel Ali port is the most important and the biggest port in the Middle East.
Mina Khalid port is transiting 7% of the country’s total trade; the import flow of Sharjah in 2017 was 2,100 million kgs.
Mina Zayed Port in the emirate of Abu Dhabi hosts 14% of the total trades of the UAE, and 24,500 million kgs of imports have been done through this port.
Other ports also play a role in the country’s trade, but the role is less significant.
Sea freight transit times from China to UAE (Dubai)
Sea freight transit time depends on the port of origin and also the destination port; here, we’re going to list an approximate time for the most major ports of China to the three major ports of the UAE.
*Please note these times are just for a general idea, and they’re not guaranteed to be precise
China Port |
UAE Port |
Transit time (Days) |
Nanjing |
Jebel Ali |
25 |
Nanjing |
Abu Dhabi |
29 |
Nanjing |
Sharjah |
29 |
Nansha |
Jebel Ali |
13 |
Nansha |
Abu Dhabi |
15 |
Nansha |
Sharjah |
16 |
Shenzhen |
Jebel Ali |
18 |
Shenzhen |
Abu Dhabi |
19 |
Shenzhen |
Sharjah |
23 |
Foshan |
Jebel Ali |
18 |
Foshan |
Abu Dhabi |
23 |
Foshan |
Sharjah |
18 |
Zhuhai |
Jebel Ali |
20 |
Zhuhai |
Abu Dhabi |
24 |
Zhuhai |
Sharjah |
24 |
Shanghai |
Jebel Ali |
19 |
Shanghai |
Abu Dhabi |
23 |
Shanghai |
Sharjah |
23 |
Guangzhou |
Jebel Ali |
19 |
Changsha |
Abu Dhabi |
39 |
Changsha |
Jebel Ali |
35 |
Dalian |
Jebel Ali |
34 |
Dalian |
Abu Dhabi |
34 |
Dalian |
Sharjah |
29 |
Fuzhou |
Jebel Ali |
28 |
Fuzhou |
Abu Dhabi |
29 |
Fuzhou |
Sharjah |
27 |
Qingdao |
Jebel Ali |
24 |
Qingdao |
Abu Dhabi |
29 |
Qingdao |
Sharjah |
28 |
Xiamen |
Jebel Ali |
25 |
Xiamen |
Abu Dhabi |
21 |
Xiamen |
Sharjah |
25 |
Qinzhou |
Jebel Ali |
25 |
Qinzhou |
Sharjah |
27 |
Wuhu |
Abu Dhabi |
30 |
Wuhu |
Jebel Ali |
27 |
Jiujiang |
Abu Dhabi |
32 |
Jiujiang |
Sharjah |
32 |
Tianjin |
Abu Dhabi |
26 |
Tianjin |
Jebel Ali |
31 |
Tianjin |
Sharjah |
30 |
Shantou |
Jebel Ali |
31 |
Shantou |
Sharjah |
26 |
Ningbo |
Abu Dhabi |
19 |
Ningbo |
Jebel Ali |
18 |
Ningbo |
Sharjah |
21 |
Hongkong |
Abu Dhabi |
20 |
Hongkong |
Jebel Ali |
14 |
Hongkong |
Sharjah |
19 |
Sea freight costs for shipping from China to UAE (Dubai)
Sea freight procedure is a lot like Airfreight, as we’ve mentioned already, the trading term (FOB or EXW, which cover most of the trades happening), customs duty both in China and UAE, and the delivery of the goods to your address needs to be considered.
As a reminder, if you’re trading under EXW, you only pay for the goods, and the rest of the procedure needs to be handled by you, or in other words, your chosen forwarder.
Trading under FOB term, your supplier sends the goods to the chosen port and handles the customs, duty, etc., and your forwarder arranges the vessel to ship the goods to the selected port in UAE.
Like air freight, sea freight is also quoted by shipping lines, and various situation affects the rates given by the line.
here some factors affecting sea freight rates are mentioned:
- Origin port and destination port
The port of origin in China and the port you choose to receive your shipment directly affect the cost as different routes have different rates.
- Fuel costs
As the fuel costs increase, the shipping line needs to spend more money on the fuel, raising the shipping rates to cover the extra spending money.
- Season
The kind of cargo you’re moving and the season you choose for shipping are some of the essential factors. The main peak seasons, the holiday retail peak season from mid-August to Mid-October and before Chinese New Year in January, have a very high demand for shipping before the holidays; therefore, it affects the sea freight rates as well.
- Service charges and fees
Terminal fees are charges at the ports of departure and arrival in sea freight, and various other fees are charged by shipping lines and port authorities that will affect the total rate given to the importer.
- Currency
The U.S dollar is mainly used for sea freight rates; therefore, the exchange rate in the market during that time period directly affects the importer’s total cost.
- Container capacity
Each container needs to be mostly filled before it departs from the port.
Sometimes, a small part is empty; therefore, shippers offer an excellent price to fill the container and ship it, so if your goods are not enough to fill a container (LCL), you are sharing the price with other people, and this will make it less expensive.
Door-to-Door Sea freight shipping costs from China to UAE (Dubai)
*Please note the prices are just for reference and for an accurate price you need to contact our sales team. |
|
Sea DDP Shipping cost from China to UAE | Per CBM |
Normal goods (No brand/battery/magnet/liquid/powder/etc.) | 900 |
Electronic goods with inset battery | 1100 |
General goods with battery | 1100 |
Brand goods | 1100 |
Pos machine (no brand)/miners | 1100 |
Pure battery | 1550 |
Powder, chemical (Not DGR)/Perfume | 1650 |
cosmetic goods/food(snacks, not fresh food) | 1300 |
Personal goods(cannot have any liquid, smoke or cosmetic goods) | 1800 |
If you need sea freight rates for your cargo in China to UAE (Dubai), LCL, or FCL, contact our sales team to help you have the best sea freight rates, we provide easy and reliable service and affordable prices.
Door-to-Door (DDP) shipping from China to UAE (Dubai)
For both Airfreight service and Sea freight from China to UAE. we also offer Door-to-Door service; in this method, we arrange with the supplier and get the goods directly from the Seller and handle the process up to the customer’s doorstep in the destination country.
Our Door-to-Door (DDP) Service provides inland transportation, customs process in both origin and destination and also freight and makes it hassle-free for Importers, especially the ones that do not want to get involved with customs and its process.
How does Door-to-Door service work?
In the DDP method, usually, the freight forwarders consolidate goods from many customers and send them all together, which in this case is from China to UAE (Dubai), the goods are gathered in the forwarder’s warehouse and then sent to the port and also customs process, and as of this usually, the goods are consolidated need to have the same nature, they can be normal, DGR, battery included, etc.
The goods are sent and released from customs under the forwarder’s name; therefore, shipment tracking, especially with the Sea method, can be a bit troublesome, and forwarders offer their own tracking number updated by their agent.
- First, select either air or sea shipping service. What is your preferred shipping method? After that, our team will collect all the essential information from you and provide the final price of the door-to-door delivery service from China to the UAE.
- Contact the Chinese seller to arrange the collection from the Chinese seller’s factory or warehouse. Then send your luggage to the airport or port for loading.
- Upon the arrival of the cargo in UAE, our team in Sharjah, Dubai, will begin customs clearance, which will take approximately 3-5 business days.
- After customs clearance, the package will be shipped to the address you need in UAE, whether it’s Dubai, Abu Dhabi or etc.
There are many warehouses in major cities in China, such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and even Yiwu, providing the best service, such as storing and distributing goods before shipping to UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi).
Check out our video to know all about Door to Door (DDP) Shipping from China 😉
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Door-to-Door (DDP) method?
DDP has more advantages than disadvantages, as we mentioned before, trouble-free shipping without the worry of inland transportation and customs headaches is very convenient for Importers who like to import from China to UAE (Dubai), but like all methods, it also has its own disadvantages for Importers.
As we mentioned, forwarders consolidate goods from many customers; therefore, this method can have a longer transit time in both Air and Sea methods, but because of its popularity, the difference is not much, and it’s worth the wait.
Many believe because all the steps are covered in this method, then it should be much more expensive, but the truth is, even though it might sound expensive when you compare it with other methods, it can even be cheaper. you might ask why? here is the answer.
Again the point is in the consolidation of the goods; in this way, the total weight and volume are much bigger than each customer’s original weight, and as you know, the bigger and heavier the goods, the less the price, so each customer pays less for each kg/CBM of their goods, and when you add inland transportation and customs cost, I can assure you that sometimes the final price is even better than normal Airfreight or LCL Sea freight.
To sum it up, we will list the disadvantages and advantages to make the decision easier for you.
Advantages of Door to Door shipping from China to UAE (Dubai)
-
Affordable Cost
These shipping services don’t mean they cost a lot. You don’t have to pay for every step of the fulfillment process. Because of the nature of this process, all goods are gathered and consolidated and then shipped at once; therefore, the cost per kg reduces, and it makes it cost-effective for importers.
-
Operational Efficiency Is Guaranteed (Trouble-free)
Reduced operational overhead is also a benefit. A company’s success is highly dependent on its operational efficiency.
There is no need to waste energy and resources on the fulfillment process as the courier company handles the logistics. Instead, you can spend your time on marketing strategy, core business development, product development, and more.
-
Easier to Manage the Process (Reliable Service)
The best part is that, in this case, you just need to get in touch with the forwarder company and get the details and let them guide you throughout the process without needing to go into the headaches of the process.
Disadvantages of Door to Door shipping from China to UAE (Dubai)
-
DDP doesn’t provide an accurate tracking system
It’s not easy to track a shipment in this type of service because, unlike regular freights, the shipping company handles the entire shipping process for you, and your goods are consolidated with others. This can be said for both Airfreight and Sea freight but mainly applies to Airfreight because tracking a shipment in other shipping services, even in regular freight, isn’t possible until it reaches the destination port. However, customer service teams at companies are often extremely helpful in this regard and will gladly provide you with information at any time you need it.
-
DDP is not available for all the countries
This type of service is only available in about 40 to 45 countries, whereas freight services are available in all countries with airports, seaports, roads, and railways. This is caused by the different customs rules and regulations in different countries.
Door-to-Door (DDP) shipping is our specialty in ERA; we offer easy, reliable, and affordable shipping services to importers that need shipping from China to UAE (Dubai). contact us now for your free quote.
Customs Clearance process in shipping from China to UAE
When importing from a foreign country, the main thing that concerns the importers are handling the customs clearance in both the origin and destination country.
The customs process has many steps and paperwork to go through. The good news is that your forwarder Easy DDP can help you with customs clearance throughout the process.
For those of you who want to do it yourself, let’s look at the needed documents to get a better idea.
The economic conditions of the United Arab Emirates, according to the “Lloyds Bank Trade” website:
Economic Indicators
The United Arab Emirates’ economy rebounded well from the COVID-19 crisis, growing 7.9% in 2022 and an estimated 3.4% in 2023, fueled by robust domestic activity. Forecasts for 2024 indicate a non-hydrocarbon GDP growth surpassing 4%, driven by the tourism, construction, and real estate sectors. Anticipated for 2024 is a 7% year-on-year increase in tourism receipts, reaching USD 43.7 billion (around 9% of the GDP). This surge is poised to further contribute to a rise in private consumption. Conversely, government consumption, accounting for approximately 12% of the GDP, will primarily focus on business reforms and incentives, rather than implementing stimulus programs to boost consumption. For the year as a whole, the IMF forecasts growth at 4%, followed by 4.2% in 2025.
Necessary Documents for UAE customs clearance
- The Certificate of Origin (CO)
The CO is one of the most critical documents in customs clearance and international trade. It certifies that the products in a particular shipment are entirely produced, obtained, and manufactured in a specific country.
It is an important form because it determines whether goods are eligible for import or subject to duties. - The Delivery Order
It’s a document that can be issued by a freight forwarder, consignee, shipper, or carrier to deliver the goods to another party.
As the name suggests, it works as an order given by an owner to the person who has possession of goods that directs them to deliver them to the person named in the order.
It should be differentiated from the Bill of Landing; it is not a negotiable document and does not act as evidence that shows goods delivery. - The Bill of Lading (BL) or Airway Bill (AWB)
When importing goods, the Bill of Landing and Airway Bill is as essential as the CO; the CO says where the goods were produced, and the BL is a legal document between the shipper and the carrier, giving details of the cargo such as type, quantity, and the destination they’re being carried to.
Bill of Landing is for sea freight, whereas AWB is attached for air freight. The difference between these two is that, unlike BL, the AWB is non-negotiable, meaning it doesn’t specify which flight the goods will be sent to or when they will reach their destination.
- The Original Invoice
This document, which is the first copy of an invoice, needs to be checked to see if the goods are concordant with your declaration. - Manifest
A cargo or customs manifest is like a list that describes all the loads that are being transferred by the vessel; this way they can identify all the shipments onboard and check if they’re still on board or have disappeared before they arrive at the destination port.
The manifest is like the cargo passport, origin, legality to transit, and owner competency.
It’s like the Bill of Lading because they’re describing similar information and are not always separated. -
Packing List
The packing list has the total volume and weight of the cargo and the number of boxes there; also, the goods’ HS code is there.
If the goods are hazardous or part of chemical products, the MSDS document and the international code must also be there.
The UAE Customs
The customs have existed in UAE for more than a hundred years. It has gone through several phases; in 2017, the UAE topped the world in the Efficiency of Customs Procedures Index. This index ranking is based on the efficiency of resource management and many other factors.
The customs authorities in the UAE are as follows:
⦁ Federal Customs Authority
⦁ General Administration of Customs, Abu Dhabi
⦁ Department of Seaports and Customs, Sharjah
⦁ Department of Ports and Customs, Ajman
⦁ Dubai Customs
⦁ Customs Department, Ras Al Khaimah
⦁ Port of Fujairah
⦁ Fujairah Customs
The offices’ locations are in the UAE airports, seaports, and entry/exit points on the land borders. You can find the list of them on the Federal Customs Authority website.
Customs process in UAE (Dubai)
The process of the customs clearance of goods can be explained in 3 main steps.
⦁ The broker (freight forwarder, importer, or another agent) must complete the electronic import or customs declaration; the other documents needed must be provided with the customs declaration to the customs office.
⦁ The office will calculate the duties and taxes that need to be applied to the goods based on the Common Customs Tariff. A tariff exemption will be declared on the goods if they’re decided to be under the GCC Common customs law, Economic agreement, or other FTA that bonds the GCC to another party.
If they decide there’s a risk involved or imported under a specific purpose, customs can begin an inspection or examination.
The import declaration will be digitally printed at the corresponding customs office.
⦁ Finally, the release order is issued, and the products will be manumitted.
Banned Items to import from China to UAE (Dubai)
The UAE is stringent when it comes to importing banned items and the illegal import of restricted items into the UAE; here is a list of some prohibited items which can help you not get into trouble when importing from the UAE (Dubai).
⦁ Controlled/recreational drugs and narcotic substances
⦁ Counterfeit currency
⦁ Pirated content
⦁ Publications and artwork that contradict or challenge Islamic teachings and values
⦁ Gambling tools and machines
⦁ Items used in black magic, witchcraft, or sorcery
⦁ Exotic, protected, and endangered animals as well as vicious dog breeds
ERA as your freight forwarder
Now that we have gone into all the steps and procedures of importing goods from China to UAE (Dubai), we’re glad to inform you that we can help you throughout all these procedures, making importing as easy as drinking water, reliable, and affordable for your budget. Our excellent services, both air (Express and freight) and sea, offer the best prices for shipping your cargo from China.
To top it all, ERA offers DOOR TO DOOR service from China to UAE (Dubai) by both air and sea!
With this service, importing has never been easier; we take care of all the importing process steps for you and deliver the goods directly to the doorstep of your desired place.
You can contact our sales team to get the best prices for all the services and get informed about special offers.
FAQs
- How long does shipping from China to UAE (Dubai) take?
Air freight shipping service from China airports to UAE airports can be 7-8 hours and Sea freight varies from 18-32 days, depending on POL and POD; and for Door to Door (DDP) shipping from China to UAE, Sea DDP is about 30-35 days and Air DDP is 8-12 days.
- Can I import from China to UAE?
The most troublesome part of Import from a foreign country is dealing with shipping and customs regulations in both countries, with our Door to Door (DDP) shipping from China to UAE (Dubai) we take care of all the steps from the seller factory to your doorstep, so you don’t need to worry about any of the processes, also we can ship almost all types of goods from China to UAE (Dubai) with our Door to Door (DDP) service, so the short answer is yes you can Import almost anything you need from China.
- How much does shipping from China to UAE cost?
Shipping cost is affected by many factors, the service you need, the method (whether it is air or sea), the type of goods, quantity, etc. We have explained about approximate shipping cost in this article but for an accurate price based on your shipment info and PI and PL, contact our sales team on Whatsapp or Wechat, they’re available 24/7. +8615819953116
- What service is better for Door to Door (DDP) shipping from China to UAE (Dubai), Air or Sea?
The answer to this question completely depends on your needs and your shipment information, If your goods are big and bulky it’s better to send them by Sea DDP since airfreight will be expensive, if you’re in a hurry to get your small orders to stock up, then Air freight is the best option for you since Sea DDP takes longer to arrive. We suggest you consult with our sales team and get advice, depending on your shipment.
- What is the cheapest shipping way to ship from china to UAE?
The cheapest way depends on your product and shipment information, based on your goods nature, total weight and volume, and your urgency, the best method can vary from express shipping suitable for goods below 11kg, or SEA freight suitable for bulky goods.
Although generally Sea freight is considered the cheapest method among other ways, if your goods are higher than 100kg and you’re not in hurry to receive your goods, it’s better to send them by sea DDP shipping from China to UAE.
Hi
Thanks for the helpful information, really appreciate you covering all the aspect, quick question though, Is the cost and transit time of DDP service similar to normal freight? If not please provide more infomation.
Thanks
Hi dear, I’m glad the content has been useful.
DDP service has a longer transit time compared to normal freight since goods need to be gathered at the warehouse and then pass through customs together both in China and UAE, but if you take the time spent in customs and the troubles into mind, we can say it takes the same amount of time that it takes you to do the process, just easier and more convenient, for more information about DDP service, you can check out other articles.
https://erafreight.com/door-to-door-ddp-shipping-full-guide/
Hello dear
The content was very useful and thank you for that.
Would you please provide some information about DDP service to western Europe.
Regards
Hello, and thanks for your kind feedback; we’re glad that you’ve found the content useful.
We offer DDP service to all European countries, Rail/Air/Sea DDP.
Please check our blog section to gather more information 🙂
If you need further information feel free to contact our support team.
this company service is very good and very friendly and also they fulfill their promise
Thank you for your feedback, sir 🧡 we’re glad to be of service!
Thanks for the great article, I’m particularly curious about Door to Door shipping, is there any price list which can make quotes easier to get?
Dear Sabrina
Prices vary from time to time and depend on your shipment and the total weight and volume, you can check the different factors which affect the DDP price in this article.
https://erafreight.com/shipping-cost-from-china-to-uae-best-quotes/
If you had any further questions, feel free to contact us via email/WhatsApp/WeChat/ or through the website.
I have been using this company service many times. Their service is really great. Always up to date with the customer and really responsible. The price is also reasonable. Keep up the good work, Era Freight.
Thank you for your feedback 🧡 We’re glad to be of service to you and keep the service satisfying.
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Thank you so much for your kind words, we’re very glad that you’ve found our information useful, If you needed any assistance or further information, feel free to contact us here or via whatsapp/wechat/email. our support team will be in touch shortly.
Thank you so much for your kind words, we’re very glad that you’ve found our helpful information, If you needed any assistance or further information, feel free to contact us here or via whatsapp/wechat/email. our support team will be in touch shortly.
Thanks ERA for the helpful information 🙏
Please let us know about Door to Door service transit time, how long does it take for me to ship my goods DDP way?
Dear Muhammed, we’re glad you’ve found this useful.
DDP transit time for Air service is about 8-10 days, and for Sea service takes about 30-35 days.
Please understand Door to Door service transit time is approximate and different circumstances might affect the time.
If you had any further questions, feel free to contact our sales team, they will be in touch shortly.
Hello
please let me know about Door to Door service requirements, how is it done, and what kind of documents does it need?
Hello Mary
ERA handles all the steps for Door to Door (DDP) service, you can send us your seller information, and we will get in touch and take care of pick up, shipping, and double clearance on both China and destination.
There’s no need for you to offer any kind of documents for clearance on the destination. All will be handled by ERA freight.
What is the best way to send 10kg of spare parts?
should we send by express or Airfreight Door to Door (DDP) service?
Hello Dear
Air freight Door to Door service min charge is 21kg, whether you send 10, 5 or 21 kg, charge will be the same, for less than 21kg, express service is recommended to save you costs.
Is it possible to send make up goods via Airfreight? Door to Door or DDP way.
yes, it’s possible but it depends on the type of makeup you want to send, the following ones can be sent via Air freight Door to Door service:
mascara, eye shadow, lip gloss, lipstick, blush, hand cream, face cream, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, false eyelashes, masks, shampoo, facial cleanser, shower gel, toothpaste, soap, wet tissues.
for further questions, don’t hesitate to contact our sales team.
How much is 50kg of baby clothes to AbuDhabi?
Dear Wanda
Door-to-door shipping prices require more info, we need to know if your goods are a famous brand or not/ also the method of shipping, Air DDP or sea DDP, affects the shipping price, I suggest for a better quote contact our sales team via WhatsApp or WeChat on this number +8615819953116
Thank you for sharing with us, I think this website truly stands out : D.
This really answered my problem, thank you!
How should we send brand clothes to Dubai? Is it possible to send DDP way?
Yes, we can send brand clothes both by Air DDP and Sea DDP, the method depends on your budget, the urgency of arrival and quantity, for more information you can contact our sales team, they will help choose the best method suitable for your needs.
What shipping method is the better option for 130kg of phone accessories?
both Air and Sea service can be used, it depends on your budget, and also the urgency to receive the goods, if you’re not in a hurry to restock, we suggest using sea DDP service which is the cost-effective option.
Is it possible to deliver the shipments directly to boats?
Hello
Yes we can deliver your shipments directly to boats and captains with our door to door service, this way it can be sent to your 2nd destination without worry.
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Hello
How much is the approximate price for door to door from Dalian to Deira?
Dear Victor
The price depends on many factors such as the product, quantity, shipping method, etc.
Please contact our sales team via whatsapp/wechat/email so we can give you your free quote based on your shipment information. +8615819953116
Hola, Door-to-door service seems very perfecto, is it available for espain?
Hello Dear Matty,
Yes, we offer excellent door to door service to All of Europe, please get in touch with our sales team for moe information and your first free quote.
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Can you ship chemicals and fluids door to door to Dubai?
Hello dear
It Depends on the chemicals, we can send sensitive goods and liquids to Dubai with door to door (DDP) service but first we need to check the MSDS to see whether it’s possible or not.
Door to Door shipping from China to UAE seems good, but how much does it cost? Isn’t it more expensive than normal freight?
Dear Arash, in Door-to-Door service from China to UAE, the goods from many customers are consolidated and sent together, also since duty tax, etc in both sides are included, at the end it will be even more cost-effective and trouble-free for customers 😉
Thank you for sharing with us, I believe this website really stands out : D.
Do the shipping rates from China to UAE include customs and duty in Dubai?
Yes our door to door (DDP) service includes duty and customs and taxes when shipping from China to UAE, if you want to know more about the shipping cost, contact us at whatsapp/wechat or email, we will get back to you shortly.
Really clean web site, regards for this post.
Hello, Which shipping method do you suggest for shoes when shipping from china to UAE? Sea or Air?
Shipping method depends on the shipment size, weight, and your budget and urgency, but in general, Shoes usually have bigger volumetric weight and take bigger space, so on air freight the price will be high, if you’re not in a hurry, sea service is more suitable for Shoes.
I have a product with built-in battery which cannot be removed, Is it possible to ship it via airfreight from china to dubai?
Yes we offer door-to-door service from China to UAE for built-in batteries, both via Airfreight and Sea freight, depending on the total weight and volume of your cargo and also your budget and time, our sales team will offer you the best shipping service, you can contact out team via WhatsApp, WeChat, email or website chat 😉
How much does DDP Shipping from China to UAE cost?
Hello, DDP Shipping cost depends on many factors such as your goods weight/size/nature etc. and also the shipping method you choose.
for more information please contact our sales team via website chat/whatsapp/wechat/email, so they can guide you through the ddp shipping from china to uae, process
What’s the cheapest method for shipping from china to UAE?
The cheapest shipping from China to UAE depends on the weight/size of your product and the shipping method you choose, it’s better to contact our sales team so they can find the cheapest shipping method for you suitable for your needs.
What’s shipping cost from China to Dubai for 200kg of baby clothes?
Dear Omar, shipping cost depends on the shipping method and also need to check if the clothes have any famous brand logo, for more information and an accurate quote please contact our sales team via WhatsApp/ WeChat/ email. they will be in touch shortly.
I need FCL shipping from China to UAE, can you handle it? and can we also send FCL by DDP shipping?
Yes dear, we also can send your goods through FCL shipping from china to Dubai both for port to port service and DDP (Door to Door). if you have any more questions feel free to contact us via whatsapp/wechat or email.
What’s the cheapest shipping method for sending samples?
Samples should be sent either with express services such as Fedex, DHL, Aramex, etc. or ERA Air ddp shipping service with is customs, tax duty included.
express is 3-5 days and ERA DDP shipping from china to UAE takes from 8-10 days.
How much is the cost for shipping from china to uae door to door?
Shipping cost from China to UAE depends on the product, total quantity and also the shipping method you choose, for getting an approximate shipping cost you can use the calculator at the top of the article, and for booking and extra information, feel free to contact our sales team.
How long does it take to ship 100kg of spare parts from China to Dubai?
Shipping transit time depends on the shipping method you choose, if you need DDP service, Air DDP is 8-12 days
Sea DDP is 30-35 days
for more information you can contact our sales team.
hello, I’m looking for a trustworthy shipping agent in China, I have cargo weekly and need someone to handle shipping from china to uae.
if you’re interested please email me your prices and transit times.
Can you ship e-cigarettes from China to UAE Dubai?
Hello dear, yes we can ship e-cigarettes without oil from China to UAE, you can contact our sales team to offer you the cheapest shipping method or the fastest and most convenient for you based on the total weight and volume of your shipment.