UK ⇄ AE · FCL · 18–28 days
FCL container shipping from the UK to the UAE.
The UK–UAE is one of our busiest sea freight lanes. We handle the whole shipment: collection from anywhere in the UK, export paperwork, sailing and UAE import customs through our trusted partners. Commercial goods, machinery or personal effects to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, all on the same lane.
Who ships this route
What we carry to the UAE
UK exporters sending goods to UAE buyers, manufacturers shipping machinery and equipment, and individuals relocating to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, this is the mix we move on the UK–UAE lane. Commercial pallets and trade cargo make up the bulk of the route, alongside full-container household moves for people relocating or sending personal effects.
The UAE is also a major re-export hub: goods arriving at Jebel Ali are frequently onward-distributed across the Gulf, Middle East and beyond. If you're shipping into the region as a whole, the UAE lane is often the most efficient entry point. This is a strongly bidirectional route, we also handle UAE-origin cargo moving back to the UK.
Full container load · 20ft · 40ft
Container options for the UAE
Your own box
A 20ft or 40ft container to yourself. Best for larger loads, machinery, or when you want the security and simplicity of sole use. You pay for the whole container regardless of how full it is, so FCL works best when you're shipping enough to fill most of it.
Handled throughout
We arrange UK collection, export paperwork, the sailing and UAE import customs through our trusted partners. One accountable operator from your UK door to the delivery address in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah.
Relocating to the UAE with a full household? We ship household goods by full container, door to door. We'll advise on packing, inventories and the documentation required for used personal-effects clearance at the UAE end.
Felixstowe / Southampton → Jebel Ali / Khalifa / Sharjah
Ports and transit
UK ports: Felixstowe and Southampton, with collection from anywhere in the UK.
UAE ports: Jebel Ali (Dubai) is the primary gateway and one of the largest container ports in the world. Khalifa Port serves Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah Port handles cargo for the northern emirates. Destination port depends on your final delivery address, we'll confirm the best option when we quote.
TRANSIT · TYPICALLY 18–28 DAYS PORT TO PORT
Export declarations · Import clearance
Customs for the UAE
Shipping from the UK to the UAE requires a UK export declaration, commodity codes, a commercial invoice and a packing list on departure. At the UAE end, goods are subject to UAE customs assessment and duty (typically 5% CIF value for most goods, with exemptions for certain categories). VAT may also apply depending on the nature of the cargo.
UAE import customs are arranged and managed through our trusted partners. The documentation is prepared before the cargo ships, not scrambled together at the port, so your shipment keeps moving. If you're exporting to the UAE for the first time, we'll walk you through exactly what's needed, how our customs clearance works.
The paperwork is co-ordinated under one roof across both ends, so your shipment doesn't stall between a UK exporter and a UAE broker.
Straight answers
UK–UAE shipping questions
How long does sea freight from the UK to the UAE take?
Typically 18–28 days port to port from Felixstowe or Southampton to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah. Add a few days each side for collection, UAE import customs and final delivery. We'll confirm exact timings when we quote.
Which UAE port will my container arrive at?
Most UK cargo for Dubai and the wider UAE arrives at Jebel Ali, the largest port in the Middle East and a major re-export hub. Khalifa Port serves Abu Dhabi and Sharjah has its own container terminal. The best port depends on your final delivery address, we'll advise when we quote.
Do you handle UAE import customs?
Yes. UK export clearance and UAE import customs are arranged and managed through our trusted partners. We prepare the documentation, commercial invoice, packing list, export declaration and commodity codes, before the cargo ships, so it clears smoothly at the UAE end.
24h turnaround · No obligation
Shipping to the UAE from the UK?
Tell us what you're sending, the UK origin and the UAE destination. We'll come back with a tailored FCL quote within 24 hours on working days.
Already hold a quote from another forwarder? Send us this route and we’ll give you ours to compare.
Related: Middle East routes · Container shipping from the UK · Customs clearance · Container sizes