UK to Dubai (UAE) Removals

We deliver into the major Dubai (UAE) cities every month: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah. Rural and inland addresses are handled via our destination agent's shuttle network.

Indicative pricing for a UK to Dubai (UAE) move: £3,200 (sole-use 20ft container) up to £9,500+ (sole-use 40ft container). Every quote is fixed in writing after a survey no day-of surprises.

To import personal effects duty-free into the UAE you generally need a valid UAE residency visa and Emirates ID at the time of customs clearance. New residents often arrive on entry permits and convert to residency in the first few weeks — we time the container arrival so the visa is in place.

Without residency, used personal effects are subject to 5% UAE customs duty on declared value. We help you structure the timeline and paperwork to avoid this where possible.

The UAE bans or restricts a long list of items: pork and pork products; alcohol (limited personal allowance only with permit); narcotics; e-cigarettes; certain medicines (incl. some common UK painkillers); religious materials offensive to Islam; political publications; certain art and films.

Pre-loved books, films and personal media are routinely inspected. We brief you in detail on what to leave behind and what to declare in advance — getting this wrong can result in the whole container being held.

All Dubai sea freight lands at Jebel Ali — the largest container port in the Middle East. Customs is administered through the Mirsal 2 electronic system; our destination agent submits the declaration and handles clearance.

Typical destination timeline: arrival at Jebel Ali, 3-7 days port handling, 2-5 days customs clearance, final delivery to your Dubai or Abu Dhabi address. Free zones (DIFC, JLT, Internet City etc.) have specific delivery and access protocols which we handle.

Most moves go by sea container (20ft for a 1-2 bed apartment, 40ft for a 3-5 bed home). Airfreight (7-12 days) is for urgent moves or small consignments where time matters more than cost — typically a senior expat starting work in Dubai within 2 weeks.

We quote both options when relevant — airfreight is roughly 3-4x the per-cubic-metre cost of sea but cuts 4-6 weeks off transit.

UAE Federal Customs Authority inspection at Jebel Ali; valid UAE residency visa typically required for duty-free import.

Paperwork we prepare and submit as part of every Dubai (UAE) move: original passport and uae residency visa (or entry permit); emirates id copy; detailed valued inventory in english; bill of lading and packing list; customs declaration via dubai customs mirsal 2 system.

Cars can be shipped to Dubai but need to be less than 5 years old and meet GCC specification or pay duty; left-hand drive only.

If you'd like to ship a vehicle alongside your move, mention it at the survey stage we can usually coordinate both on the same booking.

Many Dubai (UAE) relocations involve a gap between leaving the UK property and the container or van loading. We run secure, insured short and long-term storage at our Crowmarsh Gifford depot useful when you have completed your UK sale but the Dubai (UAE) property isn't ready yet.

Storage is invoiced monthly and can be combined with the export packing and Dubai (UAE) shipment under a single coordinator and single quote.