Ports and airports we use
| Origin | Destination | Mode | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen (Yantian, Shekou) | Jebel Ali (DXB) | Sea FCL/LCL | Daily |
| Ningbo | Jebel Ali | Sea FCL/LCL | 3x weekly |
| Shanghai | Jebel Ali | Sea FCL/LCL | Daily |
| Shanghai | Khalifa Port (AUH) | Sea FCL | 2x weekly |
| PVG, CAN, HKG | DXB | Air | Daily |
| PVG, HKG | AUH | Air | 5x weekly |
Sea freight rates and transit
All-in rates per chargeable CBM, September 2026: freight, fuel, duty, VAT and delivery. Minimum 1 CBM.
| Cargo category | Dubai, Sharjah, FBA | Other emirates | Door to door |
|---|---|---|---|
| General goods | $295/CBM | $303/CBM | 35-45 days |
| Branded, CCTV, medical | $362/CBM | $370/CBM | 35-45 days |
| Cosmetics and food | $395/CBM | $404/CBM | 35-45 days |
| Power banks and pure batteries | $429/CBM | $437/CBM | 35-45 days |
Air freight rates and transit
| Weight band | Dubai, Sharjah, FBA | Other emirates | Door to door |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parcels under 16 kg | $17 first kg, $8.30 each next kg | $19 first kg, $10 each next kg | 6-10 days |
| 16 to 99 kg | $6.34/kg | $6.67/kg | 6-10 days |
| 100 kg and up | $6.00/kg | $6.34/kg | 6-10 days |
Sailing schedule
Consolidation runs out of the Shenzhen and Guangzhou warehouses with a weekly cut-off on Wednesday evening. Goods received by Wednesday sail that week and reach your door five to six weeks later, customs included. Full containers are booked separately, subject to vessel availability.
UAE customs and clearance
Mainland imports through Jebel Ali, DXB and AUH face a standard 5 percent customs duty calculated on CIF value, with 5 percent VAT applied on top. Some categories (medical, books, agricultural inputs) are exempt or zero-rated. Restricted goods include cosmetics (require ECAS), electronics (EMC and ECAS), food products (Dubai Municipality registration) and any item containing wireless modules (TDRA approval).
Free zone imports (JAFZA, DAFZA, KIZAD) defer duty as long as goods stay inside the zone. Duty applies only when stock leaves the free zone for the UAE local market.
Worked example: 6 CBM, 800 kg, general goods to Dubai
Consolidated sea cargo from our Shenzhen warehouse to a Dubai mainland warehouse. Chargeable volume is the greater of 6 CBM and 800 kg ÷ 400 = 2 CBM, so 6 CBM:
| Cost line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sea cargo all-in, 6 CBM x $295 (freight, fuel, duty, VAT, delivery) | $1,771 |
| Optional: general-trade declaration in your company name | ~$120 |
| Optional: cargo insurance, 1% of declared value, loss cover only | $120 |
| Total, all-in without options | $1,771 |
All figures are indicative and move with season and surcharges. Free zones, exhibitions and remote areas are quoted separately. Request a written quote for the exact number on your shipment.