United Arab Emirates is China’s second largest trading partner and largest export market in Arab-Region.

China’s exports to the UAE grew 19.2% in 2024. The main categories include: machinery, electronics, clothing, furniture, bedding, lamps, steel products, shoes, plastics, toys and sports goods.

Whether you need support with China-to-UAE shipping, or moving cargo anywhere around the world, CFC’s proactive, customer-focused freight forwarding services are ready to build a customized solution to help your organization reach its goals.

United Arab Emirates Customs

United Arab Emirates uses HS Code for tariff classification purposes. As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates), it applies the GCC common external tariff of at least 5% to be levied on most goods imported from countries outside the GCC. Customs duties are calculated Ad valorem on the C.I.F value.

It also imposes a Value-Added Tax (VAT) at 5% on most goods.

You don’t have to pay any duty or tax in the UAE if you import goods worth less than Dhs 1,000. Also, gifts worth less than Dhs 3,000 are exempt from customs duty and tax.

The UAE levies import duties on commercial goods depending on:

• Whether the business is registered onshore or in an Free Trade Zone (FTZ).
• Nature of goods being moved.
• Source and destination of the goods being moved.
• Trade agreements between the UAE and exporting country.
• Other laws and regulations.

Each emirate (including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah) has its own customs authorities. Customs offices are located at airports, seaports, and on land borders.

The UAE is home to numerous free trade zones, offering tax exemptions, custom duty benefits, and minimal bureaucratic hurdles. These zones facilitate easier import and export processes, making them attractive for international businesses looking to establish a presence in the Middle East.

Sea Freight from China to United Arab Emirates

Ocean container shipping is the simplest and most economical way to move your cargo, if you have a large volume of goods to ship to UAE, or merely a pallet or two of freight.

We specialize in freight forwarding for individuals and businesses needing less-than-container-load or full-container-load shipping to ports in the UAE at low shipping rates. If you are an FCL shipper, we’ll forward your cargo to the UAE in a 20-foot container, or, for a larger shipment, in a 40-foot container.

Our services range from LCL/FCL shipping through to door-to-door integrated supply chain solutions.

Top Container Ports in United Arab Emirates

The UAE has 16 modern ports, 9 of which have container terminals, warehousing and other advanced facilities. There are more than 200 berths in the country, 80% of which are in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The main ports along the Arabian Gulf are:

• Khalifa Port and Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi
• Rashid Port and Jebel Ali Port in Dubai
• Khalid Port in Sharjah
• Sagar Port in Ras Al Khaimah

The main ports along the Gulf of Oman are:

• Khor Furkan Port in Sharjah
• Fujairah Port in Fujairah

Jebel Ali Port is located in the Jebel Ali Free Zone. It is the world’s largest artificial port with 67 berths. Jebel Ali Port ranks among the top 10 in the world in terms of container throughput and is the largest port in the Middle East and North Africa.

It serves as a vital gateway for goods entering and leaving the UAE. The port’s state-of-the-art facilities and connectivity to major shipping routes make it an ideal choice for businesses seeking efficient logistics solutions. It’s also the world’s third largest re-export trade center after Singapore and Hong Kong, China.

Khalifa Port, the largest commercial port in Abu Dhabi, has replaced Zayed Port as Abu Dhabi’s main cargo port. And it is the most automated port in the Middle East.

Khalifa Port’s second container Terminal – CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal – is a concession agreement between AD Ports Group and COSCO SHIPPING Ports. The terminal is the first in the Middle East to implement an autonomous port truck system. In October 2024, the terminal handled 175,965.25 TEUs of containers, setting a record for the highest monthly throughput since the terminal opened.

Sea Freight Cost from China to United Arab Emirates

The outlay of shipping from China to UAE can vary depending on a few factors, including the container type and freight options (door-to-door, door-to-port, port-to-port, port-to-door).

⬇️How much is shipping to a business address in UAE by SEA?⬇️

	1 - 5CBM	5CBM+
Dubai	AED 900/CBM	AED 880/CBM
Others	AED 980/CBM	AED 940/CBM

To get an accurate estimate of shipping costs, you are welcome to contact us for a more specific quote based on your individual needs.

Sea Freight Transit Time from China to United Arab Emirates

The duration of your shipment would differ depending on your choice of ocean freight service (FCL or LCL), the distance between the original port in China and the destination port in UAE, and whether the ship is direct or has multiple stops.

It can take 14 to 18 days for your container shipment to complete.

Air Freight from China to United Arab Emirates

Air freight is a way to ship cargo through air freight carriers or airlines. UAE has well-established air cargo airports capable of receiving air freight shipments from all over the world, including China.

Air transport is a quick and less expensive shipping option for goods compared to express shipping. It is the best choice for urgent, high-value air cargo shipments from China to UAE.

Top Airports in United Arab Emirates

• Dubai International Airport – DXB
• Abu Dhabi International Airport – AUH
• Sharjah International Airport – SHJ
• Al Maktoum International Airport – DWC

Dubai Airport is located about 5 km east of Dubai City and has been on the list of the busiest airports in the world for years. It mainly serves as the main hub for the Emirates airline. And it has been repeatedly recognized as one of the best airports in the world.

The dominant airlines in the UAE are Emirates and Etihad Airways. Other major players are Flydubai and Air Arabia.

Air Freight Cost from China to United Arab Emirates

In many cases, it may be cheaper to ship small quantities by air to the nearest city in the UAE (transport costs from container port to final destination may exceed savings).

⬇️How much is shipping to a business address in UAE by AIR?⬇️

	16KG+	101KG+
Dubai	AED 22.5/KG	AED 20.0/KG
Others	AED 23.5/KG	AED 21.5/KG

Our team will make the best proposals according to your situation. Even if airfreight isn’t cheap, the cost difference compared to the time saved is worth it for some goods.

Air Freight Transit Time from China to United Arab Emirates

The express shipping option is the quickest shipping solution for China to UAE shipping. With this method, your cargo can arrive in UAE within 2-4 days by FEDEX express, DHL Express, and UPS express. It is also a door-to-door shipping service, which saves importers so much stress and hassles.

We can also provide DDP air shipping. It usually takes about 3-6 days to arrive. It can be delivered directly to the buyer’s premises at a private or commercial address or an Amazon FBA warehouse.

Working with CFC

The UAE, especially Dubai, has become a linchpin in international trade and e-commerce. Its strategic location as a crossroads between Europe, Asia, and Africa makes it an ideal hub for global shipping operations. If you are looking for fast, safe logistics freight solutions from China to UAE with cost-effective price, we are the right choice for you.

We do regular cargo shipping from China to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, Ras Al-Khaimah and other city in UAE. We ship everything from small parcels to heavy cargo loads, from household to commercial shipment. CFC delivers your goods at the destination you want on the suitable time and date.

Start Shipping Today