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
Reference rates as of May 2026. All-in to port of discharge, excluding destination charges and duties.
| Service | Rate | Transit (port to port) |
|---|---|---|
| LCL (per CBM, min 1) | $45/CBM | 22-30 days |
| FCL 20' GP | $1,750 | 20-26 days |
| FCL 40' HQ | $2,100 | 20-26 days |
Air freight rates and transit
| Service | Rate | Transit (airport to airport) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard air (45+ kg) | $5.00/kg | 5-7 days |
| Express air | $13.00/kg | 3-5 days |
Sailing schedule
Our LCL consolidation runs out of the Guangzhou and Shenzhen warehouses with a weekly cut-off on Wednesday evening. Goods received by Wednesday sail on Friday or Saturday and clear Jebel Ali approximately three to four weeks later. FCL bookings are flexible and can be placed at any time 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.
DDP example: 6 CBM, 800 kg, general goods
Indicative breakdown for an LCL DDP shipment from Guangzhou to a Dubai mainland warehouse, declared CIF value $12,000:
| Cost line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sea LCL freight (6 CBM x $45) | $270 |
| Origin handling, export customs, docs | $120 |
| Destination handling Jebel Ali | $180 |
| UAE duty (5% of CIF $12,000) | $600 |
| UAE VAT (5% of CIF + duty) | $630 |
| Last-mile delivery to Dubai warehouse | $90 |
| Total DDP add-on | ~$1,890 |
All figures are indicative and move within roughly 20 percent depending on season, fuel and carrier surcharges. Request a written quote for the exact number on your shipment.