Sea Freight – General Cargo
🚢 Sea Freight → Dubai Warehouse| Bracket | Rate (USD/KG) |
|---|---|
| 1-5CBM CBM | USD 186.35 |
| 5CBM+ CBM | USD 183.24 |
Middle East
🚢 Sea Freight
China to UAE Sea Freight Cost [2026] — Live Rates — CIF, CIP, DDP, EXW, FOB and other services
Sea Freight rates from China to UAE. Live pricing from USD 168.6/KG on EXW, FCA, CIF, CIP and DDP terms, with transit times and channel comparison. Updated Aug 2026.
Current Rates — China to UAE
🟢 Updated 2026-08-03| Service | Mode | Rate (USD/KG) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Value Sea · Freight – General Cargo | 🚢 Sea Freight | USD 168.6 | View Details → |
| Sea · Freight – Brand Cargo | 🚢 Sea Freight | USD 227.7 | View Details → |
| Sea · Freight – Battery Cargo | 🚢 Sea Freight | USD 286.7 | View Details → |
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Full Weight-Tier Rate Cards
Detailed per-weight pricing for every active route from China to UAE. Each tier reflects the published rate at that exact weight — useful for accurate budgeting at common shipment sizes.
Sea Freight – Brand Cargo
🚢 Sea Freight → Dubai Warehouse| Bracket | Rate (USD/KG) |
|---|---|
| 1-5CBM CBM | USD 245.40 |
| 5CBM+ CBM | USD 242.29 |
Sea Freight – Battery Cargo
🚢 Sea Freight → Dubai Warehouse| Bracket | Rate (USD/KG) |
|---|---|
| 1-5CBM CBM | USD 304.44 |
| 5CBM+ CBM | USD 301.33 |
Customer Reviews — China to UAE Shipping
Verified reviews from importers who have shipped with us to UAE.
🇦🇪 UAE
★★★★★ 4.3 / 5 — Very Good (19 reviews)
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
This was a DDP shipment to UAE for mixed cartons. The customs side was handled professionally. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4.3
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
We tested this lane to UAE with a mid-volume order. The customs side was handled professionally. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4.7
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
This was a DDP shipment to UAE for mixed cartons. Pricing stayed in line with the original quote. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4.7
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
We used this route for a regular replenishment to UAE. Pricing stayed in line with the original quote. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4.3
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
Booked another door-to-door shipment to UAE through this team. The customs side was handled professionally. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost. الخدمة كانت ممتازة والمتابعة واضحة.
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4.3
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
Booked another door-to-door shipment to UAE through this team. The customs side was handled professionally. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4.3
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
Booked another door-to-door shipment to UAE through this team. The customs side was handled professionally. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 3.7
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
We used this route for a regular replenishment to UAE. The customs side was handled professionally. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
We tested this lane to UAE with a mid-volume order. Pricing stayed in line with the original quote. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Would use the same line again for general cargo. التسليم كان مرتباً بدون رسوم مفاجئة.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
We tested this lane to UAE with a mid-volume order. Pricing stayed in line with the original quote. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4.7
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
This was a DDP shipment to UAE for mixed cartons. The customs side was handled professionally. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 5
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
Great tracking visibility throughout the shipment. The team answered questions promptly via WhatsApp.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4.3
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
We used this route for a regular replenishment to UAE. Pricing stayed in line with the original quote. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
Solid option for sea freight. Communication could be slightly faster but no major issues.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4.7
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
Shipment arrived on schedule with zero issues at customs. DDP pricing was exactly as quoted, no surprise charges. Highly recommend.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 3.7
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
The pricing is fair and the process is straightforward. Took a bit longer than estimated but no damage to goods.
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 3.3
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
Communication was a bit slow at times. The actual shipment was fine but I had to follow up several times for updates.
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4.7
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
Professional service from start to finish. Clear communication throughout, and my cargo cleared customs without any problems.
✔ Verified
🇦🇪
★★★★★ 4.3
Supplier Service★★★★★
On-time Shipping★★★★★
Goods Quality & Transit★★★★★
Reasonable transit time. The documentation handling was professional and customs clearance was smooth.
✔ Verified
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to UAE is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
Price Trend — UAE Sea Freight
Historical freight rates from China to UAE. Data sourced from live carrier price feeds.
China to UAE — Shipping Reference Data
Country-specific logistics anchors for shipments arriving in UAE:
| Main sea gateways | Jebel Ali (Dubai), Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi), Sharjah |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | Federal Customs Authority (UAE) |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | AED 300 |
| Import tax & duty regime | VAT 5%; standard customs duty 5% CIF (0% in free zones) |
| Local currency | AED |
| Typical port/airport dwell time | 2–5 days |
| Peak / busy season | Sep–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | ESMA / ECAS conformity for regulated electronics |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
Commercial Freight — Mid Volume
At 100 KG, you're in the commercial freight category — large enough for competitive rates but still within the range where air freight often beats sea freight on cost per delivery cycle. This weight is common for electronics, clothing, and general merchandise restocking shipments going to UAE.
- Air freight channels offer volume discounts from 100 KG
- Sea freight LCL (shared container) becomes viable above 150 KG
- Most channels require volumetric weight check (L×W×H÷6000)
- Rail freight viable for European destinations at this weight
🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools for Sea Freight
This page covers Sea Freight from China to UAE. Plan your cargo with the matching tool before requesting a quote.
3D Container Loading Planner
Squeeze more out of every CBM to UAE: load your carton list in 3D, verify space and payload utilization, and export the loading plan.
Open Container Planner →Which Shipping Method is Best?
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Transit Times — China to UAE
| Method | Transit Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air Freight DDP | 5–10 business days | From China warehouse to UAE door |
| Sea Freight LCL | 30–50 calendar days | Shared container to UAE port + delivery |
| Express Courier | 3–7 business days | DHL/FedEx/UPS door-to-door, high cost for this weight |
What Affects the Shipping Cost to UAE?
- Actual vs. volumetric weight — carriers charge whichever is higher (L×W×H÷6000 for air)
- Cargo type surcharge — batteries, liquids, and branded goods carry additional fees
- Peak season surcharges — Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Golden Week (Oct) add 15–30%
- Destination area — UAE may have remote area surcharges for certain postal codes
- Declared value — customs duties are calculated on CIF value
- Bunker adjustment factor (BAF) — fuel surcharges added quarterly
- Port terminal handling charges (THC) — charged at origin and destination
Customs & Documentation for UAE
- De minimis threshold — shipments below local tax threshold may clear duty-free
- Required documents: commercial invoice, packing list, and accurate HS codes
- DDP service includes all import duties — you pay one total price with no surprises
- Battery and liquid goods require additional certification documents
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship from China to UAE?
Current rates for shipping from China to UAE start at USD 168.63/KG via Sea Freight – General Cargo. For 100 KG, the estimated total is approximately USD 16,863, with all duties paid under DDP. Final landed cost depends on the VAT 5%; standard customs duty 5% CIF (0% in free zones) applied by Federal Customs Authority (UAE).
What duties and taxes apply when importing into UAE?
Imports into UAE are assessed by Federal Customs Authority (UAE). The applicable regime is: VAT 5%; standard customs duty 5% CIF (0% in free zones). The duty-free / de-minimis position is AED 300. Under our DDP service these charges are pre-paid and included in the per-KG price, so there is nothing to settle on arrival.
How is chargeable weight calculated for UAE shipments?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000 for air) and charge whichever is greater, rounded up to the next kilogram. For 100 KG this matters most when cargo is light but bulky — consolidating cartons can drop you into a cheaper bracket.
What is DDP shipping to UAE and what does it include?
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) to UAE means one all-inclusive price covering freight, the duty/tax due to Federal Customs Authority (UAE), and last-mile delivery to your door. The AED 300 de-minimis position is handled for you, and there are no surprise charges at destination.
What documents are required for customs clearance in UAE?
Federal Customs Authority (UAE) typically requires: (1) commercial invoice with HS codes and declared value; (2) packing list with weights and dimensions; (3) bill of lading or air waybill; (4) certificate of origin (may lower duty); and (5) any product-specific certification (ESMA / ECAS conformity for regulated electronics). Under DDP we prepare and file these for you.
What certifications are required to import into UAE?
For regulated goods entering UAE, plan for: ESMA / ECAS conformity for regulated electronics. Missing conformity paperwork is the most common cause of clearance holds with Federal Customs Authority (UAE), so confirm requirements for your HS code before the cargo leaves China.
Which ports and airports handle China shipments to UAE?
Sea freight to UAE typically routes through Jebel Ali (Dubai), Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi), Sharjah, while air freight clears via DXB / DWC (Dubai), AUH (Abu Dhabi), SHJ (Sharjah). We pick the gateway with the best onward delivery time to your final address and price it into the DDP rate.
How long does shipping from China to UAE take?
Door-to-door transit to UAE: air freight 5–10 business days, sea LCL 30–50 days, sea FCL 28–45 days. On arrival, allow roughly 2–5 days of clearance/dwell at the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP.
Shipping to UAE by industry
Rates above are lane rates and apply to general cargo. Packing specification, HS classification and the clearance step that matters are all commodity-specific — these guides cover them industry by industry.
- Luggage Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Fire Protection Equipment Fire, Safety & Traffic Products
- Illuminated Signs Retail, Display & Commercial Fixtures
- Outdoor Products Toys, Sports, Outdoor & Leisure
- Office Supplies Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Cross-border E-commerce E-commerce & Retail Channels
- Metal Products Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Architectural Hardware Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Production Line Equipment General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Aerial Work Platform Construction, Mining & Material Handling
- Switchgear New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Automotive Electronics Automotive & Vehicles