Moving from the UAE to Georgia
In short
Shipping household goods from the UAE to Georgia takes 10–20 days port to port for a full container to Poti and Batumi, or 3–6 days by air through Tbilisi Intl. Clearance is handled by Georgia Revenue Service under Personal effects relief for residents. Poti and Batumi both serve Tbilisi; Georgia is one of the more straightforward Caucasus corridors for used effects.
| Capital | Tbilisi |
|---|---|
| Arrival port | Poti, Batumi |
| Airport | Tbilisi Intl |
| Sea — full container | 10–20 days |
| Sea — shared container | 20–30 days |
| Air freight | 3–6 days |
What is different about moving to Georgia?
Poti and Batumi both serve Tbilisi, around 300 km inland. Georgia has comparatively liberal customs procedures and is one of the more straightforward Caucasus corridors.
Who clears your shipment in Georgia?
Georgia Revenue Service, under Personal effects relief for residents. Georgia is also the transit country for Armenia-bound cargo, which discharges at Poti.
How long does it take, and by which route?
A full container runs 10–20 days port to port to Poti and Batumi; shared container space takes 20–30 days because it must be consolidated before departure and unpacked on arrival. Air freight through Tbilisi Intl is 3–6 days. Add roughly two weeks across packing, clearance at both ends and final delivery.
What happens when it arrives?
Tbilisi's old town has steep narrow streets needing a small vehicle; newer districts have good access. We survey the destination access before quoting rather than discovering it on the day, because a street a full-size vehicle cannot enter means a shuttle, and an upper floor without a lift means a longer carry. Both are priced at survey.
Documents you need
- Passport copy — Photo page, plus the UAE residence visa and exit stamp.
- Itemised and valued packing list — The document customs actually reads. We produce it as the goods are packed.
- Proof of continuous residence abroad — Employment or tenancy records covering the qualifying period.
- Transfer of Residence declaration — Confirms you are returning to settle rather than visiting.
- Bill of lading or air waybill — Issued once the shipment is loaded.
- Authorisation for the clearing agent — Lets our destination agent clear on your behalf.
Shipping a vehicle
Vehicle import into Georgia is tightly restricted. Age limits, homologation requirements and duty rates that can approach or exceed the vehicle's own value rule out most cars being shipped from the UAE. For the majority of people relocating, selling before departure is the better financial outcome, and we will tell you so rather than quote a shipment that will not clear economically.
Taking pets
Cats and dogs travelling to Georgia need a microchip, a current rabies vaccination and an international veterinary health certificate, and most destinations also require an import permit obtained in advance. Where a rabies antibody titre test is required, it carries a fixed waiting period after the sample is taken that cannot be compressed — which is why a pet move is planned around the animal's calendar rather than your flight date.
Restricted and prohibited items
- Satellite phones
- Drones without prior clearance
- Gold and silver beyond declared allowances
- Maps depicting disputed borders
- Flammable liquids, gas cylinders, aerosols and paint
- Fireworks, ammunition and explosives
- Narcotics and controlled substances
- Endangered species products (CITES)
What affects the price
Volume is the main driver, then whether you take shared container space or a full container — the crossover usually sits around fifteen cubic metres. Destination charges at Poti and Batumi are billed separately from the ocean freight and vary more than people expect. Delivery to an address a full-size vehicle cannot reach needs a smaller shuttle, and that is quoted at survey rather than added afterwards.
Questions about Georgia
Poti or Batumi?
Poti handles more container traffic and is the usual choice; Batumi is an alternative and slightly closer to the Turkish border. Both are around 300 km from Tbilisi by road.
Is Georgia straightforward for customs?
Comparatively, yes. Procedures are more liberal than elsewhere in the region and clearance for used personal effects is generally routine where documentation is complete.
Is air freight to Tbilisi Intl worth the extra cost?
For small, urgent or high-value loads, often yes — 3–6 days against 20–30 days by shared container. Below about two cubic metres the fixed port and handling charges on a sea shipment narrow the gap considerably. A common split is to air-freight a fortnight of essentials and send the rest by sea.
Can you deliver to my address in Tbilisi?
Tbilisi's old town has steep narrow streets needing a small vehicle; newer districts have good access. We check this at survey, because a street a full-size vehicle cannot enter means a shuttle and an upper floor without a lift means a longer carry — both of which belong in the quote rather than in a conversation on the day.
How long does a container take to reach Poti and Batumi?
10–20 days for a full container and 20–30 days for shared space, which is slower because the container is consolidated before departure and unpacked on arrival. Packing, clearance at both ends and delivery add roughly two more weeks.
Customs, vehicle and pet import rules change, and transit bands are corridor averages rather than promises. We confirm what applies to your shipment in writing before booking.
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