Commercial and household goods shipping from the UAE
In short
We ship commercial cargo and personal goods out of the UAE by sea, air and road, from a single pallet to a full container. Rates depend on volume, weight and whether the cargo is palletised. We handle export documentation, the bill of lading and destination delivery through partner agents.
Freight is priced on whichever is greater, the weight or the space. A pallet of ceramic tiles and a pallet of cushions cost very differently to move, and knowing which rule applies to your cargo before you book is the difference between an accurate quote and a surprise invoice.
How is freight actually priced?
On chargeable weight, which is the greater of the cargo's actual weight and its volumetric weight. Volumetric weight converts the space a shipment occupies into a notional weight using a fixed divisor, and air freight uses a harsher divisor than sea. The practical consequence is that light bulky goods — furniture, foam, packaging materials — are priced on their size, while dense goods such as tiles, machinery parts and books are priced on their weight. Knowing which side your cargo falls on tells you immediately whether reducing the box size or reducing the contents will save you money.
What are Incoterms and why do they matter?
Incoterms are the standard three-letter codes that define exactly where the seller's responsibility ends and the buyer's begins — who pays the freight, who clears customs, who carries the risk at each stage. EXW puts almost everything on the buyer; DDP puts almost everything on the seller. Most disputes we see are not about the goods but about an assumption: one party quoted a price believing destination charges were the other's problem. Agree the term in writing before the cargo moves.
Our process
Quote
Cargo dimensions and weight priced across the available modes.
Collect and consolidate
Picked up, palletised and prepared for export.
Document and clear
Paperwork lodged and the shipment released.
Ship and deliver
Dispatched and tracked through to the consignee.
What affects the price
| Chargeable weight | The greater of actual weight and volumetric weight applies. |
|---|---|
| Mode | Air is fastest and dearest; road is efficient within the GCC. |
| Packaging quality | Poorly packed cargo cannot be stacked and wastes paid space. |
| Incoterms | Who pays freight, duty and destination charges changes the total. |
| Special handling | Oversized, fragile or temperature-sensitive cargo costs more. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest shipment you handle?
A single carton by air or a single pallet by sea. Below about one cubic metre the fixed port and handling charges dominate the cost, so air freight is often the better value even though the per-kilo rate looks higher.
Can you collect from a supplier on my behalf?
Yes. We collect from suppliers, free zones and warehouses across the UAE, consolidate multiple pickups into one shipment where it helps, and issue a single set of documents for the consolidated cargo.
Do you ship to landlocked countries?
Yes, by sea to the nearest port and onward by road, or by air direct. Onward inland transport is quoted separately because it depends on the border crossings and the road distance from the discharge port.
Can I track my shipment?
Yes. Sea shipments are tracked by container and bill of lading number, air shipments by air waybill. We send the reference once the cargo is loaded and confirm the key milestones rather than leaving you to chase a carrier portal.
Get a free quote
A free survey and a fixed written price before you commit to anything.