As an important trade and logistics center in the Middle East, the UAE has a large amount of trade with China. Understanding the shipping time and process from China to the UAE is crucial for exporters and importers. This article will introduce this in detail.
Geographical location of UAE
The UAE is located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia to the south, Oman to the east and northeast, the Persian Gulf to the north, and Iran across the sea. The UAE’s major ports such as Dubai Port and Abu Dhabi Port make it one of the hubs of global shipping.
Sea Freight Time from China to UAE
Sea shipping is the most common mode of transportation in China, with relatively low transportation costs and suitable for the transportation of bulk goods. It is generally divided into FCL and LCL, and the difference in loading and unloading between the two will result in different transportation times
The journey from China to the UAE by sea usually takes 14-25 days, and the specific time depends on the departure port (such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, etc.) and the destination port (such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, etc.) Affected by the following factors:
- Weather conditions: When sailing at sea, bad weather (such as typhoons, storms, etc.) will cause the sailing speed to decrease or even stop shipping.
- Port operation efficiency: The different working efficiency between different ports affects the transportation time.
- Cargo category: Certain types of cargo, such as dangerous goods, heavy goods or bulk goods, may require special handling procedures, resulting in additional transportation time.
| Original Port | Destination Port | Transport time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Dubai | 14-25 days |
| Shenzhen | Dubai | 15-23 days |
| Ningbo | Dubai | 16-25 days |
| Shanghai | Abu Dhabi | 14-23 days |
| Shenzhen | Abu Dhabi | 15-24 days |
| Ningbo | Abu Dhabi | 14-25 days |
| Shanghai | Sharjah | 16-24 days |
| Shenzhen | Sharjah | 14-25 days |
| Ningbo | Sharjah | 14-25 days |
Air Freight Time from China to UAE
Air freight is usually used for fast speed, expensive price and limited capacity. It is suitable for small quantities or high-value goods, but the transportation time is relatively short. It usually takes 3-7 days from China to the UAE. Air transport time is also affected by the following main factors:
- Flight frequency and direct flights: Direct flights are usually faster, and the frequency of flights will also affect the transportation time.
- Weather: Storms, haze, sandstorms, etc. may cause flight delays or cancellations
The following is the time from China to Nigeria Airport:
| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Transport time (days) |
| Beijing Capital | Dubai | 3-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Dubai | 4-6 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Dubai | 3-7 days |
| Shenzhen Baoan | Dubai | 4-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Abu Dhabi | 3-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Abu Dhabi | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Abu Dhabi | 3-7 days |
| Shenzhen Baoan | Abu Dhabi | 3-6 days |
Door to Door Shipping Time from China to the UAE
Door-to-door shipping involves multiple links, including air or sea transportation of goods from the place of shipment to the destination, customs clearance, and final delivery to the delivery address. The specific time will be affected by different transportation methods, customs clearance procedures, seasons, cargo types and other factors.
Air transportation is usually the fastest mode of transportation and is suitable for urgent goods. The door-to-door time of air transportation mainly depends on flight arrangements, customs clearance efficiency and final delivery. It usually only takes 4-7 days to use the door-to-door service provided by express companies (such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.).
The door-to-door time of sea transportation is usually longer than that of air transportation. The specific time depends on the route, port processing speed and customs clearance time, etc., and it takes about 16-27 days.
If you want to know the shipping time to other countries you can read:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Dubai
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Saudi Arabia?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Iran?
How to Shorten the Time of Shipping from China to UAE
Arrange in advance
Ensure that the goods are prepared and all necessary documents are processed in time before the ship or flight, reducing the waiting time during transportation.
Choose a direct route
Choose a direct shipping or air route to avoid time delays caused by intermediate stops or transshipments.
Choose the right customs clearance agent
A qualified customs clearance agent can help speed up the customs clearance procedures for imported goods and avoid delays.
Use advanced logistics technology
Intelligent tracking system to monitor and adjust transportation progress in real time.
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to UAE
Shipping costs from China to the UAE can vary based on several factors, including the weight, size, and volume of your package and any additional services or insurance required. Additionally, prices may vary between different shipping providers and freight forwarders. Here is the cost range for full container load (20ft and 40ft) shipping from China to UAE:
| Original Port | Destination Port | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Dubai | $1250-$2200 | $2200-$3200 |
| Shenzhen | Dubai | $1200-$2100 | $2100-$3000 |
| Ningbo | Dubai | $1350-$2500 | $2250-$3250 |
| Shanghai | Abu Dhabi | $1500-$2700 | $2450-$3600 |
| Shenzhen | Abu Dhabi | $1650-$2850 | $2350-$3600 |
| Ningbo | Abu Dhabi | $1600-$2800 | $2200-$3200 |
| Shanghai | Sharjah | $1800-$2800 | $2550-$3200 |
| Shenzhen | Sharjah | $1900-$2850 | $2450-$3250 |
| Ningbo | Sharjah | $1950-$2950 | $2400-$3100 |
Learn more: How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to UAE
Steps to Ship from China to UAE
The steps of transporting from China to the UAE usually include the following:
Choose the mode of transport
Choose the appropriate mode of transport (air or sea) according to the type of goods and timeliness requirements.
Prepare documents
Make sure all necessary documents are complete, including commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, etc.
Cargo transportation
The goods are transported by the specified mode of transport (sea or air).
Customs clearance at the port of destination
After arriving in the UAE, the goods need to complete the customs clearance procedures. Ensure that the cooperation between the importer and the freight forwarder is completed smoothly.
Delivery to the final destination
After customs clearance is completed, the goods will be delivered to the final destination by truck or other means.
Learn more: Customs Clearance and Fees
The transportation time from China to the UAE is affected by many factors. By reasonably arranging the transportation process and choosing a professional freight forwarding company, we can effectively shorten the transportation time and reduce the transportation cost.