Shipping to Germany from Dubai by air, by sea, door to door

Air freight usually takes 6 to 8 days door to door, depending on whether you choose express or standard service. Sea freight takes about 30 to 40 days, since the cargo sails from Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port to Hamburg or Bremerhaven and then moves inland. Customs checks and peak season can add a few days either way, so we confirm dates when you book.

The price depends on the weight or volume of your cargo, whether you ship by air or sea, what you are sending, where it is collected in the UAE and where it is delivered in Germany. We do not publish flat rates because a 20 kg box and a full container are priced very differently. Send us the details and you get an itemised quote with the freight, handling and any extra services listed separately.

Choose air freight for urgent, small or high-value cargo and when you need it in under two weeks. Choose sea freight for heavy or bulky cargo, household moves and anything that is not time-critical, because it costs much less per kilogram. If you are unsure, tell us the weight, size and deadline and we will recommend one.

Often yes. German customs allows duty-free import of personal belongings if you lived outside the EU for at least 12 months and are moving your normal home to Germany. The items must have been yours and in use for at least 6 months before the move, and they must be cleared within 12 months of your arrival. You declare them on customs form 0350. Alcohol and tobacco are not covered.

For commercial goods, yes. Germany charges import VAT of 19% on most goods (7% on items such as food and books), calculated on the customs value plus any duty. Duty depends on the product code and country of origin, and consignments under 150 euros are duty-free but still carry VAT. Duty-free relocation of personal belongings is the main exception.

For business shipments you need a commercial invoice, a packing list and an airway bill or bill of lading, plus a certificate of origin if you want preferential duty rates and an EORI number for the German importer. For a household move you need your passport, proof of your new German address, an inventory of what you are shipping and customs form 0350. We prepare the export side in the UAE and tell you exactly what the German side needs.

Yes. We ship cars in containers or by roll-on roll-off vessel from the UAE to German ports. A car you have owned and used abroad can qualify for duty-free relocation import, but German vehicle tax and registration still apply, and non-EU cars may need a technical inspection before they can be registered. Send us the make, model and year and we will list what is needed.

Yes. Cargo arrives at a German airport or seaport, clears customs, and goes on by truck to the final address in cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, Stuttgart and Düsseldorf, or to smaller towns and business parks. You can also choose to collect from a port or terminal if that is cheaper.

Illegal drugs, explosives, counterfeit goods, banned symbols and unlicensed weapons and ammunition cannot be shipped. Medicines, food, plants, animal products, chemicals and items made from protected species need permits or are restricted. Tell us what is in the shipment before booking and we will say whether it can go.

Sea freight is the cheapest per kilogram by a wide margin. For smaller loads, LCL (a shared container) usually costs less than booking a whole container, and for larger loads a full 20 ft or 40 ft container is better value. Air freight costs more but can work out cheaper overall for light, small shipments once you count time and handling.

A customs broker in Germany clears the cargo on behalf of the importer. We coordinate with the broker, send them the documents and let you know about any duty or VAT due before delivery. If you are moving house, you or your representative present the relocation declaration (form 0350).

An EORI number is the registration number that identifies businesses importing into or exporting from the EU. A company importing goods into Germany needs one. Private individuals moving their own belongings usually use the relocation declaration, and we tell you if anything extra is needed in your case.

We do not carry cosmetics, batteries, liquids, food or jewellery. Tell us what is in your cargo and we confirm what can travel.

Multiply length, width and height in centimetres, then divide by 6,000 to get the volumetric weight in kilograms. The airline bills whichever is higher, the actual weight or the volumetric weight. A 60 x 40 x 40 cm box weighing 12 kg is billed as 16 kg. The calculator on this page does the sum for you.

Yes. We collect from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, and consolidate everything for the same flight or sailing to Germany.

Yes. LCL (less than container load) lets you ship a few boxes or pallets in a shared container and you pay only for the space you use. Transit is a little longer than a full container because cargo is consolidated before sailing and separated after arrival.

Yes. We can arrange transit insurance for air and sea shipments. It is worth taking for high-value goods, household moves and anything fragile. Tell us the declared value of your cargo and we will include the cost in your quote.

For air freight, a few days before the cargo is ready is usually enough. For sea freight, plan one to two weeks ahead, and longer before the end-of-year peak season when space is tight. For a house move, start getting quotes eight to ten weeks before you leave.

Yes. Every shipment gets a tracking number you can check on our Track Shipment page, and our team sends updates on the key milestones by phone and WhatsApp, including pickup, departure, customs clearance in Germany and delivery.