Sea Freight from Dubai and Abu Dhabi with FCL, LCL and door to door
The most economical way to move large, heavy or non-urgent cargo. We collect anywhere in the UAE, load at Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port and coordinate customs and delivery at the other end.
How does sea freight from Dubai work and how long does it take?
Sea freight sends cargo from Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port in a shared container (LCL) or a full 20 ft or 40 ft container (FCL). Typical door-to-door times are about 30 to 40 days to Asia, 30 to 40 days to Europe and the UK, and 30 to 40 days to the Americas and Australia. It costs much less per kilo than air. Aeron Shipping collects your cargo, prepares the export documents, books the sailing and coordinates customs and delivery at the destination.
About the service
Ocean Shipping for Cargo That Can Wait a Little
Sea freight is the backbone of world trade, and the UAE is one of its busiest hubs. It suits heavy, bulky and non-urgent cargo, household moves, machinery, furniture, pallets and regular trade shipments, where cost matters more than speed.
You can ship a few boxes in a shared container (LCL) and pay for the space you use, or book a full 20 ft or 40 ft container (FCL) for larger loads. We handle collection, packing if you want it, export clearance, the sailing booking and coordination of import clearance and delivery abroad.
This page explains how sea freight works from the UAE, how containers are priced, what to prepare and what to watch out for. If you would rather skip the reading, send your details on WhatsApp and we will price it for you.
Five steps, one point of contact, from your door in the UAE to the address abroad.
01
Tell us what you are sending
Share the cargo, the volume and the destination. A packing list or photos help us choose LCL or a full container.
02
Get a quote and book
You get an itemised price with the pickup date and the sailing. Nothing moves until you say yes.
03
We collect and prepare the export
We pick up anywhere in the UAE, pack if you want us to, load, and complete the export paperwork.
04
Sailing and customs
The cargo sails from Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port and import clearance is coordinated at the destination.
05
Delivery
It goes on by truck or rail to the address. You get updates on WhatsApp until the signature.
The detail
Sea Freight Transit Times, Routes and Delays
Sailing times depend on the route and whether the cargo is direct or transshipped. As a guide, door to door from the UAE usually takes about 30 to 40 days to Asia, 30 to 40 days to Europe and the UK, 30 to 40 days to Africa and 30 to 40 days to North America and Australia. LCL is a little slower than FCL because cargo is consolidated before sailing and separated after arrival.
Schedules change, and carriers sometimes reroute around the Red Sea and Suez Canal, which can add days. Peak season before the end of the year also tightens space. We check the current schedule before we book, so the dates we give you are realistic.
Who sea freight suits
Heavy, bulky or high-volume cargo
Household moves
Cost-sensitive business shipments
Anything you can plan a few weeks ahead
A typical sea freight timeline
From the day we collect your cargo.
Day 0Pickup and loadingWe collect, pack if needed and load the container or consolidate for LCL.
Days 1 to 3Export clearanceUAE export paperwork is completed and the cargo goes to the port.
Days 4 to 7SailingThe vessel departs Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port.
Weeks 2 to 6Arrival and import clearanceCargo arrives, import clearance is coordinated and duty and tax are settled.
After clearanceDeliveryDelivered to the address by truck or rail, with a signature on receipt.
We quote each shipment on its own, because a few boxes in a shared container and a full 40 ft container are priced very differently. You get an itemised quote with the freight, handling and extras listed separately.
Typically about 30 to 40 days door to door to Asia, 30 to 40 days to Europe and the UK, 30 to 40 days to Africa and 30 to 40 days to the Americas and Australia. LCL is a little slower than FCL. We confirm dates when you book.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL?
FCL (full container load) means you rent a whole 20 ft or 40 ft container, priced as a flat rate. LCL (less than container load) means your cargo shares a container with others and you pay for the space you use. LCL suits smaller shipments, and FCL is usually better value once you have enough cargo to fill most of a container.
How much does sea freight from Dubai cost?
It depends on volume or container size, the route, the season, the cargo type and where it is collected and delivered. We quote each shipment individually with the freight, handling and extras itemised.
How much fits in a 20 ft or 40 ft container?
A 20 ft container holds about 33 cubic metres and a 40 ft about 67 cubic metres. As a rough guide, a 20 ft container suits a one to two bedroom home. We tell you which size fits your cargo.
Can I ship less than a full container?
Yes. LCL lets you ship a few boxes or pallets in a shared container and pay only for the space you use.
Can you pick up from my home or warehouse?
Yes. We collect from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and other areas, and can pack at your home if you want us to.
Do you handle customs clearance at the destination?
Yes. We prepare the UAE export documents and coordinate import clearance at the destination, including duty and tax estimates where they apply.
Can I ship a car by sea from the UAE?
Yes, in a container or on a roll-on roll-off vessel. See our car shipping page for details.
Why do sailings sometimes take longer than quoted?
Schedules can change because of port congestion, weather, peak season and rerouting around the Red Sea and Suez Canal. We check the current schedule before booking and tell you if anything shifts.
Is cargo insurance available?
Yes. We can arrange transit insurance for sea shipments, and it is worth taking for high-value goods and household moves. Tell us the declared value and we include it in your quote.
Keep exploring
Other Aeron Shipping Services
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