FCL & LCL · Weekly sailings
Container shipping to the UAE: Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Jebel Ali
Interworld Freight ships FCL and LCL containers to the UAE from the United States, Europe, China or South America, discharging at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port and other Emirates terminals. We deliver commercial, industrial and household freight door to door, safely and on time.
4.5 on Google · 190+ reviews
Since 1992
Door to door
International coverage
Offices in 4 countries
All-in total
USD
Non-binding price. Subject to space and equipment availability and to the commercial offers in force at the time of booking. A better price is often available by talking directly to sales.
Volume (CBM)
Weight (kg)
Incoterm
Transit
Valid until
Reference
We have emailed the full breakdown to .
Request received
Your shipment is with our FCL team
A sales executive contacts you the same business day with rate, carrier and next sailing.
Containers
Weight per container (kg)
Commodity
Incoterm
Reference
- 1We check space and equipment for your lane with our ocean carriers.
- 2Your executive contacts you with rate, carrier and next sailing.
- 3If the proposal works for you, we book your container and coordinate pickup and documents.
We have emailed the confirmation to .
Certifications & memberships
How much does it cost to ship a container to UAE?
How much does it cost to ship a 20-ft container?
20 FT
$1,200 to $1,700
A 20-ft container to the UAE typically costs between $1,200 and $1,700. Suits personal shipments, moves and smaller commercial loads bound for Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
How much does it cost to ship a 40-ft container?
40 FT
$1,800 to $2,500
On bigger loads, a 40-ft container to the UAE typically costs between $1,800 and $2,500, with ample space for bulk, commercial or industrial goods such as construction and electronics freight.
Cargo specifications. Additional handling may be required for hazardous, fragile or oversized goods bound for the UAE quay.
Shipping method. FCL means a dedicated container; LCL shares space and is usually cheapest for a pallet or two.
Origin port. Distance and route efficiency directly impact your rate.
What the 20-ft and 40-ft rates to the UAE cover
Your quote itemizes US collection, the Miami warehouse and the sailing to a UAE port such as Jebel Ali.
Container rates and capacity. A 20-ft container to the UAE costs $1,200 to $1,700 and a 40-ft container $1,800 to $2,500. The 20-ft holds about 33 m³ and up to 25,000 kg, and the 40-ft about 67.7 m³ and up to 28,000 kg.
What the ocean rate includes. Your quote itemizes collection of your cargo in the US, our Miami warehouse and the sailing to a UAE port such as Jebel Ali. Three variables move the price: the origin port, the type of cargo and whether you ship a full or a shared container.
Extra handling and LCL. Hazardous, fragile or oversized goods may need extra handling and are quoted accordingly. LCL lets smaller loads pay only for the space they use, and it often costs less than a half-empty container. Container shipping rates change by lane and season, so treat the ranges as a guide.
Exact rate and breakdown. We confirm the exact rate within one business day and show it with a clear breakdown, so you can see origin, ocean freight and destination handling separately. Customs clearance and documentation at destination are handled by our team, for commercial cargo and household goods. Tell us your origin, volume and commodity, and we send the next sailing with the quote.
Request a quote
Pricing follows port pair, season and fuel, so we quote your cargo and budget. Response within one business day.
Over 30 years shipping containers to UAE from all over the world
Founded in 1992, we are a World Cargo Alliance founding member whose CTPAT and IATA certified operations come with an in-house team versed in Dubai Customs and Mirsal 2 declarations.
Weekly sailings
Regular routes to the UAE and Jebel Ali, collecting cargo at origin in Europe, China, South America and the United States.
FCL and LCL to fit your load
Either a full 20 or 40-ft container, or consolidated cargo that bills only for the space you occupy.
Customs handled at destination
We manage customs clearance and documentation at destination, including Mirsal 2 declarations, for commercial cargo and household goods.
WCA founding member
Founding member of the World Cargo Alliance since 1999; CTPAT and IATA certified.
Ocean freight to UAE
We act as a freight forwarder on ocean freight to the UAE and have since 1992. Full container load (FCL) is for commercial and industrial cargo; less than container load (LCL) is consolidated at our Miami warehouse for smaller volumes. Cargo is collected anywhere in the United States and trucked to Miami, and our team also books origin sailings out of Spain, the rest of Europe, China and South America; Shanghai to Jebel Ali runs about 32 to 37 days.
FCL (full container load). Sole use of the container brings maximum security and efficiency, JAFZA loads included.
LCL (consolidated cargo). Cost-effective for smaller loads, because the container space is shared.
Road freight. Container drayage, LTL and FTL join the ocean service for door-to-door moves from the US into the Emirates.
Customs support, real-time tracking and expert logistics management are standard on every service, with GCC 5% duty and 5% VAT planned up front. We also move hazardous cargo with UN numbers, refrigerated cargo and oversized projects.
First time shipping? An advisor walks you through the whole process.
How to ship a container to UAE
1
Quote your cargo. Tell us origin, volume and commodity, and the rate plus next sailing to Jebel Ali reach you within one business day.
2
Deliver or we pick up. Deliver your cargo to our Miami warehouse, or we pick it up in any state.
3
Sail and clear customs. We issue the bill of lading, ship your cargo and handle clearance at destination.
Shipping cargo from the USA to the UAE and Dubai
Road pickup in any state, consolidation in Miami and weekly sailings to the Gulf.
Pickup and Miami warehouse
To ship a container from the USA to the UAE or Dubai, start with pickup. Interworld Freight collects your cargo in any US state by road and brings it to our Miami warehouse, where we receive it, consolidate it if it comes from several suppliers, and load it as FCL or LCL.
FCL, LCL and weekly routes
Our regular weekly routes then carry it to the Gulf. The full container is exclusive to your goods, which gives maximum security for commercial and industrial cargo. LCL suits smaller volumes and shares the container with other shippers.
Special cargo and clearance
We also move hazardous cargo with UN numbers, refrigerated cargo and oversized projects, and we integrate road freight (drayage, LTL and FTL) with the ocean leg, door to door within the US. At destination, we handle customs clearance and documentation for commercial cargo and household goods, and you receive real-time tracking from loading to arrival.
Air freight and quote
For urgent shipments we also run air freight from the United States to the UAE, through our IATA certification. Send the origin city, volume and delivery point, and we confirm the rate and the next sailing within one business day.
Sea freight to the UAE: how container shipping by sea works
FCL or LCL, three steps from quote to clearance, and six UAE ports on weekly routes.
FCL and LCL
Sea freight to the UAE moves in two formats. Full container load (FCL) gives you a 20-ft or 40-ft box for your goods alone, which suits commercial and industrial cargo. Less than container load (LCL) consolidates your pallets with other shippers' cargo, so you pay only for the space you use.
Three-step process
We have operated this service as a freight forwarder since 1992. The process has three steps. You tell us your origin, cargo volume and commodity, and we answer with the rate and the next sailing inside one business day.
Drop-off and bill of lading
Then you drop the cargo at our Miami warehouse or we collect it in any state. We issue the bill of lading, ship the cargo and handle customs clearance at destination, with real-time tracking throughout.
Ports served and special cargo
Interworld Freight serves Abu Dhabi, Jebel Ali, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah on regular weekly routes, with origin pickup across the United States, Europe, China and South America. We also move refrigerated cargo, hazardous cargo with UN numbers and oversized projects by sea. For international sea freight quotes, send us your details and the commodity.
UAE ports served by Interworld Freight
Direct coverage of Jebel Ali (AEJEA), Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Khor Al Fakkan, with customs clearance handled at each one.
Abu Dhabi
FCL · LCL
Jebel Ali
FCL · LCL
Dubai
FCL · LCL
Sharjah
FCL · LCL
Ajman
FCL · LCL
Ras Al Khaimah
FCL · LCL
UAE container ports: Jebel Ali, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah
Six UAE ports with direct coverage, each for FCL and LCL.
Six UAE ports
Interworld Freight has direct coverage of six UAE ports, each for FCL and LCL: Jebel Ali (UN/LOCODE AEJEA), Dubai (AEDXB), Abu Dhabi (AEAUH), Sharjah (AESHJ), Ajman (AEAJM) and Ras Al Khaimah (AERKT), with customs clearance handled at each one. Choose the port closest to your consignee, whether the container is for Dubai or for another emirate.
Choosing the port
We choose the port from your consignee's location and the cargo type, because the inland distance affects the final delivery cost. Customs clearance and documentation are handled at each port by our team, so the container does not wait for paperwork after discharge. This applies to commercial cargo and to household goods alike.
Same process at every port
For Middle East container transport, the process is the same at every port. We collect your cargo in any US state, consolidate it at our Miami warehouse, issue the bill of lading and book the sailing on regular weekly routes.
Tracking and quote
You then follow the container with real-time tracking until it is released. Tell us the destination emirate and we name the best port.
No-commitment quote · Reply within one business day
Ready to price your container to UAE?
Rate and next sailing are confirmed within one business day, along with a clear breakdown from the first email: no surprises, no fine print.
30,000+TEUs / year
4.5Mair kg / year
350+employees
Quote your container today
4.5 · 190+
Moving cargo to the UAE since 1992. Your advisor confirms rate, sailing and documents.
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UAE container shipping services
Container shipping to UAE for specific industries
Solutions for chemicals, construction and electronics, with the documentation and handling each commodity demands.
Nearby destinations
Container shipping to all our destinations
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Request your quote to UAE
Tell us what you ship and from where. An advisor with decades on the route replies within one business day with your rate, next sailing and the documents you need.
9601 NW 112th Ave, Miami, FL 33178
Documents we prepare for you
Bill of lading (BL) · Commercial invoice · Packing list
Talk to a person, not a bot
Daniel Zapata · Operations Director
Dani prices your lane himself and confirms rate, sailing and documents, in English or Spanish. Answered by him, not a machine.
4.5 / 5
190+ reviews on Google. Exporters and importers already moving their cargo with Interworld.
Certifications & memberships
Global freight forwarder headquartered in Miami since 1992. Ocean, air and road freight, warehousing and container shipping worldwide.
Dominican Republic
Spring Center Plaza, suite 701, Arroyo Hondo, Distrito Nacional