London Moving Services handles door-to-door removals from the UK to the United Arab Emirates. We arrange export packing at your UK address, sea or air freight, UAE customs clearance, and final delivery to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and all other Emirates. One UK company manages the full route from your front door to your UAE home.
UK to UAE removals with one company managing the full route
A move from the UK to the UAE involves more than shipping space. You need export packing, collection, port handling, freight, customs clearance, and final delivery arranged in the right order. When different companies handle different stages, delays and confusion become more likely.
London Moving Services manages the full route through one team. We provide one quote, one coordinator, and one clear plan from UK collection to UAE delivery. We handle moves to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other Emirates for part loads, full home moves, and urgent air shipments.
| What matters on this route | How we help |
|---|---|
| Export packing in the UK | We pack to international shipping standard and prepare the inventory for customs use |
| UAE customs clearance | We coordinate licensed UAE clearing agents and prepare the required shipping paperwork |
| Managed communities and towers | We plan around NOC letters, delivery slots, security access, and building rules |
| Part load or full home move | Sea groupage from 2 m³ or dedicated full container for larger moves |
| Clear payment process | We invoice in GBP so you can pay from your UK bank account |
| Single point of contact | One UK coordinator manages your move from survey to final delivery |
Choose your Emirate
This page is your UAE hub. The freight route is similar across the UAE, but the delivery stage changes by city and building type. Dubai towers, Abu Dhabi compounds, and Sharjah residential buildings often have different access rules, booking systems, and parking limits.
| Emirate | Common destinations | Typical delivery requirements | Guide page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Marina, JBR, Downtown, Arabian Ranches, JVC, Business Bay | NOC letters, security clearance, lift booking, delivery slot booking | Moving to Dubai → |
| Abu Dhabi | Saadiyat Island, Reem Island, Khalifa City, Al Raha, Yas Island | Building approval, compound access, timed delivery windows | Moving to Abu Dhabi → |
| Sharjah | Al Nahda, Al Majaz, Al Qasimia, University City | Lift checks, access timing, local parking arrangements | Moving to Sharjah → |
Not sure which Emirate page fits your move? Send us your delivery address and we will advise the right route and delivery setup.
UK to UAE shipping costs and transit times
Guide prices depend on volume, service level, packing needs, UK access, and your UAE delivery point. Final pricing is confirmed after a survey, item list, or photo review.
| Shipping method | Typical volume | Transit time | Guide price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air freight | Under 1.5 m³ | 3 to 7 days | £6 to £10 per kg |
| Sea groupage | 2 to 5 m³ | 6 to 9 weeks | £240 to £520 per m³ |
| Sea groupage | 5 to 15 m³ | 6 to 9 weeks | £2,200 to £4,500 |
| 20ft container | 28 to 32 m³ | 5 to 7 weeks | £3,100 to £4,500 |
| 40ft container | 60 to 65 m³ | 5 to 7 weeks | £5,300 to £7,300 |
Prices are guide figures for planning. Final quote depends on survey results, move date, packing level, and delivery conditions. Marine insurance is optional.
Which shipping option suits your move?
Best for smaller moves, boxes, and part loads. You share container space and pay only for the volume you use.
- Good for 2 to 15 m³
- Fits boxes and smaller home moves
- Cost-efficient for part loads
Best for larger home moves. Your goods travel in a dedicated container with no shared loading.
- 20ft and 40ft options
- Suited to family homes
- More control over loading and delivery
Best for urgent essentials. Often used for priority items while the main sea shipment follows.
- Fast transit
- Best for small urgent volumes
- Higher cost per kg
How a UK to UAE move works
- Survey and quote — send your item list, photos, or arrange a video survey. We estimate volume and issue a clear door-to-door quote in GBP.
- Export packing — our team packs and labels your goods at your UK address to export standard.
- Collection and port handling — goods are collected, moved to the port, and loaded under the agreed shipping method.
- Sea or air freight — goods move from the UK to the UAE through the agreed freight route.
- UAE customs clearance — we coordinate clearance through licensed local agents using your documents and inventory.
- Final delivery — delivery is booked around your building rules, access needs, and community requirements in the UAE.
If you want to understand our full route management process, see our door-to-door moving services page.
What we can ship from the UK to the UAE
We handle most household goods and personal effects for moves from the UK to all UAE Emirates.
Boxes, clothes, books, toys, and everyday household items packed and listed for customs.
Beds, sofas, wardrobes, dining tables, and household furniture for part or full home moves.
Kitchen items, décor, rugs, and general household contents packed for export shipping.
Glassware, mirrors, artwork, and breakables with added protection and crating where needed.
Items we cannot ship
- Dangerous goods such as aerosols, gas canisters, paint, solvents, and flammable liquids
- Cash, jewellery, precious stones, and important original documents
- Fresh food, frozen food, plants, seeds, and soil
- Weapons, ammunition, narcotics, and counterfeit goods
Not sure about a specific item? Ask us before packing and we will advise.
UAE customs and import documents
We prepare the UK export side and coordinate UAE import clearance through licensed local agents. Document requirements can vary based on your residence status, destination Emirate, and the type of goods you are shipping. We confirm the exact document list before collection.
Documents usually required
- Valid passport copy
- UAE residence visa or Emirates ID where applicable
- Detailed inventory and packing list
- UAE delivery address and local contact number
- Building approval or NOC where required by the destination property
Common issues to avoid
- Restricted or prohibited items packed inside standard cartons
- New or commercial goods mixed with used household goods without clear declaration
- Missing local UAE phone number for clearance and delivery coordination
- Late confirmation of delivery address in buildings with strict access rules
See GOV.UK export guidance for the UK export side.
Is customs duty payable on household goods?
Used personal and household goods are usually exempt when imported under the correct residence status and documentation. New items or commercial goods may be treated differently. We review your inventory before shipping and advise on likely clearance requirements.
What is included in our UK to UAE quote
| Service item | Status |
|---|---|
| Video or in-home survey | Included |
| Export packing at your UK address | Included |
| Inventory and packing list | Included |
| UK collection and port handling | Included |
| Sea or air freight | Included in quoted service |
| UAE customs clearance coordination | Included |
| Final delivery to your UAE address | Included in door-to-door quotes |
| Delivery slot and access coordination | Included |
| Marine insurance | Optional |
Related UAE and Middle East services
Other Middle East destinations
Frequently asked questions
Air freight usually takes 3 to 7 days door to door. Sea groupage usually takes 6 to 9 weeks including UK collection, sea transit, UAE customs clearance, and final delivery. Full container moves usually take around 5 to 7 weeks.
The shipping route is broadly the same, but delivery conditions differ. Dubai often requires NOC letters, lift booking, and tower access approval. Abu Dhabi properties may require compound access approval and time-window delivery booking. We coordinate both.
In most cases, a residence visa or Emirates ID is needed to clear used personal household goods under the usual personal effects route. We confirm the exact document requirements before collection.
Yes. Our groupage service allows you to ship smaller volumes and pay only for the space you use. This works well for boxes, part loads, and smaller household moves.
Used household goods are usually treated differently from new or commercial goods. Duty treatment depends on status, documents, and inventory type. We review this with you before shipping.
Yes. We invoice in GBP and accept payment from the UK, which helps customers who are arranging the move before their UAE banking is active.
Yes. This page covers the UAE hub service. We arrange UK collection, freight, customs coordination, and final delivery to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other Emirates.
If your UAE property is not ready, we can coordinate temporary holding through the destination side while final delivery arrangements are completed. Tell us early if your handover date is uncertain so we can plan the best solution.
Ready to move to the UAE from the UK?
Send us your move date, destination Emirate, and rough item list. We will come back with a clear door-to-door shipping plan and quote in GBP.
