Exploring the shipping costs from China to UAE

The commodity trade between China and UAE(United Arab Emirates) is becoming increasingly frequent, and transportation costs are also changing with time. Various transportation modes and service types have their own characteristics, and enterprises or individuals are seeking more efficient and advantageous transportation solutions. This article will provide a detailed description of the costs of shipping from China to UAE, to assist you in your decision-making.

Shipping from China to the UAE

The UAE is an important trading partner of China in the Middle East. The transportation demand between the two countries is growing. There are two main transportation services: sea transportation and air transportation. These two methods have their own advantages and disadvantages and are suitable for different types of goods and time requirements.

Sea Freight from China to the UAE

Sea transportation is the most commonly used mode of transportation from China to UAE. It is suitable for bulk goods and non-urgent goods transportation, and is cost-effective. According to the volume, weight and time requirements of the goods, sea transportation services mainly include the following methods:

• Full container load (FCL): Customers have one or more complete containers and can choose 20-foot, 40-foot or 40-foot high cabinet containers. Suitable for large quantities of goods, especially when the goods are enough to fill a container, FCL has higher safety and economy. Suitable for bulk goods, lower costs, and higher safety in loading and unloading and transportation of goods.
• Less than container load (LCL): The customer’s goods are loaded into a container together with other customers’ goods. Suitable for the transportation of goods with small quantities that cannot fill a full container, which can significantly save transportation costs. Suitable for small batches of goods, the cost is allocated according to the actual volume or weight, and the cost is low. Since it needs to be consolidated with other goods, the loading and unloading and unpacking time may be longer, and the risk of damage or loss of goods is also slightly higher.

Air Freight from China to UAE

Suitable for small quantities, high-value or urgently needed goods, fast transportation speed and high safety, but the corresponding cost is higher. Air freight services are mainly divided into two types:

• Cargo shipped by air: For large quantities of goods or situations where fast delivery is required, freight is the best choice. By booking cargo flights, businesses can efficiently transport bulk commodities, reduce per-kilogram shipping costs, and ensure that goods arrive on time. This method is particularly suitable for large companies or customers who need to ship frequently.
• Express delivery: Express delivery services are suitable for small items or personal packages. The buyer only needs to pay the corresponding freight and enjoy the convenience of fast delivery. Express delivery services are very popular among small businesses and individuals because they are able to provide door-to-door services to meet the needs of different customers, especially when time is tight.

Shipping Cost from China to the UAE

The cost of shipping includes several main parts, and the specific cost varies according to the volume, weight, transportation distance, etc. of the goods

• Freight: charged by weight, priced according to the route and the supply and demand of space.
• Document fees: including bill of lading fees and document handling fees.
• Port charges: including loading and unloading fees, port handling fees, usually at the port of departure and the port of destination.
• Bunker surcharge (BAF): dynamically adjusted according to the current fuel price, reflecting the fluctuation of fuel costs during transportation.
• Destination port charges: unpacking fees, customs clearance fees, and storage fees after the goods arrive at the UAE port.
• Cargo insurance (optional): If insurance is required, the insurance cost will be calculated based on the value of the goods and the transportation risk assessment.

LCL Shipping Cost from China to the UAE

The cost of LCL shipping is usually calculated by volume, with the standard unit being cubic meter (CBM). If the cargo is relatively light but large in volume, the cost will be calculated based on volume, and the basic LCL ocean freight from China to the UAE is around $50-$100/CBM, with specific prices varying depending on ports and market fluctuations.

POL (port of loading)	POD (port of discharge)	LCL Shipping cost
Shanghai	Jebel Ali	$60-$80/CBM
Shenzhen	Jebel Ali	$65-$85/CBM
Qingdao	Jebel Ali	$70-$90/CBM
Ningbo	Jebel Ali	$55-$75/CBM

Learn more: Comprehensive Analysis: FCL vs LCL Shipping

Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to UAE

The shipping container price from China to the UAE is mainly affected by the transportation distance, route selection, and cargo type. Generally speaking, the shipping price of 20ft containers is relatively low, while the shipping cost of 40ft containers is relatively high due to their larger capacity.

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:

• Analysis of Freight Costs for 20ft and 40ft Containers From China To Nigeria
• Analysis of Freight Costs for 20ft and 40ft Containers From China To Italy
• Analysis of Freight Costs for 20ft and 40ft Containers From China To USA
• Analysis of Freight Costs for 20ft and 40ft Containers From China To Israel

Air Freight Cost from China to the UAE

Air freight prices are calculated based on the weight and volume of the goods and are usually much more expensive than sea freight. The price per kilogram for air freight is between $5 and $10, while express delivery may vary greatly depending on weight and distance.

Departure Airport	Arrival Airport	Air Freight ($/kg, Standard Freight)	Express Delivery ($/kg, Express Service)
Shanghai Pudong Airport	Dubai International Airport	$5.5 – $8.2	$10 – $25
Beijing Capital Airport	Dubai International Airport	$5.3 – $8.3	$10 – $25
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport	Dubai International Airport	$5.1 – $7.3	$10 – $25
Shenzhen Baoan Airport	Dubai International Airport	$5.5 – $7.1	$10 – $25
Shanghai Pudong Airport	Dhabi International Airport	$5.2 – $8.6	$12 – $25
Beijing Capital Airport	Dhabi International Airport	$5.4 – $8.7	$12 – $25
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport	Dhabi International Airport	$5.3 – $8.9	$12 – $25
Shenzhen Baoan Airport	Dhabi International Airport	$5.5 – $8.7	$12 – $25

Cost of DDP Shipping from China to UAE

DDP is an international trade term that means the seller bears all shipping costs and tariffs until the goods are delivered to the buyer’s designated location. The seller is responsible for the packaging, transportation, customs clearance, and payment of customs duties and VAT in the destination country. The buyer only needs to receive the goods when they arrive. The following are the costs of DDP shipping by sea and air

Service Type	From	To	LCL cost	20-foot container (FCL)	40-foot container (FCL)
Sea Freight DDP	China	UAE	$300 – $500/CBM	$2,200 – $3,000	$3,400 – $4,900
Air Freight DDP	China	UAE	$13 – $19/kg

If you are interested in the costs of shipping from China to other parts of the Middle East:

• Shipping from China to Jordan | Sea & Air Freight Rates
• Shipping from China to Oman | Price and Time
• Shipping from China to Israel | Sea & Air Freight Rates
• Shipping From China To Dubai | Sea & Air Freight

Factors Affecting the Cost of Shipping from China to the UAE

The cost of shipping from China to UAE is affected by a variety of factors. Specifically, the cost of sea and air freight fluctuates based on the following key factors:

Transportation Distance and Routes

The distance of the route from different Chinese ports or airports to the UAE affects the shipping cost. For example, the cost of shipping from different ports and airports in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Ningbo may vary depending on the length of the voyage and flight schedule.

Seasonal Factors

During peak seasons (such as China’s export peak and major holidays), transportation demand increases and freight rates rise. Prices for sea and air freight usually fluctuate during peak seasons. Year-end holidays (such as Spring Festival and Christmas) may cause price increases because transportation demand is usually greater at this time.

Service Types

• Door-to-Door Service: If you choose a door-to-door service from the shipper’s address directly to the consignee’s address, the inland transportation cost will be additional.
• Port-to-Port Service: Limited to port-to-port transportation, the cost is relatively low, but does not include additional pickup and delivery fees.

Special cargo requirements

• Special cargo (such as fragile goods, dangerous goods, and oversized goods) requires special handling and will cost more to transport. For example, the transportation of dangerous goods requires additional safety measures and qualifications, which increases costs.
• Temperature-controlled goods (such as food and medicine) require cold chain transportation, and the related costs will be higher than those of ordinary goods.

Tips to Reduce Freight Costs from China to the UAE

Choose the Right Mode of Transport

Choose the most appropriate mode of transport based on the characteristics and needs of the goods. For high-value and urgent goods, choose air transport; for bulk goods, choose sea transport.

Optimize cargo packaging

Reasonable packaging can reduce the risk of damage to goods during transportation, thereby reducing compensation costs. Concentrated shipments can reduce the transportation cost of each unit of goods by shipping multiple goods together.

Follow market trends

Understand the supply and demand situation and price fluctuations in the transportation market, and choose a period with lower costs to ship.

Simplify customs clearance process

Ensure that all necessary documents are complete to avoid additional costs caused by customs clearance issues. Familiarize yourself with the import regulations of the UAE and ensure compliance to reduce costs caused by penalties or delays.

Find the right freight forwarder

Compare quotes with multiple freight forwarders and choose the most competitive price and service. Negotiate costs with long-term freight forwarders to get better discounts.

The cost of shipping from China to the UAE is affected by many factors. Through this article, you can have a detailed understanding of the costs of various services related to shipping from China to the UAE. Through the techniques of reducing freight costs, finding a suitable freight forwarder, and rationally planning transportation plans, the goods can be transported to the destination with the highest efficiency.