Question 1

How long does shipping from the USA to the UAE take?

Accepted Answer

With shipping through the Strait of Hormuz disrupted, most ocean cargo for the UAE is discharged at Fujairah or Khor Fakkan, outside the strait, and trucked to Jebel Ali or Dubai. Carriers are adjusting these routings week to week, so we confirm the transit for each booking rather than quote a fixed figure. Air freight takes 2-4 days depending on routing and service level.

Question 2

What documentation is required for US exports to the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Standard documentation includes a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and a certificate of origin. Some goods may require additional permits or certificates depending on the product type. Our export team handles all documentation requirements. On the US side, Electronic Export Information (EEI) is filed in AES for any shipment over $2,500 per Schedule B number, for anything that needs an export license, and for every used vehicle, whose title also goes to CBP at least 72 hours before export. On the UAE side, the consignee needs the trade licence and customs registration to import, and for many commercial imports into the UAE mainland the commercial invoice must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our partner agent in Dubai confirms the current requirements for your cargo before it ships.

Question 3

Do you handle both ocean and air freight to the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer both ocean freight (FCL and LCL) and air freight services to all major UAE destinations. We can also arrange multimodal solutions combining air and ground for time-sensitive shipments.

Question 4

How does shipping from the USA to the UAE work?

Accepted Answer

In six steps. First we quote and screen the shipment, confirming the consignee in the UAE, the end user and what the cargo is for. Our trucking partners then collect from your business, supplier, auction yard or dealer anywhere in the US and deliver it to the port, to a container freight station for shared-container (LCL) cargo, or to the airport. Third, we file the US export paperwork: EEI in AES where it is required, and for a vehicle the title presented to CBP at least 72 hours before export. The cargo then sails in a container, on a RoRo vessel or on a flat rack, or flies to Dubai. Fifth, while the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted, ocean cargo is discharged at Fujairah or Khor Fakkan and trucked to Jebel Ali or Dubai. Finally, our WCA partner agent clears it through UAE customs and delivers it once duty and VAT are paid. We confirm the routing and transit for each booking.

Question 5

How long does air freight from the US to Dubai take?

Accepted Answer

Typically 2–4 days airport to airport, depending on the US gateway, the routing and the service level, and confirmed per booking. We book from the gateway nearest your cargo — Los Angeles (LAX) for California and the West — to Dubai International (DXB). Air freight is charged on chargeable weight: the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight (length × width × height in centimeters divided by 6,000 for most airlines, which gives kilograms), so light, bulky cargo pays for its space. Air suits spare parts, samples, urgent machinery components and high-value goods; heavy or bulky freight is usually far cheaper by sea.

Question 6

Can you ship a car from the USA to Dubai?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cars ship in containers — up to four to a 40ft box on racking, which also suits salvage and non-running cars — or by RoRo for running vehicles, from fewer US ports. We collect from Copart, IAAI, Manheim, dealers or private sellers anywhere in the US, present the title to CBP at least 72 hours before export and file EEI, which every used vehicle needs regardless of value. Plan on 6–8 weeks door to port in total, with the ocean leg confirmed per booking while Gulf routings are disrupted. UAE import duty on a car is charged on its CIF value, with VAT and clearance charges on top, so have the total confirmed before you buy. Our guide to shipping vehicles from the USA to the UAE covers container versus RoRo, salvage titles and costs.

Question 7

What duties and taxes apply when shipping to the UAE? Do you offer DDP?

Accepted Answer

UAE customs duty is charged under the GCC common customs tariff on the CIF value — the goods plus freight and insurance — and VAT applies on top. Some goods are exempt, and tobacco and sugary and energy drinks also carry excise tax. The consignee pays these at clearance in the UAE through the clearing agent. We do not offer DDP (delivered duty paid) shipping to the UAE: our quotes list UAE duty, VAT and clearance charges as exclusions, and our partner agent confirms the figures for your goods before they ship.

Question 8

Is AGF an FMC-licensed freight forwarder for shipments to Dubai?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on the US side. American Global Freights is an FMC-licensed NVOCC (OTI #031665NF) and a WCA member (#144028), headquartered in Glendale, California. The FMC licence covers ocean shipments in US foreign commerce, which includes cargo from the USA to Dubai and the rest of the UAE. AGF has no office in the UAE: at the Dubai end we work with WCA partner agents who clear and deliver the cargo, while you keep one point of contact in the US.

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