Shipping from Dubai
to Sri Lanka.
We ship from Dubai and from anywhere in the UAE to Sri Lanka every week, by sea and by air. It is one of the shortest and best served sea routes we run, because Colombo is the main hub for the whole region. We ship business and personal cargo, we handle the paperwork at both ends, and we deliver to your address in Sri Lanka.
Overview
Sea and air freight
to Sri Lanka.
Shipping from Dubai to Sri Lanka takes about 5 to 12 days by sea, and 1 to 4 days by air. Colombo is the busiest hub in South Asia, so there are more sailings on this route than almost any other we run, and a direct ship can arrive in under a week. Air reaches Colombo. We deliver everywhere, including Colombo, Katunayake, Kandy, Galle, Negombo, Kurunegala, Jaffna, Trincomalee and Hambantota. We move machinery, spare parts, building materials, furniture, electronics and household goods. Navo Shipping handles the sea freight, air freight and customs clearance on the Dubai to Sri Lanka route, door to door. Tell us what you are sending, how heavy it is, and where it is going, and we will tell you which way is cheaper.
Ports and gateways
Sea ports and airports
we ship to from Dubai.
Every bill of lading carries two ports: where the cargo loads, and where it discharges. We load at Jebel Ali or another UAE port. Sri Lanka has four sea ports we use and two airports. They suit different cargo and different inland legs, so the loading port and the discharge port are worth choosing separately.
POLPort of loading
We collect anywhere in the UAE, free zones included, and load at whichever of these eight suits the cargo.
- Jebel AliAEJEA
- Port RashidAEPRA
- Khalifa PortAEKHL
- Zayed PortAEAUH
- Port KhalidAESHJ
- Khor FakkanAEKLF
- Port of FujairahAEFJR
- Ajman PortAEAJM
PODPort of discharge
The right one is whichever leaves the shortest inland leg to your delivery address. On a long lane that leg is a shipment in its own right, so it is planned rather than assumed.
- ColomboLKCMBSea port · Indian OceanThe whole country, and the largest transhipment hub in South Asia
How cargo reaches Colombo
Shipping from Dubai to Colombo can stay on one ship from Jebel Ali, although intermediate port calls may be included. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Colombo suits nationwide container distribution; Hambantota is the southern alternative for vehicles and industrial cargo. Costs include ocean freight, terminal handling, customs clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Colombo - HambantotaLKHBASea port · Indian OceanThe south, vehicles, bulk and industrial cargo
How cargo reaches Hambantota
Shipping from Dubai to Hambantota needs an agreed vessel call, using a vehicle carrying ship for cars or a cargo ship for bulk. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Hambantota suits southern industry and vehicle handling; Colombo is the alternative for western region container deliveries. Costs include vessel space, specialist unloading, storage, clearance and inland transport. Get a rate for Hambantota - TrincomaleeLKTRRSea port · Indian OceanThe east coast, breakbulk and bulk
How cargo reaches Trincomalee
Shipping from Dubai to Trincomalee needs a booked cargo vessel call at an approved east coast berth, with unloading matched to the cargo. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Trincomalee suits eastern bulk and industrial deliveries; Colombo offers the container route with onward trucking. Pricing includes vessel space, unloading equipment, handling, clearance and the inland leg. Get a rate for Trincomalee - GalleLKGALSea port · Indian OceanThe southwest coast
How cargo reaches Galle
Shipping from Dubai to Galle requires an agreed cargo vessel call at the southwest harbour, with berth and unloading arrangements confirmed. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Galle can suit a nearby specialist shipment; Colombo is the container alternative followed by road delivery. The quote covers vessel space, unloading, port handling, clearance and local transport. Get a rate for Galle - Bandaranaike International, ColomboCMBAirportColombo, Negombo, Katunayake and the whole country
How cargo reaches Bandaranaike International, Colombo
Air freight from Dubai to Bandaranaike International, Colombo can fly directly to Katunayake, with imports handled in the airport cargo terminal. Air transport usually takes around 1 to 2 days, depending on the flight, before clearance and delivery. Choose it for Colombo and Negombo; Mattala is nearer the south only when a suitable flight is confirmed. Charges cover weight or space used, handling, clearance and delivery. Get a rate for Bandaranaike International, Colombo - Mattala Rajapaksa InternationalHRIAirportThe south, alongside Hambantota
How cargo reaches Mattala Rajapaksa International
Air freight from Dubai to Mattala Rajapaksa International needs a confirmed cargo booking into the airport near Hambantota, because a Colombo arrival would require a separate road journey south. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Mattala suits southern deliveries only with flight acceptance; Colombo offers the main cargo terminal alternative. Costs include flight capacity, handling, clearance and any road transfer. Get a rate for Mattala Rajapaksa International - Orugodawatta ICD, ColomboDry portGreater Colombo. Cargo can clear here instead of at the port
How cargo reaches Orugodawatta ICD, Colombo
Shipping from Dubai to Orugodawatta ICD, Colombo lands at Colombo Port, then travels by truck under customs control to the assigned off port examination yard. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Use Orugodawatta when customs assigns inland examination; clearance inside Colombo Port depends on the shipment. The total includes ocean freight, port handling, yard transfer, examination, clearance and delivery. Get a rate for Orugodawatta ICD, Colombo - Katunayake export processing zoneDry portThe garment and electronics zone next to the airport
How cargo reaches Katunayake export processing zone
Shipping from Dubai to Katunayake export processing zone can land at Colombo Port and travel by truck to a registered zone enterprise under the applicable customs arrangements. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. The zone serves approved factories; Bandaranaike airport is the alternative for urgent air imports. Sea freight, trucking, handling and zone clearance make up the price. Get a rate for Katunayake export processing zone
- ColomboLKCMBSea port · Indian OceanThe whole country, and the largest transhipment hub in South Asia
Before you ship
Import rules
for Sri Lanka.
Two things to check before you ship, and we do both for you. First, some goods need an import licence, so we check your product against the list rather than assuming. Second, a long list of products has to be shown to meet Sri Lankan standards. There are a few ways to do that: a test certificate for each shipment, a certificate from the standards body in the country the goods came from, or shipping from a factory already registered with the Sri Lankan standards institute. If you ship regularly, getting the factory registered saves money on every future shipment. Tell us the product and who makes it and we will pick the best route.
Documentation
Documents you need
for Sri Lanka.
These 8 cover most shipments to Sri Lanka. The exact list depends on the commodity and its HS code, so send us both and we confirm what applies before the cargo is booked.
- 01Invoice showing what you paid for the goods
- 02Packing list showing what is inside
- 03Certificate of origin showing where the goods were made
- 04Bill of lading or air waybill, which is the shipping ticket
- 05Dubai export paper, which we do for you
- 06Import licence, if your product needs one
- 07Product certificate or registered factory evidence, where it applies
- 08The Sri Lankan buyer customs and tax registration
Get the paperwork right in Dubai and clearance at destination is routine. Fixing a document after arrival is slow, and storage accrues the whole time it takes.
How it works
Dubai to Sri Lanka
shipping, step by step.
Send the cargo details: what it is, where it is going, rough weight and dimensions. We come back with the routes that suit it, sea against air, and a written rate with a validity date on it. You pick one, we book it, and one coordinator stays with the shipment until it is delivered in Sri Lanka.
- 01
Send the details
Tell us what you are sending, how heavy it is, how big it is, and where in Sri Lanka it goes.
- 02
Get a price
We send you a price in writing, with every charge shown. No surprises later.
- 03
We check and ship
We confirm the licence position, arrange the product certificate if needed, then collect and load.
- 04
We deliver
We track the shipment and keep you updated all the way, then bring the goods to your door.
Questions
Cargo to Sri Lanka
questions, answered.
The 15 we are asked most on the Dubai to Sri Lanka route. If yours is not here, send it with the commodity and we will answer it directly.
Do you offer movers and packers for a house move from Dubai to Sri Lanka?
Yes. Our movers and packers do the packing, wrapping and listing, then we ship your furniture and household goods in a full container, or share one if you have less to send. The item by item list matters, because customs clear personal effects against it. Fuel, gas cylinders, paint, aerosols and loose batteries cannot travel, and we give you the full list before packing day.
How long does shipping from Dubai to Sri Lanka take?
About 5 to 12 days by sea, and 1 to 4 days by air. A direct ship can be there in under a week, which makes it one of the quickest sea routes we run. We give you a date in writing when we quote.
How much does shipping from Dubai to Sri Lanka cost?
It depends on what you send, how big it is, and where in Sri Lanka it is going. We do not publish prices because every shipment is different. Sea freight to Sri Lanka is priced per container when you fill one, and per cubic metre when you share one. Air freight to Sri Lanka is priced on weight or size, whichever is greater. Send us the details and we send you a price in writing, usually the same day.
Which cities in Sri Lanka do you deliver to?
All of them. Colombo, Katunayake, Kandy, Galle, Negombo, Kurunegala, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Hambantota and Batticaloa. Just give us the address and we bring it to the door.
Which Sri Lankan ports do you ship to?
Colombo handles almost everything and it is the busiest hub in South Asia. Hambantota in the south suits vehicles and bulk. Trincomalee serves the east coast. We pick the one closest to you.
Why is this route so quick?
Because Colombo is the hub the whole region ships through, rather than a side stop. That means many services call there and the sailing itself is short. It is one of the easiest routes we run to plan around.
Do you deliver door to door?
Yes. We handle freight forwarding to Sri Lanka door to door. We collect the goods in Dubai, move them, clear them through customs, and bring them to your address. You deal with one company for the whole journey.
Can I send a small shipment, or do I need a full container?
You can send as little as one box or one pallet. We put small shipments from different customers into one shared container. This is called LCL, or less than container load. Your goods load at Jebel Ali and come into Colombo. When you have more goods, you move up to your own full container, which is called FCL. We will tell you which one is cheaper.
Can you ship a car from Dubai to Sri Lanka?
Yes. Sri Lanka reopened car imports in 2025 after several years of not allowing them, and the taxes and emissions rules changed at the same time. Send us the make, model, year and emissions standard and we will check the current position before you buy.
Does my product need a licence?
Some do and many do not. We check your product against the list rather than assuming, because a licence cannot be added after the goods have shipped.
How do I prove my product meets Sri Lankan standards?
There are a few ways: a test certificate for each shipment, a certificate from the standards body where the goods were made, or shipping from a factory already registered with the Sri Lankan standards institute. If you ship often, the registered factory route saves money every time.
Why is the landed cost higher than the duty rate?
Because Sri Lanka adds several charges one on top of another, not side by side. Each layer is worked out on a total that already includes the ones before it. It means the final cost is higher than the headline duty suggests, so we set it out properly rather than guessing.
Do you handle customs clearance in Sri Lanka?
Yes, at both ends. We handle customs clearance in Dubai and customs clearance in Sri Lanka. You do not need to find your own clearing agent.
Can you collect the goods from my supplier in Dubai?
Yes. We collect anywhere in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE. We can also hold your goods in warehousing and storage in Dubai until you are ready to ship. That helps when you are buying from several suppliers and want everything to travel to Colombo in one container.
Can you ship machinery and heavy equipment to Sri Lanka?
Yes. We move project cargo to Sri Lanka as well. Big, heavy items go in open top or flat rack containers, or loose on the ship into Colombo. Send us the size and weight and we will work out the best way to move it.
Ready to ship from Dubai
to Sri Lanka?
Send the commodity and its HS code, the weight and dimensions, and the delivery address. We confirm what Sri Lanka checks before you ship, then the routing options, then a written rate with a validity date on it.
- Written rates
- One coordinator
- Customs handled in house
- UAE-wide collection
