Shipping from Dubai
to United Kingdom.
We move cargo to the United Kingdom from Dubai every week, by sea and by air. We ship business and personal cargo. Send a few boxes, a pallet, a full container, or a whole house move. We collect anywhere in the UAE, do the customs paperwork at both ends, and deliver to your address in the UK.
Overview
Sea and air freight
to United Kingdom.
Shipping from Dubai to the UK takes about 28 to 42 days by sea, and 1 to 8 days by air. Sea is much cheaper and suits furniture, machinery, building materials, household goods and anything bulky. Air is the choice when you need it there this week. Ships come into Felixstowe, London Gateway, Southampton and Liverpool, and we fly into Heathrow, Manchester and East Midlands. From there we deliver anywhere in the UK, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Bristol, Liverpool, Sheffield, Cardiff, Newcastle, Belfast and Edinburgh. Navo Shipping handles the sea freight, air freight and customs clearance on the Dubai to United Kingdom 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. The United Kingdom has 17 sea ports we use and seven 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.
- FelixstoweGBFXTSea port · North SeaLondon, Ipswich, Cambridge, the Midlands and the north by train
How cargo reaches Felixstowe
Shipping from Dubai to Felixstowe is the main sea route on this lane. The ship goes out through the Suez Canal and up to Suffolk, about 28 to 39 days port to port. It is Britain's largest container port and carries the widest choice of services out of Jebel Ali, which is what usually makes it the cheapest freight line on the quote. It is also the one gateway with real rail connections inland, so a Midlands or north-west delivery does not automatically mean a long road leg. Get a rate for Felixstowe - SouthamptonGBSOUSea port · English ChannelLondon, the South and the South West, and vehicles
How cargo reaches Southampton
Shipping from Dubai to Southampton runs the same deep-sea routing and discharges on the south coast, roughly 30 to 42 days port to port depending on whether the service is direct or relays through the Mediterranean. It is the sensible gateway when the delivery address is south or west of London, and it is the usual discharge point for cars, because Southampton works vehicles at volume rather than as an exception. Get a rate for Southampton - London GatewayGBLGPSea port · River ThamesLondon, the Home Counties and the M25 belt
How cargo reaches London Gateway
Shipping from Dubai to London Gateway discharges on the Thames, roughly 33 to 42 days port to port, confirmed when we quote. It is the closest deep-sea terminal to London itself, so it saves you on the delivery leg rather than on the sea freight. If you are inside the M25, the short drive can be worth more than a cheaper rate into a port further away. Get a rate for London Gateway - LiverpoolGBLIVSea port · Irish SeaThe North West, Ireland and the western rail corridor
How cargo reaches Liverpool
Shipping from Dubai to Liverpool can reach Rotterdam or Antwerp, then continue by feeder to Liverpool. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Liverpool suits the North West and Ireland; Tilbury is closer to London. The quote combines ocean freight, any relay or feeder leg, terminal handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Liverpool - TilburyGBTILSea port · River ThamesLondon and the Home Counties, alongside London Gateway
How cargo reaches Tilbury
Shipping from Dubai to Tilbury can reach a continental hub, then continue by feeder to the London Container Terminal. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Tilbury suits London and the Home Counties; Liverpool is closer to the North West. The quote combines ocean freight, any relay or feeder leg, terminal handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Tilbury - ImminghamGBIMMSea port · Humber estuaryYorkshire, Lincolnshire and the eastern industrial belt
How cargo reaches Immingham
Shipping from Dubai to Immingham can reach Rotterdam or Antwerp, then continue by feeder to Immingham. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Immingham suits Lincolnshire and eastern industry; Hull is closer to the East Riding. The quote combines ocean freight, any relay or feeder leg, terminal handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Immingham - HullGBHULSea port · Humber estuaryYorkshire and the East Riding
How cargo reaches Hull
Shipping from Dubai to Hull can reach Rotterdam, then continue on the scheduled short sea container leg to Hull. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Hull suits Yorkshire and the East Riding; Immingham serves the wider Humber industrial belt. The quote combines ocean freight, any relay or feeder leg, terminal handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Hull - TeesportGBTEESea port · North SeaThe North East and Teesside industry
How cargo reaches Teesport
Shipping from Dubai to Teesport can reach Rotterdam or Antwerp, then continue by feeder to Teesport. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Teesport suits Teesside and the North East; Port of Tyne is closer to Newcastle. The quote combines ocean freight, any relay or feeder leg, terminal handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Teesport - Bristol (Avonmouth)GBBRSSea port · Bristol ChannelThe South West, South Wales and vehicles
How cargo reaches Bristol (Avonmouth)
Shipping from Dubai to Bristol needs an accepted deep sea or short sea container call at Royal Portbury, with Avonmouth named correctly on the documents. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Bristol suits the South West and South Wales; Tilbury is closer to London. The quote combines vessel space, specialist handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Bristol (Avonmouth) - GrangemouthGBGRGSea port · Firth of ForthCentral Scotland and the Edinburgh belt
How cargo reaches Grangemouth
Shipping from Dubai to Grangemouth can reach a continental hub, then continue by feeder to central Scotland. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Grangemouth suits Edinburgh and central Scotland; Greenock is closer to Glasgow and the west. The quote combines ocean freight, any relay or feeder leg, terminal handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Grangemouth - GreenockGBGRKSea port · Firth of ClydeGlasgow and western Scotland
How cargo reaches Greenock
Shipping from Dubai to Greenock can reach Liverpool, Southampton or a continental hub, then continue by feeder to Greenock. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Greenock suits Glasgow and western Scotland; Grangemouth is closer to Edinburgh. The quote combines ocean freight, any relay or feeder leg, terminal handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Greenock - BelfastGBBELSea port · Irish SeaNorthern Ireland, under its own post-Brexit movement rules
How cargo reaches Belfast
Shipping from Dubai to Belfast can reach Liverpool or a continental hub, then continue by feeder to Belfast. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Belfast serves Northern Ireland; Liverpool is the Great Britain alternative. The quote combines ocean freight, any relay or feeder leg, terminal handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Belfast - Port of Tyne (South Shields)GBTYNSea port · North SeaNewcastle and the North East, and vehicle traffic
How cargo reaches Port of Tyne (South Shields)
Shipping from Dubai to the Port of Tyne can reach a continental hub, then continue by feeder or vehicle service to South Shields. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Port of Tyne suits Newcastle and vehicles; Teesport is closer to Teesside industry. The quote combines ocean freight, any relay or feeder leg, terminal handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Port of Tyne (South Shields) - SheernessGBSHSSea port · Thames estuaryKent, vehicles and forest products
How cargo reaches Sheerness
Shipping from Dubai to Sheerness needs an accepted vehicle carrying or specialist vessel call into Sheerness. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Sheerness suits vehicles and forest products in Kent; Tilbury is the container alternative for London. The quote combines vessel space, specialist handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Sheerness - HarwichGBHRWSea port · North SeaEast Anglia and short-sea onward movements
How cargo reaches Harwich
Shipping from Dubai to Harwich can reach Rotterdam, then move on the North Sea roll-on roll-off service to Harwich when the cargo can travel as a trailer. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Harwich suits East Anglia and trailer cargo; Tilbury is better for standard containers near London. The quote combines ocean freight, any relay or feeder leg, terminal handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Harwich - CardiffGBCDFSea port · Bristol ChannelSouth Wales
How cargo reaches Cardiff
Shipping from Dubai to Cardiff needs an agreed specialist cargo vessel call at Cardiff, with unloading arranged before departure. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Cardiff suits South Wales bulk and general cargo; Bristol is the nearby container alternative. The quote combines vessel space, specialist handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Cardiff - AberdeenGBABDSea port · North SeaNortheast Scotland, and offshore energy cargo
How cargo reaches Aberdeen
Shipping from Dubai to Aberdeen needs an agreed specialist or project cargo vessel call into Aberdeen. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Aberdeen suits northeast Scotland and offshore energy cargo; Grangemouth is the container alternative for central Scotland. The quote combines vessel space, specialist handling, clearance and inland delivery. Get a rate for Aberdeen - HeathrowLHRAirportLondon, Reading, Slough and the South East. The busiest UK air cargo airport
How cargo reaches Heathrow
Air freight from Dubai to Heathrow can fly nonstop into Heathrow before customs release and delivery across southeast England. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Heathrow suits London and Reading; East Midlands is closer to central UK distribution. Air freight is priced by chargeable weight, with handling, clearance and final trucking added. Get a rate for Heathrow - StanstedSTNAirportLondon, and the main dedicated freighter airport in the South East
How cargo reaches Stansted
Air freight from Dubai to Stansted can use direct freighter or wide body capacity into Stansted when the shipment is accepted. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Stansted suits freighter cargo north of London; Heathrow has broader passenger flight capacity. Air freight is priced by chargeable weight, with handling, clearance and final trucking added. Get a rate for Stansted - East MidlandsEMAAirportThe Midlands, and the UK express and overnight cargo hub
How cargo reaches East Midlands
Air freight from Dubai to East Midlands needs a confirmed freighter connection into East Midlands, or a flight to Heathrow followed by truck. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. East Midlands suits overnight Midlands distribution; Heathrow is better for direct London delivery. Air freight is priced by chargeable weight, with handling, clearance and final trucking added. Get a rate for East Midlands - ManchesterMANAirportThe North West and Yorkshire
How cargo reaches Manchester
Air freight from Dubai to Manchester can fly nonstop into Manchester before customs release and northern road delivery. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Manchester suits the North West; East Midlands is closer to central England. Air freight is priced by chargeable weight, with handling, clearance and final trucking added. Get a rate for Manchester - BirminghamBHXAirportThe Midlands
How cargo reaches Birmingham
Air freight from Dubai to Birmingham can fly nonstop into Birmingham before customs release and Midlands delivery. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Birmingham serves the West Midlands; Manchester is closer to the North West. Air freight is priced by chargeable weight, with handling, clearance and final trucking added. Get a rate for Birmingham - GlasgowGLAAirportScotland
How cargo reaches Glasgow
Air freight from Dubai to Glasgow can fly nonstop into Glasgow before road delivery across central Scotland. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Glasgow suits western Scotland; Grangemouth offers the sea alternative for central belt containers. Air freight is priced by chargeable weight, with handling, clearance and final trucking added. Get a rate for Glasgow - Belfast InternationalBFSAirportNorthern Ireland
How cargo reaches Belfast International
Air freight from Dubai to Belfast International needs a connecting flight or a British mainland arrival followed by an approved sea crossing to Northern Ireland. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Belfast serves Northern Ireland; Manchester is the mainland alternative for northern Britain. Air freight is priced by chargeable weight, with handling, clearance and final trucking added. Get a rate for Belfast International - Daventry International Rail Freight TerminalDry portBirmingham, Coventry, Northampton and the Midlands. Cargo comes by train and clears here
How cargo reaches Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal
Shipping from Dubai to the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal can land at Teesport, then travel by container train to the Daventry terminal. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Daventry serves the central distribution belt; Hams Hall is closer to Birmingham. The quote combines ocean freight, inland transport, terminal handling, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal - Hams Hall, BirminghamDry portBirmingham and the West Midlands
How cargo reaches Hams Hall, Birmingham
Shipping from Dubai to Hams Hall can land at Felixstowe, then travel by container train to Hams Hall near the M42. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Hams Hall suits West Midlands deliveries; Daventry is closer to Northampton and the M1 corridor. The quote combines ocean freight, inland transport, terminal handling, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Hams Hall, Birmingham - Trafford Park, ManchesterDry portManchester and the North West
How cargo reaches Trafford Park, Manchester
Shipping from Dubai to Trafford Park can land at Southampton, then travel by container train to Trafford Park. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Trafford Park suits Greater Manchester; iPort Doncaster is better placed for South Yorkshire. The quote combines ocean freight, inland transport, terminal handling, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Trafford Park, Manchester - iPort DoncasterDry portYorkshire and the northern distribution belt
How cargo reaches iPort Doncaster
Shipping from Dubai to iPort Doncaster can land at a booked UK container port, then travel by truck to the Doncaster terminal for agreed onward handling. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. iPort suits Yorkshire distribution; Trafford Park is closer to Manchester. The quote combines ocean freight, inland transport, terminal handling, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for iPort Doncaster
- FelixstoweGBFXTSea port · North SeaLondon, Ipswich, Cambridge, the Midlands and the north by train
Before you ship
Import rules
for the United Kingdom.
Two things need doing before your goods leave Dubai, and we take care of both. First, whoever is importing in the UK needs an EORI number. It is a free trading number from UK customs and it takes minutes to get online, but nothing clears without it. Second, a short safety filing has to go in before the ship loads, not after it arrives. We do that for you as part of the booking. If your product needs a UK safety mark, we will tell you at the quote stage. Send us the goods and the EORI number and we will handle the rest.
Documentation
Documents you need
for the United Kingdom.
These 7 cover most shipments to the United Kingdom. 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
- 06EORI number of the person importing in the UK
- 07Safety filing before loading, which we do for you
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 United Kingdom
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 the United Kingdom.
- 01
Send the details
Tell us what you are sending, how heavy it is, how big it is, and which UK city it goes to.
- 02
Get a price
We send you a price in writing, with every charge shown. No surprises later.
- 03
We book and clear
We collect the goods, do the safety filing before loading, and handle customs at both ends.
- 04
We deliver
We track the shipment and keep you updated all the way, then bring the goods to your door.
Questions
Cargo to United Kingdom
questions, answered.
The 15 we are asked most on the Dubai to United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom?
Yes. Our movers and packers do the packing, wrapping and listing in Dubai, 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 the UK take?
About 28 to 42 days by sea, and 1 to 8 days by air. Sea takes a while because the ship goes a long way round. Then add a few days for customs and delivery to your city. We give you a date in writing when we quote.
How much does shipping from Dubai to the UK cost?
It depends on what you send, how big it is, and where in the United Kingdom it is going. We do not publish prices because every shipment is different. Sea freight to the United Kingdom is priced per container when you fill one, and per cubic metre when you share one. Air freight to the United Kingdom 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 UK cities do you deliver to?
All of them. London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Bristol, Liverpool, Sheffield, Cardiff, Newcastle, Belfast, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Leicester, Southampton and Aberdeen. Just give us the address and we bring it to the door.
Which UK ports do you ship to?
Felixstowe and London Gateway are the main ones for London and the south. Southampton is good for the south coast and for cars. Liverpool suits the north west, and Teesport and Hull suit the north east. We pick the one closest to you.
Can you deliver to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Yes. Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen in Scotland, Cardiff and Swansea in Wales, and Belfast in Northern Ireland. Belfast usually goes through a mainland port first and then across, and we include that in the price.
Do you deliver door to door?
Yes. We handle freight to the UK door to door. We collect the goods in Dubai, ship 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 Felixstowe. 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 the UK?
Yes, in a container or on a roll-on roll-off vessel, usually through Southampton. There are rules about tax and registration once it lands. Send us the make, model and chassis number and we will explain what to expect before you ship.
What is an EORI number?
It is a free trading number from UK customs. Whoever imports the goods needs one. It takes minutes to get online, but nothing clears without it, so we check it before we load.
Do you handle customs clearance in the UK?
Yes, at both ends. We do the export papers in Dubai and our agent clears the goods in the UK. You do not need to find your own clearing agent.
Do I pay duty and VAT on goods arriving in the UK?
Usually yes. UK customs work it out from what the goods are and what they cost. Rates change by product, so we tell you what applies to yours rather than guessing. It is paid before the goods are released.
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 Felixstowe in one container.
Can you move my household goods to the UK?
Yes. We move full house moves and part loads. We pack, collect, ship and deliver, and we handle the customs side so your things are not sitting at a port waiting on paperwork.
Can you ship machinery and heavy equipment to the UK?
Yes. We move project cargo to the United Kingdom as well. Big, heavy items go in open top or flat rack containers, or loose on the ship into Felixstowe. Send us the size and weight and we will work out the best way to move it.
Ready to ship from Dubai
to United Kingdom?
Send the commodity and its HS code, the weight and dimensions, and the delivery address. We confirm what the United Kingdom 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
