The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States are important trading partners with billions of dollars in trade between the two countries each year.
According to 2019 Comtrade data1, the US is the seventh largest partner, accounting for 1.6% of UAE’s total exports, and trade between the two countries is the largest despite the decline in export debt due to the Covid-19 pandemic. your country.
There are lots of things to consider when shipping from the UAE to the USA, not least the costs involved and the time it takes, depending on which of the 50 states you are shipping to.
Elite Shipping can help you with the best time to ship, the route for air and ocean freight, what essential documents are required, and the cheapest shipping from the UAE to the USA.
How long does shipping from the UAE to the USA take?
Exporters have two major alternatives when it comes to transporting goods between two large nations, such as the UAE and the USA: air or sea transportation.
The method you choose will mostly rely on how quickly you need the items to arrive in the USA, how many things there are, and your financial situation. Based on your unique needs, the Elite Shipping can help you find the best deal.
Shipping by Air
A package from Dubai to New York, for instance, can be delivered in as little as two days using air freight, which is more direct. However, generally speaking, shipping by air from the UAE to the USA takes four to six days.
This choice is excellent for shipments that contain fewer than three pallets or perishable goods. The airline and airport security standards for high value products make air shipping marginally more protective.
Four major airports in the United Arab Emirates—Dubai International, Dubai Al Maktoum, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah—can send goods to the United States. They can ship to approximately 15 of the main US airports between them, with Dubai International having the most flights.
- Dubai International: Emirates SkyCargo serves Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma and Washington DC airports.
- Dubai Al Maktoum: Emirates SkyCargo serves Chicago-O’Hare, Houston International and New York JFK airports in the USA.
- Abu Dhabi: Etihad Crystal Cargo serves Chicago-O’Hare, Los Angeles, New York JFK and Washington DC airports
- Sharjah: DHL Aviation serves Cincinnati airport.
This is not the cheapest method of shipping from the UAE to the USA for individuals on a strict budget; instead, shipping by ocean freight should be taken into account.
Shipping by Sea
Because you can pick between a less than container load (LCL) and a full container load (FCL), ocean freight is significantly more ideal for individuals looking for a more affordable solution to shipping from the UAE to the USA.
LCL shipping refers to the process of having your items travel in a cargo ship’s shared container. For most enterprises, it is the most affordable method of shipping from the UAE to the US. FCL shipping, on the other hand, would be the best choice for individuals who wish to use a container exclusively because it includes paying a set rate for a container that you can then fill with the items you want to export.
The FCL shipping option is most likely the quickest and least expensive method of shipping if you intend to send significant amounts from the UAE to the USA. You should be aware, nevertheless, that sending goods via ocean freight often takes between 35 and 60 days longer than shipping them by air freight.
Public holidays in both nations should be noted as some goods handlers may not be in operation or may charge significantly more for delivery on these days.
If you’re interested in learning more about LCL and FCL shipping, Elite Shipping can help.
Major shipping ports in the UAE and USA
- Khor Fakkan, Sharjah
- Jebel Ali, Dubai
- Khalifa, Abu Dhabi
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Houston, Texas
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Port Everglades, Florida
The benefits of freight forwarders
Freight forwarders are a terrific resource if you are not used to handling all the logistics or simply wish to outsource it since it makes more financial sense. In plain English, a goods forwarder is a company that you pay to arrange the shipping of your goods from the United Arab Emirates to the United States.
Employing a third party rarely makes financial sense, but utilising a goods forwarder to export goods from the UAE to the USA can be cost-effective for a business.
Elite Shipping is able to put you in touch with a goods forwarder, however they are usually only utilised for shipments that weigh more than 35 kilogrammes.
What costs are involved in shipping from the UAE to the USA?
The price of shipping goods via water or in the air varies and is determined by the cargo’s weight, size, and volume, as well as the distance and mode of transportation.
However, Elite Shipping gives customers access to international freight rates, which will assist to keep expenses down and guarantee that the shipping option is the most effective.
For instance, the Elite Shipping Explorer will show you how inexpensive it is to ship fewer than 100 kilograms by air or ocean. However, air freight is substantially more expensive than ocean freight for larger shipments weighing more than 100 kilogrammes.
Making the most of the space: how to pack your container
There are more factors to take into account when looking for the best value for money than only the costs and rates of shipping from the UAE to the USA.
Optimising your cargo’s packing is similarly vital because, ideally, it will result in an additional cost savings. You can obtain assistance with this from The Elite Shipping, who will see to it that you maximise the value of each package you send.
When shipping from the UAE to the USA, cargo insurance is a crucial component that is strongly advised. Although it is optional, it compensates you for any financial losses that may occur at any time while the shipment is being processed. Crash, fire, natural disaster, theft, or third-party damage are a few examples of risks to your goods.
Buyers should keep in mind that the cost of cargo insurance reflects the amount of risk being covered. Elite Shipping can advise you on the level of insurance that will work best for your shipment.
What documents will I need when shipping from the UAE to the USA?
Make sure you have all of the necessary papers in order to achieve customs clearance and guarantee that your goods arrive at their destination once you have chosen the shipping method, agreed on a price, and obtained cargo insurance.
Whatever you are exporting from the UAE to the USA must abide by the customs regulations. If you engaged a goods forwarder, they would be in charge of organising the necessary paperwork. However, as the cargo owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary documentation is prepared and ready to ship with your consignment; otherwise, you risk not receiving customs clearance.
When shipping from the UAE to the USA, the customs documents you will usually need are:
- A commercial invoice
- A packing list that declares everything being shipped
- A certificate of origin
- A confirmation letter of payment terms or credit
- A loading bill for ocean freight or an airway bill for shipping by air
Finally, it is worthwhile to investigate the legal limitations that apply in the USA. There are restrictions on the kinds of products you can send from the UAE to the USA, including contraband goods, weapons, soil or cattle, pornographic materials, and drugs containing specific banned chemicals.