Moving to Dubai During The COVID-19 Pandemic
1st Move International have taken steps to ensure the safety of both our staff and customers and we continue to remain open and committed to providing overseas removals services during the pandemic, as per government and BAR guidelines.
Our packing procedures offer a COVID-safe method of shipping your belongings overseas, protecting your goods from unnecessary handling and isolating them from the outside world until arrival at your door.
Why Choose 1st Move International?
Unique COVID Safe Packing
Rather than simply shipping items loosely in a container, we combine the contents of your move onto individual pallets and shrink-wrap each pallet to prevent any handling of individual items and to provide a shield against the outside world. This zero touch method of packing and delivery ensures your personal belongings remain protected and untouched upon arrival at your door.
Price Guarantee
Palletising your shipment means we can easily and accurately measure the size of your move. There's no guessing and we guarantee that you only pay for exactly what you ship. No more, no less. Read more about our smarter pricing here.
Weekly Shipping
Unlike other movers, we can guarantee regular weekly shipments direct to Dubai from the UK. Once your belongings are packed we will immediately schedule for the next available weekly sailing. No waiting around! You can then track your container here.
Fully Insured
Thanks to the reduced handling and improved protection that our packing offers, we have some of the lowest insurance claims on record. Full cover is provided by insurance giants Royal Sun Alliance. Read more about our international removals insurance.
Over 20 Years of Experience
We've been in the international removals industry for over 20 years and our team of experts have helped move countless people from the UK over to Dubai. Our team will be on hand at every step of the process and can offer advice should you have any questions along the way.
Recognitions
We are established members of:
- the British Association of Removers (BAR)
- the British International Freight Association (BIFA)
- the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA)
Looking for a quote? Use our quote form to receive an estimate for your move.
Packing For Your International Move to Dubai
We are the only removals company to offer this method of packing and we have been doing so for over 20 years. Our palletised shrink-wrap packing is proven to:
- Provide some of the best protection available for your goods
- Drastically reduce handling of individual items (less risk, fewer insurance claims)
- Speed up customs clearance
- Offer a COVID-safe method of shipping your belongings overseas
See how it's done in this short video:
Looking for a quote? Use our quote form to receive an estimate for your move.
UK to Dubai Shipping Options
Dedicated Container
This option is perfect for large house moves to Dubai. Our Full Container Load (FCL) service gives you sole use of your own 20ft or 40ft container. We can collect and pack your belongings at our own 20,000 sqft facility or we can provide this service at your door.
Shared Container
For those smaller moves we offer a shared container service whereby we collect and expertly pack your personal effects using our COVID-safe packing procedures and then load your items within the week on the next available ship to Dubai. Your goods are protected thanks to our packing and you don't need to wait around for a container to be full as we are able to ship alongside commercial shipments from large exporters.
Get a free quote for your move to Dubai today.
Collection & Delivery (door to door)
We offer nationwide collection that covers all areas of the UK and we can arrange for onward delivery with our agents in Dubai allowing for a full door to door service.
International Removals Costs from the UK to Dubai
How Much Does it Cost to Move to Dubai?
Are you moving to Dubai and want to find out how much it will cost to ship your stuff? Please see below for our simple price guide for personal effects shipping via container from the UK to Dubai.
Short Answer: The UK to Dubai port-to-port transport shipping cost is between £1,900 and £2,400 depending on the size of your move and specific destination. For a detailed shipping cost breakdown please check our table below.
Important information about these moving costs
These shipping costs should be used as a guide only. For obvious reasons they do not include collection, delivery or packing/loading costs. For an accurate quote, please fill out our quote form and we'll get back to you with a tailored estimate.
These moving costs are for a 3 bed house in a 20ft container or a 4-5 bed house in a 40ft container. They are the shipping costs from the UK port of Southampton or London to the port of Jebel Ali only.
| Destination Port | 3 Bed House - 20ft Container Cost (GBP) | 4-5 Bed House - 40ft Container Cost (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali, UAE | £1,977 | £2,403 |
Shipping Dates and Transit Times to Dubai
We have sailings from the UK to Dubai at least once every 7 days.
The port to port transit time is around 20 days depending on your specific destination.
For more detailed schedules with specific dates and vessel names, please see our Dubai shipping schedule page.
| Destination | Next Sailing | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali, UAE | Under 1 Week | 20 Days |
Dubai Customs and Quarantine
The following information is taken from the UK government website on entry rules for the UAE in response to coronavirus.
As of the 11th of August, all citizens, returning residents, transit passengers and tourists must undertake a COVID-19 PCR test in the country they are currently in and have proof of a negative result before travelling to the UAE.
All arrivals in Abu Dhabi must isolate for 14 days on arrival and will be required to wear a medically approved wristband for the duration of their quarantine. Please see the above link for more detailed entry information.
These rules may change on short notice so we urge everyone to check before making any plans.
Customs Duty Exemptions
Dubai nationals residing abroad and foreigners coming to Dubai for the first time for residences shall be exempted from customs duty on their personal effects and used household items.
The duty exemption is subject to the following conditions:
- The personal effects and household items must be used items
- Presenting proof of residence abroad for nationals.
- Presenting poof of work and residence in the country for foreigners.
- The personal effects and household items must be brought into the country in the name of the concerned national residing abroad.
- The personal effects and household items must be brought into the country in the name of the foreigner intending to reside in the country.
- The personal effects and household items must be in quantities appropriate to furnishing a house.
- The exemption requester shall submit a packing list showing the full contents.
The following documents are required to import used personal effects and household items into Dubai:
- Copy of your passport
- Copy of your residency visa
- A written list of imported goods
Prohibited and Restricted Goods
Some items are prohibited or restricted from import into Dubai. Prohibited items are strictly banned from import whereas restricted items may be subject to certain limitations or may require permission from the relevant authorities to import.
Prohibited goods include narcotic drugs, gambling tools or machinery, items that contradict Islamic faith and nylon fishing nets to name a few.
Restricted items include pharmaceutical products, alcohol, foodstuffs, personal care and cosmetic products, rough diamonds, e-cigarettes and more.
For more information on prohibited and restricted goods, please see the Dubai customs government website.
Shipping Your Car to Dubai
Our partner company Autoshippers provide car shipping services from the UK to all main ports in Dubai and the UAE. For more info on how to ship your car to Dubai, visit Autoshippers.
So, whether you are moving from the UK to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah or elsewhere in the UAE you can be assured of a faster, safer and smarter move with 1st Move International. Simply fill in our quick quote form and start your international move to Dubai today.
We provide removals services from the UK to all areas of Dubai including: Abu Hail, Al Awir, Al Barsha, Al Garhoud, Al Hamriya, Al Karama, Al Mamzar, Al Muntasa, Al Muraqqabat, Al Quoz, Al Qusais, Al Rashidiya, Al Rigga, Al Safouh, Al Satwa, Jumeirah Garden City, Al Shindagha, Al Wasl, Corniche Deira, Dubai Investment Park, Dubai Marina, Emirates Hill, Hatta, Jebel Alindly, Jumeira, Jumeirah Garden City, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Jumeira Palm, Mankhool, Mirdiff, Nadd Al Hamar, Nadd Al Shiba, Naif, Oud Meth, Port Saeed, Arabian Ranches, Ras Al Khor, Satwa, Sofouh, Trade Center, Umm Al Sheif, Umm Hurair, Umm Ramool, Umm Suqeim, Za'abeel.
Real customer reviews
We are the only UK international removals company who offer COVID safe packing solutions when shipping household goods from the UK.
Once packed, your pallets are photographed and pictures of your shipment will be posted immediately to our Facebook page.
You can see a gallery of our latest customer shipments here.