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Expert International Removals from the UK to Dubai, UAE

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Everything You Need to Know About Removals to Dubai: Costs, Transit Times, Our Services And Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a move from the UK to Dubai? Let 1st Move International manage your relocation with expert care and precision. Get a free quote today and see how our bespoke international moving services offer a faster, safer, and more reliable way to ship your belongings to the UAE. With secure packing, weekly sailings, and full cover, your move is in trusted hands.

This page provides everything you need to know about moving to Dubai from the UK. You’ll find up-to-date information on international removals costs, available shipping services, transit schedules, and our secure UK-wide collection network. Discover how our unique packing methods and flexible cover options help ensure a smooth and protected move to the UAE.

Benefits

Why Choose 1st Move International?

Faster shipping for international removals

Faster Shipping

Get there up to 14 weeks faster. Unlike other movers, we can guarantee regular weekly shipments direct from the UK to Dubai. Once your belongings are packed we will immediately schedule for the next available weekly sailing. No waiting around!

Safer packing for international removals

Safer Packing

We wrap, pack and palletise all shipments for ultimate protection, reducing handling of individual items and lowering insurance claims. This space-saving method of packing ensures your personal belongings remain protected and untouched until arrival at your door.

Smarter pricing for international removals

Smarter Pricing

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.


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Dedicated Move Manager

Benefit from the expertise of a dedicated Personal Move Manager for your relocation. Our specialists in international moves will oversee every facet, offering tailored advice, coordinating logistics, and ensuring a smooth transition.

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Early Booking Discount – Save 10%

Planning ahead pays off — book your move within 10 days of receiving your quote and enjoy a 10% discount. No deposit, no cancellation fees, and a fast, 60-second booking process. Get organised early and save on your move!

Customs clearance icon

Customs Clearance

As registered customs brokers, our knowledgeable team will guide you through all the necessary documents and customs procedures for your move, ensuring a smooth transition from the UK and through Dubai customs for a quicker delivery to your residence in Dubai.

How Much Does it Cost to Move from the UK to Dubai, UAE?

Quick Answer

The cost of international removals from the UK to Dubai starts from £790 for a shared container service, £2950 for a 3-bed house and £5,340 for a 4 or 5-bed house. With weekly sailings from London it will take around 22 days to arrive in Dubai

Typical Moving Costs from the UK to Dubai, UAE

Move Size Service Cost (GBP)
Small Move / Boxes Groupage £325 - £425
Small Flat Shared Container £1,058 - £1,904
1-Bed House Shared Container £2,224 - £2,785
3-Bed House 20ft Container £2,857 - £3,173
4+ Bed House 40ft Container From £6,347

The above costs should only be used as guide only. Prices shown are port to port freight costs. They do not include UK collection, packing costs or insurance costs. To receive an accurate quote based on your specific moving requirements to Dubai, simply request a quick quote.

Look for the Badge. We are a BAR registered mover.

As a BAR member, our company has been rigorously vetted and subject to regular audits to ensure we meet their strict quality guidelines, including financial stability, full regulatory compliance, and adhering to the BAR's strict code of practice when dealing with our customers and all aspects of relocating their goods worldwide.

What Are My Options?

UK to Dubai Removals Options

Loading a Shared Container with 1st Move Pallets

Shared Container Shipping UK to Dubai

Our Shared Container service is designed for moves involving less than the contents of a 2 or 3-bedroom home, such as a single room's furniture or a small flat. Your belongings are shipped in the same container as other customers' goods, and you pay only for the space you use, making it a cost-efficient and practical option.

Moving costs: Shared container shipping costs to Dubai start from £1,058 for a small flat and from £2,224 for a one-bedroom house.

Sailings operate weekly from the UK, with an estimated transit time of around 22 days. Additional costs apply for packing services, shipment protection cover, and final delivery, depending on your location in Dubai.

Loading a Full Container with 1st Move Pallets

Full Container Shipping UK to Dubai

Shipping in a Full Container is the ideal solution for those larger moves, providing you with the exclusive use of a 20ft or 40ft container for your move from the UK. This service is tailored for those relocating the full contents of a 3 or 4-bedroom home including furniture and white goods. It is also suitable for anyone needing to transport a large volume of personal effects and household goods. Benefit from the security and control of having an entire container dedicated to your belongings.

Moving costs: Full container shipping costs to Dubai start at around £2,950 for a 3-bedroom house or £5,340 for a 4-bedroom home. There will be additional costs for packing and unloading services, shipment cover, and final delivery depending on your destination in Dubai

See the 1st Move Difference

Here’s what our industry-leading palletised system looks like once your belongings are packed, wrapped, and ready to sail.

This isn’t just packing
It's protection.
It's speed.
It's door-to-door peace of mind.

After Before
Weekly Schedule

A Sailing Time That Suits You, Not Your Mover

Take the guesswork out of your move to Dubai, UAE and get there up to 3 months faster than other movers.

1st Move International is the only UK mover to publish weekly sailing schedules to Dubai.

We use established commercial routes for faster, more reliable services so we don’t need to wait months to fill our containers.

View our latest timetable below and choose a sailing date that suits you, not your mover!

UK to Dubai Container Shipping Schedule

Destination Vessel Name Last Moving Date to Meet Vessel Sailing Date Port to Port Transit Time
Dubai Savannah Express 23/08/2025 06/09/2025 21
Houston Express 30/08/2025 13/09/2025 21
Baltimore Express 06/09/2025 20/09/2025 21
Alula Express 13/09/2025 27/09/2025 21
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Removals from UK to Dubai Reviews

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Oli

London to Dubai, UAE

Our shipping arrived this morning and I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who we have dealt with at 1st Move. The process was fantastic and relatively straight forward. We had great communication with everyone throughout and the company on the receiving/delivery end provided an exceptional service as well. Thank you once again for you work in making our emigration from the UK to Dubai as stress free as possible. We will endeavour to recommend you to anyone that we know who might need to move in the future.

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Nick

Oxford to Dubai

Having never moved internationally before, 1st Move were really helpful, open and honest in responding to my many questions. From start to finish they helped me and the family relax around moving our possessions to Dubai. On the day of pickup the team were also really helpful moving and packing things that were odd shaped etc. The delivery the other end was also great and the team were done in minutes. Everything arrived as packed and would highly recommend the team!

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Read All of Our International Removals Reviews on Trustpilot

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're thinking of moving to Dubai then you probably have a lot of questions about the international removals process (and everything else!). Below we've compiled some of our most frequently asked questions and answers to them.

How much do international removals to Dubai cost?

Estimated shipping costs from the UK to Dubai:

  • Boxes only: from £460
  • Small house move: from £870
  • 1-bed flat: from £1,880
  • 2-bed flat: from £2,950
  • 3-bed house: from £4,250
  • 4-bed house: from £5,900
  • 5-bed house: from £6,300
  • 20ft container (sole use): from £4,300
  • 40ft container (sole use): from £6,400

Final costs depend on shipment volume, collection/delivery addresses, and service type. Request a tailored quote for an accurate estimate.

How long does shipping from the UK to Dubai take?

Port-to-port transit time to Jebel Ali is typically 21–24 days for both shared and sole-use containers. Allow additional time for customs clearance and delivery within Dubai.

For current sailing dates, vessel names, and transit times, see our regularly updated Dubai shipping schedule.

Is a door-to-door service available?

We offer door-to-door removals services from the UK to the top UK expat destinations in Dubai.

  • Dubai Marina: A bustling, man-made canal city known for its stunning high-rise apartments and waterfront lifestyle. Dubai Marina offers a cosmopolitan and vibrant atmosphere with a huge selection of restaurants, cafes, and shops. Its walkability, lively nightlife, and proximity to the beach appeal to young professionals and couples. There's also a large existing community of British expats, making it easy to settle in.
  • Arabian Ranches: A serene, family-friendly gated community with spacious villas and lush greenery, providing a suburban feel. This area is a long-standing favourite for British families. It's known for its tranquil, suburban lifestyle, excellent community amenities like pools and parks, and its well-regarded British curriculum schools, such as Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS), located within the community.
  • Jumeirah: A prestigious coastal neighbourhood known for its beautiful beaches, low-rise housing, and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. Jumeirah offers a more established, "old Dubai" feel with beautiful villas and easy access to the beach. It's a popular choice for families due to the abundance of highly rated British schools and a well-developed, close-knit community.
  • Palm Jumeirah: An iconic, palm-shaped artificial island offering luxurious apartments and villas, many with private beach access. This is the ultimate choice for those seeking a premium, resort-like lifestyle. It's known for its stunning views, exclusive beach clubs, and high-end properties. The presence of top-tier schools nearby also makes it an option for affluent families.
  • Dubai Hills Estate: A modern, master-planned community centred around parks, golf courses, and green spaces, offering a balanced lifestyle. This newer development is very popular with families who want a modern, active lifestyle. It offers a range of properties from apartments to villas, excellent schools, and a focus on green spaces, providing a peaceful environment while still being well-connected to the city.
  • Springs: A family-oriented, gated villa community known for its elegantly designed properties and suburban feel. Part of the larger Emirates Living community, The Springs has long been a top choice for British expats due to its townhouse-style living, community pools, and parks. It provides a calm and close-knit environment, making it ideal for raising children.

Are discounts available for moves to Dubai?

We offer a 10% discount to all customers who are moving to Dubai and can book their move in advance. Simply reserve your moving dates withing 10 days of receiving your quote and your shipping costs will be discounted by 10%. You can book your move up to 12 months in advance and you can cancel or change your moving date at any time without penalty or cancellation charges. We have an easy reservation form which only takes am minute to complete so why not reserve your move now to secure this discount.

What is the cheapest way to ship personal belongings to Dubai?

The cheapest way to ship personal effects and household goods to Dubai is by using our shared container service, also known as "groupage" or "less than container load" (LCL) shipping.

This service is ideal if you are shipping a smaller volume of items, for example just a few boxes or a small flat's worth of furniture,and don't need the entire space of a sole-use container.

  • How it works: Your belongings are consolidated with other customers' shipments headed to the same destination. You only pay for the space your items occupy within the container, which significantly reduces the overall cost compared to a full container. The transit times are the same for both shared container and full container services.

What documents are required for removals to Dubai?

  • Copy of your passport
  • Copy of your residency visa
  • Packing list/inventory of goods

Documents can be uploaded via our secure transfer portal.

What happens on arrival and how do you clear customs in Dubai?

A few days before your shipment arrives in Dubai one of the customs clearance team at our agents E Movers Dubai will contact you and confirm arrival time and the documentation you will need. This will include

  • UAE residence visa copy
  • Passport copy
  • UAE residence permit or entry stamp
  • Packing inventory or written list of imported goods
  • Bill of Lading which will be issued to you after departure from the UK

Once your documentation is received, our team will handle the submission of clearance paperwork and liaise directly with customs in Dubai on your behalf.

Customs clearance normally takes 24 to 48 hours providing that customs do not select your goods for inspection. Once your goods have cleared customs in Dubai we will arrange collection and transportation to your home address at a time agreed by you. If you have paid for our door-to-door services then E Movers will unload at your home, unpack large furniture items, place goods in the required rooms and remove all packing debris.

Are customs duties payable on personal effects?

Personal effects and used household goods are duty-free if:

  • Items are used
  • Appropriate proof of residence abroad is provided for nationals
  • Proof of work and residence is provided for foreign residents
  • Goods are imported in the name of the person relocating
  • Quantities are consistent with furnishing a home
  • A full packing list is submitted

See our guide on customs procedures for importing personal effects to Dubai for more details.

What items are prohibited or restricted in Dubai?

Prohibited items include:

  • Narcotic drugs
  • Gambling equipment
  • Items contrary to Islamic beliefs
  • Nylon fishing nets

Restricted items (may require permits) include:

  • Pharmaceutical products
  • Alcohol
  • Foodstuffs
  • Cosmetics and personal care products
  • Rough diamonds
  • E-cigarettes

Your move manager will be happy to answer any questions and check your inventory to ensure there are no issues at customs.

We provide a detailed list of prohibited and restricted items for Dubai here

Can I bring household and electrical appliances?

Most UK appliances are compatible in Dubai. Dubai uses Type G plugs, 230 V voltage, and a 50 Hz frequency - the same as the UK - so adapters or voltage converters are generally not needed. Refer to our detailed blog: 'Are Dubai plugs the same as UK?' for guidance on appliance compatibility and shipping considerations.

Can I ship my car to Dubai?

Yes. Our partner company, Autoshippers, provides car shipping services from the UK to Dubai. Contact them for details on vehicle import requirements and car shipping costs.

Can I move my pet to Dubai?

Yes, but the process is highly regulated and requires careful planning. Pets must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant chip and have up-to-date vaccinations, including rabies. You will need to obtain a pet import permit from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and an official Export Health Certificate from a UK veterinarian. There are also specific requirements for the travel crate and a final health check before departure. Certain dog breeds are prohibited from being imported into the UAE. We highly recommend using a professional pet relocation service to ensure all requirements are met. Etihad offer a pet travel service and more information here: Pet travel service with Etihad.

Can I track my shipment to Dubai?

Yes. A container tracking number and vessel name will be provided for online tracking.
Resources

Useful Dubai Information, Resources and Guides

Shipping Furniture & Personal Effects to Dubai, UAE

Everything you need to know about shipping furniture & personal effects from the UK to Dubai, UAE.

Shipping Personal Effects to Dubai Customs Guide

We cover all the legalities of shipping household goods from the UK to Dubai.

Dubai Customs & Quarantine Prohibited & Restricted Items

Find out what you can and cannot bring to Dubai UAE, plus information on how to declare, duties and more.

Dubai Moving Guides

Our experts provide a wide range of guides, tips and advice on moving to and living in Dubai, UAE.

Container Shipping Costs UK to Dubai

Get the latest information on UK to Dubai container shipping costs and container ports.

Dubai Container Shipping Schedules

We post up-to-date sailing schedule information and as part of our weekly shipping promise we'll tell you in advance what ship we can get your personal effects on.

Car Shipping to Dubai

Get more information on our car shipping services to Dubai.

Other Helpful Information

Visas & Residency

  • A residence visa is required for long-term stays. This is typically handled by your employer or sponsor.
  • You will receive an Emirates ID, which is your mandatory identity card for all official business.
  • For further information visit our visas, lifestyle and cost of living in Dubai guide.

Healthcare

  • Health insurance is mandatory for all residents and is often provided by your employer.
  • The healthcare system in Dubai offers a mix of public and private hospitals and clinics.
  • • Check out our Dubai Healthcare Guide.

Finance & Banking

  • The currency is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED).
  • There is no personal income tax in Dubai, but you must still declare your tax status in the UK.
  • A valid residence visa and Emirates ID are required to open a bank account.
  • Check out how to open a bank account in Dubai

Daily Life & Culture

  • The official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken.
  • Respect for local laws and customs, based on Islamic tradition, is essential.
  • Your UK driving licence can generally be converted to a UAE licence without a test.
  • For more information about driving check out our Driving in Dubai Guide.

Your Move Packed.
Posted Live on Facebook.

Your life, carefully wrapped, beautifully packed, and protected for the journey ahead.

We are extremely proud of our unique packing process. We are the only moving company in the UK that uses this tried and tested method to ship your treasured personal possessions overseas.

Visit our Facebook page to find a snapshot of each shipment captured as the final pallet is wrapped.