Moving goods between North America and the Middle East takes more than just booking a metal box. Maybe you are moving your whole life to Dubai. Or perhaps you are sending products to Abu Dhabi to grow your business. You need to know how shipping works to save money and sleep better at night.

We will look at container rates and check how long the trip takes. We also cover the rules you need to follow so your items arrive safely.

Where does your cargo start and end its journey?

The link between the US and the UAE is strong for both businesses and people moving houses. You need to know exactly where your stuff leaves and where it arrives to plan well.

US Departure Points

• West Coast: Los Angeles
• East Coast: New York, Miami, Savannah
• Gulf Coast: Houston

US Departure Points

• Jebel Ali and Dubai: Most goods land here.
• Abu Dhabi (Khalifa Port): Good for big industry items.
• Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah: Good for specific local deliveries.

What will you pay to ship a container?

Money is usually the biggest worry for anyone shipping goods. Prices change based on gas costs and the time of year. But seeing average numbers helps you plan.

You have to balance price and distance when looking at container costs. It might seem strange but shipping from the West Coast can cost less per container even though it is farther away. This happens because those trade routes are very busy.

Estimated Ocean Freight Costs

These numbers are just averages and they can change.

Route	20ft Container Cost	40ft Container Cost
Los Angeles to Jebel Ali	About $1,729	About $2,226
New York to Jebel Ali	About $2,626	About $3,684
Houston to Khalifa	About $2,397	About $3,298
Miami to Jebel Ali	About $3,344	About $5,456

If you have enough time then shipping from Los Angeles saves you a lot of money. This is especially true for smaller 20ft containers. But remember that saving money here means your goods spend more time on the ocean.

Should you pick a full container or share the space?

Deciding how much space to book is how you really save your budget. You can choose a FCL (Full Container Load) or a LCL (Less-than-Container Load). A good partner usually suggests the half full rule.

• Choose FCL if your stuff fills more than half of a 20ft container. You should also use this if you want your own private box to stop damage. Sometimes the flat rate is cheaper than paying for shared space even if the container is not full.
  
• Choose LCL if you are shipping small loads like a few pallets or some boxes of personal items. You only pay for the space you take up and you share the container with other people.
  

How do you handle cars and heavy machinery?

Shipping to Jebel Ali or Dubai is not always about cardboard boxes. People in the UAE love American cars and big machines.

Car shipping options

When you import vehicles you have two main choices.

•  Container Shipping is the safest way for expensive or classic cars.
  
• Ro-Ro Service stands for Roll on Roll off. This is the normal way to move working cars. You drive the car onto the ship and park it below the deck. Then you drive it off at the end. It saves money but the car must run.
  

Moving used household items is often tax free but bringing a car is different. You usually have to pay a 5% tax on the value of the car. You must also check the history of the vehicle. The UAE is strict so make sure your papers show the true accident history and any changes made to the car.

How long does your shipment stay on the water?

You need to know when your goods will arrive so you can plan ahead. The time it takes changes based on where the ship leaves from in the US.

•  East Coast to UAE: Ships from NY, Savannah, or Miami take about 3 to 5 weeks.
  
• West Coast to UAE: Ships from Los Angeles take about 5 to 7 weeks
  

Some special routes might go faster but standard ocean shipping usually follows these times. Always check the exact schedule with your partner because delays happen.

How do you get your paperwork right for customs?

Ocean freight to Abu Dhabi or Dubai needs perfect paperwork. Customs officers in the UAE are fast but they follow the rules closely.

• Personal Goods are often duty free if you are moving there to live. You just need the right residence visa and permits.
  
• Commercial Cargo usually has a 5% tax on general goods. You must give them a Commercial Invoice, a Packing List, and a Bill of Lading.
  

What is the best way to plan your move?

A successful shipment comes down to balancing cost against speed and volume. You might grab lower rates from Los Angeles. Or you might need the speed of East Coast departures. The numbers show that planning your container size and choosing the right load type is where you save the most cash.

Dealing with customs rules and price changes is much easier with a freight forwarding partner who knows the area well. We want your cargo to arrive safely and on budget. Chat with us at Three Lines Shipping to plan your next move between the USA and the UAE.