Air and sea freight from Finland to the United Arab Emirates

Which airports and ports in the UAE do you ship to?

• Air: Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) are the main cargo airports, together with Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Sharjah (SHJ). We route either via a European hub or on a service to the Gulf, chosen by price, capacity and schedule. From the airport we deliver to all seven emirates.
• Sea: Jebel Ali in Dubai is the main container port. Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi and the Sharjah ports also have regular services. Full containers (FCL) and smaller shipments (LCL) both work.
• Free zones: deliveries to companies in free zones such as JAFZA or Dubai Airport Freezone are cleared under the free zone’s own procedure.

How long does freight from Finland to the UAE take?

Indicative, updated 14 October 2026. Times run from handover in Finland and assume complete documents. Customs in the UAE is not included.

What the UAE requires on the documents

UAE customs works electronically and is usually quick when the documents are right. Before shipping we check that:

• The consignee can import: it holds a trade licence and a customs registration (importer code) in the emirate of clearance, or is a free zone company. The consignee details are the same on the commercial invoice, packing list and waybill.
• The invoice is complete: full goods description, HS code, quantity, unit price, total value, currency, Incoterm, country of origin, gross and net weight. The buyer may also ask for a certificate of origin; the broker confirms whether any document needs to be certified or legalised.
• Approvals are in place for regulated goods, for example food, cosmetics, medicines and medical devices, telecom and wireless equipment, chemicals and some consumer products. The buyer arranges them before the goods leave.
• Wooden packaging is ISPM 15 treated and marked.
• Dangerous goods and lithium batteries are classified and packed under the IATA DGR before booking. Dangerous goods

Export from Finland and EU sanctions checks

A shipment to the UAE leaves the EU, so it needs an export declaration. Send us the commercial invoice, packing list and your EORI number. Dual-use goods need an export licence from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland before shipping.

The UAE is one of the countries the EU watches for circumvention of its Russia sanctions. In practice:

• “No re-export to Russia” clause: if you sell goods on the EU’s lists of sanctioned or common high-priority items, such as many electronic components, machinery parts and some industrial goods, your contract with the UAE buyer must forbid re-export to Russia and Belarus.
• End-use checks: we ask who the end user is and what the goods are for. A new buyer, an unusual product for its business, or a request to ship on to another country is a reason to check further before shipping.
• We do not ship to, from or through Russia or Belarus.

Once the goods have left the EU, Finnish Customs confirms the export. Keep that confirmation: it proves the sale is zero-rated for VAT.

Duties and trade agreements

The UAE applies the Gulf countries’ common customs tariff, usually 5% on the CIF value for most goods, plus 5% VAT. Some goods are exempt and some, such as alcohol and tobacco, pay more. No EU–UAE free trade agreement is in force, so there is no preferential duty for EU goods. The buyer’s broker confirms the exact duty from the HS code. Foreign trade consulting

Common problems on the UAE lane, and how we avoid them

1. The consignee is not registered to import in the emirate of arrival: clearance stops. We confirm the importer code or free zone status before booking.
2. A missing approval for regulated goods: the goods arrive but cannot be released. We ask the buyer to confirm approvals before the goods leave.
3. No re-export clause or unclear end use: the export can be held for checks in Finland. We ask for the end user and contract terms up front.
4. Goods booked into the wrong free zone or mainland address: the clearance procedure changes and costs rise. We confirm the exact delivery address and its customs status.

How it works

1. Send the pickup address, destination, goods description, dimensions, weights, Incoterm and end user.
2. You get a price, routing and transit time.
3. We collect the goods, check the documents and sanctions points, and clear export in Finland.
4. You get the AWB or B/L number for tracking.
5. Our partner clears import in the UAE and delivers.

Updated 14 October 2026 · Reviewed by Artem Tchervonni, Managing Director