Free zone storage
Goods held in a designated free zone under duty suspension — nothing payable while they stay there.
Last reviewed
Air freight · China → UAE
Air freight from China to the UAE — Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where air capacity is among the largest in the world.
Priority and economy air cargo from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 3–6 days. Dubai's air cargo capacity is among the largest globally, so availability is rarely the constraint — the work is chargeable weight, DG screening, and the free-zone-or-mainland structure that decides the duty. We coordinate all three.
3–6 daysdoor-to-door range
Dubai · Abu Dhabidual gateway
Chargeableweight recalculated
Free zoneor mainland coordinated
3–5d
Airport to airport, priority
5–8d
Economy air service
Dubai
world-leading air capacity
5%
duty + VAT on mainland
The decision that sets your duty
Free zone, mainland, or re-export — the UAE question.
Air cargo into the UAE faces the same structural question as sea freight: where do the goods go, and when does duty become payable?
Mainland import
Moving goods to the local market triggers 5% GCC duty and 5% VAT. Importer needs a trade licence and customs code.
Re-export
Cargo passing through to another GCC state, Africa, or the subcontinent under transit procedures.
days
Air freight intake
What an accurate air quote to the UAE needs.
Air prices on chargeable weight. These inputs keep the quote from moving and the structure from surprising you.
| Input | Used for | State |
|---|---|---|
| Carton dimensions and count | Volumetric weight — usually beats gross on air | Critical |
| Gross weight | The other half of chargeable weight | Needed |
| Product description | Classification and DG screening | Needed |
| Battery content | Carrier acceptance and packing declaration | Needed |
| Trade licence + customs code | Required for mainland import | Needed |
| Free zone or mainland decision | Sets the duty position | Critical |
How it works
Four handoffs on one air waybill.
01 — Prepare
Confirm cargo and structure
Dimensions, batteries, classification, and the free-zone-or-mainland position checked before booking.
02 — Collect
Pickup and consolidate
Cartons collected, weighed, measured, and matched to the commercial invoice.
03 — Fly
Uplift and track
Flight milestones and customs status in one thread.
04 — Deliver
Clear and hand over
Declaration, duty and VAT if mainland, then delivery to the zone, warehouse, or onward carrier.
FAQ
Air freight to the UAE FAQ
Transit, the free-zone question, the express crossover, batteries, and re-export.
How long does air freight from China to the UAE take?
Airport to airport is 3–5 days on priority and 5–8 days on economy into Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Door to door runs 4–8 days. Dubai's air cargo capacity is among the largest in the world, so availability is rarely the constraint on this lane.
How does the free-zone-or-mainland question apply to air freight?
Identically to sea freight. Goods held in a designated free zone sit under duty suspension. The moment they move to the mainland, 5% GCC duty and 5% VAT become payable and the importer needs a trade licence and customs code. We confirm the structure before booking.
When is express better than air freight to the UAE?
For door-to-door parcels under roughly 200 kg, express courier is usually cheaper. Above ~200 kg, consolidated air freight wins per kilo. The UAE is a short, well-served air lane, so the crossover is worth checking on every shipment. See our express service.
Can you ship lithium batteries by air to the UAE?
Often, subject to chemistry, watt-hour rating, packing relationship, and carrier policy. UAE carriers have specific lithium battery rules. Send the battery details before booking.
Can you arrange onward air transit from Dubai?
Yes. The UAE is a major re-export hub. Cargo can arrive by air, be held in a free zone, and re-export by air or sea to another market under transit procedures. Tell us the eventual destination up front.
Air freight quote · UAE
Get priority and economy air to the UAE compared in 24 hours.
Send the carton dimensions, weight, UAE destination, and free-zone-or-mainland position. One agent replies with both service levels and the duty structure.
Get priority and economy air to the UAE compared in 24 hours.
Send the carton dimensions, weight, UAE destination, and free-zone-or-mainland position. One agent replies with both service levels and the duty structure.