Moving to the UAE: Calculate moving costs for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates
An intercontinental overseas move to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) requires coordinated logistical preparation. In addition to the long transport route across the world’s oceans, complex import processes, entry requirements, and country-specific logistics at the destination need to be considered early. As your experienced moving company for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the other emirates, DACHSER & KOLB supports you throughout all logistical steps of your relocation.
Transparent moving costs to the United Arab Emirates in three short steps: Simply use our online moving cost calculator to quickly and easily calculate your non-binding price for initial orientation.
Calculate UAE moving costs in just a few minutes – how the moving cost calculator works
The total cost of a move to the United Arab Emirates mainly depends on the actual moving volume, the pickup and destination locations, the selected type of transport, and the desired packing and additional services. With our moving cost calculator, you receive a non-binding price based on the first information you provide.
To give you a fair quote for your move overseas, we need a few key details. In the first step, our digital cost calculator asks for only the three most important pricing factors: your current home size, the number of people in your household, and your exact transport route from Austria to the United Arab Emirates.
For your personal price and secure access to your calculation, we then need your contact details. After that, you can flexibly add to and refine your information in your personal dashboard. The price shown serves as an initial guide for your budget planning, while the final detailed coordination takes place with your personal contact.
Your benefits in our personal dashboard at a glance:
- Non-binding price:
You receive a transparent first price for your international move within just a few minutes of entering your details.
- Protected dashboard access:
We use your personal data to create your protected profile so your calculations remain securely stored.
- Flexible refinement:
Add your exact furniture list afterward, completely relaxed, with just a few clicks.
- Request additional services:
Flexibly add options such as your preferred packing service or furniture assembly.
- Direct contact:
Use the direct line to your personal moving expert to fine-tune your quote.
Using the moving cost calculator is free and non-binding and gives you an initial financial orientation for your budget planning.
Your moving company for the United Arab Emirates: DACHSER & KOLB services
Whether you are moving for professional or personal reasons to the economic centers of Dubai or Abu Dhabi, planning a fresh start in Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah, or relocating your life to Ajman, Fujairah, or Umm Al Quwain, a private move to the United Arab Emirates comes with specific requirements due to international transport routes, local customs procedures, and special delivery conditions. For your furniture transport to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the other emirates, DACHSER & KOLB offers a modular service portfolio that can be tailored exactly to your needs:
- Flexible & precise survey:
Free assessment of your household goods on site or a simple digital video survey to determine the exact moving volume.
- Overseas packing suitable for transport:
Professional packing of your belongings by trained staff using special overseas packing materials for the sea route.
- Support with customs-related documents:
Assistance in compiling the required transport-related freight and customs documents for export and import.
- Sea and air freight:
Flexible transport by ship for complete household moves, as well as optional air freight for urgently needed goods.
- Global partner network:
Coordinated handling in the destination country through direct access to DACHSER’s global logistics infrastructure.
- Onward transport in the UAE:
Coordination of transport and unloading from the respective arrival location to your new address, including areas outside the major metropolitan regions.
- Optional assembly services:
Professional dismantling of your furniture in Austria as well as additional skilled trade services at the destination in the UAE by individual arrangement.
Transport solutions for your UAE move: sea freight and air freight
For household goods transport across the world’s oceans, we use standardized sea freight containers for transport to the United Arab Emirates as well as specialized air freight solutions. Depending on the size of your moving goods, your timeline, and your budget, you can choose between two proven logistics options, which can also be combined:
- Sea freight (FCL and LCL) – the central transport route:
For complete household moves to the Emirates, sea freight is often an economically sensible solution. Larger volumes are transported exclusively in a dedicated container (FCL – Full Container Load). This keeps your moving goods clearly assigned, and the container is not shared with third-party part loads. For smaller quantities, we pack your moving goods in robust overseas crates and ship them as LCL sea freight to the UAE in shared container space.
- Air freight – for urgently needed items:
If certain items such as work materials, clothing, or important documents need to be available directly after your arrival in the UAE, air transport is a suitable option. Air freight moves urgent items within short time frames and is especially useful as a supplement to sea freight.
| Transport solution |
Suitable for
|
Special feature
|
|---|---|---|
| FCL sea freight | Larger household volumes; extensive moving goods | Dedicated container without third-party part loads |
| LCL sea freight | Smaller moving volumes; individual pieces of furniture | Shared container space, part load to the UAE |
| Air freight | Urgently needed items; documents | Short transport time by air |
| Combination | Household goods plus starter setup | Combine sea and air freight |
Your UAE move process: 6 steps to your destination
To ensure your household goods arrive safely at your new home, every intercontinental international move follows a structured and proven logistics process for overseas shipping:
Calculate UAE moving costs:
You start directly online in our three-step moving cost calculator, enter your key details, and receive your non-binding price for first orientation within just a few minutes.
Record moving volume:
In the unlocked dashboard, you can refine your information afterward at your own pace or use our digital volume consultation to determine your household goods precisely.
Select transport solution:
Together with our international moving experts, you choose the right type of transport, such as an exclusive sea container, partial sea freight, or a combination with fast air freight.
Coordinate quote and dates:
You receive your binding fixed-price quote. We then coordinate the planned dates for pickup, shipment, and delivery with you.
Packing, transport, and customs preparation:
Our team packs your moving goods for overseas transport, prepares the shipment for the selected type of transport, and supports you with the transport-related documents for export from Austria and import into the United Arab Emirates.
Delivery in the UAE:
After customs release at the arrival location, our network coordinates onward transport and unloading at your new address.
Moving to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates: local delivery
When moving to the United Arab Emirates, planning does not end when the shipment arrives at the port or airport. Depending on the transport route, responsible emirate, and final destination address, different customs, inland transport, and delivery processes may be required.
For shipments to Dubai, the port of Jebel Ali is often relevant. For a move to Abu Dhabi, transport planning may, for example, take place via Khalifa Port. The actual arrival location is determined as part of the specific route and shipment planning.
Especially in high-rise buildings, apartment complexes, and gated communities, property management may set its own rules for moving in. These may include move-in permits, reserved delivery time slots, elevator bookings, or security registrations. These requirements should be clarified with the relevant building or community management before delivery.
Important planning factors for delivery:
- distance from the respective port or airport to the destination address
- responsible emirate and specific transport route
- traffic and access conditions at the destination
- move-in permit or approval from property management
- reservation of freight elevators and delivery zones
- specified move-in and delivery times
- possible temporary storage or delivery with smaller vehicles
- extreme heat and correspondingly coordinated working and delivery times
Customs clearance and residence documents for the UAE: What you need to know
When moving from Austria to the United Arab Emirates, both export from the customs territory of the European Union and import into the UAE must be prepared. The import of personal moving goods is governed by the applicable customs regulations and the specific clearance location. Depending on whether the shipment is imported via Dubai or Abu Dhabi, for example, the respective competent customs authority must be involved. A complete packing list and coordinated transport, identity, and residence documents are therefore especially important for planning.
Important planning note: Certain items may not be imported into the UAE or may only be imported with prior approval. These may include controlled medication, plants, food, certain media products, or technical devices. You should therefore declare potentially approval-relevant items early and in full so that it can be clarified before packing whether special permits or proof are required.
Customs clearance for personal moving goods
Used personal belongings and household goods may be cleared as private moving goods under certain conditions. The shipment must be clearly assignable to private use and must not appear commercial in terms of type or quantity.
Depending on the responsible emirate and the specific clearance route, the required documents may include in particular a copy of the passport, residence documents, a complete packing and inventory list, and the respective freight papers. The shipment should be issued in the name of the importing or relocating person.
New or unused items, larger quantities of similar goods, and items with possible resale character must be declared separately and may be subject to duties. Which documents, permits, or duties are required in the specific case should be clarified for the respective route before shipping.
DACHSER & KOLB supports you within the agreed scope of services in preparing the transport-related documents and coordinates the process with the international partner network.
Residence documents and shipment timing
For customs clearance, your identity and residence documents must match the specific shipment and selected import route. Depending on the responsible emirate and the status of the residence procedure, a copy of the passport, valid residence permit or residence visa, Emirates ID, or supplementary evidence may be required in particular.
Because the residence permit and Emirates ID may be issued in sequence, shipping should not be planned solely on the assumption that all documents will be available immediately after entry. Your personal contact coordinates with the local partner to determine which shipping and clearance timing fits the documents required for your shipment.
Transport consulting does not replace individual legal advice on visas or residence law. Separate support options can be reviewed for organizational relocation services if needed.
Perfectly prepared: Important checklists for moving abroad
In addition to transporting your household goods, starting fresh in the Emirates requires early organization of official, financial, and family-related matters. Because regulations in the destination country can change at short notice, our expert guide supports you with the first steps:
- Moving to the UAE:
Initial information on cost of living, housing market, health insurance, bank accounts, and everyday life can be found in the country profile Moving to the United Arab Emirates.
- Moving with pets:
Information on microchips, vaccinations, import permits, and health certificates for dogs or cats can be found directly in the section Moving to the UAE with pets.
Calculate your price now
Plan your move to the UAE with an initial financial orientation. Use our online calculator to determine your non-binding price in just a few minutes and unlock your personal dashboard for detailed transport planning.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Your UAE Move
How much does it cost to move from Austria to the United Arab Emirates?
The total cost of an intercontinental overseas move mainly depends on the exact transport volume in cubic meters, the selected transport route, whether sea or air freight, and the distance to the final Emirati destination. After the detailed volume check and service coordination, you receive your binding fixed-price quote.
How long does furniture transport by sea container to Dubai or Abu Dhabi take?
The exact transport duration depends heavily on the selected destination, the official customs processes, and the subsequent inland transport. Shipping by sea freight requires significantly more lead time than air freight, but for larger household volumes it is often an economically sensible solution. We coordinate the specific time frame for your route with you individually as part of the detailed transport planning.
Do I have to declare my household goods to customs in the UAE?
Yes. Personal moving goods must be declared to customs when imported into the UAE. Which documents are required and whether customs relief may apply depends, among other things, on the responsible emirate, your residence status, and the type, quantity, condition, and private use of the items. New or commercially appearing goods must be declared separately. DACHSER & KOLB supports you in preparing the transport-related documents.
What should be considered for new goods or commercial quantities?
New items, larger quantities of similar goods, or goods with clear resale character may be treated differently from used personal household goods and may be subject to duties or approval requirements. You should therefore list such items separately on the packing list and keep any available purchase or value documentation ready.
Do I need a move-in permit for delivery in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
That depends on the building or respective community. Especially in high-rise buildings, apartment complexes, and gated residential communities, prior approval from property management, a reserved time slot, an elevator booking, or security registration may be required. Clarify the requirements whenever possible before scheduling delivery.
Can DACHSER & KOLB also organize my return move from the UAE?
A return move from the United Arab Emirates to Austria can also be individually planned and coordinated through our international partner network. Contact us so we can review the transport-related requirements for your return move.
Is the calculation in the moving cost calculator free and non-binding?
Yes. Using the moving cost calculator is free and non-binding. It is designed to provide a non-binding price for your budget planning in just a few steps, without first having to arrange a personal consultation appointment.
How does the online price become a binding fixed-price quote?
Directly after your online entry, you receive access to your personal dashboard. There, you can add to your information, enter your furniture list, and request desired additional services. After the detailed volume check and service coordination, your personal contact prepares your binding fixed-price quote.
Calculate costs for your UAE move online now
Plan your relocation to the United Arab Emirates with an initial financial orientation. Use our online calculator to determine your non-binding price in just a few steps and unlock your personal dashboard.
Your personal contact for moving to UAE move
Do you have questions about the exact process, need support with container planning, or want to request personal advice? Our air and sea freight specialist is here to support you with expertise and practical assistance:
