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Shipping Container from Dubai to the UK

Shipping Rates, Companies & Methods

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Welcome aboard! This is your complete guide to streamlining container shipping from Dubai to the UK. Moving internationally can be daunting, but we're here to help. Explore container costs, transit times, and shipment options and get ready for your international move with confidence and ease!

Shipping Costs from Dubai to the UK

We understand that cost considerations often take center stage when planning a move. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all price tag for shipping a container. However, there are two main factors that will help you in determining the cost of your container:

  1. The dimensions: Conventional containers come in two standard sizes. 20 – foot and 40 – foot. 
  2. The type of container: When shipping via sea there are two shipping methods: FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container

20ft Container from Dubai to the UK Cost

Are you asking yourself how much a 20ft container from Dubai to the UK will cost you? Well, we’re here to give you some estimates for both FCL and LCL shipping methods.

✍🏼If you’re looking to ship a FCL container of 20-ft from Dubai to the UK, you can expect rates between AED 7,200 and AED 14,700. To ship an LCL container from Dubai to the UK, shipping companies will quote you between AED 3,600 and 9,200.

40ft container from Dubai to the UK Cost

If you’re planning to ship a larger amount of belongings, then a 40ft container is the best option for you. For a 40ft FCL container, your shipping costs can be estimated between AED 14,000 and AED 26,000. If you want to share a container by using the LCL shipping option, the price of shipping is between AED 9,000 and AED 16,000.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that these ranges are merely estimates. Container shipping rates to the UK regularly fluctuate per season and per carrier.

Extra Shipping Costs

Moving abroad can also involve some extra costs that you might not be aware of. Find out in this section what these extra costs involve.

1. Insurance

We know how precious your belongings are to you, which is why we highly advise you to get an insured. On average we’d estimate your insurance costs to be 1% – 3% of the total value of your belongings. For example, if your belongings are worth AED 150,000, then your insurance would be around AED 1500 – 4500.

2. Extra Services

If you require assistance with packing your boxes, dismantling furniture, or finding storage before your move, shipping companies in Dubai are readily available to provide these services. However, it’s important to note that these services do come at a cost.

✍🏼Make sure you discuss in detail what you need to pay and what is included when talking to your shipping company.

Car Shipping from Dubai to the UK

Are you looking to ship your car with you to your destination? Shipping cars from Dubai to the UK involves three primary methods:

  1. Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo): You will drive onto a ship designed to carry cars and will travel with the car to your destination.
  2. Sea Freight: This method involves putting your car into a shipping container and it being transported on a boat to the final destination.
  3. Air Freight: Your car will be loaded into a cargo air plane and shipped to the end destination.

Each method has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a deeper look into the pros and cons.

RORO (Roll on Roll Off)

✅ Cheapest – Widespread and easy to find – Car is driven onto boat

❌Longest transit time – Can only bring car – Least protected

Sea Freight

✅ Secure and protected from weather and theft – Can bring with your belongings – Increased flexibility

❌ More expensive – Size limitations – Longer transit time

Air Freight

✅ Fastest transit time – Highly secure

❌ Most expensive – Size limitation – Potential Delays

Cost of shipping a car from Dubai to the UK

  How much is to ship a car from Dubai to UK? Lets break down the costs.

  • If you’re choosing the RORO method, the rates will be between AED 3,000 and AED 9,500
  • If you decide to ship your car to the UK via sea freight, the costs involved will be around AED 5,500 and AED 15,000.
  • If you want to send your car via air freight, then your shipping costs are between AED 7,500 and AED 18,500.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that these ranges are merely estimates.

Top Rated Container Shipping Companies

Are you looking for a container shipping company? Here is our top three Dubai to UK shipping companies for your move to the UK.

All these movers are also air freight companies in Dubai. They specialize in FCL and LCL container transport for any of your moving needs. If you want to check out more movers feel free to check our guide on the top 5 villa movers in Dubai.

Container Shipping Sizes and Options

If you’re curious about the container size you need or which option to choose to ship your container from Dubai to the UK, this section of the article has got you covered! By reading it, you’ll have all the info you need to make the right decision.

Container Shipping Sizes

 You may be wondering what size of container you need, or how much stuff you can put into a 20ft or a 40ft container. Keep reading to know exactly which size is ideal for your move.

A 20ft Container from Dubai to the UK

 20ft container can hold around 30-35 cubic meters and is normally suitable for a Dubai apartment of about 1-3 bedrooms.

Size: 6.1m x 2.4m x 2.6m Total volume: 1,179 ft3 (33.0 m³) Total shipping load: 54,783 lbs (24,850 kg)

A 40ft Container from Dubai to the UK

 A 40ft container can hold around 65-75 cubic meters and is normally suitable for a Dubai villa of around 4+ bedrooms.

Size: 12.2m x 2.4m x 2.6m Total volume: 2,714 ft3 (76.0 m³) Total shipping load: 66,577 lbs (30,200 kg).

✍🏼While a 40ft container has twice the volume of a 20ft container, it cannot carry twice the amount of cargo weight due to the weight of the container itself.

Container Shipping Options

When it comes to shipping from Dubai to the UK, understanding the difference between Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) can significantly impact your shipping decisions.

Both methods have their unique advantages and are designed to suit different shipping needs. We have already discussed the cost difference, now let’s look at the other differences.

Less than Container Load

  • Speed: Slower- you need to wait for others.
  • Ideal for: A volume of 15 m³ or less.
  • Cost: Pay for what you use.
  • Security: With more loading and unloading, things can sometimes get damaged or lost.
  • Car Shipping: Not recommended.

Full Container Load

  • Speed: Quicker – Once you’re loaded, it is ready to go.
  • Ideal for: A volume greater than 15 m³.
  • Cost: Pay for the whole container.
  • Security: Once loaded, it will only be opened again when being unloaded.
  • Car Shipping: A car can easily fit with your belongings

Container Arrival Times

When picking your shipping method from Dubai to the UK, it is important to be aware of the difference in delivery time. Delivery from Dubai to UK can vary depending on the method and the amount you need.

  • Sea Freight: If you’re shipping a container from Dubai to the UK via sea freight, delivery time takes between 4 to 8 weeks. This is usually the most popular option.
  • Air Freight: If you’re planning an urgent move from Dubai to the UK, then air freight might be the right shipping method for you. Indeed, shipping a container via air freight takes between 3 and 5 days.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that these times are averages and are subject to change based on external factors.

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of this comprehensive guide to shipping from Dubai to the UK. We hope that this article has made you a logistics mastermind. Naturally, feel free to refer to this article when planning your move and it’ll be a breeze. We wish you the best of luck with shipping your belongings from Dubai to the UK.