Moving to the USA from Dubai — International Removals, CBP Customs & Door-to-Door Delivery

ISF — Importer Security Filing (10+2 Rule)

The ISF is a mandatory US CBP requirement for all ocean freight shipments to the USA. It must be filed by a licensed US customs broker at least 24 hours before the vessel departs the last foreign port of loading — which for Dubai to USA shipments means 24 hours before the ship leaves Jebel Ali. The “10+2” refers to the 10 data elements required from the importer/consignee and 2 elements from the carrier. Key ISF data elements include: seller, buyer, consolidator, importer of record number, consignee number, country of origin, commodity HTSUS number, and bill of lading number.

Penalty for late or missing ISF: USD 5,000 per violation. CBP also has the authority to hold the container at the US port at the importer’s cost pending ISF resolution. Fusion files the ISF via our licensed US customs broker partner as part of every Dubai to USA removal — it is not optional.

CBP Personal Effects & Household Goods Exemption

Used personal effects and household goods imported into the USA by a person who is changing their residence to the USA are eligible for duty-free entry under HTSUS Subheading 9804.00.05 (personal effects) and related provisions. The key document is CBP Form 3299 (Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles).

CBP Form 3299 — Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles

CBP Form 3299 is the primary customs declaration for household goods shipped separately from the owner. It must be completed and signed by the importer and submitted to CBP at the port of entry. Key sections:

• Importer’s personal information and US address
• Nature of residence change — returning US citizen, immigrant, or non-immigrant visa holder
• Evidence of foreign residence — UAE visa, Emirates ID, employer letter
• Description of articles — itemised inventory
• Declaration that goods have been in use for at least 1 year (for personal effects exemption)

Fusion prepares the CBP Form 3299 package in-house on every Dubai to USA move. The form is submitted by our licensed US customs broker at the port of entry.

Visa Category and CBP Documentation

CBP’s household goods exemption applies broadly, but the supporting documentation varies by immigration status:

• Returning US citizens — US passport, declaration of residence abroad (UAE visa / Emirates ID), and CBP Form 3299. Most straightforward category.
• Green card holders (Lawful Permanent Residents) — green card (Form I-551), CBP Form 3299, UAE residence documentation. Duty-free entry applies as for returning citizens for goods owned 1+ year.
• H-1B visa holders — H-1B visa, I-797 Approval Notice, employer offer letter or employment contract, CBP Form 3299. Non-immigrant visa holders are eligible for duty-free personal effects entry during the authorised period of admission.
• L-1 intracompany transferees — L-1 visa, I-797 Approval Notice, employer transfer letter, CBP Form 3299.
• O-1 visa holders — O-1 visa, I-797, agent / employer letter, CBP Form 3299.
• EB-5 immigrant investor visa holders — immigrant visa documentation, CBP Form 3299. Treated similarly to green card holders.

Fusion prepares the correct documentation package for your visa category at survey stage.

USDA APHIS — Agricultural and Plant Biosecurity

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) enforces US agricultural import restrictions. All household goods shipments are subject to APHIS inspection at US ports. Key restrictions for UAE-origin shipments:

• Soil — strictly prohibited
• Live plants — require USDA APHIS permit and phytosanitary certificate from UAE Ministry of Agriculture
• Fresh fruit and vegetables — generally prohibited without specific permits
• Meat, dairy, and animal products from many countries — restricted or prohibited
• Straw, hay, and wooden packing material from certain regions — ISPM 15 heat-treated wood required

Fusion uses ISPM 15-certified heat-treated wooden crates and packaging materials on all USA-bound shipments. Prohibited food and agricultural items are identified and removed at survey stage.

SSN — US Social Security Number

The Social Security Number (SSN) is the primary US personal identifier — required for employment (payroll and tax withholding), opening a US bank account, obtaining a US driving licence, renting property, and most financial and government interactions. New arrivals apply at a Social Security Administration (SSA) office after arriving in the USA with their visa documents. SSNs are typically issued within 2–4 weeks of application. For H-1B and L-1 visa holders, the employer usually assists with SSN application as part of the onboarding process.

US State Driving Licence

The USA has no national driving licence — each of the 50 states issues its own. There is no standard international licence exchange mechanism for UAE licence holders — most states require passing a written and practical driving test to obtain a state licence, regardless of driving experience abroad. Some states have reciprocal agreements with certain countries. Time limits for using a foreign licence in the USA vary by state — typically 30–90 days after establishing residency. Fusion briefs clients on the state-specific driving licence requirements for their destination state.

Vehicles to the USA

Importing a vehicle to the USA is one of the most technically complex vehicle import processes in the world. All vehicles must meet US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and EPA emission standards. UAE-specification vehicles do not meet FMVSS — the cost of modification (including crash-testing in some cases) typically exceeds the value of all but the most high-end vehicles. The only practical exceptions are: vehicles manufactured originally to US specification (some UAE vehicles are US-spec); vehicles over 25 years old (exempt from FMVSS); and vehicles imported on a temporary basis under specific programmes. Fusion advises honestly at survey stage — in most cases, selling the vehicle in the UAE and purchasing in the USA is the correct financial decision. See our Automobile Relocation page.

Pets to the USA

Dogs entering the USA from the UAE must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate. Since October 2024, the CDC has required that dogs entering the USA from countries that are not classified as rabies-free must also meet additional requirements — including being microchipped and having a CDC-approved health screening. The rules have changed in recent years; Fusion advises on current requirements at survey stage. Cats have no federal vaccination requirement for US entry, though state-level requirements vary. Fusion advises at survey stage — see our Pet Relocation page.