Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About Moving from Dubai
Answers to the most common questions about international moving from Dubai — covering customs, costs, timing, documentation, and what to expect at every stage. If your question is not here, our team responds within 2 hours.
Costs & Quotes
How Much Does It Cost to Move from Dubai?
The most common question — and the one with the most variables. Here is what drives the cost of an international move from Dubai.
The cost of a Dubai to UK move depends on three main factors: shipment volume (cubic metres), shipping method (full container load, shared container, or air freight), and destination address in the UK. As a rough guide, a 1-bedroom apartment typically ranges from AED 8,000–15,000 for a shared container; a 3-bedroom villa ranges from AED 18,000–35,000 for a full 20ft container. These figures include packing, UAE export, ocean freight to Felixstowe or Southampton, UK customs clearance (with HMRC ToR01 prepared by Fusion), and door-to-door delivery. An accurate written quote requires a survey of your Dubai home — Fusion provides this free with no obligation.
A Dubai to Australia move is typically AED 12,000–20,000 for a 1-2 bedroom apartment via shared container, and AED 25,000–50,000 for a 3-4 bedroom household via full 20ft container. Key cost factors: the significantly longer sea transit (approximately 20–28 days via shared, 28–35 days via full container), mandatory DAFF biosecurity inspection at the Australian port (typically AUD 300–600), and potential fumigation costs if you have cane, bamboo, or rattan furniture. Fusion assesses biosecurity risk items at survey stage so there are no surprises.
Dubai to Canada moves typically range from AED 10,000–18,000 for a 1-2 bedroom via shared container to AED 22,000–45,000 for a 3-4 bedroom household. Vancouver and Montreal are the main arrival ports — Fusion selects the best routing based on your Canadian delivery address. All quotes include packing, UAE export, ocean freight, CBSA BSF186 customs declaration, and door-to-door delivery.
Dubai to USA moves range from approximately AED 10,000–18,000 for a 1-2 bedroom shipment to AED 24,000–50,000 for a larger household. Port routing (Los Angeles, New York, Houston) affects transit time and cost. ISF (Importer Security Filing) must be submitted 24 hours before loading at Jebel Ali — Fusion handles this as standard. All quotes include CBP Form 3299 customs preparation.
Every Fusion written quote includes: professional packing at your Dubai address using FIDI-standard materials, all packing materials (cartons, tissue paper, furniture blankets, specialist crating where required), UAE export documentation and customs declaration, transport to Jebel Ali port, ocean freight to the destination port, destination customs clearance documentation (exemption form prepared by our licensed broker), and door-to-door delivery to your new address. Storage at either end, pet relocation, vehicle shipping, and fine arts handling are quoted separately if required.
The written quote issued after a physical survey is a fixed price based on the actual volume assessed. If additional items are added to the shipment after the survey (items not present at time of survey, items purchased after the survey), these are assessed and quoted additionally before packing day. Fusion does not issue surprise additional charges after delivery.
Customs & Duty
Do I Have to Pay Customs When Moving from Dubai?
The customs duty exemption is one of the most valuable and most misunderstood aspects of an international move. Here is how it works for the most common destinations.
No — if you qualify for HMRC Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief. UK import VAT is 20%, so on a typical 3-bedroom household this saves AED 40,000–80,000. To qualify: you must have lived outside the UK continuously for at least 12 months, goods must have been in your personal use for at least 6 months, and the HMRC ToR01 form must be submitted before or at the time your goods arrive at the UK port. Fusion prepares and submits the ToR01 in-house on every Dubai to UK move. New items, vehicles, and alcohol do not qualify and attract standard UK import VAT.
No — if you qualify for ABF Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief. Australian GST is 10%. To qualify: you must be permanently relocating to Australia and hold a qualifying visa or citizenship, goods must have been in personal use before the move. The B534 Unaccompanied Personal Effects declaration must be lodged before goods arrive at the Australian port. Separate from customs, all shipments undergo mandatory DAFF biosecurity inspection. Items with cane, bamboo, rattan, or organic materials may require fumigation treatment (additional cost). Fusion handles the B534 and manages the DAFF process.
No — if you qualify for the EU Regulation 1186/2009 Hausrat (removal goods) exemption. German import VAT (MwSt) is 19%. To qualify: you must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 continuous months, goods must have been owned and in personal use for at least 6 months. The Umzugsgut declaration must be submitted before or at time of import. Fusion submits through our licensed Zollspediteur via the ATLAS customs system. The same EU exemption framework applies to France (franchise de déménagement, 20% TVA) and other EU destinations.
No — if you qualify for the CBSA personal effects exemption via the BSF186 form. Canadian import duty and GST/HST are waived on goods owned before arrival in Canada. The critical requirement: all goods still in transit must be listed as ‘Goods to Follow’ on the BSF186 before they arrive at the Canadian port. Failing to list goods to follow is the most common Canada customs mistake — it results in full duty and GST being assessed. Fusion lodges the BSF186 through our Canadian customs broker before goods leave Jebel Ali.
The following are excluded from personal effects customs exemptions in most countries: motor vehicles (separate duty and compliance requirements apply), alcohol and tobacco above personal allowances, new items purchased specifically for the move and not previously used, commercial goods, and items in original retail packaging. CITES-regulated items (ivory, certain exotic skins, coral) require advance permits regardless of exemption status. Fusion screens every inventory for excluded items at survey stage.
Goods arriving at a destination port without the correct customs documentation are assessed at standard commercial duty and tax rates. Submitting documentation after goods arrive — even by one day in the case of HMRC ToR — can forfeit the exemption entirely. In more serious cases, CBSA or CBP may select goods for examination and assess penalties for undeclared or misdeclared items. Fusion submits all customs documentation before goods leave Jebel Ali precisely to avoid this.
Transit Times & Timing
How Long Does It Take to Move from Dubai?
Transit times vary significantly by destination and shipping method. Here are realistic timelines for the most common routes.
Door-to-door transit for a Dubai to UK sea freight move is typically 5–7 weeks from packing day to delivery. This breaks down as: packing and loading at your Dubai home (1 day), transport to Jebel Ali and export clearance (3–5 days), sea transit from Jebel Ali to Felixstowe or Southampton (approximately 18–22 days via direct service, or 25–30 days via transhipment), UK port arrival and HMRC customs clearance (5–10 working days), and road delivery from the UK port to your address. Air freight is 5–10 working days door-to-door but costs significantly more.
Dubai to Australia sea freight is typically 8–11 weeks door-to-door. Sea transit alone is 20–28 days to Sydney or Melbourne via shared container, or 28–35 days full container. Add packing, export clearance, ABF customs clearance (1–3 working days), and mandatory DAFF biosecurity inspection (1–3 working days, plus treatment time if required). The DAFF inspection is the biggest variable — if fumigation is required, add 2–5 days. Fusion assesses biosecurity risk at survey stage to minimise treatment delays.
Dubai to Vancouver is approximately 7–9 weeks door-to-door by sea. Dubai to Montreal (for Ontario and eastern Canada) is approximately 6–8 weeks. Sea transit to Vancouver is approximately 25–30 days; to Montreal approximately 20–25 days. Add packing, export clearance, and CBSA customs clearance (2–5 working days after vessel arrival). Fusion selects port routing based on your Canadian delivery address.
Dubai to Los Angeles is approximately 6–8 weeks door-to-door. Dubai to New York is approximately 5–7 weeks. Sea transit to LA is approximately 22–28 days; to New York approximately 18–24 days. CBP customs clearance typically takes 3–7 working days after vessel arrival. Note: ISF must be filed 24 hours before loading at Jebel Ali — Fusion does this as standard on every USA shipment.
For a standard household move, booking 6–8 weeks before your ideal packing date gives the best results. This allows time for the pre-move survey, quote confirmation, customs documentation preparation, and optimal shipping line selection. For moves involving pets, vehicles, or fine arts, start the process earlier: pet moves to Australia require 6–12 months minimum preparation time. For urgent moves with shorter notice, contact Fusion immediately — we will assess what is achievable and advise honestly on options.
Yes — split shipments combining air freight (for urgent items like clothing, electronics, children’s essentials) with sea freight (for furniture and bulk household goods) are common. Each consignment requires its own customs documentation but can reference the same exemption application. Fusion coordinates multi-consignment moves as standard and manages documentation for both shipments simultaneously.
The Moving Process
What Happens During a Fusion Move?
What to expect from survey to delivery — the questions clients ask most often about the move process itself.
A Fusion surveyor visits your Dubai home and assesses every room. They note the volume of goods to be moved, identify any items requiring specialist handling (artwork, large furniture, fragile items), flag any items that cannot be shipped or may cause customs issues at the destination, and take photographs for the packing plan. The survey takes 45–90 minutes depending on home size. Based on the survey, a written quote is issued within 2 hours. If you prefer, a video survey via WhatsApp is available.
Yes — the homeowner or an authorised representative must be present throughout packing day. You will need to confirm which items are going, which are staying, and direct the crew on any special handling requirements. You will also need to sign the packing inventory at the end of packing day — this document forms the basis of the customs declaration.
Fusion’s packing crew uses FIDI-standard double-wall export cartons, acid-free tissue paper for fragile items, furniture blankets for all upholstered pieces, and bubble wrap for ceramics, glass, and electronics. Every item is wrapped individually and packed to FIDI standards. Specialist items (artwork, mirrors, marble, large furniture) are custom-crated. Nothing is packed in straw or organic materials — all packing materials are ISPM 15-compliant for destinations with biosecurity requirements.
After packing, your goods are loaded into a sealed container and transported to Jebel Ali Port. UAE customs export clearance is completed and the container is loaded onto the vessel. Fusion tracks the vessel from Jebel Ali to the destination port and receives notification of arrival. The container then goes to customs clearance and, for Australia, to the DAFF biosecurity inspection facility. Once cleared, it is transported by road to your new address. Your coordinator updates you at each milestone.
Yes — Fusion offers storage at both the Dubai origin and at destination. Dubai storage is in climate-controlled, secure facilities. Destination storage is arranged through Fusion’s partner network in each country — BAR-accredited UK facilities, licensed Australian storage, bonded Canadian warehouse storage, etc. Storage is planned at survey stage — not arranged as a last-minute emergency. If your UK property completion is delayed or your Australian tenancy start date changes, your coordinator manages the storage transition.
All Fusion shipments are covered by all-risks marine insurance arranged through Lloyd’s-approved underwriters. The insurance covers your goods from the moment packing begins until delivery is complete at the destination. The premium is typically 1.5–2.5% of the declared replacement value of goods. Fusion arranges the insurance as part of the standard move process — you declare the replacement value at survey stage and the premium is included in the quote.
Specialist & Complex Moves
Pets, Vehicles, Artwork & Other Specialist Questions
These are the questions Fusion receives most often about moves that involve more than standard household goods.
Yes. The UK requires: ISO-standard microchip, valid rabies vaccination (administered after microchipping), and an official UK AHC (Animal Health Certificate) from an APHA-authorised veterinarian within 10 days of travel. Dogs from the UAE do not require a blood titre test for UK entry. No quarantine if requirements are met. Fusion’s pet relocation team manages the full documentation process and coordinates with the APHA-authorised vet. The earlier you start the process, the smoother the move.
Yes, but Australia has the world’s strictest pet import requirements and the process takes a minimum of 6–12 months. Requirements include: ISO microchip, approved rabies vaccination, rabies titre test (blood test showing satisfactory antibody levels, taken at least 180 days before travel), Australian import permit, and mandatory 10-day quarantine at the DAFF Post Entry Quarantine facility in Mickleham, Victoria. Contact Fusion’s pet team as early as possible — the titre test timeline is the critical constraint.
Yes. UK vehicles must be right-hand drive — UAE vehicles are, which helps. A valid UK Certificate of Conformity (CoC) or DVLA individual vehicle approval is required. HMRC ToR relief does NOT cover vehicles — standard UK import duty (currently 6.5% for UAE-origin vehicles) and 20% VAT apply unless the vehicle qualifies for a separate exemption. Fusion advises honestly on the total import cost vs selling in Dubai. Most clients sell their UAE vehicle and purchase in the UK.
Yes, but it requires separate approval from the Department of Infrastructure (RA approval) — a process typically taking 3–6 months. UAE vehicles are right-hand drive (which helps with Australian compliance) but must still meet Australian Design Rules (ADR). ToR relief does not cover vehicles. Fusion’s automobile team manages the RA approval process and coordinates full documentation.
Fusion’s fine arts team handles artwork, antiques, sculptures, and high-value decorative items separately from standard household goods. This includes: specialist crating designed for the specific piece, Lloyd’s-approved fine arts insurance at declared value, CITES documentation for items containing regulated materials (ivory frames, coral, certain animal products), and coordination with destination art handling specialists. Items valued above approximately AED 100,000 individually are surveyed by the fine arts team rather than the standard packing crew.
Fusion cannot ship: controlled drugs and narcotics, firearms without appropriate destination import licences, child exploitation material, counterfeit goods, items under international trade sanctions, live animals (managed separately via the pet relocation service), hazardous materials (certain chemicals, flammable liquids, pressurised gas canisters), and commercial quantities of food or plant material. Items in a grey area — certain medications, CITES items, high-value collectibles — are assessed at survey stage and the correct documentation process is put in place before shipping.
Still Have Questions?
Talk to a Move Specialist.
Our team responds to all enquiries within 2 hours. No obligation — just straightforward answers from people who manage international moves from Dubai every day.
