Frequently asked questions

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 ToR1 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, 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.

Every Fusion written quote includes: professional packing at your Dubai address using professional-grade 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

A Dubai to UK sea freight move 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 (typical times are on our destinations overview), UK port arrival and HMRC customs clearance (5–10 working days), and road delivery from the UK port to your address. Air freight is faster but costs significantly more.

Sea freight runs from Jebel Ali to Sydney or Melbourne; typical sea transit times are on our destinations overview. 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.

Sea freight runs to Vancouver for western Canada, or to Montreal for Ontario and eastern Canada; typical sea transit times are on our destinations overview. 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.

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

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.

Fusion can ship a car from Dubai to the UK by RoRo where the route offers it, or in a container, and handles the UAE side — export clearance, RTA deregistration and the export certificate. UAE cars are left-hand drive, and the UK drives on the left. Whether your particular car can be imported and registered in the UK, and at what cost, depends on the vehicle and your circumstances — we check the UK’s current rules for it at survey, before you commit to shipping it. See our Automobile Relocation page.

Fusion can ship a car from Dubai to Australia by RoRo where the route offers it, or in a container, and handles the UAE side — export clearance, RTA deregistration and the export certificate. UAE cars are left-hand drive, and Australia drives on the left. Whether your particular car can be imported and registered in Australia, and at what cost, depends on the vehicle and your circumstances — we check Australia’s current rules for it at survey, before you commit to shipping it. See our Automobile Relocation page.

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?