Dubai Cargo Village guideDubai Cargo Village, from our doorstep.
Dubai Cargo Village is the air cargo area of Dubai International Airport (DXB), where dnata and Emirates SkyCargo terminals and forwarders' Freight Gate warehouses handle imports and exports. Airlift Logistics has its office in the dnata building at Freight Gate 4, inside Dubai Airport Free Zone. This guide explains how cargo is delivered, accepted, cleared and collected there.
The DXB cargo area at a glance
The cargo side of one of the world's busiest international airports.
- Airport
- Dubai International, IATA code DXB
- Location
- Al Garhoud, next to the DXB runways
- Opened
- 1991
- Cargo handlers
- dnata (most airlines) and Emirates SkyCargo (Emirates)
- Freight Gates
- Areas for forwarder and agent warehouses
- Next to
- Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA)
- Freighters
- Many freighter flights now use Al Maktoum (DWC)
- Customs
- Dubai Customs airport cargo centre
Air cargo through DXB, step by step
How exports and imports move through Dubai Cargo Village.
- 01
Exports go to the handler's terminal or the forwarder's Freight Gate warehouse before the cut-off.
- 02
Air waybill and checks
Cargo is weighed, screened and accepted against the air waybill.
- 03
dnata handles most airlines; Emirates cargo is handled by Emirates SkyCargo.
- 04
Customs release
Imports are released after the Dubai Customs declaration and payment.
- 05
Collect with a gate pass
Trucks collect released imports from the terminal.
- 06
Some freighter cargo flies from DWC and is trucked from DXB.
Airport customs by route
Dubai Customs controls the airport cargo area. The route depends on the consignee.
| Movement | What happens |
|---|---|
| Import to the mainland | Dubai Customs import declaration, duty and VAT |
| Import to a DAFZA company | Transfer to Dubai Airport Free Zone in bond |
| Export | Export declaration and terminal acceptance |
| Transit | Transit to another airport, port or country without UAE duty |
Our office in the dnata building lets us handle documents and inspections on site.
Before you deliver export cargo to DXB
Cargo that arrives ready is accepted faster and makes its flight.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Booking confirmed | Space is held on a named flight |
| Air waybill details | Shipper, consignee and pieces must match the cargo |
| Labels on every piece | Air waybill number and piece count for handling |
| Dangerous goods papers | Shipper's Declaration and marks if the cargo is regulated |
| Export declaration | Dubai Customs exit clearance |
| Cut-off time | Late cargo moves to the next flight |
Dubai Cargo Village questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsAsk about my cargoIt is beside Dubai International Airport in Al Garhoud. It holds the airport's cargo terminals, run by dnata and Emirates SkyCargo, and the Freight Gate areas used by forwarders. Dubai Airport Free Zone is next door. Airlift Logistics has its office in the dnata building at Freight Gate 4.
- The airport code is DXB.
- Freighters often use DWC instead.
dnata handles cargo for most airlines at DXB. Emirates cargo is handled by Emirates SkyCargo, the airline's cargo division. Both are part of the Emirates Group. Your air waybill shows the airline, which tells you which terminal accepts or releases the cargo. Forwarders deliver and collect on your behalf.
- Check terminal cut-off times.
- Gate passes are needed for trucks.
You need the air waybill and a customs release. Once the flight lands and the cargo is checked in, the forwarder files the Dubai Customs declaration and pays duty and VAT. The terminal then releases the cargo against the air waybill, and a truck collects it with a gate pass.
- Storage charges start after free time.
- DAFZA cargo can move in bond.
A Freight Gate is a numbered area of the cargo village. Each gate has warehouses and offices for forwarders, agents and handlers, where cargo is accepted for export or prepared after import. Airlift Logistics is in the dnata building at Freight Gate 4, which keeps us close to the terminals.
- Ask for the gate when delivering cargo.
- Opening hours vary by warehouse.