Khalifa Port guide for shippersKhalifa Port, Abu Dhabi's gateway.
Khalifa Port is Abu Dhabi's main container port, run by AD Ports Group on an island between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with the UN/LOCODE AEKHL. Airlift Logistics, a Dubai freight forwarder, explains its terminals, the KEZAD economic zone beside it, Abu Dhabi customs, and how to truck cargo between Khalifa Port and Dubai when it is the better port for your shipment.
Khalifa Port at a glance
A deep-water port built to serve Abu Dhabi's industry, with container, general cargo and Ro-Ro terminals.
- Owner
- AD Ports Group
- UN/LOCODE
- AEKHL
- Opened
- 2012
- Container terminals
- Three, run with partner terminal operators
- Location
- Island port in the Taweelah area, between Abu Dhabi city and Dubai
- Next to
- Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD)
- Cargo
- Containers, general cargo, Ro-Ro and project cargo
- Customs
- Abu Dhabi Customs
When this port makes sense
For some cargo, Khalifa Port is a better fit than Jebel Ali. These are the points to weigh.
- 01
Delivery in Abu Dhabi
Cargo for Abu Dhabi, Al Ain or Al Dhafra is often closer to this port.
- 02
Check which lines call here on your service, as not all do.
- 03
Industrial and food cargo can be stored in the economic zone beside the port.
- 04
Road to Dubai
Cargo for Dubai can be trucked from the port under customs transit.
- 05
Imports clear through Abu Dhabi Customs, not Dubai Customs.
- 06
Project cargo
Ro-Ro and general cargo berths handle heavy and outsize items.
Abu Dhabi customs for each route
Abu Dhabi Customs controls the port. The route depends on where the goods are going.
| Movement | What happens |
|---|---|
| Into Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Customs import declaration, duty and VAT |
| Into KEZAD | Entry into the economic zone under its rules |
| To Dubai | Customs transit by road, cleared at destination, or cleared in Abu Dhabi first |
| Re-export | Re-export declaration to another country |
The 5% duty and 5% VAT are the same across the UAE; the clearing authority differs by emirate.
Abu Dhabi or Dubai: port by port
A quick comparison of the two main container ports in the UAE.
| Point | Abu Dhabi port | Jebel Ali |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi | Dubai |
| Owner or operator | AD Ports Group | DP World |
| UN/LOCODE | AEKHL | AEJEA |
| Customs | Abu Dhabi Customs | Dubai Customs |
| Zone next door | KEZAD | Jebel Ali Free Zone |
| Best for | Abu Dhabi deliveries and industry | Dubai deliveries, re-export, most services |
It is in Abu Dhabi, between the city and Dubai. The port is built on an island off the Taweelah coast, about halfway along the road between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The KEZAD economic zone lies on the mainland next to it. Its port code is AEKHL.
- It is run by AD Ports Group.
- It opened in 2012.
Jebel Ali is usually better for Dubai deliveries. It is in Dubai, more shipping lines call there, and Dubai Customs clears the cargo. Khalifa Port can suit cargo for Abu Dhabi, or when a carrier's service only calls there. Cargo can be trucked from there to Dubai under customs transit.
- Compare the total door-to-door cost.
- We check both ports' sailings.
Abu Dhabi Customs clears cargo there. Imports for Abu Dhabi are declared there, with the same 5% duty and 5% VAT as elsewhere in the UAE. Cargo going to Dubai can travel under customs transit and clear in Dubai, or clear in Abu Dhabi before the trip.
- Choose based on where the buyer is.
- KEZAD has its own entry rules.
KEZAD is Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi. It is a group of industrial and logistics zones beside the port, run by AD Ports Group. Companies there use the port for raw materials and exports. It includes free zone areas, where goods can be stored before paying UAE duty.
- Suits food and industrial cargo.
- Check the zone status of each warehouse.