Shipping from Dubai to IraqShipping from Dubai to Iraq, by sea and air.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Dubai to Iraq for businesses. We ship FCL and LCL sea freight from Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr, and fly air cargo from DXB to Baghdad, Basra and Erbil. Iraq is one of the largest re-export markets from Dubai, and we check the Iraqi conformity certificate and customs documents before your cargo leaves.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Dubai to Iraq at a glance
Iraq is one of the UAE's top export markets. Most containers go by sea to Umm Qasr; urgent goods fly to Baghdad, Basra or Erbil.
- Flight time
- About 2.5 h DXB to Baghdad
- Sea
- Short sailing Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr
- Customs
- General Commission of Customs
- Pre-shipment
- Conformity certificate for many goods
Airports and seaports in Iraq we ship to
Cargo for Baghdad and the centre usually lands at Umm Qasr and moves north by road. The Kurdistan Region has its own customs arrangements.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaport | IQUQR | Iraq's main container port, near Basra | |
| Airport | BGW | Baghdad International | |
| Airport | BSR | For southern Iraq | |
| Airport | EBL | For the Kurdistan Region |
Air, sea to Iraq
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea freight FCL | Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr | Short sailing, plus clearance and trucking | Building materials, food, stock |
| Sea freight LCL | Jebel Ali consolidation to Umm Qasr | Longer than FCL | Smaller loads |
| DXB to BGW, BSR or EBL | Same or next day, plus clearance | Phones, parts, urgent goods |
Airlines flying direct from Dubai to Iraq
- Emirates SkyCargo
- flydubai
- Iraqi Airways
Inland trucking from Umm Qasr adds time; we plan it with the booking. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Customs in Iraq: what the importer needs
Iraqi importers clear goods with Iraqi customs through a licensed broker; many goods also need a conformity certificate issued before shipment.
| Item | In Iraq |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | General Commission of Customs, Iraq |
| Declaration | Import declaration with a licensed customs broker |
| Importer registration | Iraqi commercial registration and importer licence |
| Duty and tax | Duty by the Iraqi tariff, plus other import charges set by the authorities |
| Trade agreement | Iraq and the UAE are GAFTA members: qualifying Arab-origin goods can enter duty-free |
The Kurdistan Region applies its own customs procedures at its entry points.
Approvals to check before booking
Iraq's conformity programme is the most important step for many products.
- 01
Regulated products need a certificate of conformity from an approved inspection agency before shipment.
- 02
Health products
Medicines and medical devices need Ministry of Health approval.
- 03
Food imports
Food needs health checks and labelling.
- 04
A certificate of Arab origin can remove duty on qualifying goods.
- 05
Cargo for Erbil and the north follows regional procedures.
- 06
Matching documents
Invoices, certificates and declarations must match.
Documents for shipping to Iraq
Send these with your booking. The conformity certificate must be issued before the cargo sails.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, parties and HS codes |
| Packing list | Pieces, weights and marks for inspection |
| Transport contract and cargo release | |
| Exit clearance from the UAE, filed by us | |
| Iraqi pre-shipment conformity | |
| Supports GAFTA treatment |
Restricted or banned in Iraq
- Regulated goods without a conformity certificate
- Medicines without approval
- Counterfeit goods
- Weapons without a permit
- Narcotics
Rules can change at short notice; ask us before shipping unusual goods.
What UAE businesses ship to Iraq
Iraq took about US$33 billion of UAE exports in 2024, one of the UAE's largest markets (Trading Economics, UN Comtrade). Values include gold and oil.
- 01
Building materials
Construction supplies and equipment.
- 02
Food and consumer goods
FMCG and food stock.
- 03
Electronics and phones
IT and consumer electronics.
Dubai to Iraq shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneIt sails to Umm Qasr, then goes north by road. Umm Qasr near Basra is Iraq's main container port and a short sailing from Jebel Ali. After clearance, trucks carry the cargo to Baghdad and other cities. Urgent goods can fly directly from DXB to Baghdad.
- Plan inland trucking with the booking.
- Erbil is served by air.
It is Iraq's pre-shipment proof that products meet standards. Under the COSQC programme, approved inspection agencies check regulated products before they leave Dubai and issue a certificate of conformity. Goods arriving without one can be held or fined. Arrange the inspection before loading the container.
- Check if your product is regulated.
- Certificates are issued per shipment or product.
Yes, the Kurdistan Region has its own procedures. Cargo for Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and the north is often flown to Erbil International Airport or trucked to the region. Its entry points apply regional customs arrangements. Confirm with the importer where the goods will be cleared before shipping.
- flydubai serves several Iraqi cities.
- Documents must name the right consignee.
Goods of Arab origin may enter duty-free under GAFTA. Iraq and the UAE are both members of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area. Goods made elsewhere and re-exported from Dubai pay Iraqi duty and other import charges. A certificate of origin supports the claim.
- The broker confirms the charges.
- Conformity rules still apply.