Shipping from Dubai to USAShipping from Dubai to the USA, by air and sea.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Dubai to the USA for businesses. We send air cargo from DXB to New York (JFK), Chicago, Houston, Dallas and Los Angeles, and FCL or LCL sea freight from Jebel Ali to New York, Savannah, Houston and Los Angeles. We help with the ISF filing, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) entry papers and FDA prior notice.
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 USA at a glance
US imports are tightly documented. Air suits parts and high-value goods; sea suits volume, with the ISF filed before the container is loaded in Jebel Ali.
- Flight time
- About 14 h DXB to New York
- Sea transit
- About 4 to 6 weeks, port dependent
- Customs
- CBP, filed in ACE
- Ocean filing
- ISF 24 h before loading
Airports and seaports in USA we ship to
East Coast ports are usually nearest by sea from the Gulf. Cargo for inland states often clears at the port and moves on by rail or truck.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | JFK | John F. Kennedy International, the main East Coast gateway | |
| Airport | ORD | O'Hare International, a major Midwest cargo hub | |
| Airports | IAH · DFW | For Texas and the South | |
| Airport | LAX | For the West Coast | |
| Seaport | USNYC | The largest East Coast container port | |
| Seaports | USSAV · USHOU | For the South-East and the Gulf Coast |
Air, sea to USA
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXB to JFK, ORD, IAH, DFW or LAX | About 2 to 4 days, plus clearance | Parts, samples, electronics, high value | |
| Sea freight FCL | Jebel Ali to New York, Savannah or Houston | About 4 to 6 weeks, routing dependent | Volume stock and heavy goods |
| Sea freight LCL | Jebel Ali consolidation to US ports | Longer than FCL | Smaller loads with flexible dates |
Airlines flying direct from Dubai to USA
- Emirates SkyCargo
Ocean times depend on whether vessels use the Suez Canal or sail round the Cape. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Customs in USA: what the importer needs
The US importer of record, usually through a licensed customs broker, files the entry with CBP. We supply export papers that match it.
| Item | In USA |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
| Declaration | Entry filed in ACE, the Automated Commercial Environment; ISF 10+2 for ocean cargo |
| Importer registration | Importer of record number (IRS or CBP-assigned) and usually a customs bond |
| Duty and tax | Duty by HTSUS code, plus any extra US tariffs in force for UAE-origin goods; no federal VAT |
| Low-value rule | The US$800 de minimis exemption is suspended for imports from all countries |
| Trade agreement | No free trade agreement; the US and UAE have a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement |
US tariffs on UAE goods changed several times in 2025 and 2026. Your broker should confirm the current rate before you price an order.
Approvals to check before booking
Many US agencies regulate imports alongside CBP. Missing approvals are the most common reason for holds.
- 01
Food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices must meet FDA rules; food needs prior notice.
- 02
FCC authorisation
Radio-frequency electronics need FCC equipment authorisation.
- 03
CPSC safety
Consumer products, especially for children, must meet CPSC safety rules.
- 04
Wood packaging
Pallets and crates must be ISPM 15 treated and marked.
- 05
Ocean shipments need Importer Security Filing data 24 hours before loading.
- 06
Forced labour checks
Goods linked to forced labour can be detained under US law.
Documents for shipping to USA
Send these with your booking. For sea freight we collect the ISF data before the container is loaded.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, origin and HS codes |
| Packing list | Pieces, weights and marks for inspection |
| Transport contract and cargo release | |
| Exit clearance from the UAE, filed by us | |
| Ocean security filing before loading | |
| Supports the origin declared to CBP |
Restricted or banned in USA
- Goods made with forced labour
- Counterfeit goods
- Food or drugs not meeting FDA rules
- Goods from sanctioned countries
- Firearms without licences
Origin matters: goods only re-exported through Dubai are assessed on their true country of origin.
What UAE businesses ship to USA
The USA is one of the largest sources of UAE imports, about US$26.4 billion in 2024 (Trading Economics, UN Comtrade). Trade from the UAE to the USA is smaller.
- 01
Aluminium and metals
UAE-made aluminium and metal products by sea.
- 02
Aviation and spare parts
Parts returned or re-exported, usually by air.
- 03
Jewellery and consumer goods
High-value goods by air with insurance.
Dubai to USA shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneSea freight usually takes about four to six weeks. Timing depends on the US port and on whether the vessel uses the Suez Canal or sails round Africa. East Coast ports such as New York and Savannah are often reached first. Air cargo takes about two to four days door to airport.
- ISF must be filed before loading.
- Inland delivery adds rail or truck time.
No, the US$800 de minimis exemption is suspended. It used to let low-value shipments enter the USA without duty. The suspension applies to goods from every country, so even small commercial shipments now need an entry and pay duty. Check current CBP guidance, because rules have changed often since 2025.
- Plan duty into small-parcel pricing.
- A broker can file the entry.
ISF is the Importer Security Filing for ocean cargo. The US importer, or their broker, sends ten data elements to CBP at least 24 hours before the container is loaded in Jebel Ali. The carrier adds two more. We supply the shipper details, seal number and container stuffing location the filing needs.
- It applies to sea, not air.
- Late filing can bring penalties.
No, CBP uses the true country of origin. Goods made in another country and only stored or repacked in Dubai keep their original origin for US duty. That origin decides the tariff rate and any extra duties. Mark the correct origin on the invoice and on the goods themselves.
- Wrong origin can lead to penalties.
- Substantial processing can change origin.