Shipping from Germany to DubaiShipping from Germany to Dubai, by air and sea.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Germany to Dubai for businesses. We book air cargo from Frankfurt, Munich and Düsseldorf to DXB, and FCL or LCL sea freight from Hamburg and Bremerhaven to Jebel Ali. We check the ATLAS export declaration and any BAFA licence, then clear the goods through Dubai Customs and deliver.
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.
Germany to Dubai at a glance
German machinery, vehicles, chemicals and medical goods reach Dubai by sea from Hamburg and Bremerhaven, while urgent and high-value goods fly from Frankfurt. The German side adds an EU export declaration and, for some goods, a dual-use licence.
- Flight time
- About 6 h Frankfurt to Dubai
- Sea transit
- Roughly 3 to 5 weeks, varies by service
- Export filing
- Electronic declaration via ATLAS with an EORI
- UAE duty
- 5% of CIF value on most goods
Where cargo leaves Germany for Dubai
Pick the gateway closest to the shipper. Southern German cargo is often trucked to Frankfurt, or to Rotterdam and Antwerp by road, rail or barge for sea freight.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | FRA | Germany's largest air cargo hub, with direct flights to Dubai | |
| Airport | MUC | Southern Germany, with flights to Dubai | |
| Airport | DUS | For the Rhine-Ruhr industrial region | |
| Seaport | DEHAM | Germany's largest container port | |
| Seaport | DEBRV | Deep-water container and vehicle port |
Air or sea from Germany
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRA or MUC to DXB | About 1 to 3 days including clearance | Machinery parts, medical goods, urgent goods | |
| Sea freight FCL | Hamburg or Bremerhaven to Jebel Ali | Roughly 3 to 5 weeks port to port | Full containers of machinery and stock |
| Sea freight LCL | German consolidation to Jebel Ali | Varies, via consolidation and a transshipment hub | Smaller loads, from about 1 CBM |
Airlines flying direct from Germany to Dubai
- Emirates SkyCargo
- Lufthansa Cargo
Timings are typical ranges, not promises, and change with schedules and routing. Check the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Export rules in Germany
The German exporter or its representative makes the export declaration. We work from the details your supplier provides.
| Item | In Germany |
|---|---|
| Export declaration | Filed electronically through ATLAS-Ausfuhr with German customs (Zoll) |
| EORI number | A German EORI (starting DE) is needed to declare |
| Export controls | Dual-use goods under EU Regulation 2021/821 and military items need a licence from BAFA, the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control |
| Issued by the local chamber of industry and commerce (IHK), if the buyer asks | |
| Check before booking | Sanctions screening and the exit confirmation used for VAT-free export |
UAE duty on goods from Germany
Dubai Customs charges duty on the CIF value of the goods. Check current rates against your HS code.
| Item | For goods from Germany |
|---|---|
| UAE customs duty | 5% of the CIF value on most goods, set by HS code; some goods are exempt or higher |
| Trade agreement | No UAE trade agreement with Germany or the EU in force that we can confirm |
| 5% on the CIF value plus duty | |
| Free zone option | Goods can move into JAFZA or another free zone without duty until they leave for the mainland |
Airlift Logistics files the import declaration with Dubai Customs and arranges delivery to the mainland, a free zone or re-export. See customs clearance in Dubai.
Approvals for common goods from Germany
Some German goods need a UAE approval before they clear. Ask your buyer to confirm these early.
- 01
Electrical, electronic and machinery products often need an ECAS certificate from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.
- 02
Vehicles and parts
Automotive parts and tyres may need conformity certificates and correct labelling.
- 03
Medicines and devices
Pharmaceuticals and medical products go through the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE).
- 04
Food registration
Food products are registered with Dubai Municipality (Montaji) and must meet UAE label rules.
- 05
TDRA type approval
Radio and telecom equipment needs type approval from the TDRA.
- 06
Chemicals
Chemicals need safety data sheets and correct dangerous goods packing and labels.
Documents for shipping from Germany to Dubai
Send these with your booking. We check that names, values and HS codes match across every document.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Customs value and duty in the UAE | |
| Packing list | Count, weights and marks for inspection |
| Air waybill or bill of lading | Transport contract and cargo release |
| Proves German origin when the buyer or bank asks | |
| Exit proof from the EU, with the MRN | |
| ECAS, EDE or Montaji where they apply |
Licensed goods also need the BAFA licence number on the shipping documents.
What UAE importers buy from Germany
Germany sells the UAE machinery, vehicles, chemicals and medical equipment, though the mix and values change by year.
- 01
Machinery and industrial parts
Engineering equipment and spare parts, by sea or air.
- 02
Vehicles and components
Cars, automotive parts and tyres, mostly by sea.
- 03
Medical and chemical goods
Medical devices, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, with the right documents.
Germany to Dubai shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneGerman exports are declared electronically through ATLAS. The exporter or its representative needs an EORI number starting with DE. Customs issues the export accompanying document and later confirms the exit. Keep the exit confirmation, because it supports the VAT exemption on export.
- Your forwarder can file on your behalf.
- The declaration produces an MRN.
Dual-use goods and military items need a licence. BAFA, the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control, issues it. Typical dual-use examples include certain electronics, chemicals, sensors and machine tools. Check the classification before booking, because licensing can take weeks and shipping without it is an offence.
- Ask your supplier for the control status.
- The licence number goes on the documents.
Hamburg and Bremerhaven are the main German container ports for Gulf cargo. Southern and western shippers also use Rotterdam or Antwerp by road, rail or barge. Compare sailings, transshipment points and cut-off dates before choosing a port, because the nearest port is not always the cheapest.
- We compare sailings from each port.
- LCL is consolidated before sailing.
Emirates and Lufthansa both fly Frankfurt to Dubai. Emirates SkyCargo and Lufthansa Cargo sell the space. Cargo from other German cities is often trucked to Frankfurt first. We compare space, rates and routing for your weight and dimensions before confirming.
- Send weight and dimensions early.
- Dangerous goods need advance approval.