Shipping from Hong Kong to DubaiShipping from Hong Kong to Dubai, by air and sea.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Hong Kong to Dubai for businesses. We book air cargo from Hong Kong International Airport to DXB, and FCL and LCL sea freight from the Kwai Tsing terminals to Jebel Ali. We check the Trade Declaration, certificate of origin and any strategic commodities licence, then file the UAE import declaration 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.
Hong Kong to Dubai at a glance
Hong Kong is a free port, so goods leave without export duty. Air cargo is the usual choice for electronics and high-value goods.
- Flight time
- About 8 h Hong Kong to Dubai
- Sea transit
- About 15 to 25 days to Jebel Ali
- Export filing
- Trade Declaration to C&SD
- UAE duty
- 5% on most goods, on CIF value
Where cargo leaves Hong Kong for Dubai
Pick air or sea by value and urgency. A large share of Hong Kong cargo is re-exported from mainland China and keeps its Chinese origin.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | HKG | Hong Kong International Airport on Chek Lap Kok, a major air cargo hub | |
| Seaport | HKHKG | The main container terminals of Hong Kong, at Kwai Chung | |
| Road | N/A | Many goods arrive by truck from Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta | |
| Seaport | HKHKG | Victoria Harbour, with feeders and ocean services |
Air or sea from Hong Kong
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| HKG to DXB | Next day to 3 days, plus clearance | Electronics, jewellery, samples, high-value goods | |
| Sea freight FCL | Kwai Tsing to Jebel Ali | About 15 to 25 days port to port | Full containers of goods and materials |
| Sea freight LCL | Hong Kong consolidation to Jebel Ali | Varies, via a transshipment hub | Smaller loads, from about 1 CBM |
Airlines flying direct from Hong Kong to Dubai
- Emirates SkyCargo
- Cathay Pacific Cargo
Timings are typical ranges from published schedules, not promises. Check the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Export rules in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a free port with no tariffs on exports. Exporters still lodge a Trade Declaration, and controlled goods need a licence.
| Item | In Hong Kong |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, enforcement and licensing checks |
| Trade Declaration | Lodged with the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), within 14 days of export |
| Strategic commodities | Licence from the Trade and Industry Department (TID) for listed controlled items |
| Issued by TID and approved bodies such as chambers of commerce | |
| Free port | No tariff on exports, and no VAT |
UAE duty on goods from Hong Kong
Dubai Customs charges UAE duty on the CIF value. The rate follows the HS code, and origin follows where the goods were made.
| Item | For goods from Hong Kong |
|---|---|
| UAE customs duty | 5% on most goods, on the CIF value, by HS code |
| Trade agreement | No UAE trade agreement in force that we can confirm |
| 5% on the CIF value plus duty | |
| Free zone option | Goods can enter JAFZA or another free zone and re-export without UAE duty |
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 Hong Kong
Typical Hong Kong cargo includes electronics, watches, jewellery and consumer goods. These UAE approvals come up most often.
- 01
Conformity (ECAS)
Electrical products need MoIAT conformity under ECAS before import.
- 02
TDRA approval
Phones, wireless and telecom devices need TDRA type approval.
- 03
Batteries and RoHS
Batteries and electronics must comply with UAE RoHS and transport rules.
- 04
Medicines
Medicines and supplements need Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) approval.
- 05
Food registration
Food and drink are registered with Dubai Municipality (Montaji).
- 06
Controlled items need a Hong Kong licence and UAE end-user checks.
Documents for shipping from Hong Kong 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 | Counts, weights and marks for inspection |
| Bill of lading or air waybill | Transport contract and cargo release |
| Proves where the goods were made | |
| Lodged with C&SD, within 14 days of export | |
| Licences and test reports | Where controlled or regulated goods apply |
What UAE importers buy from Hong Kong
UAE importers buy electronics, jewellery and consumer goods through Hong Kong, much of it re-exported from mainland China.
- 01
Electronics and phones
Phones, components and IT hardware, mostly by air.
- 02
Watches and jewellery
High-value goods that need insurance and secure handling.
- 03
Consumer goods
Toys, accessories and household goods in containers or LCL.
Hong Kong to Dubai shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneYes, Hong Kong charges no tariff on exports. Exporters must still lodge a Trade Declaration with the Census and Statistics Department. It must be filed within 14 days of export. Controlled goods also need a licence. UAE duty still applies on arrival in Dubai.
- No VAT applies in Hong Kong.
- UAE import duty still applies in Dubai.
The Trade Declaration records goods leaving Hong Kong. It is lodged with the Census and Statistics Department through the Trade Declaration System. The deadline is 14 days after export. Your agent can file it for you. Values and tariff codes should match the commercial invoice.
- Late filing is an offence.
- Keep a copy of the filing.
Only controlled items do. The Trade and Industry Department licenses strategic commodities, and Customs enforces the rules. Many consumer electronics are not controlled. Check your HS code and end-use before booking from Hong Kong Airport. Ask us to check the HS code first.
- Apply with form TID 502.
- We can check the HS code.
No, origin follows where the goods were made. Items made in mainland China and re-exported through Hong Kong remain Chinese origin. The certificate of origin should show the true country. A mismatch with other documents can delay clearance at Jebel Ali.
- No UAE trade agreement is confirmed.
- Standard 5% duty applies to most goods.