Shipping from Italy to DubaiShipping from Italy to Dubai, by sea and air.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Italy to Dubai for businesses. We book air cargo from Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino to DXB, and FCL or LCL sea freight from Genoa, La Spezia and Gioia Tauro to Jebel Ali. We check the Italian export declaration and certificate of origin against your invoice, then clear the goods with Dubai Customs.
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.
Italy to Dubai at a glance
Italy sends machinery, food, fashion, furniture and tiles to the UAE. Heavy and bulk goods go by sea from the Ligurian ports, while fashion, pharma and urgent parts fly from Milan and Rome.
- Flight time
- About 6 h Milan or Rome to Dubai
- Sea transit
- Varies by routing, usually 2 to 4 weeks
- Export filing
- EU export declaration through ADM AIDA
- UAE duty
- 5% on most goods, CIF value
Where cargo leaves Italy for Dubai
Choose the gateway nearest the factory. Italian trucking to a port is usually cheaper than a longer ocean leg from a distant one.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | MXP | Italy's main air cargo hub, with a large cargo city | |
| Airport | FCO | Central and southern Italy, with belly capacity to Dubai | |
| Seaport | ITGOA | Container terminals at Voltri and Sampierdarena for the north-west | |
| Seaport | ITSPE | Container port for Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna | |
| Seaport | ITGIT | Calabrian transshipment port with many Mediterranean links |
Air or sea from Italy
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MXP or FCO to DXB | Next day to 3 days, plus clearance | Fashion, pharma, samples, spare parts | |
| Sea freight FCL | Genoa, La Spezia or Gioia Tauro to Jebel Ali | Varies by routing, often 2 to 4 weeks | Machinery, tiles, furniture, full loads |
| Sea freight LCL | Italian consolidation to Jebel Ali | Varies, via consolidation | Smaller loads, from about 1 CBM |
Airlines flying direct from Italy to Dubai
- Emirates SkyCargo
Transit times are typical ranges from published schedules, not promises. Sea routing depends on Red Sea and Suez conditions. Check the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Export rules in Italy
The Italian exporter, or its customs agent, completes the export formalities. We ask for the documents in advance so the cargo is not held at the departure airport or port.
| Item | In Italy |
|---|---|
| Export declaration | Filed electronically with the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) through its AIDA system, which returns an export MRN |
| Exporter registration | An EORI number, based on the Italian VAT number, is needed for customs filings |
| Issued by the Italian Chambers of Commerce (Camere di Commercio), applied for online through Cert'O | |
| Controlled goods | Dual-use goods need an export authorisation under EU Regulation 2021/821 |
| VAT and ICS2 | Exports are VAT-exempt with proof of exit. ICS2 covers goods entering the EU, so it is not needed for exports |
Ask the Italian supplier for the export MRN before the truck leaves the factory.
UAE duty on goods from Italy
On arrival, Dubai Customs charges duty and VAT on the declared value. Italian goods have no preferential duty rate that we can confirm.
| Item | For goods from Italy |
|---|---|
| UAE customs duty | 5% on most goods, set by HS code and charged on the CIF value |
| Trade agreement | No UAE trade agreement in force that we can confirm for Italy |
| 5% on the CIF value plus duty | |
| Free zone option | Goods can enter JAFZA or Jebel Ali Free Zone without duty until they move to 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 Italy
Italian goods often need a UAE approval before they can clear. Ask your supplier for the technical files early, because they cannot be arranged once the cargo has landed.
- 01
ECAS conformity
Machinery, appliances and electrical goods may need a MoIAT conformity certificate, and a CE mark alone does not replace it.
- 02
EDE registration
Medicines and medical products are registered with the Emirates Drug Establishment.
- 03
Food registration
Food, olive oil and pasta need Dubai Municipality registration (Montaji) and compliant labels.
- 04
Wine and spirits
Alcohol can only be imported by licensed distributors, so check the consignee first.
- 05
Cosmetics and perfume
Cosmetics and fragrances need product registration with the UAE authority.
- 06
Plants and flowers
Plants, seeds and cut flowers need a phytosanitary certificate and a MOCCAE import permit.
Documents for shipping from Italy 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 Dubai | |
| Count, weights and marks for inspection | |
| Proves the goods left the EU and supports the VAT exemption | |
| Chamber of Commerce proof of Italian origin | |
| Bill of lading or air waybill | Transport contract and cargo release |
| Product approvals | ECAS, EDE or food registration where they apply |
Dubai Customs usually accepts origin stated on the invoice. A separate certificate matters when a duty preference is claimed or the buyer requests one.
What UAE importers buy from Italy
Italy is a long-standing supplier of capital goods and consumer products to UAE buyers, and trade runs in both directions.
- 01
Machinery and parts
Packaging, food-processing and industrial machinery, often by sea in full containers.
- 02
Fashion and furniture
Garments, leather, lighting and furniture for retail and hospitality, by air or sea.
- 03
Tiles and building materials
Ceramic tiles and stone for construction projects, normally by sea.
Italy to Dubai shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneGenoa usually suits buyers in Piedmont and Lombardy. It is the closest large container port. La Spezia suits Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, and Gioia Tauro suits the south. Trucking to the nearest port normally saves more than any difference in ocean freight between ports.
- Rail links serve some northern terminals.
- We compare sailings from each port.
The shipper files an electronic export declaration with ADM. Filing happens through the AIDA system and needs an EORI number. The declaration returns an MRN, and the goods must show exit confirmation. Dual-use goods also need an export authorisation before they can leave Italy.
- The exporter keeps the MRN for VAT proof.
- We ask for it before pickup.
Dubai Customs usually accepts origin stated on the invoice. A separate certificate matters when a duty preference is claimed, or your buyer or bank asks for one. Italian Chambers of Commerce issue it, applied for online. No UAE trade agreement we can confirm lowers duty on Italian goods.
- Standard UAE duty is 5% on most goods.
- Check the HS code first.
Food needs Dubai Municipality registration through Montaji and compliant labelling. Wine and spirits can only be imported by licensed alcohol distributors. Confirm that your consignee holds the right licence before the goods leave Genoa or Milan, because cargo cannot be released to an unlicensed importer.
- Ask for the buyer's licence copy.
- Chilled goods need reefer space.