Shipping from Pakistan to DubaiShipping from Pakistan to Dubai, by sea and air.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, handles shipping from Pakistan to Dubai for businesses. We book air cargo from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to DXB, and FCL or LCL sea freight from Karachi and Port Qasim to Jebel Ali. We check the exporter's papers, clear the goods with Dubai Customs, and deliver to a mainland address, a free zone or onward markets.
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.
Pakistan to Dubai at a glance
Pakistan and the UAE are close neighbours by sea and air. Rice, textiles and leather goods move in containers, while fresh produce and urgent orders fly into DXB.
- Flight time
- About 2 h 45 min Karachi to Dubai
- Sea transit
- About 3 to 8 days Karachi to Jebel Ali
- Export filing
- Goods Declaration, WeBOC or PSW
- UAE duty
- 5% on most goods, on CIF value
Where cargo leaves Pakistan for Dubai
Pick the gateway closest to the exporter. Lahore and Sialkot cargo normally moves by road or rail to Karachi for sea freight.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | KHI | Jinnah International, the main air cargo airport in Pakistan | |
| Airport | LHE | Allama Iqbal International, for Punjab exporters | |
| Airport | ISB | Islamabad International, for the capital region and the north | |
| Seaport | PKKHI | Karachi Port, a main container gateway for Pakistan | |
| Seaport | PKBQM | Deep-water port east of Karachi for containers and bulk |
Air or sea from Pakistan
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHI, LHE or ISB to DXB or DWC | Next day to 2 days, plus clearance | Fresh produce, samples, medical goods, urgent orders | |
| Sea freight FCL | Karachi or Port Qasim to Jebel Ali | About 3 to 8 days port to port | Full containers of rice, textiles and trading goods |
| Sea freight LCL | Karachi consolidation to Jebel Ali | About 1 to 2 weeks with consolidation | Smaller loads, from about 1 CBM |
Airlines flying direct from Pakistan to Dubai
- Emirates SkyCargo
- flydubai
- Pakistan International Airlines
- AirSial
- Fly Jinnah
Transit times are typical ranges from published schedules, not promises. Rates change often, so we quote each booking. Check the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Export rules in Pakistan
Your Pakistani supplier handles export formalities. We check that their papers match what Dubai Customs will see.
| Item | In Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | Pakistan Customs, under the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) |
| Export declaration | Goods Declaration filed electronically through WeBOC or the Pakistan Single Window (PSW), depending on the goods |
| Non-preferential certificate applied for online through PSW; TDAP and chambers of commerce are issuing bodies | |
| Product regulators | Plant products need a phytosanitary certificate from the Department of Plant Protection; pharmaceuticals need DRAP registration |
| Export proceeds | Payment is returned through the banking system under State Bank of Pakistan rules |
Procedures are moving from WeBOC to PSW chapter by chapter. Ask your exporter which system applies to their HS code.
UAE duty on goods from Pakistan
Dubai Customs assesses duty on the HS code and CIF value. We file the declaration and arrange delivery.
| Item | For goods from Pakistan |
|---|---|
| UAE customs duty | 5% on most goods, by HS code, calculated on the CIF value (cost, insurance and freight). A few items are exempt or rated differently. |
| Trade agreement | No UAE trade agreement in force that we can confirm. A UAE-Pakistan CEPA has been under negotiation, so check the position before relying on it |
| 5%, charged on the CIF value plus duty. Registered businesses can usually recover it on their VAT return. | |
| Free zone option | Cargo can be held in a free zone such as JAFZA under duty suspension. Duty and VAT are due when it moves 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 Pakistan
Goods from Pakistan often face food, plant or product checks in the UAE. Ask your supplier to confirm these early, because they cannot be fixed once the cargo has landed.
- 01
Food and rice
Food and rice need Dubai Municipality registration (Montaji), compliant labels and shelf-life dates.
- 02
Fresh fruit, rice and seeds need a phytosanitary certificate and a MOCCAE import check.
- 03
Halal meat
Meat needs a halal certificate from a body the UAE recognises.
- 04
Emirates Drug Establishment
Medicines and surgical or medical devices need EDE registration, not MOHAP.
- 05
MoIAT conformity
Fans, appliances and other electrical goods may need ECAS conformity approval.
- 06
Textile labels
Garments and home textiles should carry origin and fibre labels; confirm the rules with your importer.
Documents for shipping from Pakistan to Dubai
Ask your supplier to send these with the 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 |
| Bill of lading or air waybill | Transport contract and cargo release |
| Proves where goods were made; buyers and banks often ask for it | |
| Pakistan Goods Declaration | Export clearance filed through WeBOC or PSW |
| Needed for plant and food products |
What UAE importers buy from Pakistan
Pakistan supplies the UAE with food, textiles and manufactured goods, and Dubai also re-exports some of it. We do not quote trade values here because they change every year.
- 01
Rice and food
Basmati and other rice, spices, fruit and vegetables.
- 02
Textiles and leather
Home textiles, garments, leather goods and sportswear.
- 03
Manufactured goods
Surgical instruments, sports goods, cutlery and fans.
Pakistan to Dubai shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneKarachi Port and Port Qasim handle most container exports from Pakistan. Both sit near Karachi, and shipping lines call Jebel Ali often. Exporters in Lahore or Sialkot send goods by road or rail to Karachi. We compare lines, transit times and cut-off dates for each booking.
- Ask whether your goods leave from a dry port.
- Cut-off dates differ by line.
Exporters apply for a non-preferential certificate of origin online. TDAP runs the electronic process through the Pakistan Single Window, and chambers of commerce also issue certificates. It states Pakistan as the origin. We cannot confirm any UAE trade agreement in force, so it does not lower duty.
- Match goods descriptions to the invoice.
- Buyers and banks often ask for it.
We cannot confirm any trade agreement in force. Reports say a UAE-Pakistan CEPA has been in negotiation, but we have not seen a signing confirmed. Until then, standard 5% duty applies to most goods. Check with Dubai Customs and your importer before you rely on any preference.
- Rates depend on the HS code.
- We check the position at booking.
Plant products need a phytosanitary certificate from Pakistan's Department of Plant Protection. UAE plant checks fall under MOCCAE, and food controls under Dubai Municipality. Your Dubai importer should hold the food registration through Montaji. Cargo with missing certificates can be held or refused at the port.
- Fumigation records may be requested.
- Cold chain applies to fresh fruit.