Shipping routes from Dubai and UAE trade lanesThe lanes the UAE ships most.
Airlift Logistics arranges shipping routes from Dubai and the UAE to over 140 countries through a global agent network. The busiest UAE trade lanes by value are China, India, the United States and Turkey for imports, and India, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Turkey for exports, by air cargo, sea freight and road.
Top UAE import and export partners
Trade value in 2024, in US dollars. China is the largest source of UAE imports, and India the largest export market.
Source: UAE imports and UAE exports by country, Trading Economics, using UN Comtrade data. Values include gold and oil, so they show the size of a trade relationship, not the number of freight shipments.
Which mode suits each lane
Common cargo and modes on the busiest UAE lanes. Ask us for a route or service that isn't listed here.
The largest UAE import lane. Mostly sea through Jebel Ali.
Large in both directions, by sea, air and sea-air.
Air for parts and urgent goods, sea for volume.
Textiles, building goods and machinery, by sea and air.
A leading re-export lane, by sea to Umm Qasr and by air.
Road freight through the Al Ghuwaifat and Al Batha border.
| Lane | Direction | Common cargo | Usual modes | Common gateways |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Import | Electronics, machinery, consumer goods | Sea through Jebel Ali, air for urgent goods | Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou | |
| Import | Food, textiles, jewellery, machinery | Sea, and air for perishables | Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, Delhi | |
| Export | Trading goods, re-exports, chemicals | Sea, air and sea-air | Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Chennai | |
| Import | Machinery, vehicles, aviation parts | Air, and sea for large volumes | New York, Houston, Savannah | |
| Export | Re-exports, consumer and building goods | Sea to Umm Qasr, air to Baghdad and Erbil | Umm Qasr, Baghdad, Erbil | |
| Export | Re-exports, retail, industrial goods | Road through Al Ghuwaifat and Al Batha | Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah | |
| Both | Textiles, building goods, machinery | Sea and air | Mersin, Istanbul |
Moving on one of these lanes?
Send the route and cargo, and we will compare air, sea and road.
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Air Freight
Air freight forwarding from Dubai, for import and export air cargo that cannot wait.
Dangerous Goods Handling
Certified dangerous goods shipping and handling from the UAE, in all 9 classes.
Sea Freight
Regular, secure and economical sea freight from Dubai through major ports.
Land Transport
Road freight and trucking for any consignment, large or small, wide or heavy.
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Customs clearance in Dubai, with experts who help your goods clear quickly and stay compliant.
Warehousing
Flexible warehousing in Dubai: pallet storage and distribution, short or long term.
Shipping and logistics company in DubaiShipping between two other countries? See cross tradeRead: importing from China to Dubai
China is the largest source of UAE imports by value. Trade data for 2024 shows China, India, the United States and Turkey leading imports, while India, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Turkey lead exports. These figures measure trade value and include gold and oil, so they do not directly show freight volumes.
- Figures are from Trading Economics, using UN Comtrade data.
- Re-exports are a large part of UAE trade.
Iraq is a leading market for goods re-exported through the UAE. The Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported Iraq as the top destination for UAE exports in the first half of 2024. Emirates NBD also names Iraq with Saudi Arabia and India as leading re-export markets. Many regional buyers source through Dubai traders and free zones.
- Umm Qasr is the main Iraqi sea port.
- Check permits and sanctions rules for the specific goods.
Yes, ask about any lane not listed here. Airlift Logistics works through a global agent network covering over 140 countries. We confirm carrier options, documents and any restrictions for your specific goods and route. Send the origin, destination, cargo details and required date, and the team will advise what is possible.
- Lanes between two other countries are covered on our cross trade page.
- Sanctioned destinations and restricted goods may not be possible.