Quick tips
Inventory must be accurate You must be present in the UAE when your shipment arrives
Essential customs advice about shipping possessions to the UAE
To import household and personal possessions to UAE, first log into your Seven Seas Worldwide online account and complete the following documents:
- An inventory packing list that accurately details everything in your shipment.
- Optional insurance to protect your shipment in the rare chance it suffers loss or damage.
- Colour scans of your passport picture, signature and stamped UAE residence visa pages.
Please ensure your documents are accurate, as UAE customs officials will see them. Almost all shipments will undergo physical inspections and X-rays, so it's advisable to pack and label similar items together, such as CDs, DVDs, books, and magazines, for easy and quick identification.
If shipping by sea, an appointed agent in the UAE, suggested by us, will help you clear your belongings through customs. Our friendly customer support team is available 24/7 to answer customs questions and offer advice.
Importing household and personal effects duty-free into the UAE
You may import personal and used household effects into the UAE free from duties under the following conditions:
- The total value of your luggage does not exceed AED 3,000 (around USD 817).
- Your items must be of limited quantity and not intended for resale in the UAE.
- You do not travel regularly to the UAE with personal goods.
You must indicate on your inventory whether an item is new or used and provide its estimated monetary value. Failure to do so may result in a USD 300 fine.
A customs duty charge of 5% applies to brand-new items and shipments exceeding AED 3,000.
Prohibited goods
Like all countries, the UAE has specific restrictions to safeguard its residents and environment. Before packing, reference our Prohibitive Goods page, the official UAE Customs website and the UAE FIDI Global Alliance Customs Guide to avoid fines and delays.
Hazardous materials classified under classes 2.1, 2.3, 5.1, 5.2, 4.2, and 4, except UN1950 in limited quantities, are prohibited in the UAE. Additionally, all goods related to the military must receive prior approval before they can be accepted.
All types of batteries and lithium batteries (including but not limited to those classified under UN3090, UN3091, UN3480, UN3481, and UN3536) are strictly prohibited. You are responsible for paying any penalties, fines, or surcharges incurred from undeclared batteries.
To ship hazardous goods, you must complete a Dangerous Goods Note (DGN) and a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and obtain SIRA approval.
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