Current Freight Rates
| Weight / Volume | Rate (USD / KG) |
|---|---|
| 16-99 | USD 34.79 |
| 100-299 | USD 76.17 |
| 300-499 | USD 117.83 |
| 500+ | USD 117.69 |
How these prices are calculated — chargeable weight
Freight is not billed on the number on your bathroom scale. It is billed on chargeable weight: the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight, where volumetric weight is L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6000. Denser cargo pays on its weight; light bulky cargo pays on the space it occupies. Whichever is higher is the one you pay — never the lower.
- One cubic metre = 167 kg. That is 1,000,000 cm³ ÷ 6000, the same divisor used for the volumetric check, so both sides of this page agree with each other.
- Freight only. These are published freight rates. Duty, tax and customs charges at destination are not a fixed number we can print: they follow your product's HS code, its declared value and the exchange rate applied on the day of entry, so they are confirmed against your actual goods and quoted separately.
- Indicative only — the real price can be higher or lower. Nothing on this page is a quotation or a commitment. What you finally pay depends on what the product is, how it is packed, the chargeable weight, the declared value, the destination duty position and the exchange rate at the time. Send the product details, weight and dimensions and we will price your specific shipment.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP and seven more — see which costs sit with us and which sit with you
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to UAE is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
Service Details
China → UAE HK General Cargo Duty Paid
Air freight rates from China to UAE. We publish the actual tier structure rather than a single headline number, because the price per kilo on this lane changes materially with consignment size and the tier you land in decides your landed cost more than the headline rate does.
Cargo on this service moves through DXB/DWC (Dubai), AUH (Abu Dhabi) and SHJ. Clearance happens at the arrival airport, so an inland consignee adds a trucking leg on top of the transit time quoted here. Expect 2–5 days of dwell at destination before release.
This rate is freight only. Import charges for UAE are assessed separately on arrival — VAT 5%; duty 5% CIF (0% in free zones) — and whoever is named as importer of record is liable for them. If you would rather have one all-in number, ask us for the duty-paid version of this lane.
Space on this lane tightens through Sep–Nov, which is peak season for UAE. Rates published outside that window are not a reliable guide to what you will pay inside it, so if your order lands in peak, book earlier rather than budgeting from an off-peak figure.
Current Rate Card
- 16-99 — USD 48.71 per KG
- 100-299 — USD 46.69 per KG
- 300-499 — USD 46.69 per KG
- 500+ — USD 45.68 per KG
Last refreshed 2026-08-06.
Rates on this lane are per kilogram of chargeable weight, which is the greater of actual gross weight and L×W×H ÷ 6000. One cubic metre of cargo is treated as about 166.7 kg, so anything lighter than that per cubic metre is billed on the space it occupies rather than on the scale reading. Knowing which side of that line your cargo falls on changes the quote more than any negotiation will.
The consignments that move regularly on this service into UAE are dominated by electric motors (HS 84), where clearance turns on cE marking to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC with a signed declaration of conformity, glass packaging (HS 39 / 40) and fabric (HS 50–63 / 64 / 42). We publish a handling brief for each, because the difference between a clean clearance and a two-week hold is almost always documentation prepared before the cargo leaves the factory rather than anything that happens in transit.
To see this tariff against a real consignment rather than a rate card, the 10 KG, 21 KG, 50 KG and 100 KG pages run it at a fixed weight and show the landed total, including the point where stepping up a bracket lowers your cost per kilo. They are the fastest way to check whether consolidating two orders into one is worth the wait.
We fly this lane into DXB/DWC (Dubai), AUH (Abu Dhabi) and SHJ. Clearance happens at the arrival airport rather than at the delivery address, which matters if your consignee is inland: the customs step and the trucking step are separate, and only the first sits inside the transit time quoted above.
If you already know roughly what you are moving, skip the rate maths. The 10 KG, 21 KG, 50 KG and 100 KG pages apply this tariff to a fixed consignment and show the result, including the point where stepping up a tier lowers your cost per kilo. The China to UAE Air Freight Cost page sets this channel against the alternatives, and shipping from China to UAE is the full destination guide.
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Additional Information
Scope, Exclusions and What to Check Before Booking
Chargeable weight on this service is the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight, with volumetric calculated as length × width × height in centimeters divided by 6000. For anything light and bulky the volumetric figure is the one that bills, which is why carton dimensions are worth optimizing before you book rather than after the cargo is weighed at the airport.
- General commercial cargo. Battery, magnetic, liquid and powder content must be declared at booking, not on arrival
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual and volumetric weight (divisor 6000)
- Fuel and security surcharges, remote-area delivery and oversize handling are quoted on top where they apply
- Routing on this lane is via DXB/DWC (Dubai), AUH (Abu Dhabi) and SHJ — inland delivery beyond that point is quoted against the delivery address
- Clearance at destination is handled by Federal Customs Authority (UAE)
- UAE de-minimis: AED 300 — commercial consignments sit above it and are dutiable in full
- Destination conformity: ESMA/ECAS conformity for electronics
On the duty side, the applicable regime is: VAT 5%; duty 5% CIF (0% in free zones). Those are planning references rather than a ruling: the rate that binds is the one assessed against your declared HS code at the moment of entry, and classification is where most landed-cost surprises actually originate. Duty and tax are settled in AED at destination.
Before you book, confirm two things with your consignee: that they are registered to import into UAE, and that whoever is named as importer of record accepts the duty liability. Those are dull questions and they are also the two that most often surface only after the cargo has already sailed.
Where these numbers come from
Every duty and tax figure quoted on this page is our working estimate for planning, not a ruling. The binding rate for your consignment is whatever Dubai Customs applies against your declared HS code on the day of entry, and their published guidance is the source to check before you commit stock.
Most landed-cost surprises trace back to classification rather than freight. the WCO Harmonized System defines the heading structure every customs administration builds on, and ITC Market Access Map will show you the duty a given heading attracts in this destination.
On the air side, anything with a cell or a battery in it, plus liquids, powders, magnets and aerosols, is governed by the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Those articles are not refused outright, but they need to be declared at booking so the shipment is built correctly — declaring them late is the single most common cause of an air consignment being offloaded.
For a wider view of how importing into UAE actually works — documentation norms, inspection behavior, the paperwork that tends to hold shipments — the U.S. ITA guide to UAE customs regulations is a useful independent read alongside our own lane notes.
China to UAE — Shipping Reference Data
| Main air gateways | DXB/DWC (Dubai), AUH (Abu Dhabi), SHJ |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | Federal Customs Authority (UAE) |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | AED 300 |
| Import tax & duty regime | VAT 5%; duty 5% CIF (0% in free zones) |
| Local currency | AED |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 2–5 days |
| Peak / busy season | Sep–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | ESMA/ECAS conformity for electronics |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
Free 3D Loading Tools for This Air Route
This page covers a Air freight service from China to UAE. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Carton Packing Calculator
Before tendering this HK General Cargo Duty Paid shipment, check how many units really fit per carton — the 3D packing tool computes layers, rotation, and protective gaps for your exact product dimensions.
Open Packing Tool →UAE Air Freight Checklist
- Keep single cartons under 30 KG for air handling to UAE to avoid overweight surcharges.
- Book 2-3 days before your target ETD; same-day air bookings usually carry premium rates.
- Label every carton with destination, carton number, and total count (e.g. 3/12).
- Shrink-wrap and corner-protect cartons — air cargo is transloaded multiple times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does HK General Cargo Duty Paid from China to UAE take?
Air freight on this route runs about 5–10 business days door-to-door, plus roughly 2–5 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into UAE?
Clearance is handled by Federal Customs Authority (UAE). The regime is: VAT 5%; duty 5% CIF (0% in free zones), with a de-minimis position of AED 300. Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
Can you ship special cargo (batteries, branded goods) to UAE?
Yes — battery cargo by air follows IATA PI966/PI967; we run certified battery channels via DXB/DWC (Dubai), AUH (Abu Dhabi), SHJ. Brand-goods and DG paperwork are handled within the DDP service. Surcharges apply.
What certification is needed to import into UAE?
For regulated goods, plan for: ESMA/ECAS conformity for electronics. Missing conformity paperwork is the most common clearance hold with Federal Customs Authority (UAE), so confirm requirements for your HS code before shipping.
What does DDP shipping to UAE include on this route?
DDP means we quote the freight, the customs entry with Federal Customs Authority (UAE) and last-mile delivery in UAE together, so you settle once. The duty and tax portion depends on your product's HS code, declared value and the exchange rate at entry, so it is confirmed against your actual goods — the figures on this page are indicative and can move either way.
In what currency is this route priced and paid?
Freight is quoted and invoiced in USD; the destination-side currency is AED. Payment is typically due before departure, and DDP means you settle the full landed cost once.
Historical Price Records
All price updates are recorded here. Use the weekly tabs to browse older entries.
| Date | 16-99 | 100-299 | 300-499 | 500+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-30Latest | USD 34.79 | USD 76.17 | USD 117.83 | USD 117.69 |
| 2026-09-30 | USD 34.79 | USD 76.17 | USD 117.84 | USD 117.69 |
| 2026-09-17 | USD 34.79 | USD 76.16 | USD 117.83 | USD 117.68 |
| 2026-09-15 | USD 34.77 | USD 76.15 | USD 117.82 | USD 117.67 |
| 2026-09-07 | USD 34.50 | USD 75.89 | USD 117.56 | USD 117.42 |
| 2026-08-17 | USD 34.50 | USD 75.89 | USD 117.56 | USD 117.42 |
| 2026-08-17 | USD 34.55 | USD 75.93 | USD 117.60 | USD 117.46 |
| 2026-08-06 | USD 34.54 | USD 75.93 | USD 117.60 | USD 117.46 |
| 2026-08-03 | USD 34.55 | USD 75.93 | USD 117.60 | USD 117.46 |
| 2026-07-30 | USD 34.54 | USD 75.93 | USD 117.59 | USD 117.45 |
| 2026-07-20 | USD 34.57 | USD 75.96 | USD 117.62 | USD 117.48 |
| 2026-07-17 | USD 34.50 | USD 75.89 | USD 117.56 | USD 117.42 |
| 2026-07-14 | USD 34.49 | USD 75.88 | USD 117.54 | USD 117.41 |
| 2026-07-07 | USD 34.47 | USD 75.86 | USD 117.52 | USD 117.38 |
| 2026-07-03 | USD 34.48 | USD 75.87 | USD 117.53 | USD 117.40 |
| 2026-07-02 | USD 34.47 | USD 75.86 | USD 117.52 | USD 117.38 |
| 2026-06-30 | USD 34.47 | USD 75.86 | USD 117.53 | USD 117.39 |
| 2026-06-23 | USD 34.47 | USD 75.85 | USD 117.52 | USD 117.38 |
| 2026-06-15 | USD 34.49 | USD 75.88 | USD 117.55 | USD 117.41 |
| 2026-06-08 | USD 34.49 | USD 75.88 | USD 117.55 | USD 117.41 |
| 2026-05-14 | USD 34.45 | USD 75.84 | USD 117.50 | USD 117.37 |
| 2025-12-29 | USD 34.44 | USD 75.83 | USD 117.50 | USD 117.36 |
Price Trend
Shipping UAE cargo by industry
This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.
- Tableware Furniture & Home Products
- Display Stands Retail, Display & Commercial Fixtures
- Umbrellas Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Bearings Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Solar Panel New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Prefabricated Building Building Materials & Construction Products
- Pallet Wood, Bamboo & Paper Products
- Conveyor Belts Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
- Hotel Furniture Furniture & Home Products
- Textiles Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Restaurant Furniture Retail, Display & Commercial Fixtures
- Metal Fabrication Metal Products & Industrial Components