Only declared an independent state in 1971, the United Arab Emirates has come a long way in a relatively short time. A federation of seven emirates, the UAE's economy is in the world's top 10 in terms of GDP per capita and its population has more than doubled in the last decade. The UAE's economic success is largely down to its two wealthiest and most populated emirates, Dubai and the capital Abu Dhabi. While the former has established itself as a global hub and the de facto trading centre of the Middle East, the latter benefits from owning the vast majority of the country's oil and natural gas reserves. Some of the world's largest companies, including Emirates and Etihad, call the UAE home, as do over a quarter of a million British expats.
The UAE and the Middle East is one of the most lucrative markets on the planet, with businesses all over the world falling over themselves to make connections and sell their goods in this small country on the Persian Gulf. At Parcel Broker, we ship from the UK to the UAE, so if you've got a parcel that needs sending to a friend, a relative or a business contact in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or any of the other emirates, we can help you out.
Do I need to deal with customs when sending from the UK to the United Arab Emirates?
UAE Customs do not offer a duty free allowance, so all shipments are subject to duty and taxes. Imports tend to be dutied at 5%, although tobacco and alcohol will incur higher rates. Some exemptions apply, so for more information, please consult the gov.uk website.
How much does it cost to send a parcel from the UK to the United Arab Emirates?
The cost of sending a parcel over to the Emirates depends on the size and nature of your package, but ParcelBroker prices start from as low as £21.95 – a significant saving compared to what you'd spend with Royal Mail. Despite the 4,600 mile distance between the two countries, our same-day pickup service can ensure that your parcel is delivered to its destination within one to two days.
How should I address my parcel for delivery to the United Arab Emirates?
Mail delivery in the UAE is a little different to what you might expect back in the UK. Items aren't delivered to home addresses, instead mail is sent to various PO boxes – located at post offices – or to the business address where the recipient is an employee.
Before sending your item to the UAE, please ensure you clearly include the correct PO box address.
Parcel Weight | Parcelforce | ParcelBroker | Savings |
---|---|---|---|
5kg | £98.80 | £38.97 | £59.83 Save 61% |
10kg | £162.80 | £38.97 | £123.83 Save 76% |
20kg | £251.30 | £49.37 | £201.93 Save 80% |
What items can I send to the United Arab Emirates?
As with most countries, it is forbidden to ship live animals, firearms or illegal goods to the UAE. However, the country also has its own list of prohibited items and these include ivory products, gaming devices, pornography and any goods of Israeli origin.
For further information on what you can and can't send to the UAE, please consult the Emirates Post Group website or the customs department of the emirate you are sending to.