Shipping From Shanghai, China To Dubai: Air Freight, Ocean Freight And Container Shipping

Driven by the Belt and Road Initiative, trade between China and the UAE is heating up. As an important hub, transportation between Shanghai and Dubai is crucial. Sea, air and container transportation constitute the main logistics channels. Learn more about the transportation options for this route below.

Sea freight has become the mainstream choice due to its large volume and low cost. Goods depart from Shanghai Yangshan Port and Waigaoqiao Port, pass through the Strait of Malacca and the Indian Ocean, and arrive at Dubai Jebel Ali Port or Port Rashid. Full container transport is suitable for large quantities of goods. The freight for a 20-foot container is US$2,500-3,500, and the transportation time is 18-22 days; LCL transport is charged by volume or weight, US$120-200 per cubic meter, and it takes 20-25 days. However, sea freight is easily affected by weather and port congestion. In special circumstances, the transportation time may be extended by 3-5 days. ​

For time-sensitive electronic products, fresh food and other goods, air freight is the first choice. There are many direct flights from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Dubai International Airport, which take 8-9 hours; although the connecting flights take 12-15 hours, there are more sufficient cabins. Air freight is charged by weight or volume weight, at $5-12 per kilogram. Freight rates rise by 30%-50% during peak seasons such as e-commerce promotions. Different airlines have different services and prices, so choose carefully. ​

Freight forwarders such as Sinotrans and Jincheng Logistics play a key role in transportation. They provide one-stop services such as collection, booking, customs declaration and inspection, cargo tracking, customs clearance and distribution. They are familiar with the trade policies and customs regulations of the two countries, and can accurately handle documents to ensure customs clearance of goods. They can also integrate sea and air transport resources as needed, customize solutions, optimize costs, and improve supply chain efficiency.

Sea freight takes 18-22 days for full container and 20-25 days for LCL; air freight takes 8-9 hours for direct flight and 12-15 hours for transit. However, in reality, sea freight is affected by port congestion and ship failure, and the waiting time for berths at Jebel Ali Port during the peak season can be up to 2-3 days; air freight is affected by flight scheduling and weather interference, and flights may be adjusted due to the high temperature in Dubai in summer. In addition, the speed of customs clearance also affects the overall timeliness, and high-quality freight forwarders can speed up customs clearance. ​

Sea freight for 20-foot full container is US$2,500-3,500, and for 40-foot is US$4,000-6,000; LCL is US$120-200 per cubic meter, and the cost is affected by fuel and peak season surcharges. Air freight is US$5-12 per kilogram, with large fluctuations during peak periods, and there are various surcharges. Freight forwarding fees are 5% - 15% of freight. Enterprises need to choose a cost-effective solution based on the value, timeliness and volume of goods. ​
The advantages of various modes of transportation from Shanghai to Dubai complement each other, laying a solid logistics foundation for trade between the two places. In the future, with the advancement of technology and the growth of trade demand, the transportation system will be more efficient, pushing the economic and trade cooperation between the two sides to a new level.