Moving to Dubai from USA

*Updated September 2025
If you’re a UAE citizen returning to Dubai or a US citizen moving for work, SDC International Shipping is dedicated to providing top-notch service for international household and car shipping. Our mission is to make your relocation from the USA to Dubai as seamless and stress-free as possible, including packing, paperwork, overseas transport, customs guidance, and delivery, handled end-to-end by a single experienced team.

With more than a decade of focused experience, SDC International has managed numerous moves to the UAE and serves regions across Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Our trusted partners at international ports are well-versed in local procedures, which helps keep your shipment on schedule. From the first inventory call to final delivery, you can count on care, clarity, and professionalism.

What Our End-to-End Service Includes

International moves involve multiple handoffs and strict documentation. We coordinate each stage so your timeline stays predictable and your belongings are protected the whole way.

1. Container delivery to your home – We schedule the container to arrive at your residence or designated loading site and coordinate building/HOA access requirements.
2. Professional packing and loading – Export-grade materials, custom crating for fragile items, and methodical loading patterns designed for long ocean voyages.
3. Document preparation – Customs-friendly inventories, bills of lading, export files, and guidance on any documents you must sign or supply.
4. Customs clearance support – Proactive checks to align names, addresses, shipment IDs, and dates across all forms to reduce the chance of holds.
5. Destination transport and delivery – After clearance, safe trucking of your container to your new address in Dubai or other UAE cities, with room-by-room placement.

With SDC International Shipping, you get a comprehensive, coordinated service that turns a complex overseas relocation into a step-by-step plan with clear updates.

What You Can Ship in One Container

Our goal is to consolidate as much as practical into a single, well-planned shipment—your furniture, personal effects, and (if applicable) a vehicle—so you gain efficiency without sacrificing protection.

• Bedroom furniture
• Kitchen cupboards and dining sets
• Clothing and personal effects
• Dishes, cookware, and kitchenware
• Automobiles (cars and motorcycles) included with your household goods

In a 40-foot FCL (Full Container Load), families often load a complete household along with a vehicle secured inside the same container. If you’re moving a smaller volume, we can evaluate consolidated approaches. Either way, we’ll recommend the safest configuration for your items and timeline.

Helpful guidelines

• Household goods and personal effects should typically be owned and used prior to shipment to qualify as personal property.
• Avoid large quantities that could appear commercial; we’ll flag anything that needs special handling.
• Do not ship firearms in your container; these require different processes at the airline/passenger level.
• If you have questions about a specific item, we can liaise with UAE authorities to confirm compliance before loading.

Shipping a Car to Dubai from the USA

SDC policy: We ship vehicles only inside containers together with household goods. We do not provide stand-alone car shipping and we do not offer RoRo. When a vehicle is included, our crews block and brace it inside your container alongside your home contents for a consolidated, secure move.

If you’re relocating to Dubai with a valid UAE residence status and plan to include a vehicle, we’ll first confirm feasibility and eligibility. Once confirmed, we coordinate the documentation package, which typically includes:

• Title
• Bill of Lading
• Original invoice and OCO (if applicable for new cars)
• US customs export filing
• Declared value estimate for customs
• Order of delivery from the US
• US traffic/DMV export certification (where applicable)
• Valid insurance and identification documents

For luxury or high-value automobiles, a dedicated full container provides the most control and protection. Your logistics agent will lay out container options and stowage plans so you can see exactly how the vehicle and household goods fit together, how they’re secured, and how that affects routing and timing.

Note on UAE road use standards: Vehicles intended for regular road use in the UAE must be left-hand drive (LHD). Right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles are generally not registrable for everyday use; narrow exceptions can apply to classic vehicles under special categories. UAE vehicle imports are typically subject to 5% customs duty on the CIF value and 5% VAT on top. After clearance, Dubai Customs issues a Vehicle Clearance Certificate, which is required for registration. Vehicles older than about 10 years often need special approval from the RTA for roadworthiness before registration. (Authoritative public sources confirm these general rules.)

Key Facts About Importing a Car to Dubai

• Left-hand drive only for road use – The UAE drives on the right, so LHD vehicles are standard for registration. RHD vehicles are generally barred from normal road registration; limited classic categories may be exempt.
• Personal import limits – Rules can limit the number of vehicles you import annually for personal use; your agent will confirm current specifics when planning.
• Tint and equipment – Vehicles with excessively dark tint or non-compliant equipment may be restricted at registration.
• Customs duty and VAT – Most vehicles incur ~5% duty on CIF and 5% VAT on the assessed value.
• Vehicle Clearance Certificate – Issued by Dubai Customs after clearance; mandatory before registering with the RTA.
• Age/condition checks – Cars older than ~10 years typically require special approval from authorities (e.g., RTA) to register for road use.
• Residency requirement – A valid UAE residence visa/Emirates ID is typically required to clear and register a vehicle.

Your SDC agent will verify current requirements during planning and align your documents so the household container and vehicle clear together, keeping delivery consolidated and predictable.

Moving to Other UAE Cities from the USA

Most American expats settle in Dubai, where services are highly international and English is widely spoken. There’s also a significant US community in Abu Dhabi and growing expat populations in other emirates. If your destination is beyond Dubai, we coordinate delivery to:

• Abu Dhabi
• Fujairah
• Ras Al Khaimah
• Sharjah

Wherever you land in the UAE, our role is to simplify the last mile—scheduling, access, and room-by-room placement—so your essential spaces are functional from day one.

Packing and Loading

We offer comprehensive packing and loading services as part of your relocation. Our crews deliver the container, protect furniture and surfaces, custom-crate fragile pieces, and load methodically so weight is distributed and fragile items are isolated from heavy goods. Pallets and crates are used where needed to limit movement and vibration across long distances.

On delivery, we place labeled cartons and furniture in the correct rooms, which speeds up settling-in and reduces the time it takes to get your home functional.

Full Coverage Insurance

Shipping involves multiple stages—packing, loading, ocean or air transit, unloading, customs inspection, and final delivery—plus environmental factors like heat, humidity, and sea conditions. Even with expert packing, unforeseen events can occur. We recommend international moving insurance to protect your financial interests during transit and storage.

We’ll help you choose the right plan, align inventory values with your policy, and prepare certificates before departure so coverage is active the moment your shipment leaves.

Why Move with SDC International Shipping

Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of clients complete successful international moves by focusing on a few simple principles: clear communication, careful handling, and accountability. Whether you need a streamlined, budget-conscious plan or white-glove support, we’ll tailor a solution and keep you informed at every step.

For a personalized quote or to speak directly with a logistics agent, call us at 877-339-0267. You can also complete our free quote form or chat with us online—we’re here to map timelines, service tiers, and coverage options so your move to Dubai stays on track from door to door.