Moving to the UAE Guide

Moving to the UAE Guide

Bishop’s Move have years of experience in moving people and their property to and from Dubai.

When you choose Bishop’s Move to manage your international removals our experts will visit you to advise you on your home move. Simply contact our International team to advise about your Dubai removals requirements.

Advice on moving the contents of your home to Dubai
Personal and household effects can be imported duty free; providing they have been owned and used by the client before their arrival in the UAE and can produce required documentation. However, it should be noted that, at their discretion, UAE Customs may apply a 5% duty based on the value assessed by them upon inspection.

UAE are subjected to a physical examination prior to clearance.

It is preferred to have the shipment arrive within a month after the consignee’s arrival. The consignee must be present in UAE at time of clearance.

Required documentation for household goods only:

  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of stamped residence visa (or a letter from the sponsor showing that the visa has been applied for)
  • Packing list (completed by packing crew)

Motor Vehicles

Importation of vehicles is allowed provided the vehicle meets UAE specifications, however, all vehicles are subject to duties of approximately 4% of the CIF value.

After the vehicle is cleared into the UAE, the customs authorities will issue a vehicle clearance certificate which should be submitted to the local Traffic Authority in order to register the car.

Additional documentation required for motor vehicles:

  • Original purchase invoice
  • Insurance policy
  • Proof of ownership

Restrictions – What you can and can’t take with you when you move to Dubai

Alcohol, large quantities of foodstuffs, weapons, firearms (real or ornamental) ammunition, fire crackers, swords, daggers, spears, military uniform or equipment, narcotics, banned or large quantities of medicines, radio transmitters or communications equipment, statues and figures of animals with religious undertones, statues of naked humans, pornographic materials, religious (other than Islamic) books or materials and controversial political literature are not permitted.

All printed materials such as books, magazines, Blu Rays, DVDs, videos, tapes and photographs will be detained by customs and subjected to inspection. Anything deemed pornographic or against Islamic beliefs will be seized for destruction or for the client to pay to ship back to country of origin. The inspection procedure can take up to 2 weeks.

Electricity

Between 220 and 240 volts, 50Hz. The most frequently used plugs are the UK three-pin type.

Mobile Telephones

Etisalat (www.etisalat.ae)

Internet

Etisalat (www.etisalat.ae). Internet cafes are widely available.

GMT
+ 4 hours

Country Dialling Code
+971