Each country has its unique rules and regulations for shipping that all companies need to follow to guarantee smooth deliveries. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is no different. So, before you start expanding your business to the UAE and the rest of the world, familiarize yourself with these tips for shipping internationally from the UAE.
Considerations When Shipping to and from the UAE
Businesses that want to import to or export from the UAE must follow their regulations and obtain the necessary documentation. On top of this, business must follow the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) regulations as well since the UAE is a member.
You will need these documents:
- Certificate of origin
- Shipper export declaration
- Bill of lading
- Licenses
- Permits
- Certificates of conformity
Furthermore, the company must be aware and fulfil these requirements:
- Customs duties
- Fees and taxes
- Shipping costs
Likewise, you must familiarize yourself with prohibited and restricted items in the UAE:
- Alcohol
- Pork
- Pornography
- Drugs
- Weapons
- Live animals
- Pirated materialsÂ
For exporters, you need to secure these requirements:
- Trade license from one of the seven emirates
- Registration with the relevant customs authority (which can be through an authorised broker)
Once you’ve cleared all of these, you can ship your products to or from the UAE.
Tips For Shipping Internationally to and from the UAE
Here are our tried-and-tested tips to help you guarantee that your shipments arrive safely and on time at their destinations:
Follow the Customs Procedures in the Country
Different countries have distinct rules for importing and exporting. To minimize issues and delays in your shipment, make sure to follow all regulations in both the country of origin and the destination.
If the regulations and requirements are too complex for you to handle, you can hire an authorized broker to help you handle all the requirements for your products. This will make shipping simpler and more efficient.
Package Your Items Properly
You never know exactly what your items go through when they’re shipped internationally. Regardless of the mode of shipping – air, sea, or land – your packages will likely experience extreme temperatures and be tossed around to some degree.
To make sure that all items arrive at their destination in good condition, make sure to wrap them securely. Our tips for shipping electronics safely advise businesses to choose a sturdy box or container, use cushioning, seal the package with a strong tape, and label them correctly. Practices like this will help minimize damage to your items.
Get Shipping Insurance
Naturally, no one wants their goods damaged during transit for many reasons. One of these reasons is to minimize the losses from damaged goods, lost items, and/or returns. Securing your packages is one way to protect your business from such problems. However, a shipping insurance can protect you financially from such risks.
Obtain shipping insurance that covers the costs of damaged, lost, destroyed, or stolen goods. This is especially necessary when shipping valuable items, such as electronics, over a long distance. With insurance, you don’t need to cover these costs on your own, so you don’t have to be too worried about your shipment.
Track Your Packages
You can expect international shipments to take longer than local ones. However, one useful tip when shipping internationally from the UAE or the Philippines is to always track your packages.
Tracking your packages can help you provide good customer service. You can keep your customers updated on their packages so they can expect when the package will arrive and understand the reason for delays.
This practice can also help you anticipate potential issues or delays and address them before they blow up.
Overall, tracking packages is an important step to allowing you to stay on top of your international shipments.
Choose the Best Shipping Method
Freight forwarding services between the UAE and the Philippines offers both air and sea freight. Both methods are efficient, however, we cannot deny that air freight tends to be faster and more reliable than sea freight. Meanwhile, sea freight tends to be more affordable.
Both shipping options are great choices. However, it is important to consider the best options for your business. Consider the costs and type of products you’re shipping because some substances or items may be prohibited.
For example, if you’re selling products with batteries or magnets, such as Bluetooth speakers and smartphones, cannot be shipped via air freight. In this case, you may only ship via sea freight. Before shipping, be sure to check if your products are included in the list of prohibited items.
Choose a Trusted Courier
There are a lot of couriers nowadays, but when you’re shipping long distances, make sure to select one that’s reliable and experienced in international freight, such as LBC Express. Shipping internationally is usually longer and more unpredictable, so you need a courier that can handle these without compromising the safety of your products.
Need to Ship Between the UAE and the Philippines?Â
E-commerce is expected to continue growing in the coming years, offering greater opportunities for e-commerce entrepreneurs to explore beyond their countries. When expanding your reach to international markets, you must be ready to navigate unique rules and regulations.
Follow our tips for shipping internationally from UAE to help you make doing business in the Philippines simpler and more efficient. As the most trusted air freight forwarder in the Philippines, we can make sure that your shipments survive transit and any harsh weather conditions, go through customs, and arrive safely on your clients’ doorstep.
Want to know more about how we can help you ship products? Simply send us a message.
