Commercial LCL shipping from Canada to United Arab Emirates
Samples, spare parts, stock for a small shop or goods for a customer abroad do not need a whole container. A1 ships commercial cargo in shared ocean containers (LCL) from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to <a href="/shipping-to/abu-dhabi-united-arab-emirates/">Abu Dhabi</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/fujairah-united-arab-emirates/">Fujairah</a>, and <a href="/shipping-to/dubai-united-arab-emirates/">Dubai</a>. The rate starts at USD 5 per cubic foot to Abu Dhabi, and the carrier estimates 39–80 days in transit depending on the gateway and the city.
Personal effects of UAE residents are generally cleared free of duty when the consignee holds a residence visa and Emirates ID. Some goods are restricted or prohibited: alcohol, pork products, certain medicines without a permit, and printed or recorded material considered offensive. Prescription medicines should travel with a copy of the prescription.
Commercial cargo requires an importer with a UAE trade licence and customs registration; GCC customs duty is generally 5 % of the CIF value.
Commercial cargo rates to United Arab Emirates
| Destination | From Toronto | From Montreal | From Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | USD 5 / cu ft 48 days · min. USD 441.60 | USD 6 / cu ft 48 days · min. USD 476.92 | USD 27 / cu ft 43 days · min. USD 1,218.64 |
| Fujairah | USD 5 / cu ft 39 days · min. USD 624.99 | USD 5 / cu ft 39 days · min. USD 632.33 | USD 21 / cu ft 56 days · min. USD 3,570.95 |
| Dubai | USD 5 / cu ft 80 days · min. USD 441.60 | USD 5 / cu ft 70 days · min. USD 441.60 | USD 13 / cu ft 65 days · min. USD 724.16 |
Example: a small commercial shipment from Toronto to Abu Dhabi
- A few cartons (0.4 CBM, 80 kg): USD 441.60
- One pallet, 120 × 100 × 150 cm, 350 kg (1.8 CBM): USD 582.88
- Two such pallets (3.6 CBM, 700 kg): USD 900.76
The totals include the A1 processing fee, surcharges and solar fee. The carrier charges by volume or by weight (1,000 kg per CBM), whichever is greater. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier before you pay; customs duties and taxes are paid by the importer in United Arab Emirates.
Which Canadian gateway: one pallet to Abu Dhabi
- From Toronto: USD 582.88, about 48 days
- From Montreal: USD 646.46, about 48 days
- From Vancouver: USD 1,981.55, about 43 days
Toronto is the least expensive gateway to Abu Dhabi, Vancouver the fastest: 5 days quicker for USD 1,398.67 more. Choose the warehouse you can reach; from other Canadian cities the calculator shows the lowest of the three.
One pallet to different cities in United Arab Emirates
- Abu Dhabi: USD 582.88 from Toronto, about 48 days
- Dubai: USD 582.88 from Toronto, about 80 days
- Fujairah: USD 624.99 from Toronto, about 39 days
The difference between the least and the most expensive of these is USD 42.11.
Dense goods are charged by weight: 1 CBM of tiles or metal parts weighing 800 kg costs USD 441.60 to Abu Dhabi, against USD 441.60 for 1 CBM at 200 kg.
Documents for commercial cargo
- Commercial invoice. Our commercial invoice (PDF): seller and buyer, a clear description of each item, quantity, unit value, total value, currency and country of origin. HS codes help customs in United Arab Emirates classify the goods.
- Packing list. The packing list (PDF) gives the pieces, packed dimensions and gross weight of every pallet, crate or carton, matching the invoice.
- Customs value. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.
The importer's details that the carrier conditions below ask for (tax or registration numbers) go on the invoice and the booking. More help: commercial shipping documents.
Pallets and crates
Commercial cargo travels palletized or crated. Wood packaging must be ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped, or the cargo can be refused at the destination. Stack the cartons squarely on the pallet, no wider than the pallet itself, and stretch-wrap and strap them; label every piece with the consignee's name and city in United Arab Emirates. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver: A1 does not offer pickup and does not palletize. The warehouse measures and weighs the cargo, and the final price follows those measurements.
Carrier conditions for United Arab Emirates
- Cargo Unloaded In CFS Jebel Ali
- Customs Clearance In Dubai. 6 DIGITS H.S. Code Required
- Valid Visa or UAE ID Required For Personal Effects
- Electronica MPCI filing is required as of 2026: USD 45 / BL
- SUBJECT TO WEIGHT RATIO (450 KGS : 1 CBM) IF TOTAL CARGO WEIGHT IS MORE THAN 3 TONS PER BL AND THE WEIGHT EXCEEDS THE VOLUME. VIA SINGAPORE
- OVERWEIGHT APPLY 4TON AND GREATER
How to book
Calculate the price in the calculator above with the cargo type "Commercial cargo", accept the quote and upload the commercial invoice and packing list on your booking page. After the carrier confirms the destination charges, you pay and receive the labels and the warehouse delivery instructions. Sending your own belongings rather than goods? See personal effects shipping to United Arab Emirates.
Shipping to United Arab Emirates by service
- All shipping to United Arab Emirates: rates and destinations
- Personal effects shipping to United Arab Emirates from Canada
By city: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah.
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to ship a pallet to United Arab Emirates?
One pallet of 120 × 100 × 150 cm weighing 350 kg from Toronto to Abu Dhabi costs about USD 582.88 including all A1 fees. Destination charges, duties and taxes are confirmed separately.
Which documents does a commercial shipment to United Arab Emirates need?
A commercial invoice and a packing list, plus anything the carrier conditions for United Arab Emirates require. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.
Does A1 pick up or palletize the cargo?
No. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.
Rates valid October 1–31, 2026; totals include A1 fees of USD 265.00. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier, duties and taxes are paid by the consignee, and transit days are the carrier's estimate.