Not shipping from the UK to UAE? Are you missing a trick? [SAMOS e-commerce LTD](/)Open main menu Search Services Pricing Resources Blog [ Login ](https://connect.samos-e.com/login) ![Shipping to the UAE](https://samos-e.com/storage/151/conversions/-Shipping-to-the-UAE-Blog---Main-Graphic-main.jpg) Are you missing a trick not shipping to the UAE? ================================================ Have you ever wondered about sending your online goods to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? Dubai and Abu Dhabi are both thriving hubs for international trade, but what about the logistics? Could it get complicated, or will there be unforeseen costs? SAMOS is here to talk you through the pros and cons… ![Picture of Ben Bagnulo](https://samos-e.com/storage/150/conversions/ben-main.jpg) Ben Bagnulo CEO at SAMOS - [I’m thinking about shipping to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Is this a good idea?](#content-im-thinking-about-shipping-to-dubai-or-abu-dhabi-is-this-a-good-idea) - [What e-commerce opportunities are there in the UAE?](#content-what-e-commerce-opportunities-are-there-in-the-uae) - [Amazing! But how easy is it to ship to the UAE? What's the best way to go about it?](#content-amazing-but-how-easy-is-it-to-ship-to-the-uae-whats-the-best-way-to-go-about-it) - [What items are restricted or prohibited from the UAE?](#content-what-items-are-restricted-or-prohibited-from-the-uae) - [How much does it cost to ship to the UAE? what's my cheapest option? And, will my parcels arrive safely?](#content-how-much-does-it-cost-to-ship-to-the-uae-whats-my-cheapest-option-and-will-my-parcels-arrive-safely) 18th June 2024 Updated 9 months ago Share this article - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on LinkedIn]() - Copy Link If you’ve considered shipping your online orders to the UAE, you’ve probably also had some doubts about logistics. Like whether your customers will have to wait too long to receive their items or whether they will incur additional costs for duties and customs. You are right to consider these factors before jumping in – we’ve all been bitten by unexpected tariffs and hold ups at some point in our lives. However, you’ll be pleased to know that shipping to the UAE is refreshingly uncomplicated. [\#](#content-im-thinking-about-shipping-to-dubai-or-abu-dhabi-is-this-a-good-idea "Permalink")I’m thinking about shipping to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Is this a good idea? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As you may already know, the UAE, made up of seven states, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah, is rich in oil and has one of the fastest growing e-commerce economies in the world (it’s estimated to reach 17 billion US dollars by 2025). They are a very tech-savvy bunch and generally happy to buy online. One thing you may not have considered is that there is also a large expat community living in the UAE. In fact, over 75% of the population is made up of expats and over 240,000 of them are British, according to the Expat Insider 2023 report. Many of these expats could be missing home and struggling to find products with which they are familiar. If your product fits that criteria, they might be willing to go out of their way to get their hands on it. [\#](#content-what-e-commerce-opportunities-are-there-in-the-uae "Permalink")What e-commerce opportunities are there in the UAE? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What would you miss if you moved abroad? Is there a specific type of chocolate, sauce, shampoo, make-up, shoes, clothing or part for your car that you can’t get anywhere else? Sure, you may be able to go without in the short term, but if you were away for the long haul, you would more than likely start to miss those luxuries. Don’t forget, many expats living in the UAE are high earners. They’ve moved there to do a job that they are highly skilled at, which means they are probably on quite a high salary. Furthermore, expats living in the UAE don’t have to pay income tax. That’s right, their take home pay is exactly as their salary. This means that their spending power could be 20, 40 or even 45% higher than it is here in the UK! [\#](#content-amazing-but-how-easy-is-it-to-ship-to-the-uae-whats-the-best-way-to-go-about-it "Permalink")Amazing! But how easy is it to ship to the UAE? What's the best way to go about it? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Surprisingly, shipping to anywhere in the UAE is relatively straightforward. If you ship with a trusted shipping partner your item will arrive between four to six working days. You don’t have to worry about VAT (it’s low at just 5%) and delays in customs are uncommon. SAMOS guarantees one price and no surcharges. We also cover your VAT and Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) – so your customers won’t be charged anything on the doorstep. [\#](#content-what-items-are-restricted-or-prohibited-from-the-uae "Permalink")What items are restricted or prohibited from the UAE? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ There are a few items that cannot be shipped into the UAE and it’s wise to check the list of prohibited items to ensure that your goods aren’t included before you start selling there. Dangerous and offensive items will not be allowed into the country, however, there are a few others that you need to watch out for. You can check the list of prohibited goods here: . If you are unsure whether the goods that you are selling will be accepted by the UAE, you can contact SAMOS for a no obligation chat. [\#](#content-how-much-does-it-cost-to-ship-to-the-uae-whats-my-cheapest-option-and-will-my-parcels-arrive-safely "Permalink")How much does it cost to ship to the UAE? what's my cheapest option? And, will my parcels arrive safely? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SAMOS specialises in providing simple solutions to shipping problems. With our service you can deliver an item weighing up to a kilo for as little as £11.72. You’ll also have complete transparency over the whereabouts of your package at every stage and our friendly experts are on hand should you require more support. Plus, SAMOS now provides a fully managed returns service portal so your customers can organise a return in just three clicks. That’s a real bonus when you are building brand loyalty and looking for repeat business. Word of mouth is the best kind of advertising, and a positive experience will help to ensure you don’t lose out on all those other sales from expat friends either. ![Picture of Ben Bagnulo](https://samos-e.com/storage/150/conversions/ben-main.jpg) Ben Bagnulo CEO at SAMOS - [I’m thinking about shipping to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Is this a good idea?](#content-im-thinking-about-shipping-to-dubai-or-abu-dhabi-is-this-a-good-idea) - [What e-commerce opportunities are there in the UAE?](#content-what-e-commerce-opportunities-are-there-in-the-uae) - [Amazing! But how easy is it to ship to the UAE? What's the best way to go about it?](#content-amazing-but-how-easy-is-it-to-ship-to-the-uae-whats-the-best-way-to-go-about-it) - [What items are restricted or prohibited from the UAE?](#content-what-items-are-restricted-or-prohibited-from-the-uae) - [How much does it cost to ship to the UAE? what's my cheapest option? And, will my parcels arrive safely?](#content-how-much-does-it-cost-to-ship-to-the-uae-whats-my-cheapest-option-and-will-my-parcels-arrive-safely) 18th June 2024 Updated 9 months ago Share this article - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on LinkedIn]() - Copy Link Who is SAMOS? ------------- SAMOS is parcel logistics company based in London, specialising in creating and engineering customer-focussed e-commerce parcel delivery and returns solutions. [Find out more about SAMOS ](/about-samos) What our customers are saying ------------------------------ SAMOS customers had difficulties shipping into the EU and beyond - until they found SAMOS. [Read more about our customers ](/customer-stories) How to contact SAMOS -------------------- Need more help or do you have any questions for us? Talk to us Why not try shipping with SAMOS? -------------------------------- Request a demo to learn more about how SAMOS can help you ship directly to your customers. [Request a demo ](/request-a-demo) ### Related Articles [![Guide to Shipping Electronic Goods Globally](https://samos-e.com/storage/269/conversions/Thumbnail--Graphic-7-main.jpg)](/blog/shipping-logistics/guide-to-shipping-electric-goods-globally)14th November 2025[Shipping logistics](/blog/shipping-logistics) ### [ Guide to Shipping Electronic Goods Globally](/blog/shipping-logistics/guide-to-shipping-electric-goods-globally) Thinking about selling your electronic goods internationally? Great idea — demand for tech is booming worldwide. From smartphones and speakers to laptops and smart home gadgets, global consumer appetite for electronics keeps growing. But getting those items safely to customers overseas can be tricky. Customs, duties, packaging and costs can quickly become obstacles if you don’t plan ahead. Let’s look at the key challenges — and how to ship smarter. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS [![Illustration showing air freight restrictions with package dimensions, weight limits, and question marks for what can and cannot be shipped by air.](https://samos-e.com/storage/230/conversions/Thumbnail--Graphic-main.jpg)](/blog/shipping-logistics/e-commerce-what-can-i-and-cant-i-send-by-air)11th February 2025[Shipping logistics](/blog/shipping-logistics) ### [ E-commerce: What can I and can’t I send by air?](/blog/shipping-logistics/e-commerce-what-can-i-and-cant-i-send-by-air) Batteries. Nail polish. Aerosols. Perfumes..? If you are in a muddle over whether you can or can't transport an item by air cargo, this blog is for you. Join us as we delve into the world of restricted air freight items and discuss what is and isn’t okay to be shipped by air. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS Footer ------ ### Services - [Parcel Delivery ](/services/parcel-delivery) - [Parcel Returns ](/services/parcel-returns) - [All Integrations ](/services/integrations) - [Parcel Tracking ](/services/parcel-tracking) - [Shipping to the EU](/services/parcel-delivery/europe) - [Shipping fragrances & cosmetics to the EU](/blog/eu-shipping/problems-shipping-cosmetics-and-fragrances-across-the-eu-your-solution) - [Learn about IOSS for EU Shipping ](/blog/ioss) ### Integrations - [Shopify](/services/integrations/shopify) - [Shipstation](/services/integrations/shipstation) - [Linnworks](/services/integrations/linnworks) - [Mintsoft](/services/integrations/mintsoft) - [WooCommerce](/services/integrations/woocommerce) - [Shiptheory](/services/integrations/shiptheory) - [Despatch Cloud](/services/integrations/despatch-cloud) - [Magento](/services/integrations/magento) - [Pimento](/services/integrations/pimento) ### Company - [About SAMOS ](/about-samos) - [Customer Stories ](/customer-stories) - [Shipping Rates ](/pricing/samos-shipping-rates) - [Return Rates ](/pricing/samos-return-rates) - [Request a Demo ](/request-a-demo) - [Sustainability ](/resources/sustainability) - [Resources ](/resources) - [Contact Us ](/contact-us) ### Terms & Conditions - [Website T&Cs ](/website-terms-and-conditions) - [Privacy & Cookies ](/privacy-and-cookie-policy) - [Shipping T&Cs ](/shipping-terms-and-conditions) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/samos.ecom/)[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/samos-e-commerce/)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/samosecommerce/?hl=en)[YouTube](https://youtube.com/@samose-commerce4997?si=rqZ4UmQ6V1we6Kuk) © 2026 SAMOS e-commerce LTD