Professional UK to Dubai removals with flexible freight choices, customs expertise, and pet services. John Mason ensures secure, timely UAE relocation for families and professionals settling in the Emirates.
Our removals team is comprised of experts who can help you with international removals to the UAE and reduce stress at every stage, from packing to delivery.
Many expats choose to relocate to the UAE for its glorious climate, lucrative employment opportunities and in search of unique localised cultures that can’t be found anywhere else. Relocations to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are three of the most common for expats every year.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, is one of the most modern cities in the world and migrants will be able to enjoy stunning scenery and a high standard of living. The port of Jebel Ali is one of the busiest ports in the world, and the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) is a popular location for international companies.
The UAE has a rich history of busy ports along the Persian Gulf. However, many younger people or those without families are often enticed by living to Dubai because of its decadence and splendour, which is hard to beat.
Dubai has a lot of career opportunities in sectors such as real estate, technology, hospitality, and renewable energy, and with 0% interest tax, it’s no wonder the amount of brits moving to Dubai has soared by 420% in the last 5 years.
Dubai is also popular with families, due to the low crime rate and general safety of the country.
At John Mason International, we can help you make your dream to move to Dubai a reality. Our comprehensive removal services can help support you in every step of your journey to your new life.
At John Mason International, we are committed to making international removals simple and stress-free. We provide bespoke door-to-door services to help make your move to the United Arab Emirates as easy as possible.
Our international removals to the UAE follow a straightforward, 4-step process:
Contact us to book a free home survey or get an instant quote online.
Your dedicated account manager will be available throughout the process to answer any questions you have about moving to the UAE.
You will be given tailored advice that is based on your individual removal requirements. You will receive expert help and guidance every step of the way.
Our team of packing experts will make sure your belongings are packed securely, preparing them for shipment. Your belongings will be looked after by our professionals and handled with the utmost care.
Upon arrival in the United Arab Emirates, our removal experts will take care of customs clearance and deliver your goods to your new home.
We provide bespoke quotes for removals to the UAE and Dubai that are tailored to your circumstances and moving requirements. We consider a range of factors, including:
Get a bespoke quote for more information about removal costs to the UAE.
With over a decade of international relocation experience, our Removals Managers have a vast array of experience in handling all of the components and managing the various functions required for your relocation to the UAE.
We ensure that your possessions arrive in the condition they left in when shipped and within the parameters of your schedule.
Our moving team can provide you with the most up-to-date information and regulatory requirements for your overseas move. They will be on hand to guide you throughout all the stages of moving to the UAE and Dubai.
When shipping your belongings to Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE, your two options are sea freight and air freight.
Your dedicated account manager can help walk you through each of your options to decide which one is best for your needs and budget.
Both sea freight and air freight will require various documentation. Obtaining these required documents is included as part of our removals service:
Sea freight is a popular shipping choice as it is the most cost-effective removals method. There are two ways of sending goods via sea freight:
Container shipping to the UAE through the FCL option is recommended for a full house removal. This allows you to have sole exclusive use of a 20ft or a 40ft steel shipping container. As a rough guide, the contents of a three bedroom house usually fit into a 20ft container.
For removals to the UAE, you will find that if you have less than a full container load of 20ft, you can ship your belongings to the UAE using our groupage service. This is essentially a shared container service. This way, you can split the cost with other consignments. This is a cheaper option for many people who do not want to ship their whole house or are trying to keep the costs down for their move.
International removals by air freight are more expensive than by sea freight, though it means your goods will arrive quicker and more efficiently.
Air freight is particularly beneficial if you are looking to transport smaller shipments, if you want your belongings as soon as possible, or if you have essential items that you need immediately upon arrival in the UAE.
It is important to understand the requirements you need to meet to import your belongings to the UAE.
Our team of removal experts are on hand to help you understand all the different shipping requirements and customs regulations when moving to the UAE. However, we have outlined some common rules and regulations below:
Cars which are less than 10 years old and are left-hand drive can be shipped as part of our international removals services. As experienced international moving specialists, we have helped many individuals and families move to the UAE. Therefore, you can rest assured your car will be in very safe hands.
We will hand-build a made-to-measure wooden frame inside the shipping container to ensure maximum protection during your international move, and your car is secured to avoid any shifting or incidental damage throughout its time in transit.
A customs duty will be charged on motor vehicles being imported to the UAE and Dubai, at 5% of the car’s estimated value.
If you are interested in moving to the UAE and want to take your pets with you as part of your extended family group, we can help with the documentation, advice, and careful transit of your pet to reduce both yours and their stress.
Moving a pet to the UAE during your relocation requires an import permit. Requirements for this include a document from your veterinary surgeon (signed and stamped) showing the animal was vaccinated against rabies between one year and 30 days previously.
For customs clearance to take place upon arrival of the shipment, the client must be present in the UAE at the time of clearance.
When moving to the UAE, clients should be respectful of the Islamic faith and therefore should not ship any non-Islamic religious items.
Nearly all shipments will have a physical inspection by UAE Customs during your overseas move. If any prohibited items are found in the shipment, they will be confiscated and, in some cases, an explanation will be required from the client and possible penalties applied.
It is important that you are aware of the prohibited items prior to shipping. A full list is contained in the UAE Customs Guide.
Items that are restricted for removals to the United Arab Emirates include records, films, photographs, magazines, and books. These items are subject to censorship by the UAE Ministry of Information.
In most cases, used household goods and personal effects will not attract duty, whereas new items will be subject to customs duty.
There are some items which you are prohibited to ship to the UAE and Dubai due to local laws and regulations. These will be detailed to you by your dedicated account manager as part of the removals process.
Examples of prohibited items include:
Customs requirements can change on a regular basis. Please contact us to clarify the customs requirements applicable to your shipment.
At John Mason International, we are dedicated to providing transparent, efficient services that you can trust. With over 100 years of experience in international removals and relocation, we help over 10,000 people move overseas every year.
Our team of experts are trained to take the utmost care of your possessions, managing all the relevant shipping requirements and dealing with customs clearance on your behalf. We will keep you up-to-date throughout the entire moving process and answer any questions you have accurately and clearly.
Find out what our customers think about us and read our independent reviews on Trustpilot.
When it comes to the current job market, the UAE remains a very competitive destination with a positive outlook for professionals looking for a position or planning to relocate to this expat haven.
We would normally advise that those looking to live in the UAE discuss or arrange interviews with prospective employers ahead of their international removal to ensure that they are in the best position to secure a job swiftly upon arrival. In many cases a job will need to be confirmed or secured before expats are able to begin the process of moving to the UAE.
Read more about employment opportunities in the UAE,
Many employers in the UAE either provide accommodation or an allowance to be used on accommodation. Make sure that you know the kind of deal you are being offered before signing your contract and moving to the UAE.
Buying a house to live in the UAE is also an easier way of gaining residency permission.
We provide fully bespoke door-to-door shipping services from the UK to your new home. We take care of all steps of the removal process, including packing, loading, shipping, and unpacking.
Our removals services cover the whole of the UAE, including Dubai and the following suburbs:
There are a few easy ways to get a renewable residency in the UAE, which is critical to consider prior to moving methods in which you can obtain a renewable residency visa include employment, starting a company or business, in the UAE or investing in a property.
Once you have secured work, starting a new life in the UAE is a straightforward process. You will need both a work permit and a residency visa, which your employer will apply for.
Residency visas for the United Arab Emirates are valid for up to three years, but can be renewed. The application fees and medical checks for your move to the UAE will cost around £1000.
For help with applying for a visa, explore our visa application services.
We provide international removals services to other areas of the UAE, than just Dubai.
Explore the locations we serve below:
We offer expert packing services for removals to the UAE. Choose from full export wrapping and professional crating, depending on your needs.
Looking to bring your pets with you to the United Arab Emirates? Our pet relocation services will ensure your furry friends arrive at your new home safely. We provide personal care to your pet, making sure they feel comfortable and safe during their travels.
Visa applications can be complex and difficult to navigate. Our visa application services can help simplify the process, and our team of immigration experts can help you through every step.
We offer relocation services to other destinations in the Middle East, including:
Explore our resources hub for more information about moving to the UAE, Dubai, or elsewhere in the Middle East:
To live and work in the United Arab Emirates, you will need a valid residence visa. This visa will be valid for two years if you have a job in the private sector, or three years if you have a job in the public sector.
As well as securing a relevant visa, you will need to consider the following:
Community: You should research expat communities in the UAE in the location you will be living, and see if there are any groups you are interested in joining.
A job visa is one of the most popular ways of obtaining a visa to live in Dubai. It is possible to move to Dubai without a job, however, you will need to explore other visa options. Other visa options which you can explore include:
The time international removals to the UAE take from the UK depends on a range of factors, including the type of transportation being used and the container selected.
If you are shipping your goods to the UAE by sea freight, it can take between 7 and 10 weeks in a sole-use container and 10 to 16 weeks in a shared container.
If you choose to ship your belongings by air freight instead, delivery time is approximately 2 to 4 weeks.
Learn more about international removals costs and timescales.
