Dubai to USA Relocation

International Movers Dubai to USA

Moving a household from Dubai to the United States involves more moving parts than a local move: sea or air freight, a licensed customs broker, and CBP paperwork that genuinely affects how smoothly your shipment clears on arrival. As a moving company Dubai families and returning Americans have used since 2010, we handle the packing, shipping, and documentation so nothing gets held up at the port.

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Quick Answer

Shipping a household from Dubai to the USA by sea takes roughly 25 to 40 days in transit depending on the destination coast, plus customs clearance, and typically costs AED 3,000 to 18,000 depending on volume. Air freight takes 5 to 10 days but costs considerably more per kilo. Used household goods generally enter duty free if you owned and used them for at least one year before shipping, though this is separate from the $800 personal travel exemption and should be confirmed with a licensed customs broker before you ship.

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Packing household goods for shipment from Dubai to the USA
Sea or AirChoose Based on Timeline
Sea Freight vs Air Freight

Choosing Between Sea and Air for Your Move

Most full household moves from Dubai to the USA go by sea, since the cost per cubic metre is a fraction of air freight and the extra transit time rarely matters once the move is planned properly in advance. Sea freight suits full households, furniture, and anything not urgently needed the week you land.

Air freight makes sense for a smaller shipment, essentials you need immediately, or when your move date is fixed and there isn't time to wait for a sea consignment. Most customers end up splitting the two: essentials by air, the bulk of the household by sea.

How It Works

Your Move From Dubai to the USA, Step by Step

A shipment to the United States involves more steps than a local move, but each one is manageable when planned in the right order.

1. Survey & Inventory

We assess your household in person or by video call and build a full inventory, which CBP will also expect to see on arrival.

2. Professional Packing

Export grade packing materials suited to a long sea or air journey, not the lighter materials used for a local move.

3. Documentation

We prepare CBP Form 3299, the valued inventory, and shipping documents, and coordinate with a licensed customs broker on your behalf.

4. Shipping

Your container or air cargo moves to the relevant US port or airport, with tracking available throughout transit.

5. Customs Clearance

Clearance happens at the first US port of arrival through a licensed broker, using the inventory and Form 3299 already prepared.

6. Delivery & Unpacking

Final delivery to your new US address, with unpacking and setup available as an add on service.

Customs Rules

The One Year Rule: What Actually Determines Duty Free Entry

Unlike some countries that base customs relief on how long you lived abroad, US Customs and Border Protection focuses on how long you owned and used each item.

One Year of Use Is the Key ThresholdHousehold goods and personal effects generally enter duty free if you owned and used them for at least a year before shipping, and that year doesn't need to be continuous or immediately before your move.
Form 3299 Is the Key DocumentThe Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles is what CBP uses to process your shipment, alongside a complete inventory.
A Licensed Broker Handles EntryOcean freight into the US generally requires a licensed customs broker to manage formal entry, which we coordinate as part of the move.
Not the Same as the $800 ExemptionThe $800 personal exemption applies to accompanied travel purchases, a separate rule from the household goods duty free provision.
Documentation and customs paperwork for a move from Dubai to the USA
Worth Knowing Before You Book

Customs Rules Change, Confirm Before You Rely on Them

US import rules, duty thresholds, and documentation requirements are reviewed and updated periodically by CBP. The figures and conditions described on this page reflect our understanding of the current framework, but eligibility and specific requirements can change without much public notice, particularly around food items, restricted goods, and vehicle imports. We check current requirements before every shipment, and recommend against assuming any specific detail is guaranteed until it's confirmed for your exact situation, ideally with CBP directly or a licensed customs broker.

Popular Destinations

Cities We Regularly Ship Household Goods To

We handle deliveries across the United States, with the most common destinations clearing through these ports.

New Yorkvia NY / NJ port
Los Angelesvia LA / Long Beach
Houstonvia Port of Houston
Chicagovia inland rail from port
San Franciscovia Oakland port
Dallasvia Houston, inland transfer
Atlantavia Savannah port
Washington DCvia NY / NJ or Baltimore
Cost Guide

What Shipping to the USA Typically Costs

Pricing depends on volume, shipping method, and destination coast. Here's a realistic starting range.

Shipment SizeSea FreightAir FreightTypical Transit
Small (few boxes, essentials)AED 1,000 to 1,800AED 2,200 to 4,000Sea: 25 to 35 days
1 Bedroom HouseholdAED 3,000 to 5,500AED 7,000 to 12,000Sea: 28 to 38 days
2 to 3 Bedroom HouseholdAED 6,000 to 11,000Not usually practicalSea: 30 to 40 days
Full Villa HouseholdAED 11,000 to 18,000+Not usually practicalSea: 32 to 42 days

These figures cover freight and standard documentation. Customs duty, if applicable outside the standard household goods exemption, is separate and depends on the specific goods and how long you owned them.

FAQ

Dubai to USA Moves: Common Questions

Sea freight from Dubai to major US ports typically takes 25 to 40 days in transit depending on the destination coast, plus customs clearance time. Air freight takes 5 to 10 days but costs considerably more and suits smaller, urgent shipments better than full households.
Used household goods and personal effects can generally enter the United States free of duty if you owned and used them for at least one year before shipping, and they are not intended for another person or for resale. This is different from the separate $800 personal exemption that applies to accompanied travel purchases, not a full household shipment. Rules can change, so confirm current requirements with CBP or a licensed customs broker before shipping.
Form 3299, the Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles, is generally required to claim duty free entry for household goods shipped separately from your own travel. A complete inventory of your shipment is typically required alongside it.
Common entry ports include Los Angeles and Long Beach for West Coast destinations, New York and New Jersey for the East Coast, and Houston or Savannah depending on your final city. The right port depends on where you are relocating to in the US.
For ocean freight shipments, US Customs and Border Protection generally requires a licensed customs broker to manage formal entry. We coordinate this as part of the shipping process rather than leaving customers to arrange it separately.
Planning a Move to the USA?

Get a Written Quote for Your Dubai to USA Shipment

Tell us your household size and target city, and we'll confirm timeline, cost, and documentation needed.

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Movers Dubai to USA: The Complete Picture

Moving from Dubai to the United States comes down to three real decisions: sea versus air freight, whether your household goods qualify for duty free entry under the one year ownership rule, and which US port serves your destination city. Sea freight suits full households and costs a fraction of air per cubic metre. Air freight suits smaller, urgent shipments. The duty free provision for used household goods can meaningfully reduce your costs, though the exact requirements depend on current CBP rules that we always recommend confirming before you rely on them.

As E-Home Movers UAE, a moving company Dubai residents and returning Americans have used since 2010, we handle the packing, freight booking, and documentation for the full journey. If your move also includes items staying behind in the UAE, our self storage Dubai facilities can hold them until you're ready, and our villa movers in Dubai team can handle the local side of a move before international shipping begins.

For current official rules on household goods entry and CBP Form 3299, US Customs and Border Protection publishes the requirements directly, and we recommend checking there or with a licensed customs broker for the exact conditions that apply to your specific move.