Sending household goods, gifts or business stock from Dubai to Pakistan is something thousands of families and traders do every month. The process is simple once you know the steps – and most problems (delays, damage, surprise charges) come from skipping one of them. This guide explains how cargo from Dubai to Pakistan works in 2027, which option to choose and how to prepare your shipment.
Sea cargo or air cargo?
There are two main ways to send cargo from the UAE to Pakistan:
- Sea cargo – best for furniture, appliances, household goods and anything heavy. It is much cheaper per kilo but slower, because goods travel by ship to Karachi (Karachi Port or Port Qasim) and then by truck to other cities.
- Air cargo – best for small, urgent or valuable items. It is faster but priced by weight or volume (whichever is higher), so bulky boxes become expensive.
As a rule of thumb: if you are sending a few cartons and need them quickly, choose air. If you are moving a home or sending more than a few hundred kilos, sea cargo is almost always the better value.
How door-to-door cargo works – step by step
- Get two or three written quotes. Tell each company the number of boxes, approximate weight, the size of large items and the delivery city in Pakistan. Ask whether the price includes Pakistan customs clearance and delivery to your door.
- Pickup in the UAE. The company collects from your home in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman or Abu Dhabi, or you drop the boxes at their warehouse.
- Packing and listing. Each box is numbered and a packing list is made. Keep a copy and photos of every box.
- Export from the UAE. The company prepares the export documents and books space on a ship or flight.
- Arrival and customs in Pakistan. Goods are cleared at Karachi (or the arrival airport). Duties and taxes depend on what you send and its value.
- Delivery. Goods are trucked to your city – Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan or anywhere else – and delivered to your door.
How long does it take?
Air cargo usually reaches Pakistan within days. Sea cargo takes longer because it waits for a ship, the sea voyage, port handling and customs, and then road transport inside Pakistan. Delivery to northern cities takes longer than Karachi because of the extra road journey. Always ask the company for its current transit time in writing and plan with some extra days in hand.
What you should not send
Every cargo company has a list of restricted items. Typical examples are liquids that can leak, perfumes and aerosols (especially by air), batteries and power banks, medicines without prescription, food that can spoil, cash and gold, and anything illegal. Rules on new electronics and commercial quantities can change, so ask your cargo company and check the latest Pakistan Customs rules before you pack.
Packing tips that prevent damage
- Use strong double-wall cartons; supermarket boxes collapse when stacked in a container.
- Wrap glass and crockery one by one and fill gaps so nothing moves.
- Keep each carton under a weight one person can lift – heavy boxes get dropped.
- Write your name, phone number and the city in Pakistan on two sides of every box.
- Dismantle furniture and tape the screws in a bag to the item.
Not sure how much space your goods need? Use our free CBM calculator to measure your cartons before you ask for quotes – companies often price sea cargo by volume.
How to choose a cargo company
- A physical office or warehouse in the UAE and a delivery network in Pakistan.
- A clear written quote that says what is included: pickup, packing, freight, customs clearance, delivery.
- Insurance options for valuable goods.
- A tracking number or a named contact person you can call.
- Recent reviews from customers who sent goods to your city.
Be careful with prices that are far lower than everyone else’s – extra charges at the Pakistani end are a common complaint.
Frequently asked questions
Is door-to-door cargo cheaper than doing it myself?
For most families, yes. Handling the shipping line, customs and inland transport yourself takes time and knowledge; a door-to-door company combines all of it in one price.
Can I send cargo from Dubai to any city in Pakistan?
Yes. Most companies deliver nationwide; the price and time increase with the distance from Karachi.
How do I know the volume of my goods?
Measure each box (length × width × height) and add them up, or use the CBM calculator. For a full home, try the house moving calculator.
Run a cargo or moving company in the UAE? List your business free on our directory and reach customers sending goods to Pakistan.