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Send a Parcel to UAE: What You Need to Know

21 October 2025 | Editor's Pick | Most Popular | Tips and Guides

In this guide, you can find out which couriers we recommend for shipping to UAE, how long you can expect delivery to take, and advice on shipping costs and taxes.

Sending a Parcel to UAE from the UK

Whether you’re sending a parcel to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah, we can help you find a courier service that will suit both your budget and your timescales.

Shipping to the UAE starts from just £11.26, and our Lowest Price Guarantee means that if you find a cheaper price for a comparable service elsewhere, we’ll match it.

Finding a courier with experience of shipping to UAE is easy with us, and you’ll get a quote in seconds with our Quick Quote tool. All you need to do is enter your parcel’s dimensions and weight to compare quotes from a selection of the UK’s top couriers.

Recommended couriers via Parcel2Go

We work only with the most trusted international couriers, so you can be certain that whenever you book a delivery to UAE with Parcel2Go your shipment will arrive safely.

Some of our most popular international couriers include Royal Mail, DPD and Parcelforce.

Depending on your needs, you can choose from drop-off or collection services, and we also have a range of printer-free couriers if you can’t print your shipping labels yourself.

The cheapest way to send a parcel from the UK to UAE is with Evri Standard Parcelshop. Free parcel tracking is included with this service. You’ll be able to drop it off at one of 4,600 local drop-off shops, and it will arrive in UAE in approximately 8 working days.

Get a quote today to find the service that suits you best.

How Long is Shipping from the UK to UAE?

With our express delivery services, your parcel could arrive in UAE in as little as 1-3 days! That’s great news if you have an urgent delivery or want to impress your customers with standout service.

If you’re not in a hurry, our economy services are an affordable option and will arrive in approximately 7 working days.

To avoid any unnecessary delays, we always recommend you avoid shipping to UAE around public holidays.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Send a Parcel to Dubai

Once you’ve got a quote, you can choose from our selection of well-known couriers. Filter your search results by the criteria that’s most important to you (price, speed, etc.) and make your booking.

Every parcel booked with Parcel2Go gets free parcel tracking too, so you’ll be able to see your shipment’s progress every step of the way.

The next step is to pack your parcel securely.

Packaging guidelines for international delivery

Our couriers will take good care of your parcel, but you’ll still need to pack your items well to help prevent any damage on the journey.

Follow our top tips for a well-packed parcel:

  • New boxes will protect your items best over long journeys. Triple corrugated boxes are the gold standard when it comes to sending items overseas!

  • Your box should be slightly larger than your items to enable you to put some padding around them. You don’t want your items to touch the sides of the outer box.

  • Wrap each item in bubble wrap. If your items are delicate, consider using a box within a box for extra protection.

  • Pack the space around your items with extra bubble wrap or scrunched-up paper.

  • Seal your box with lots of strong packing tape. It’s a good idea to seal every edge—including the bottom!

Customs documentation

When your booking’s complete, we’ll send you all the customs documentation you need along with your confirmation email.

During the booking process, we’ll ask you for a detailed description of the items you’re sending. You will need to provide:

  • A full description of the item. For example, instead of ‘shoes’ put ‘women’s leather shoes’

  • The value of each item

  • The item’s place of origin (where it was made, not where it’s being sent from)

Our International Shipping Hub has lots of information about HS codes and how to fill out a commercial invoice, and if you need help with your customs documentation, our friendly customer service team is on hand 24/7.

What You Can and Can’t Send to the UAE

Before sending a parcel to UAE from the UK, check that the items you want to send are allowed.

You can check on our list of prohibited items, but it’s always a good idea to double-check the United Arab Emirates customs website.

In the UAE, there are several customs authorities, and each one may have different customs regulations. For example, some customs offices include Dubai Customs, Sharjah Customs, and Abu Dhabi’s General Administration of Customs.

Restricted and prohibited items

Items that are prohibited by UAE include:

  • Batteries and any items with built-in batteries

  • Cosmetics

  • Goods of Israeli origin

  • Tobacco and tobacco products

  • Any perishable goods

  • Any items considered offensive to Islamic morals

Restricted items include:

  • Alcohol is heavily regulated and needs a special shipping licence

  • Precious metals and stones may require additional documentation

Special handling for electronics and food

Some electronic items are restricted and may need approval before sending because of security concerns.

You can send non-perishable food to UAE as long as the items are sealed, labelled, and have over 6 months shelf-life remaining. You should avoid any items containing pork and other ingredients restricted by the UAE.

If in doubt, it’s always best to check with the relevant customs department before sending.

Can you send flowers to UAE?

Unfortunately, our couriers do not carry any perishable items on their services to UAE, which includes flowers.

Shipping Costs and Taxes Explained

You’ll normally need to pay customs duties on items sent to UAE. This is usually calculated as a percentage of the item’s value and can depend on what type of product you’re shipping. The standard customs duty rate is around 5%.

As well as customs duties, you’ll need to pay local VAT when you send a parcel to UAE. This is normally 5% of the value of the shipment.

How Parcel2Go can help you send a parcel to UAE

  • Get a quote from the UK’s top couriers in seconds – no more trawling the web to find the best prices!

  • We’ll provide all the customs documentation you need during the booking process

  • FREE parcel tracking with every order

  • Our friendly customer service team in available 24/7

Get a quote to send your parcel to UAE today.