A shipping company from Dubai to Iraq has to serve the trader first: collect the goods from the shop or warehouse in Deira, Al Qusais or Jebel Ali, make sure any items that need a COC certificate have one before loading, prepare the invoice, packing list and certificate of origin, then ship as a full or shared container from Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr and on to Basra or any governorate. By sea that is roughly two to three weeks door to door. At Al Basmah International Shipping our Dubai branch is in Deira on Port Saeed Street, minutes from the wholesale markets, and we also ship cars and send urgent parcels by air.
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This guide is written for the Iraqi trader buying in Dubai who wants the goods to arrive without being stuck at the port, for the shop owner sending a batch of appliances or electronics, and for anyone shipping a car to Basra. It covers the documents in order, the difference between a full and a shared container, transit times to each governorate and what decides the price.
The Iraqi trader’s file
- Check first whether your goods need a COC; the certificate is issued before loading, not after arrival.
- Prepare a commercial invoice with a clear description of every item, a packing list, a certificate of origin and the Iraqi importer’s details.
- Full container (FCL) if your goods fill a 20 ft or 40 ft box; shared container (LCL) if you have a few cubic metres.
- Usual route: Jebel Ali → Umm Qasr → Basra and the other governorates, roughly 2–3 weeks.
- Cars go in a container or by RoRo after their eligibility is checked against the current rules.
- Send the details on WhatsApp and you will receive the price.
What we ship from Dubai to Iraq
Most of what we ship from Dubai to Iraq is commercial cargo: household appliances, electronics, phones and accessories, clothing and fabrics, housewares, spare parts, and mixed goods a trader buys from several suppliers. We also ship cars, household furniture for families moving back, and small urgent parcels by air.
Household appliances
Fridges, washing machines, air conditioners, ovens and fans, shipped in their original boxes on pallets, with the COC requirement checked for each item.
Electronics
Phones, screens, computers and accessories, with special care for batteries, how they are packed and how they are declared.
Mixed goods
A batch from several suppliers in Deira and elsewhere, gathered at our warehouse and loaded into one container with a single packing list.
Spare parts and tyres
Vehicle parts and tyres are usually on the regulated list, so we check them before booking.
Cars
Car shipping to Basra in a closed container or by RoRo, after the car’s import eligibility is confirmed.
Urgent parcels
Samples, documents and small parts go by air to Baghdad, Basra or Erbil within days.
Why traders start at our Deira branch
Our Dubai branch is in Deira on Port Saeed Street, and Deira is the heart of Dubai’s traditional wholesale trade: the Naif, Al Ras and Al Murar markets and the appliance, electronics and fabric shops spread through its streets. Being close means a trader visiting from Iraq can buy in the morning and drop by the same day, and collections from neighbouring suppliers happen in one round instead of several trips. We also collect directly from suppliers when the trader is in Iraq and working remotely; they send us the invoices and supplier contacts and we handle the collection and checking.
When goods come from more than one supplier we check the cartons, match the count against the invoices, photograph what we received and send it on WhatsApp, then prepare one packing list for the whole shipment. That simple step prevents the most common problem with consolidated shipments: a missing carton or an item that is not on the paperwork.
Collection areas in Dubai
We collect from any area in Dubai, as well as Sharjah and the other emirates. The areas we collect Iraq-bound goods from most often:
- Deira and around: Port Saeed, Naif, Al Ras, Al Murar, Al Rigga, Al Muraqqabat, Hor Al Anz, Abu Hail.
- Industrial and trading areas: Al Qusais Industrial, Al Nahda, Al Quoz, Ras Al Khor, International City.
- Free zones and warehouses: Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Airport Free Zone, Dubai Investment Park.
- Residential areas: Al Barsha, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Al Warqa, Mirdif, for home moves or cars.
If you are shipping from another emirate or want a full comparison of sea, road and air, see our guide for a shipping company from UAE to Iraq.
The COC certificate before loading
The Certificate of Conformity is the first thing a trader who has shipped to Iraq before asks about. Iraq runs a pre-shipment inspection and conformity programme for a list of regulated products. The certificate is issued by approved inspection bodies after reviewing the documents and inspecting the goods and their labelling in the exporting country, and it is requested at clearance. Products usually on the list include electrical appliances, toys, vehicle parts and tyres, cosmetics, building materials, kitchenware, textiles and food products.
- When is it issued? Before loading, because the inspection takes place on the goods in Dubai.
- What has to match? Items and quantities on the certificate, the invoice and the packing list.
- What if goods that need it arrive without it? They can be held at the port or face extra procedures.
- What if the destination is Kurdistan? The Region has its own procedures and a separate conformity programme for some goods, so tell us the destination from the start.
Our team reviews your item list before the container is booked and tells you which items need the certificate and what is required to issue it, so you do not find out at Umm Qasr.
The trader’s documents: invoice, packing list and certificate of origin
Shipping commercial goods from Dubai to Iraq needs five core documents, and each one plays a part in clearance:
| Document | What it must contain | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Seller and buyer names, a description of every item with quantity, unit price and total value | Avoid vague wording like “mixed goods” |
| Packing list | Number of cartons, contents of each, gross and net weight, volume | Must match what is actually loaded |
| Certificate of origin | Country where the goods were made | Issued by the competent UAE body such as the chamber of commerce |
| COC | Confirmation that the product meets the required standards | Only for regulated items, and before loading |
| Iraqi importer details | Importer name, address and contact details | Must be identical across all documents |
From experience: most clearance delays in Iraq come from small mismatches between documents, such as a different weight on the invoice and the packing list, or an importer name spelled two ways. We review the whole file before the container leaves.
Full container or shared space to Umm Qasr?
If your goods fill a container, or nearly do, a full container (FCL) is more economical and clears faster; if you have a few cubic metres, a shared container (LCL) is the answer. Either way the container sails from Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr, and the goods are then trucked to Basra or the other governorates.
| Option | Suits | Advantages | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft FCL | A batch of appliances or medium cargo | The container is yours alone and sealed at your warehouse or ours | Heavy appliances can hit the weight limit before the box is full |
| 40 ft FCL | Large quantities and light, bulky goods | Lower cost per cubic metre | Needs a street that can take a large truck at delivery |
| LCL shared space | Small traders or a trial batch | You pay only for your volume | Waits for the consolidated box to fill, and unpacking at the port takes extra time |
Ways to ship from Dubai to Iraq and transit times
Sea is the usual route for goods and cars from Dubai to Iraq. Road through Saudi Arabia or Kuwait is an option for medium loads in a hurry, and air is for small parcels. Approximate door-to-door times:
| Mode | Route | Approx. time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea | Jebel Ali → Umm Qasr → governorate | 2–3 weeks | Commercial containers, cars, furniture |
| Road | Closed transit truck via Saudi Arabia to the Arar crossing, or via Kuwait to Safwan | 7–12 days | Medium loads needed sooner |
| Air | Dubai airport → Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Najaf or Sulaymaniyah | 2–4 days | Urgent samples, parcels and documents |
Road freight needs complete papers for every border it crosses; transit details are in our guides on shipping from Dubai to Saudi Arabia and shipping from Dubai to Kuwait.
Car shipping from Dubai to Basra
Cars go from Dubai to Basra by sea to Umm Qasr, either strapped inside a closed container or on a RoRo vessel where the car is driven aboard. A container suits someone who buys a car in Dubai and wants it to arrive sealed, or who ships two cars together in a 40 ft container.
The first step, before any payment, is checking eligibility: Iraq sets conditions on imported used cars, including model-year limits and technical specifications, and they change from time to time. Send us the registration card and chassis number and we check them against the rules in force at the time of shipping.
- Registration card or purchase invoice, and the export certificate from the traffic authority in Dubai.
- Passport copy, plus the owner’s Iraqi national ID if available.
- Car clean, with little fuel, and nothing left inside for RoRo.
- Photos of the car from every side at collection, sent to you on WhatsApp.
Delivery in Basra and the other governorates
Basra is the closest governorate because Umm Qasr port is inside it, so goods reach Basra shops and warehouses straight after clearance, usually ahead of other governorates. Once released, we load the goods on a truck to the address and call the receiver before arriving. At every stage you get a WhatsApp message: arrival at the port, clearance started, release, and the delivery appointment.
| Area | Cities | Approx. door to door by sea |
|---|---|---|
| Basra | Basra and Umm Qasr | 2–2.5 weeks |
| Baghdad | Karrada, Mansour, Jadriya, Zayouna, Al Yarmouk, Adhamiya, Al Saydiya, Al Ghazaliya | 2.5–3 weeks |
| Kurdistan Region | Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok | About 3 weeks, sometimes more |
| Najaf and Karbala | Najaf, Karbala, Hillah | 2.5–3 weeks |
| Mosul and Kirkuk | Mosul, Kirkuk | About 3 weeks, sometimes more |
| South and centre | Nasiriyah, Kut, Ramadi | 2.5–3 weeks |
Moving a family home from Dubai to Iraq
Not every Dubai shipment is commercial; many Iraqi families living in Dubai move their furniture when they return. The file is different here: instead of a commercial invoice and COC, you need a passport copy, the owner’s Iraqi national ID copy and a detailed contents list with carton numbers. Customs treatment of personal effects varies from case to case, and the team reviews it with you before shipping without making promises in advance.
The packing team comes to your home in Al Barsha, Mirdif, Al Warqa or anywhere else, dismantles and wraps each room and numbers the cartons, then loads them into a dedicated container or shared space depending on volume. Do not mix household goods with commercial cargo in the same container; each has different papers, and mixing them complicates clearance.
Air freight from Dubai to Iraq
Air freight from Dubai to Iraq usually arrives within two to four days door to door, and suits product samples before a large order, urgent spare parts and documents. Shipments leave Dubai airport for Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Najaf or Sulaymaniyah.
The price is based on actual or volumetric weight, whichever is higher, and volumetric weight = length × width × height in cm ÷ 6000. A 50 × 40 × 30 cm carton, for example, has a volumetric weight of 10 kg even if it actually weighs less. Loose lithium batteries, liquids and perfumes are restricted by air, and devices with built-in batteries are accepted under conditions the team confirms.
Packing appliances and electronics for Iraqi heat
Iraqi summers are very hot, dust is common, and a closed container in the sun gets hotter still. So:
- Appliances stay in their original boxes on pallets with corner protectors, and the whole pallet is stretch-wrapped to keep dust out.
- Sensitive electronics go into sealed bags with silica gel packs.
- Heavy cartons at the bottom, light ones on top, and gaps filled so the load cannot shift.
- Pressurised aerosols and flammable materials are not loaded with ordinary goods.
- Iraq uses 220–230 V at 50 Hz like the UAE, so UAE appliances work there without modification.
Prohibited and restricted items
Narcotics, weapons and ammunition, counterfeit goods and gambling equipment cannot be shipped to Iraq. Drones, satellite and wireless communication devices and some medicines need a permit in advance.
Warning: Counterfeit goods carrying well-known brand names can be seized at clearance and hold up the whole container. If you are unsure about an item, ask the team before loading.
Shipping prices from Dubai to Iraq
The price depends on the goods, the volume and the governorate, so send the details on WhatsApp and you will receive the price: your item list or photos, approximate volume or number of cartons, the collection point in Dubai and the Iraqi governorate. It works the same way for cars and air parcels: send the details on WhatsApp and you will receive the price. You can also use our quote request page.
What decides the price
| Factor | How it affects the price |
|---|---|
| Shipping mode | Sea is cheapest for large volumes, then road; air is highest and charged on actual or volumetric weight |
| FCL or LCL | A full container is priced per box; shared space per cubic metre |
| Governorate | Basra is closest, then Baghdad and the centre, then Kurdistan, Mosul and Kirkuk |
| Number of suppliers | Collecting from several suppliers adds collection rounds |
| COC and documents | Items needing a COC carry the inspection and issuing cost |
| Packing | Pallets and extra protection for sensitive appliances |
| Car | Container or RoRo, and the size of the car |
| Insurance | Optional; ask the team about it |
How to ship from Dubai to Iraq, step by step
- Send us on WhatsApp your item list, volume, collection point and the Iraqi governorate.
- We review the items, tell you which need a COC, and send the price and approximate timing.
- The COC is issued for regulated items, and the invoice, packing list and certificate of origin are prepared.
- We collect from the shop, supplier or warehouse, match cartons to invoices and send you photos.
- The container is loaded and leaves Jebel Ali, and you get a WhatsApp message.
- It arrives at Umm Qasr and is cleared.
- The goods are trucked to Basra or your governorate and delivered after we coordinate with the receiver.
Tips for traders before shipping to Iraq
- Ask the supplier for an itemised invoice from the start; correcting invoices after loading wastes time.
- Do not mix items that need a COC with items whose certificate has not been issued in the same container.
- Start with a small LCL shipment when dealing with a new supplier, then move to a full container.
- Make sure the Iraqi importer’s details are written the same way on every document.
- If the shipment is for Erbil, Sulaymaniyah or Duhok, say so in your first message.
Frequently asked questions about shipping from Dubai to Iraq
How long does a shipment from Dubai to Iraq take?
By sea from Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr and on to the governorate, roughly 2–3 weeks door to door; by road roughly 7–12 days; by air about 2–4 days.
Do all goods need a COC?
No, only regulated products, but the list is broad and covers electrical appliances, toys, vehicle parts, cosmetics, building materials and more. We review your items and let you know.
Do you collect from several suppliers in Dubai?
Yes. We collect from multiple suppliers, match cartons to invoices, send you photos, then prepare one packing list for the shipment.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL?
FCL is a full container for you alone and is the most economical per cubic metre for large quantities. LCL is space in a shared container where you pay only for your volume, suited to small quantities.
Can I ship a car from Dubai to Basra?
Yes, in a container or by RoRo to Umm Qasr, after checking that the car meets Iraq’s current import conditions.
How do I follow my shipment?
The team sends you a WhatsApp message at every stage: collection, loading, departure, arrival at the port, clearance and the delivery appointment.
Will appliances bought in Dubai work in Iraq?
Yes. Iraq uses 220–230 V at 50 Hz like the UAE, so they do not need converters.
Do you ship to Kurdistan?
Yes, to Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Duhok. The Region has its own customs procedures, so we arrange the papers accordingly from the start.
Have goods in Dubai heading to Iraq?
Send your item list and the governorate on WhatsApp and we will reply with the papers you need, the price and the approximate timing.
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