Al Basmah International Shipping ships from the UAE to Morocco in two ways only: by sea, in a full or shared container from Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah to the port of Casablanca or Tanger Med, and by air to Casablanca Mohammed V Airport for urgent shipments. Sea freight usually takes 3 to 5 weeks port to port, plus customs clearance and trucking to your city; air freight normally arrives within 2 to 5 days. We collect furniture, cars and cargo from your home or warehouse in any emirate and handle clearance in Morocco and delivery to Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Fes, Marrakech, Agadir, Oujda and every other city.
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Most people who contact us on this route are Moroccan families finishing their years of work in Dubai or Abu Dhabi and moving a whole home back, students and employees sending a handful of boxes, and traders importing goods from UAE markets. Each case has its own best method and its own paperwork, and this guide walks through all of it in order, so you know what to prepare before you send us your first message.
Before shipping to Morocco
- There is no practical road route from the UAE to Morocco; shipments go by sea or air.
- Sea: a full 20 ft or 40 ft container loaded at your door, or space in a shared container priced per cubic metre.
- Usual arrival ports: Casablanca and Tanger Med, sometimes Agadir.
- Air is for parcels, documents and urgent items; it does not suit furniture.
- Moroccans living abroad who return for good usually get a one-time customs exemption on their used belongings, under conditions.
- The price depends on volume, method and delivery city; send the details on WhatsApp and you will get the price.
What do we ship from the UAE to Morocco?
We ship everything Morocco allows in: personal effects, furniture, cars and commercial goods, with the method depending on the shipment. Furniture, cars and heavy cargo go by sea; light and urgent parcels go by air.
A complete home
Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchen and appliances, dismantled, packed and loaded into a container sealed outside your door.
A few personal items
Boxes of clothes, books, household items and suitcases, shipped in a shared container and charged on their volume only.
Cars
One car or several, on a RoRo vessel or inside a container, after checking the rules for bringing it into Morocco.
Commercial goods
Clothing, packaged perfumes, electronics, spare parts and building materials, with invoices, packing list and certificate of origin.
We also ship used professional equipment for people going back to open a workshop, clinic or office in Morocco, gifts and supplies ahead of weddings and holidays, and official documents that need to arrive within days.
Where do we collect your shipment in the UAE?
We collect from all seven emirates, and our team comes to your home or warehouse at a time that suits you. We have two branches where you can visit or drop off smaller items: Dubai – Deira, Port Saeed Street, and Sharjah – Industrial Area 18. These are the areas we work in most on the Morocco route:
- Dubai: Deira, Al Qusais, Al Barsha, Al Jaddaf, Dubai Marina, JLT, International City, Al Quoz and the Jebel Ali Free Zone warehouses. The details are in our guide for a shipping company from Dubai to Morocco.
- Abu Dhabi: Khalifa City, Mussafah, Al Reem Island, Al Khalidiya, Shakhbout and Mohammed Bin Zayed City. Families there have their own guide: shipping from Abu Dhabi to Morocco.
- Sharjah: Al Taawun, Al Nahda, Al Majaz, Al Qasimia, the industrial areas and the Sharjah Airport Free Zone. See shipping from Sharjah to Morocco if your shipment is commercial.
- Ajman and Umm Al Quwain: Al Nuaimiya, Al Jurf, Al Rashidiya, Ajman Free Zone, and the residential and industrial districts of Umm Al Quwain.
- Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah: Al Nakheel, Al Hamra, Dafan Al Khor and the Fujairah Free Zone; the details are in the guide to shipping from Ras Al Khaimah to Morocco.
- Al Ain: Al Jimi, Al Muwaiji, Al Towayya and the Al Ain industrial area.
If you live in an emirate far from the port, that is not a problem. A full container is sent to your door, loaded there and taken back to the port; a small shipment is collected from you and moved to the consolidation warehouse within the price we agree.
How does a shipment reach Morocco from the UAE by sea?
Sea freight is the usual way to move homes, cars and goods to Morocco, because it takes large volumes at a much lower cost than air. The container sails from Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port, Sharjah, Khor Fakkan or Fujairah, crosses the Arabian Sea, then the Red Sea, the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean, arriving at Tanger Med on the Strait of Gibraltar or continuing to the port of Casablanca on the Atlantic.
Many shipping lines do not sail direct; they discharge the container at a Mediterranean hub and another vessel carries it on to Morocco. That is normal on this route, and it explains why some sailings take two and a half weeks and others five. We choose the line based on the next departure, the transit time and the arrival port closest to your city.
Full container (FCL)
You book a container for yourself: a 20 ft usually fits a two- or three-bedroom apartment, while a 40 ft or 40 ft high cube suits a villa, a large house or a commercial load. The container comes to your door, everything is loaded in front of you, and it is closed with a numbered seal that is opened only by customs in Morocco. Your belongings never mix with anyone else’s and are not moved from one container to another.
Shared container (LCL)
If your belongings come to roughly one to ten cubic metres, a shared container is better value. Your shipment is consolidated in a warehouse with other loads bound for Morocco, and you pay only for the cubic metres you use. It takes a little longer, since the container waits until it is full and is then unpacked at a Moroccan warehouse before clearance, so we pay extra attention to packing and label every box with your name.
Comparing methods and transit times
The times in the table are approximate and change with sailing schedules, port congestion and how quickly the paperwork is ready.
| Method | Approximate time | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea – full container (FCL) | 3 to 5 weeks port to port, then clearance and inland delivery | A whole home, a villa, large commercial loads | Loaded at your door and sealed; opened only at customs |
| Sea – shared container (LCL) | About 4 to 6 weeks | Personal items, a small apartment, limited trade orders | Priced per cubic metre; consolidation adds some time |
| Air | About 2 to 5 days door to door | Parcels, documents, urgent items | Charged on actual or volumetric weight, whichever is higher; not for furniture |
Air freight from the UAE to Morocco
Air freight is the answer when time matters more than cost: official documents, permitted medicines with their prescription, spare parts a workshop is waiting for, or luggage that needs to arrive before you do. The shipment leaves from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah airport for Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, and can also reach Marrakech, Rabat, Tangier and other cities depending on the flight, usually within 2 to 5 days including clearance.
Air freight is charged on the actual weight or the volumetric weight, whichever is higher. Volumetric weight = length × width × height in cm ÷ 6000. For example, a 60 × 50 × 50 cm box has a volumetric weight of about 25 kg, even if it weighs only 12 kg on the scale. That is why we recommend packing air shipments in full, right-sized boxes rather than large half-empty ones.
- Loose lithium batteries, flammable liquids and perfumes in quantity are restricted by air; we tell you what can be accepted.
- Furniture and large appliances are not practical by air, as the cost usually exceeds their value.
- Commercial air shipments need an invoice and packing list, exactly as by sea.
Moroccan cities and their usual arrival port
We deliver to every city in Morocco. The arrival port is chosen according to the delivery city and the available shipping line, and the shipment continues by truck after clearance.
| City | Usual arrival port | Delivery notes |
|---|---|---|
| Casablanca (Maarif, Anfa, Ain Diab, Bouskoura, Ain Sebaa) | Port of Casablanca | Closest clearance point; Ain Sebaa and Bouskoura suit traders’ warehouses |
| Rabat, Salé and Kenitra (Agdal, Hay Riad, Souissi) | Casablanca, sometimes Tanger Med | About an hour and a half by truck from Casablanca |
| Tangier and Tetouan | Tanger Med | Closest for the north, and clearance there is usually quick |
| Fes and Meknes | Tanger Med or Casablanca | The port depends on the nearest sailing |
| Marrakech (Gueliz, Hivernage) | Casablanca | Deliveries inside the old medina need a smaller vehicle |
| Agadir | Casablanca, sometimes Agadir port | Some lines call at Agadir directly |
| Oujda and El Jadida | Casablanca or Tanger Med | Oujda is in the far east, so we price inland transport from the nearest port |
Casablanca or Tanger Med?
The port of Casablanca is the natural choice for Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech and Agadir, since it sits in the middle of the Atlantic coast close to most large cities. Tanger Med is one of Africa’s largest container ports and many lines call there, so it is sometimes faster; containers then move on to Tangier, Tetouan, Fes and Meknes. We tell you the chosen port, and why, before booking.
Deliveries in the old medinas
Homes inside the old medinas of Fes, Marrakech, Tetouan and Rabat sit on narrow lanes that trucks cannot enter. In that case the container is unloaded outside the walls or in the nearest square, and the belongings are carried in small vehicles or hand carts to the door. Tell us in advance if your home is in the medina or on a high floor without a lift so we price it from the start and there are no surprises on delivery day.
Moving back to Morocco and the definitive-return customs exemption
If you are a Moroccan living in the UAE and returning for good, Moroccan law usually grants a customs exemption on your personal effects, used furniture and household appliances, and also on used professional tools for those who worked in a trade abroad. The exemption is granted once per family, and there are conditions to watch before the container is loaded:
- Change-of-residence certificate: issued by the Moroccan consulate in Dubai or the embassy in Abu Dhabi, proving that your residence has moved to Morocco, with a minimum period of residence abroad that the consulate verifies.
- Detailed inventory: a dated list, signed by you, of everything in the shipment; every item must appear on it from the start.
- Time limit: formalities are usually completed within six months of the date of the change-of-residence certificate, and two successive shipments are generally allowed in that period through the same customs office.
- Type of goods: belongings must be used and for personal use; quantities that look commercial or new goods for resale are not covered.
We help you draw up the inventory in the form customs accepts and match it, box by box, with what is actually loaded. The conditions can change by administrative decision, so our team checks your case before booking and tells you exactly what you need. Foreigners moving to Morocco with a residence card have different conditions, which we explain case by case.
Car shipping from the UAE to Morocco
A car goes to Morocco in one of two ways. The first is a RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) vessel: the car is driven aboard, secured on one of the decks and driven off at the arrival port; it is the most economical option for a single car. The second is inside a container: the car is secured with straps and timber, and it can share a 40 ft container with your household goods; this gives more protection to luxury and classic cars.
Morocco has specific rules for cars belonging to Moroccans abroad: temporary admission for visitors, definitive import with duties paid, and duty reductions for certain groups such as retirees returning for good, subject to age and residence-abroad conditions. Duties vary with the car’s age, value and engine size, so we do not quote a general figure; the team checks your car and its papers before booking so you do not reach the port and find that clearance costs more than you expected.
- Prepare the UAE registration card, deregistration or export certificate, passport and national ID card.
- Settle fines and any bank lien before export.
- Remove personal items if the car goes by RoRo, and leave about a quarter tank of fuel.
Shipping commercial goods from the UAE to Morocco
Dubai and Sharjah markets are a regular source for Moroccan traders: clothing and fabrics, packaged perfumes and incense, phones and accessories, car spare parts, sanitary ware and building materials. A full container suits a trader filling 20 or 40 ft with one or more product lines; a shared container suits someone testing the market with a limited order.
The key difference from personal effects is that goods are declared in the name of an importer registered in Morocco, and customs duties and VAT are paid according to their type and value. We ask for the invoice and packing list before loading and check them against the goods, because any mismatch between paper and cargo delays the container and opens the door to fines. If the goods were made in an Arab country, the certificate of origin may reduce duties, so do not skip it.
- Gather goods from several suppliers in one warehouse, and we arrange loading into a single container.
- Ask which certificates your product needs before buying, especially food, cosmetics and wireless devices.
- Ask the supplier for a clear invoice with real prices; customs compares them with its reference values.
Packing: preparing your belongings for a long sea voyage
The voyage to Morocco is longer than Gulf routes, and the container may be moved between two vessels, so packing has to withstand humidity, vibration and repeated handling. This is what we usually do:
- Dismantle beds, wardrobes and tables, and bag and label their screws with each piece.
- Wrap sofas and mattresses in heavy plastic and then blankets; protect glass and mirrors with foam and cardboard sheets.
- Build wooden crates for antiques, chandeliers and sensitive equipment, using treated timber that meets the international ISPM-15 standard so it is not held at customs.
- Place moisture absorbers inside the container, since the Red Sea passage raises heat and humidity.
- Number every box and write its contents to match the inventory, which speeds up customs inspection a great deal.
If your belongings are old or worth less than the cost of shipping them, selling them in the UAE and buying replacements in Morocco may be cheaper. Do the maths before loading, not after.
Documents required for shipping to Morocco
Paperwork differs by shipment type, and missing documents are the main reason containers sit extra days at port. These are the usual lists, and the team reviews what applies to you:
Personal effects and furniture
- Copy of passport and Moroccan national ID card.
- Change-of-residence certificate for those returning for good.
- A detailed, dated and signed inventory.
- Delivery address in Morocco and a Moroccan phone number.
Commercial goods
- Commercial invoice and packing list with weights and volumes.
- Certificate of origin; goods of Arab origin may benefit from the Greater Arab Free Trade Area agreement.
- Importer details in Morocco, including the company identifier (ICE).
- Conformity certificates or permits for food, medicines and some devices.
Commercial goods are subject to customs duties according to their type and to Moroccan VAT (TVA), whose standard rate is 20%, with reduced rates for some goods.
Cars
- Registration card and UAE export certificate.
- Passport, national ID card and the change-of-residence certificate if you are returning for good.
- The original purchase invoice if the car was bought recently.
Prohibited and restricted items
Some items cannot enter Morocco at all, and others need prior authorisation. The main ones:
- Narcotics of any kind, weapons and ammunition, and counterfeit goods.
- Drones: banned or subject to prior authorisation, and seized at customs if they arrive without it.
- Certain medicines, especially those containing controlled substances, which need a prescription or permit.
- Some telecom equipment and electronics that need approval from the relevant authority.
- Flammable materials, gas cylinders and loose batteries.
Warning: a single prohibited item in a furniture container can hold the whole container at customs and expose its owner to a fine. Ask us about anything you are unsure of before packing, not after.
Shipping prices from the UAE to Morocco
There is no fixed price that fits every shipment; a two-bedroom flat in Ajman is not a villa in Abu Dhabi or two boxes from Dubai. So we price each shipment: send the details on WhatsApp and you will get the price, or use our quote page and we will get back to you. Just tell us the city where you will receive it, photos or a rough list of the items, and whether you need dismantling and packing.
What decides the price of shipping to Morocco?
| Factor | How it affects the price |
|---|---|
| Shipping method | Air costs far more per kilo; a shared container is cheaper for small loads, a full container for large homes. |
| Container size | A 20 ft costs less than a 40 ft, but a 40 ft is better value if your belongings exceed a 20 ft. |
| Shipment volume | Shared containers are charged per cubic metre; air by actual or volumetric weight. |
| Arrival port and delivery city | Inland transport from Casablanca to Agadir or Oujda adds cost, as do deliveries inside old medinas. |
| Packing, dismantling and assembly | Full packing and wooden crates add cost but protect fragile items. |
| Documents and clearance | Commercial shipments carry duties and VAT, unlike returning residents’ belongings, which are usually exempt. |
| Car | RoRo is cheaper, a container costs more, and import duties depend on the car’s age and value. |
For optional insurance, ask the team about the details and what it covers before booking.
How to ship from the UAE to Morocco with us
- Send the details on WhatsApp: type of shipment, photos or a list of items, the emirate we collect from and the Moroccan city.
- We suggest the method and price: full container, shared container or air, with the arrival port and approximate time.
- We review the documents: change-of-residence certificate and inventory for returning residents, invoices for traders, or car papers.
- Collection and packing: the team arrives at the agreed time and dismantles, packs and loads in front of you.
- Sailing or flight: we send you the departure date and the port or airport on WhatsApp.
- Clearance in Morocco: we follow customs formalities at the arrival port and tell you if anything needs you in person.
- Delivery in your city: the shipment reaches your home or warehouse, and you check the boxes against the inventory.
At each of these stages the team sends you an update on WhatsApp, so you know where your shipment is without having to ask.
Tips before shipping to Morocco, and common mistakes
- Start the paperwork before booking: the change-of-residence certificate takes time, and the container will not ship until the documents are ready.
- Do not mix goods with furniture: new appliances in their boxes or quantities of the same item in a personal-effects container make customs treat it as commercial cargo.
- Write the inventory honestly: anything not listed may be charged duty, and anything listed but missing confuses the inspection.
- Avoid peak season if you can: bookings pile up before summer and at the end of the school year, so booking early gets you a better date.
- Keep valuables with you: gold, original documents and cash travel in your luggage, not in the container.
- Check your Moroccan number: the clearing agent and driver will call you on arrival, so keep it active.
Frequently asked questions about shipping from the UAE to Morocco
How long does shipping from the UAE to Morocco take?
By sea, about 3 to 5 weeks port to port for a full container, sometimes a week more for a shared one, then a few days for clearance and delivery to the city. By air, about 2 to 5 days door to door.
Is there road shipping from the UAE to Morocco?
No. The distance and borders between the two countries make a road route impractical for freight, so all shipments to Morocco go by sea or air.
Which Moroccan port does the container arrive at?
Usually Casablanca or Tanger Med, sometimes Agadir. We choose the port according to your city and the available sailing, then truck the shipment to your address.
Do I pay customs on my used furniture when I return for good?
Moroccans living abroad who return for good are usually exempt from duties on their used belongings once, with a change-of-residence certificate, a detailed inventory and within the set time limit. The team checks your case before booking.
What is the difference between a full and a shared container?
A full container is yours alone, loaded at your door and sealed, and suits whole homes. In a shared container you pay only per cubic metre, which suits smaller loads, though it takes a little longer.
Can I ship my car with my household goods?
Yes, in a 40 ft container the car is secured in one part and the belongings fill the rest. The team first checks the car’s entry rules and duties for Morocco.
How do I know where my shipment is?
The team sends you a WhatsApp update at each stage: collection, sailing or departure, arrival at port, clearance and then the delivery appointment.
How do I get a price?
Send the details on WhatsApp and you will get the price: type of items with photos or a list, the emirate, and the delivery city in Morocco. That is enough to pick the right method and its cost.
Ready to ship to Morocco?
Tell us what you want to ship and the city where you will receive it, and the team will reply with the best method and its price.
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