If you are looking for a shipping company from Umm Al Quwain to Tunisia and your belongings will not fill a container, the closest fit is shared sea freight priced by the cubic metre: you pay only for the space your things take up, usually with a 1 m³ minimum. At Al Basmah International Shipping we collect boxes, suitcases and small furniture from your home in Al Salamah, Al Ramlah or Falaj Al Mualla, measure them and write the contents list with you. They then join a shared container sailing from Jebel Ali or Sharjah to Rades port near Tunis, and a truck takes them on to Nabeul or any other governorate. Sea transit is roughly four to six weeks port to port, sometimes a little longer for shared loads while the container fills. Urgent parcels and documents fly and usually arrive in three to five days. There is no road route to Tunisia, so it is sea or air only.
Stops in this guide17 sectionsShowHide
Work out your small load
- A medium box of 50×40×40 cm is about 0.08 m³, so 12 of them fill one cubic metre.
- A single person’s room (bed taken apart, mattress, TV and about 10 boxes) is usually 2.5–3.5 m³.
- A studio or a small one-bedroom flat: roughly 6–12 m³ depending on furniture.
- Past 14–15 m³, compare with a full 20 ft container.
- Price: send the details on WhatsApp and you will get the price.
Pay for your volume only
In a shared container you never pay for empty space; the charge is the volume your packed goods occupy.
A clear contents list
We number every box with you and note what is inside. Customs in Tunisia needs this list.
Nabeul family homes
Delivery to the family house in Nabeul, Hammamet or Dar Chaabane after clearance at Rades.
Updates on WhatsApp
The team messages you at collection, consolidation, sailing, arrival, clearance and delivery.
What we ship from Umm Al Quwain to Tunisia
Most people who contact us from Umm Al Quwain about Tunisia do not live in big villas. They are single employees or small families in one- or two-bedroom flats who want to send part of their things home. This guide is built around small loads, although we move whole homes too.
- Boxes and personal suitcases: clothes, books, kitchenware, gifts for the family.
- A few furniture pieces: a dismantled bed, a small wardrobe, a table, one or two sofas.
- Appliances: a small fridge, washing machine, TV, microwave, window AC unit.
- Tools and light equipment for tradespeople.
- Small commercial quantities for anyone registered as an importer in Tunisia.
- Your personal car in a container, once its eligibility is confirmed.
- Urgent parcels, documents and permitted personal medicines by air.
Pickup areas in Umm Al Quwain
We collect from any address in the emirate. The van comes to your building or house, and the team measures your goods before loading so you know the real volume, not a guess. Areas we collect from most often:
- Al Salamah, Al Ramlah and Al Raudah, with their flats and residential blocks.
- Al Ras and the Old Town near the corniche.
- Falaj Al Mualla and the inland areas towards Al Dhaid.
- The Industrial Area and the Umm Al Quwain free zone for businesses.
- Newer residential areas along King Faisal Street and Al Ittihad Road towards Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman.
If you would rather bring your things yourself, we have two branches: Dubai – Deira, Port Saeed Street, and Sharjah – Industrial Area 18, the latter within easy reach of Umm Al Quwain via Emirates Road or Al Ittihad Road. If you live near the Ajman border, see also our guide to shipping from Ajman to Tunisia.
Shipping by the cubic metre: how your volume is worked out
A cubic metre is length × width × height in metres. A box of 0.5 × 0.4 × 0.4 m is 0.08 m³. For a shared container the team adds up every piece after packing, because wrapping adds a few centimetres to each item. The total is rounded, and anything under one cubic metre is usually charged as one, the normal minimum on most consolidation services.
| Load | Typical contents | Approximate volume |
|---|---|---|
| Bags and boxes only | 3 large suitcases and 6 medium boxes | About 0.8 m³, charged as 1 m³ |
| Single room | Dismantled bed, mattress, 55-inch TV, 10 boxes | 2.5–3.5 m³ |
| One-bedroom flat | 3-seat sofa, table, fridge, washer, 15 boxes | 6–9 m³ |
| Two-bedroom flat | Two bedrooms, living room, part of the kitchen | 12–18 m³ (compare with a 20 ft) |
A real example: one customer sent nine boxes, two suitcases and a dismantled child’s bike. Packed, it came to 1.3 m³, and that is what he paid for, not a container. Another started with a short list, then added a sofa and a fridge, and the volume grew to 7 m³. The point is to know your volume before booking, which is why we ask for photos or a rough list on WhatsApp.
The contents list records every box by number, what is inside, how many and whether it is new or used. In a shared container your goods sit next to other people’s, so numbering and the list prevent mix-ups and make clearance at Rades easier. Write “used clothes – 2 boxes”, not “things”, and put electronics on their own line with the type.
When to choose a full container instead of a shared one
A shared container is excellent for small volumes, but it has limits. As your volume grows, the cost of the cubic metres approaches that of a full 20 ft container, and a full container is loaded at your door, sealed in front of you and not opened until Rades, so your goods are handled fewer times. Our working rule: up to about 10 m³ shared is usually cheaper; between 10 and 15 m³ we price both options and send them to you; above 15 m³ a full container is normally the better choice.
- Choose shared if your load is boxes and a few furniture pieces and you are not in a hurry.
- Choose a full container if you have heavy wooden furniture, many appliances or want a fixed sailing date.
- If two families in Umm Al Quwain are shipping to the same governorate, they can share a 20 ft container with a clear arrangement and two separate lists.
The sea route from Umm Al Quwain to Tunisia
Umm Al Quwain has no large container port on the Mediterranean lines, so your goods go by truck to the consolidation warehouse and then to Jebel Ali, Sharjah or Khalifa Port, whichever has the next suitable sailing. The ship crosses the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, and the container often changes ships at a transhipment port. The usual arrival port for shared loads is Rades near Tunis, sometimes Sfax or Sousse.
- Collection from your home in Umm Al Quwain and measuring.
- Consolidation at the warehouse with other Tunisia-bound loads.
- Sailing from Jebel Ali, Sharjah or Khalifa Port.
- Transhipment at an intermediate port via the Red Sea and Suez.
- Arrival at Rades and unpacking of the shared container.
- Customs clearance, then the truck to Nabeul or your governorate.
Transit times from Umm Al Quwain to Tunisia
These times are approximate and depend on when the shared container closes, on transhipment and on clearance:
| Method | Approximate time | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea, full container (FCL) | 4–6 weeks port to port + clearance | A whole flat or more than 15 m³ | The container is yours alone and sealed at your door |
| Sea, shared (LCL) | About 5–8 weeks | 1 to 14 m³ | Usually 1 m³ minimum; may wait for the container to fill |
| Air | 3–5 days door to door | Urgent parcels and documents | Charged on actual or volumetric weight, whichever is higher |
Air freight from Umm Al Quwain to Tunisia for urgent parcels
Air freight makes sense when you need something in Tunisia within days: official papers, a gift for a family occasion, a spare part, or a bag you left behind. We collect in Umm Al Quwain and it flies from Dubai or Sharjah airport to Tunis–Carthage International Airport, or to Monastir, Djerba or Enfidha depending on the flight. Allow three to five days door to door, including clearance.
Air is priced on actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is higher, where volumetric weight = L × W × H in cm ÷ 6000. A 60×40×40 cm box has a volumetric weight of 16 kg, so if it actually weighs 9 kg you are charged for 16. Pick a box that fits your items and do not send a big box half empty.
- Air does not suit furniture or large appliances.
- Lithium batteries, liquids and perfumes are restricted on air freight, so ask the team before packing.
- Personal medicines need a prescription, and some need a permit in Tunisia.
Car shipping from Umm Al Quwain to Tunisia
Before we book any space for your car we first check that it can actually enter Tunisia, because the import rules there are strict. Tunisians living abroad have special regimes, including the FCR regime with tax advantages under conditions; otherwise there are limits on age and type. We give no figures or years before looking at your case: the team reviews the ownership and the entry regime, then suggests the method.
A car either drives aboard a RoRo vessel uncovered, or travels inside a container. The crossovers popular in Umm Al Quwain usually go in a 40 ft container, and some boxes may go in the space around it if the entry regime allows.
Condition photos before loading: before the car goes into the container we photograph it with you from all four sides and inside, and note the mileage, fuel level and any existing scratches. The photos are sent to you on WhatsApp and serve as the reference when you collect in Tunisia.
Packing small loads
A small load is handled more than a full container, because it is unpacked at the warehouse and consolidated again. So packing matters more:
- Double-wall boxes, not thin grocery cartons.
- Wrap dishes and glass in paper then bubble wrap, and use small heavy boxes rather than big ones.
- Appliances in their original boxes if you have them, or a wooden crate for a large TV.
- Stack boxes on a pallet and stretch-wrap them so they stay together.
- Write your name and box number on at least two sides.
Documents you will need
Personal effects and used household goods
Passport and a copy of your UAE residence, plus a detailed contents list in French or Arabic. A Tunisian living abroad who is returning for good can usually bring used household goods in once with exemption under the definitive-return procedure, with papers from the Tunisian consulate, a detailed contents list and within a set period. Foreigners with residence in Tunisia follow other rules, and the team checks your case before shipping.
Commercial goods
Importer registration in Tunisia, a commercial invoice, a packing list and a certificate of origin; for goods of Arab origin the GAFTA certificate may help. VAT (standard rate 19%) and customs duties apply by type of goods.
Cars
The vehicle registration card (mulkiya) and export certificate from traffic, the owner’s passport, entry-regime papers if FCR or another regime applies, and the purchase invoice if requested.
Prohibited and restricted items
- Prohibited: narcotics, weapons and ammunition, counterfeit goods.
- Need authorisation: drones, some electronics and radio equipment, some medicines.
- Keep out of the load: gas and flammables, loose batteries, perishable food.
Warning: Do not hide anything that is not on the list inside a box of clothes. In a shared container one undeclared item can hold up the inspection of the whole container, and its owner may be fined.
Prices from Umm Al Quwain to Tunisia
We do not publish a fixed price because volume and method differ for every load. For each service below: send the details on WhatsApp and you will get the price.
- Shared sea freight by the cubic metre: send the details on WhatsApp and you will get the price.
- A full 20 ft or 40 ft container: send the details on WhatsApp and you will get the price.
- Air freight for parcels: send the details on WhatsApp and you will get the price.
- Car shipping after the eligibility check: send the details on WhatsApp and you will get the price.
What decides the price
| Factor | Effect on the price |
|---|---|
| Method: FCL, LCL or air | Air costs far more per kilo; shared sea is cheaper for small volumes. |
| Volume in cubic metres | The basis of a shared-container charge, usually with a 1 m³ minimum. |
| Container size | 20 ft or 40 ft once you outgrow a shared load. |
| Arrival port and governorate | Rades then a truck to Nabeul is shorter than delivery to Djerba, for example. |
| Packing | Full packing and wooden crates add to the cost. |
| Documents and clearance type | Definitive return differs from commercial goods. |
| Car | Container or RoRo, the car’s size and its entry regime. |
For a wider comparison across the UAE, our guide to shipping from the UAE to Tunisia covers every method, or you can request the price on the quote page.
How to ship from Umm Al Quwain to Tunisia, step by step
- Send photos or a rough list on WhatsApp with your delivery address in Tunisia.
- The team estimates the volume and suggests shared, full container or air.
- Agree a collection time; the team brings packing materials.
- We pack and number the boxes, write the contents list with you and measure the final volume.
- Your goods go to consolidation and the port, and you hear on WhatsApp when they sail.
- On arrival at Rades, clearance starts with the agreed documents.
- The truck delivers to Nabeul or your governorate and you check the list with the driver.
Tips and warnings before you ship
- Measure before deciding: if you are close to 15 m³, ask about a full 20 ft container.
- Do not ship cheap, heavy furniture that costs more to move than to buy new in Tunisia.
- Keep a copy of the contents list with you on the plane.
- Ask the team about optional insurance if the goods are valuable.
- Start the definitive-return papers at the consulate before shipping, not after.
A tip from the team: take what you need in the first week (papers, medicines, a few clothes) with you on the plane, and let the rest come by sea.
Delivery in Tunisia: Nabeul and the other governorates
After clearance at Rades your goods travel by truck to the address. Nabeul and Hammamet are about an hour from Rades, and many of our customers send to the family house there, usually one or two storeys around an inner courtyard, which is easier to unload than a flat. In the old medinas with narrow lanes, such as the Medina of Tunis or Sfax, the truck may stop at the nearest entrance and the goods go the last stretch in a small vehicle or by hand.
| Governorate | Usual arrival port | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tunis and Ariana | Rades | La Marsa, Carthage, Lac 1 and 2, El Menzah, Ennasr and Ben Arous are close to the port. |
| Sousse and Monastir | Sousse or Rades | Depends on the vessel’s route. |
| Sfax | Sfax | Direct arrival on many sailings. |
| Nabeul and Hammamet | Rades | About an hour by road after clearance. |
| Bizerte | Bizerte or Rades | North of the capital. |
| Djerba and Gabes | Sfax or Gabes | Then by truck to the south. |
If you are heading north with a bigger load, see also our nearby guide to shipping from Sharjah to Tunisia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest amount I can ship by sea from Umm Al Quwain to Tunisia?
On a shared container the minimum is usually one cubic metre, even if your goods are less, which is about 12 medium boxes.
How long does a small load take to reach Nabeul?
Roughly five to eight weeks on a shared container, covering consolidation, sailing, clearance at Rades and the road to Nabeul.
Do I pay by weight or volume on sea freight?
Shared sea freight is usually charged by volume in cubic metres; air is charged on actual or volumetric weight, whichever is higher.
Can my car go in the same container as my belongings?
Sometimes, if the car’s entry regime allows it. The team checks eligibility first and then decides whether goods can be added.
Do I need to be in Tunisia when it arrives?
Not always; a family member can collect with a power of attorney, but definitive-return papers need you present or specific arrangements.
Do you collect from Falaj Al Mualla?
Yes, we collect anywhere in Umm Al Quwain, including Falaj Al Mualla, the Industrial Area and the free zone.
How will I know where my shipment is?
The team sends you a WhatsApp update at each stage: collection, sailing, arrival, clearance and when the truck sets off.
Ready to work out your load?
Send photos of your things and your address in Tunisia, and you will get the price and the right method.
Tags: shipping company from Umm Al Quwain to Tunisia, small loads to Tunisia, shipping by cubic metre, LCL shared container, sea freight to Tunisia, air freight to Tunisia, shipping to Nabeul, Rades port, car shipping to Tunisia, definitive return Tunisia, contents list, shipping boxes, UAE to Tunisia shipping, Al Basmah International Shipping
