Sea Freight FAQ’s
Worldwide Shipping Logistics To & from Dubai UAE
Frequently Asked Questions (F&Q)
General Shipping & Process
Sea freight is the transport of goods in containers via ocean vessels from a port of origin to a destination port (like Jebel Ali in Dubai). The process involves three key stages: origin handling (stuffing & export), ocean transit, and destination handling (import clearance & delivery) .
The choice depends on your budget and timeline. Air freight is faster but significantly more expensive, ideal for urgent or high-value goods. Sea freight is much more cost-effective for large, heavy, or non-perishable items and is the backbone of international trade.
To arrange sea freight, you typically need to provide:
- Type of goods
- Total weight and volume
- Nature of cargo (hazardous, fragile, etc.)
- Origin and destination details
- Preferred shipping timeline
Shell DiamondCargo shipping team will guide you through documentation and customs procedures.
- FCL (Full Container Load): You rent an entire container (20ft or 40ft). Best for shipments over 15 Cubic Meters (CBM). It is more secure, often faster, and reduces the risk of damage.
- LCL (Less than Container Load): Your goods share a container with others. Best for shipments under 15 CBM. You only pay for the space you use, making it flexible for smaller volumes.
To avoid surprises, always ask your freight forwarder if the quote includes:
- Terminal Handling Charges (THC): Fees for loading/unloading at the port .
- Demurrage & Detention: Free days for container storage at the port and return. Daily fees apply after this period expires.
- Documentation Fees: Costs for issuing or amending the Bill of Lading.
- Customs Inspections: Fees if your shipment is selected for physical scanning or inspection.
Documentation & Regulations
For smooth customs clearance in the UAE, you generally need:
- Commercial Invoice & Packing List: Must be detailed, printed on company letterhead, and include the HS Code.
- Bill of Lading (B/L): The contract of carriage and title to the goods.
- Certificate of Origin: To verify where the goods were manufactured.
HS Code Summary Sheet: A detailed list of items if you have multiple HS codes.
As of January 1, 2025, GCC countries (including the UAE) require the use of 12-digit HS codes. This is an expansion from previous years and affects tariff classification. Using the correct code is critical to avoid clearance delays or penalties, especially for electronics, machinery, and textiles.
Not always. If your shipment is set up with a Telex Release or Express Release, you can clear the goods without presenting the original paper document. This speeds up the process significantly.
A Telex Release is an electronic message from the shipping line at the origin port to the destination port. It instructs them to release the cargo to the consignee without requiring the original paper Bill of Lading.
An Express Release is a shipping option where no physical or original Bill of Lading is issued. The cargo is automatically released to the consignee at the destination once the shipping charges are settled, without needing any document presentation.
No Document at All: Unlike Telex Release (which cancels an original document), Express Release means no original Bill of Lading was ever printed.
These Incoterms define who pays for what:
- FOB (Free on Board): The seller is responsible for getting goods to the port and loading them on the ship. The buyer pays for the main freight, insurance, and takes risk once goods are on board.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight): The seller pays for freight and insurance to the destination port, but the buyer assumes the risk once the goods are loaded on the ship.
CNF or CFR (Cost and Freight): Seller Pays Shipping
With CNF, the seller pays to get the goods to the destination port, but the buyer assumes the risk once the items are on the vessel.
- Seller’s Job: Pay for transport to the destination port and handle export clearance.
- Buyer’s Job: Insure the cargo (since seller doesn’t), handle import customs, and arrange delivery from the port.
EXW (Ex Works) places maximum responsibility on the buyer. The seller simply makes the goods available at their factory or warehouse. You (the buyer) are responsible for all costs and risks from that point onward, including loading, transport, export/import clearance, and insurance.
Yes, we provide secure warehousing and distribution facilities. Services include storage, cargo consolidation, packing, and last-mile delivery across the UAE
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