Relocating from the UAE to the USA – 5 things to consider

Are you planning an international relocation from the UAE to the USA?

Moving to a new country can feel overwhelming, and careful planning and preparation are essential for a smooth transition. Jessie De Ryck, Crown Relocations’ Corporate Sales Senior Consultant, shares valuable insights to answer five commonly asked questions about relocating to feature.

From transit times to customs duties and shipping vehicles, we’ve got you covered.

1. Transit times for Sea Shipments to the USA

Understanding the transit times for sea shipments is essential for effective planning. You should allow 7 to 12 weeks for a shipment to reach your new home. For moves from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Crown offers a direct sailing from Jebel Ali to various ports in the United States ensuring faster and more reliable transit times. The direct sailing can take 35 to 65 days depending on the destination port.

The door-to-door transit times include:

• Time at sea: 35-65 days sailing time from port to port
• 3 to 5 working days in both the UAE and US for customs clearance
• Loading, unloading, and final delivery.

2. Door-to-Door Quotations – Avoiding Surprises

At Crown Relocations, we aim to provide comprehensive quotations for international moves. However, it’s essential to consider potential additional costs at the destination, particularly those related to property access and handling requirements.

Destination Access

additional charges may apply based on access to your residence. For example:

• Shuttling Service: Shuttling by smaller vans may be required in residential areas where large trucks or containers are prohibited or cannot navigate narrow streets, steep driveways, or gated communities.
• Long-Carry: If the delivery truck must park far from your building, extra fees could be applied depending on the distance. This charge applies when moving items a significant distance from the truck to your door.
• Elevator Usage: If your building requires booking time slots for elevators or you need to use a dedicated service lift, additional costs may arise. This is often the case in buildings with strict regulations around moving large furniture or goods.
• Stair Carry: If elevator access is not available, and items need to be carried up multiple flights of stairs, stair carry fees will apply. This charge varies depending on how many floors the items need to be moved up.

Destination & Terminal Handling Fees

Our service includes the current market rates for these charges at the time of quoting. If the actual costs exceed this amount once the vessel docks, Crown’s destination office will bill you directly based on the final costs and official receipts.

Customs Exams

Shipments may be subject to X-ray or physical inspection, with charges billed based on the level of inspection required.

If you have a final delivery address at the time of enquiry, your dedicated Move Manager will work with you to discuss the details and provide tailored solutions to avoid surprises or unnecessary additional expenses.

3. Customs Duties on Household Goods

You may qualify for exemption from U.S. customs duties and taxes on your household goods and vehicles if they are for personal use, (i.e. not in commercial quantities), and meet the specific requirements:

• All goods are part of a normal household goods shipment containing used personal effects owned for more than 12 months.

4. Sending Smaller Quantities of Furniture and Personal Items

If you want to send small quantities of furniture and personal effects, Crown Relocations offers a regular, cost-effective US Shared Container Service.

Find out more about the service here.

5. Shipping Vehicles to the USA

It is possible to ship a car and/or motorbike, along with your household goods to the USA provided that the vehicles and personal effects have the same owner. Crown Relocations can assist with arranging transportation, customs clearance, handover, and delivery. However, you will be responsible for mandatory insurance, technical inspection, and registration of the vehicle in the USA.

Unless the vehicle was originally purchased in the USA, it rarely makes financial sense to ship your vehicle. Even vehicles manufactured in the USA may require extensive and costly modifications to meet US regulations. These requirements vary State by State so please investigate carefully. If you bought an American spec car in the UAE, it is also wise to carry out an online VIN vehicle history check for the vehicles’ detailed history.