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How to Choose a Freight Forwarder in Dubai: 8 Questions to Ask Before You Sign

Dubai is one of the busiest trade hubs in the world. Goods arrive every day from China, Turkey, India and Europe, and leave again for Saudi Arabia, Africa and beyond. That also means hundreds of companies call themselves freight forwarders.

Choosing the wrong one can cost you more than a higher invoice. Shipments get stuck at the port, surprise charges appear after delivery, and nobody answers the phone when something goes wrong.

Before you sign with any freight forwarder in Dubai, ask these eight questions. The answers will tell you quickly who is a reliable partner and who is just selling a low price.

1. Are you licensed and a member of recognized logistics associations?

A professional forwarder holds a valid UAE trade license and is registered with Dubai Customs. Membership in international bodies such as FIATA shows they follow recognized industry standards and trading conditions.

Ask for: their trade license number, customs registration, and the associations they belong to. A serious company will share these without hesitation.

2. Do you have your own offices on my shipping routes?

Many forwarders rely entirely on third-party agents abroad. That works until something goes wrong and nobody takes responsibility.

If you source from China, a forwarder with its own team in Guangzhou or Yiwu can collect goods from suppliers, check quantities and consolidate orders before loading. The same applies to delivery: an office in Saudi Arabia means someone on the ground at the final destination.

Ask for: a list of the countries where they have their own staff, and where they work through partners.

3. Which shipping modes do you offer, and which one do you recommend for my cargo?

A good forwarder does not push one service. They look at your goods, budget and deadline, then recommend the right mode:

• Sea freight (FCL or LCL) for large or heavy shipments where cost matters more than speed
• Air freight for urgent, high-value or lightweight goods
• Road freight for moving cargo from the UAE to Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries

Ask for: a comparison of at least two options with cost and transit time for each.

4. Do you handle customs clearance in-house?

Customs is where most delays happen. Missing documents, a wrong HS code or an incorrect invoice value can keep your goods at the port for days and add storage charges.

A forwarder with an in-house customs clearance team prepares and checks your paperwork before the cargo arrives. This usually includes the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and certificate of origin. In the UAE, most imported goods are subject to 5% customs duty on the CIF value, plus 5% VAT.

If your goods continue to Saudi Arabia, ask whether they also handle Saudi requirements, such as product conformity certificates.

Ask for: who prepares the documents, and what happens if customs requests more information.

5. What exactly is included in your quote?

This is the question that saves the most money. Two quotes can look very different simply because one includes more services than the other.

Check whether the price covers:

• Pickup from the supplier
• Origin and destination port charges (THC)
• Documentation fees
• Customs clearance fees
• Duties and taxes
• Final delivery to your door
• Storage if the cargo waits at the warehouse

Also ask which Incoterm the quote is based on (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP) and how volume is calculated. For sea freight, prices are usually based on CBM; see our guide to what CBM is.

Ask for: a written, itemized quote, and confirmation of any charges not included.

6. How will I track my shipment, and who do I contact?

You should never have to guess where your cargo is. Reliable forwarders offer real-time shipment tracking and give you a named contact person for each route.

Ask for: how updates are shared (online tracking, email, WhatsApp) and how fast they respond to questions.

7. Do you offer warehousing, consolidation and insurance?

If you buy from several suppliers, consolidation lets you combine small orders into one shipment and pay less per unit. Warehousing at origin or in Dubai gives you flexibility on when goods move.

Cargo insurance is just as important. A carrier’s standard liability rarely covers the full value of your goods.

Ask for: where their warehouses are located, and the cost of insuring your shipment.

8. What happens if something goes wrong?

Delays, damage and lost cartons happen even with the best partners. What matters is how the forwarder responds.

Ask for: their claims process, the liability terms in the contract, and references from clients who ship similar goods on the same route.

Red flags to watch for

• A quote far below every other offer
• No written contract or itemized invoice
• Vague answers about duties and destination charges
• No physical office or warehouse you can visit
• Only one salesperson as your point of contact

Why businesses choose EGT Shipping & Logistics

EGT has more than 15 years of experience as an international shipping company in the UAE. From our headquarters in Dubai, we run our own branches in Saudi Arabia (Jeddah and Riyadh), Turkey (Istanbul) and China (Guangzhou), with warehouses in Foshan and Yiwu.

We offer sea, air and road freight, in-house customs clearance, door-to-door delivery and real-time tracking. We are also a FIATA member.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a freight forwarder and a shipping line?

A shipping line owns and operates the vessels. A freight forwarder organizes the whole journey for you: booking space, documents, customs clearance and final delivery.

How long does sea freight from China to Dubai take?

It depends on the origin port and service. Ask your forwarder for a door-to-door transit time in writing, including customs clearance.

What customs duty applies to imports in the UAE?

Most goods are charged 5% customs duty on the CIF value, plus 5% VAT. Some goods are exempt or restricted.

Can a Dubai freight forwarder deliver to Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Many forwarders, including EGT, move cargo from the UAE to Saudi Arabia by road and handle clearance on both sides.