Export Packing for an International Move
How a household shipment leaving the UAE is packed for weeks at sea, crated to international rules and listed for customs.
Export packing for an international move from the UAE is stronger, drier and better documented than packing for a move across Dubai. A household shipment leaving the UAE is loaded into a container, sealed for weeks at sea, handled at more than one port and inspected at the border. So every item is wrapped to survive stacking and vibration, sealed against moisture, braced so nothing moves, packed in treated wood where crates are used, and listed on an inventory that customs can check against the boxes.
How is export packing different from packing for a local move?
| Item | Local move in Dubai | Export packing for an international move |
|---|---|---|
| Boxes | Standard cartons, often reused | New double wall cartons, sealed on every seam |
| Furniture | Blanket wrapped for the truck | Wrapped in several layers, corners protected, then loaded tight and braced |
| Fragile items | Paper and bubble wrap | Individually wrapped, double boxed or crated |
| Artwork and mirrors | Wrapped and carried upright | Crated in treated, marked wood |
| Mattresses and sofas | Covered against dust | Sealed in heavy plastic covers against moisture and dirt |
| Inventory | Optional | Numbered list of every box and item, matched to labels |
| Timing | Same day delivery | Weeks in a sealed container before delivery |
What happens to a shipment in a container at sea?
A container is a steel box. As it moves from a hot quay in Dubai across seas of different temperatures, warm moist air inside cools against the walls and ceiling, and when it falls below its dew point, condensation forms and can drip onto the cargo (Transport Information Service, container climate). That is why export packing:
- Packs only clean, dry items, so no extra moisture is sealed in.
- Seals mattresses, upholstery and textiles in covers.
- Keeps cartons off the container floor and away from the walls where possible.
- Braces the load so nothing shifts as the ship rolls or the container is lifted.
What rules apply to wooden crates and pallets?
Wooden crates, cases, pallets and the loose timber used to brace a load count as wood packaging material, and countries apply a common international standard to it, ISPM 15. The wood is heat treated to 56 degrees Celsius for at least 30 continuous minutes through to its core, or treated another approved way, and then marked (UK government, wood packaging material for import and export). Untreated or unmarked wood can be held, treated or refused at the destination, so export crates and pallets must be built from treated, marked timber.
What must the inventory show for customs?
The inventory is the list customs checks your shipment against. A good export inventory:
- Numbers every carton and large item, with the same number on its label.
- Says what is inside each carton in plain words.
- Flags anything new, valuable or unusual, such as artwork, electronics or sports equipment.
- Matches the paperwork for any vehicle or other item declared separately.
Destination countries set their own rules. If you are moving to the UK, our guide to moving household goods from Dubai to the UK covers Transfer of Residence relief, and our Customs Documents page links to each country’s official customs authority. A car travelling with the shipment has its own steps, covered in our guide to shipping a car from Dubai to the UK.
What should not go in the container?
Keep these out of the shipment:
- Flammable and pressurised items: gas cylinders, fuel, paint, thinners, aerosols and matches.
- Food and plants: perishable food, soil, plants and seeds, which many countries restrict.
- Valuables and documents: jewellery, cash, passports, certificates and the paperwork for the move travel with you.
- Anything you need in the first weeks: it will be at sea while you settle in.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pack my own boxes for an international move?
You can pack some items yourself, but customs and insurers often treat owner packed boxes differently, and inspectors may open them. Many people let the movers pack fragile items, furniture and anything valuable, and pack books and clothes themselves.
Do I need wooden crates for furniture?
Not for most furniture, which travels well wrapped and braced. Crates are for fragile, valuable or awkward items such as artwork, mirrors, glass tables and antiques, and they must be made from treated, marked wood.
Why does customs need a detailed inventory?
Customs officers check the shipment against the inventory and may open cartons to compare. A clear, numbered list speeds up clearance and helps if anything needs to be claimed on insurance.
What goes by air and what goes by sea?
Most household goods go by sea, which costs less. A small air shipment is useful for things you need soon after you arrive, such as clothes, work equipment and children’s things.
Moving abroad from the UAE?
Your DXI moving coordinator can survey your home, export pack it, crate what needs crating and prepare the inventory for customs. Request a free estimate or contact us to plan your move.
