Key points
- Khor Fakkan lies on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz, so ships can reach it while Jebel Ali cannot normally be reached by sea.
- Under Dubai Customs Notice 03/2026, containers move by bonded road transfer to Jebel Ali without customs clearance at Khor Fakkan.
- Your B/L should still show Jebel Ali as the final destination, and free time at Jebel Ali starts when the container arrives there.
- Budget for emergency surcharges, the bonded truck leg, possible storage in transit and empty-return charges.
- Our published China to UAE route via Khor Fakkan runs at a typical 18–30 days door to door.
Why ships discharge at Khor Fakkan in 2026
On 28 February 2026, after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Iran's Revolutionary Guard declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and the major container lines suspended transits. Ports inside the Gulf, including Jebel Ali, lost their direct mainline calls. Jebel Ali still works normally; the problem is reaching it. In late October 2026 IMF PortWatch recorded as few as 2 transits a day, against about 85 before the crisis. Khor Fakkan, Sharjah's deep-water port run by Gulftainer, lies on the Gulf of Oman, so ships can call there without entering the strait.
The port has grown fast. October 2026 reporting says a new landside gate complex lifted weekly throughput from about 8,000 to about 65,000 TEUs, the terminal's current limit. In May 2026 a Dubai Customs official said entering a terminal at the smaller east-coast ports could take about 10 days. Inland, the Sajaa bonded dry port (about 90 km away) and the Al Dhaid hub (about 60 km) add space for sealed cargo.
How the bonded truck to Jebel Ali works
Dubai Customs Notice 03/2026, issued on 8 March 2026, lets containers discharged at Khor Fakkan or Fujairah move by road under customs seal to Jebel Ali and the Dubai free zones, without clearance at the arrival port. DP World Logistics runs the transfer and links the manifest to Dubai Customs. Only the shipping line can request it, and it is expressly temporary: Dubai Customs may change or withdraw it at any time.
- Carrier requests the transferAfter discharge, the shipping line asks DP World Logistics to move the box to Jebel Ali. Importers cannot book this leg.
- Trucking charge securedThe bonded trucking charge is settled before the container leaves Khor Fakkan, usually via the line or its agent.
- Sealed road transferThe container crosses the Hajar mountains under customs seal. No duty or VAT is due on the way.
- Arrival in the Jebel Ali yardThe box enters a designated yard; the line's charges are paid and the D/O is issued through Dubai Trade.
- Declaration in Mirsal 2Our broker files the declaration. 5% duty on CIF and 5% VAT are paid, or VAT is reverse-charged.
- Token and deliveryTerminal charges are paid, the e-token is booked, and a local truck delivers to your warehouse.
- Empty returnThe empty goes to the depot named on the release, which in 2026 may not be Jebel Ali.
| Document | Who provides it | Why it matters for Khor Fakkan cargo |
|---|---|---|
| Bill of lading | Supplier and carrier | Must still show Jebel Ali as the final destination |
| Cargo manifest | Shipping agent | Filed against the road rotation so customs can track the sealed move |
| Delivery Order | Shipping agent, via Dubai Trade | Needed before the container is released at Jebel Ali |
| Customs declaration | Consignee or its broker | Clearance happens in Dubai, not at Khor Fakkan |
| E-token or gate booking | Consignee or its broker | Books the collection slot at the Jebel Ali terminal |
| Invoice, packing list, certificate of origin | Supplier | Must match each other; invoices of AED 10,000 or more need MOFA attestation |
Timelines: what to expect
Before 2026, direct sailings from South China to Jebel Ali took about 14–20 days port to port, and from Shanghai or Ningbo about 18–25 days. Now the full journey is longer and less predictable, often by a week or two or more, depending on the service, transshipment and berth queues. The truck leg and Dubai clearance typically add 1–2 days compared with a direct Jebel Ali arrival. On our published route via Khor Fakkan, typical door to door is 18–30 days.
| Stage | Typical time | What can stretch it |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup, warehouse check and export clearance in China | A few days, shown on your booking plan | Late suppliers, documents, missed cut-off |
| Sea leg to Khor Fakkan | Depends on the port and the service | Transshipment, often adding 3–10 days; change of discharge port |
| Berth and discharge at Khor Fakkan | Varies week to week | Vessel queues at east-coast ports |
| Bonded truck to Jebel Ali | About 1–2 extra days versus direct arrival | Truck shortages, gate and token slots |
| Clearance in Dubai | 1–3 working days after the D/O on a green channel | Inspection, missing permits, document errors |
| Door to door, China to UAE | 18–30 days typical on our route | Sailings, borders and customs |
Extra costs to budget
- Emergency freight or emergency risk surcharge per container, higher for reefer, DG and special equipment.
- Emergency bunker surcharge, used heavily in 2026.
- Some lines add a further charge if a vessel actually transits Hormuz.
- The bonded trucking charge, paid before the container leaves Khor Fakkan.
- Terminal handling at the discharge port and at Jebel Ali.
- Storage in transit: one major line charges per TEU per day from day 15 after discharge.
- Demurrage, detention and port storage once free time ends.
- Empty return to a designated depot, with drop-off charges at some locations.
- Dubai customs fees and MOFA attestation of AED 150 per invoice of AED 10,000 or more.
- 5% duty on CIF and 5% VAT on CIF plus duty.
Free time and daily charges differ by line, port and container type. Use the figures on your booking.
Khor Fakkan, Fujairah or Sohar?
- Khor Fakkan: the main UAE gateway in 2026, with bonded road transfer to Jebel Ali under Notice 03/2026.
- Fujairah: covered by the same notice; some carriers move selected Khor Fakkan bookings here.
- Sohar, Oman: sealed trucks enter Dubai via Hatta and Al Wajajah under the Dubai–Oman Green Corridor (Notices 04/2026 and 06/2026).
- Clearing in Sharjah: if the goods stay in Sharjah and you hold a Sharjah customs code, this can save a leg.
Plan your Khor Fakkan shipment
Before the ship reaches Khor Fakkan
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Frequently asked questions
Why is my container going to Khor Fakkan instead of Jebel Ali?
As of November 2026 the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed to container ships, so carriers discharge UAE cargo on the east coast, mainly at Khor Fakkan, and truck it to Jebel Ali under seal. Jebel Ali itself works normally.
Do I pay customs duty at Khor Fakkan?
Not when the container moves under the bonded transfer to Jebel Ali. Duty (5% of CIF) and VAT (5%) are settled when the declaration is filed in Dubai.
How long does the truck from Khor Fakkan to Jebel Ali add?
Typically about 1–2 days compared with a direct Jebel Ali arrival, and more when trucks, gate slots or berths are short.
When does free time start for Khor Fakkan cargo?
Under the Dubai arrangement, free time at Jebel Ali starts when the cargo arrives there. Some carriers also charge storage in transit after a set number of days from discharge, so check your line's notice.
Can I clear my goods in Sharjah instead of Dubai?
Yes, if the goods are for Sharjah and your company holds a Sharjah customs code. Decide before booking so the B/L and declaration match.
Can reefer or dangerous goods go via Khor Fakkan?
Some carriers suspended reefer, DG and out-of-gauge bookings to many Gulf ports in 2026. Check with us before your supplier books.
Sources
- Al Tamimi & Co – UAE bonded trucking to Jebel Ali via Khorfakkan and Fujairah (Dubai Customs Notice 03/2026), March 2026
- Enterprise – Khorfakkan doubling capacity as Gulf container trade shifts outside Hormuz (October 2026)
- Gulf News – Cargo delays, rising costs: how UAE is managing shipping disruption (May 2026)
- Tradlinx – Maersk's Gulf rerouting changes port of discharge, D&D and empty returns (September 2026)
- GAC – UAE customs clearance, inter-port transfers and bonded transit solutions (March 2026)
- Lloyd's List Intelligence – Strait of Hormuz Brief, 22 October 2026
- Straits – Strait of Hormuz daily brief, 31 October 2026 (IMF PortWatch transit counts)
- Gulf News – Dubai issues new customs rules to route cargo via Oman (Green Corridor), April 2026
General information checked on the date shown. Rules and rates change: our team confirms the details for your shipment.