Key points
- Measure the machine first: dimensions and weight decide container, open top, flat rack or breakbulk.
- Out-of-gauge cargo needs carrier approval and a lashing plan; in 2026 many lines restrict OOG to Gulf ports.
- A heavy machine is one package: carrier liability is tiny next to its value, so insure ICC (A) at 110%.
- Duty is 5% on CIF plus 5% VAT; licensed factories can apply to MOIAT for exemption.
- Book surveys at loading and discharge so any damage claim has evidence.
First question: will it fit in a standard container?
Everything starts with the machine's packed length, width, height, weight and centre of gravity. A standard 40ft high cube has a door opening of about 2.34 by 2.58 metres; anything bigger, or anything that must be lifted in by crane, needs special equipment. Payload is limited by the container and by road weight rules in China and the UAE, so very heavy units are checked before booking. The figures below are typical; each box differs slightly.
| Equipment | Inside L × W × H (m) | Typical max payload | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 | about 25,000–28,000 kg | Compact, heavy machines loaded by forklift |
| 40HQ | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 | about 26,500–28,600 kg | Long, lighter production lines in crates |
| 20OT open top | 5.89 × 2.35 × 2.35 | about 28,000 kg | Tall or crane-loaded units that fit the width |
| 40OT open top | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.35 | about 26,500 kg | Long, tall equipment loaded from above |
| 20FR flat rack | about 5.6–5.9 × 2.2–2.4 between end walls | about 27,000–31,000 kg | Over-width or over-height heavy units |
| 40FR flat rack | about 12.0 × 2.2–2.4 | about 39,000–45,000 kg | Generators, excavators, steel structures |
- Cheapest and simplest if the machine fits through the doors
- Loaded by forklift or skates at the factory
- Normal FCL booking and cut-offs
- Loaded from above by crane and covered with a tarpaulin
- For tall units that still fit the container width
- May be over-height, which needs carrier approval
- No roof or side walls, so it carries out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo
- Needs line approval and a lashing plan
- Often costs more because it blocks neighbouring slots on the ship
- Lifted directly into the hold or on deck of a multipurpose ship
- For units too large or heavy even for a flat rack
- Sailings are fewer; ports, cranes and permits are planned case by case
Preparing, packing and lashing the machine
Machinery shifts, rubs and corrodes if it is not secured and protected for several weeks of hot, humid sea transport and two truck legs. The reference for packing and securing is the IMO/ILO/UNECE CTU Code. In practice the supplier blocks and braces the unit, lashes it to the container's or flat rack's lashing points with rated chains or straps, and keeps the centre of gravity near the middle. Before the box goes on the ship, the shipper must declare its verified gross mass (VGM) under SOLAS.
Machine preparation checklist
0/9Surveys: who checks what
- Factory inspectionBefore payment, check the machine runs as ordered and the packing matches the purchase order.
- Loading and lashing surveyAn independent surveyor or our team photographs loading and lashing and records the condition and seal number.
- Carrier approvalFor OOG and breakbulk the line reviews dimensions, weight and the lashing plan before confirming space.
- Export declarationThe customs broker files the declaration in China; correct HS codes and descriptions avoid holds.
- Discharge checkAt the UAE port, condition and lashings are checked before the unit moves inland.
- Delivery surveyOn arrival at site, inspect before signing and note any damage on the delivery receipt.
- Claim if neededGive written notice within the time limit, keep packing and photos, and notify your insurer at once.
Insurance and carrier liability
Under the Hague-Visby Rules a carrier's liability is the higher of 666.67 SDR per package or 2 SDR per kg, and only when it is at fault. A 10-tonne machine is usually one package, so the cap is about 20,000 SDR, often far below its value, and many causes are excluded altogether. Insure on ICC (A) terms for 110% of the CIF value, with war and strikes cover for every Gulf shipment in 2026. If the carrier ends the voyage at another port, cover continues only if the insurer is told promptly, so tell your insurer about any diversion. Insurance also provides the guarantee needed if the ship declares general average. Golden Way can arrange cover through its insurance partners.
Duty, VAT and exemptions
Machinery imported into the UAE mainland pays 5% customs duty on the CIF value and 5% VAT on CIF plus duty, with the VAT reverse-charged for registered importers whose customs code is linked to their TRN. Factories holding an industrial production licence can request a customs duty exemption from MOIAT for machinery, equipment, raw materials and packaging; the published fee is AED 100 per HS code. Equipment brought in for a project or exhibition for a set period can enter under temporary admission against a deposit or guarantee. Machine tools and some industrial equipment can be dual-use, so we screen every shipment for export controls and sanctions before quoting.
Most goods from China pay 5% GCC duty on CIF, once, at the first GCC entry. VAT is on CIF + duty. Estimate only.
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Routing machinery to the UAE in 2026
As of November 2026, the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed to normal container shipping, so cargo for Dubai lands at Khor Fakkan or another east-coast or Omani port and is trucked in. Several carriers have suspended OOG, DG and reefer bookings to many Gulf ports, and heavy units need permitted road transport from the coast. We confirm carrier acceptance, discharge port, truck type and any road permit before you commit to a ready date.
Quick check before you book
Machinery shipping quiz
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping machinery from China to the UAE take?
Containerised machinery typically takes 18–30 days door to door. Flat rack and breakbulk need extra time for approvals and fewer sailings. As of November 2026 cargo lands at Khor Fakkan or another port outside Hormuz and is trucked in.
What is the import duty on machinery in the UAE?
Usually 5% customs duty on the CIF value plus 5% VAT on CIF plus duty. Licensed factories can apply to MOIAT for exemption on industrial machinery, equipment and raw materials.
When do I need a flat rack instead of a container?
When the machine is wider or taller than the container door, or must be crane-loaded from the side. Flat racks need carrier approval and a lashing plan.
What is breakbulk shipping?
Cargo lifted piece by piece into a ship's hold or onto its deck instead of a container. It suits very large or heavy units and is planned case by case.
Do I need insurance for machinery shipments?
Yes. Carrier liability is limited to the higher of 666.67 SDR per package or 2 SDR per kg, so a heavy machine is badly under-covered. ICC (A) at 110% of CIF with war and strikes cover is the usual choice.
Can I ship used machinery from China to the UAE?
Often yes, but some used goods face specific rules and the machine must be clean, drained and correctly described. Our team checks the rules for your machine before booking.
Sources
- IMO: IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code)
- MOIAT: Request customs duty exemption for industrial inputs (machinery, equipment and raw materials)
- UAE ICP: Customs union for GCC (common external tariff)
- Lloyd's List Intelligence: Strait of Hormuz Brief, 22 October 2026
- Tradlinx: Gulf rerouting changes port of discharge, D&D and empty returns (September 2026)
- Wecox Claims Group: summary of transport conventions, liability limits and notice periods
General information checked on the date shown. Rules and rates change: our team confirms the details for your shipment.