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Knowledge hub

Shipping guides for importers in Iraq, the GCC and Africa

Our guides answer the questions customers ask us every week: which route to use, which documents each country needs, how customs duties work, what each Incoterm means and which charges to expect. Each guide names its author and reviewer, shows when it was last checked and links to the official sources.

Guides
14 guides
Country guides
6 countries
Review cycle
At least every six months

Knowledge hub

Guides

Filter by topic. Every guide is reviewed at least every six months.

Showing 14 guides

  • Guide

    Shipping from China to Dubai: routes, transit times and cost drivers

    Most cargo from China to Dubai travels by sea, in a full (FCL) or shared (LCL) container, from ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen or Qingdao. Since March 2026, with the Strait of Hormuz largely closed to mainline ships, many services discharge at Khor Fakkan, Fujairah or Sohar and finish by bonded truck to Jebel Ali. Plan for several weeks door to door and budget for surcharges, UAE duty (generally 5%) and 5% VAT.

    8 min read1 Nov 2026

  • Guide

    Shipping from Dubai to Iraq: RoRo, feeder or truck?

    From Dubai you can reach Iraq in three main ways: a container feeder from Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr, a RoRo service for vehicles, machinery and trailers, or overland trucking through Saudi Arabia. Sea routes are usually the simpler choice for containers into southern and central Iraq; trucks suit specific door-to-door cases. In 2026 the bigger risk is Iraqi clearance: ASYCUDA, e-verified documents and the COC.

    8 min read1 Nov 2026

  • Guide

    Re-export from Jebel Ali to East Africa: Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and Djibouti

    Dubai works as a buying, consolidation and re-export hub for East Africa: goods from China or the UAE market can be held in Jebel Ali Free Zone without paying UAE duty, combined into FCL or LCL loads and shipped to Mombasa (Kenya and the Northern Corridor), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania and inland) or Djibouti (Ethiopia). Plan for destination conformity certificates, African customs systems and, in 2026, east-coast UAE routing.

    8 min read1 Nov 2026

  • Guide

    FCL vs LCL from China: which is cheaper for your shipment?

    LCL is usually cheaper for small shipments because you pay per cubic metre; FCL becomes cheaper once your cargo fills a large part of a container. For many importers the break-even sits somewhere around 12–18 CBM for a 20ft, but it moves with rates and destination LCL fees. Compare landed cost, not freight alone, and weigh transit time, handling and risk.

    7 min read1 Nov 2026

  • Guide

    Container sizes and capacity: 20ft, 40ft and 40ft HC dimensions and CBM

    A standard 20ft container is about 5.9 m long inside and holds about 33 CBM; a 40ft holds about 67 CBM; a 40ft high cube is 30 cm taller and holds about 76 CBM. In practice cartons and pallets load to roughly 25–28, 55–58 and 65–68 CBM. Maximum gross weight is commonly 30,480 kg, but the container's own plate and road limits on your route can be lower.

    7 min read1 Nov 2026

  • Incoterms

    Incoterms 2020 for Middle East and African importers: EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP and DDP

    Incoterms® 2020 are eleven ICC rules that decide where the seller delivers, when risk passes to the buyer and who pays each cost and customs step. For importers in the GCC, Iraq and Africa buying from China, FOB or FCA usually gives the most control over freight, CIF is common but leaves destination costs open, and DAP or DDP shift the work to the seller. Always name the exact place and the version.

    9 min read1 Nov 2026

  • Incoterms

    DDP vs DAP: who pays duties, and why “all-in” quotes often aren't

    Under DAP the seller delivers to the named place and the buyer pays import clearance, duties and taxes. Under DDP the seller pays all of that as well and carries the risk until delivery. Many “DDP all-in” offers from China are really DAP: duty, VAT or destination charges are billed on arrival. Ask who the importer of record is and which costs are written into the price.

    7 min read1 Nov 2026

  • Guide

    Demurrage vs detention: what is free time, what does it cost and how do you avoid it?

    Demurrage is charged while your full container sits in the terminal beyond free time; detention is charged while you keep the carrier's container outside beyond free time. This guide explains how free time is counted, what drives the bills, why they appear even when you did nothing wrong, and how to avoid and dispute them.

    7 min read1 Nov 2026

  • How-to

    How to verify a freight forwarder and avoid shipping scams

    To verify a freight forwarder, check its trade licence with the issuing authority, confirm that its legal name, address, email domain and bank account all match, look up any memberships it claims, screen it against sanctions lists, and verify bills of lading directly with the carrier. Treat prices far below market, pressure to pay a personal account and bank details changed by message as red flags.

    8 min read1 Nov 2026

By destination

Country import guides

Documents, ports and rules for importing into each destination we serve, with the date the facts were last checked.

All country guides

  • Iraq

    Importing into Iraq: documents and customs checklist 2026

    To import into Iraq in 2026 you need a locally registered importer, a commercial invoice and certificate of origin that pass electronic verification, a packing list, the bill of lading and, for regulated products, a Certificate of Conformity issued before shipment. Duties are now calculated per item by HS code in ASYCUDA World, so every document must match exactly, and clearance has to fit inside the free time at Umm Qasr.

    As of 1 Nov 2026

  • United Arab Emirates

    Importing into the UAE: documents and customs checklist 2026

    To import into the UAE you need a licensed importer registered with customs, a commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, the bill of lading and the carrier's delivery order, plus a permit for restricted goods. The general customs duty is 5% of the CIF value and 5% VAT applies on import. Goods held in a free zone such as JAFZA and then re-exported generally pay no UAE duty.

    As of 1 Nov 2026

  • Kenya

    Importing into Kenya: documents and customs checklist 2026

    To import into Kenya you need a KRA PIN, an Import Declaration Form lodged through the KenTrade single window, a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and, for regulated products, a KEBS Certificate of Conformity issued before shipment. Duties follow the East African Community Common External Tariff, VAT is 16%, and a licensed customs agent lodges the entry in KRA's iCMS system.

    As of 1 Nov 2026

  • Tanzania

    Importing into Tanzania: documents and customs checklist 2026

    To import into Tanzania you need a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin, a TBS Certificate of Conformity for regulated products and any sector permits, such as TMDA approval for medicines. A licensed clearing agent files the declaration in TRA's TANCIS system through the TeSWS single window. Duty follows the East African Community Common External Tariff and VAT on mainland imports is 18%.

    As of 1 Nov 2026

  • Saudi Arabia

    Importing into Saudi Arabia: documents and customs checklist 2026

    To import into Saudi Arabia you need a Saudi importer with a Commercial Registration and customs registration, a commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading, and, for regulated products, SABER conformity certificates or SFDA approval before shipment. Declarations are filed through the FASAH platform by a licensed customs broker. Most goods pay duty under the GCC Common Customs Tariff, many at higher rates than 5%, and VAT is 15%.

    As of 1 Nov 2026

  • Nigeria

    Importing into Nigeria: Form M, PAAR and SONCAP checklist 2026

    To import into Nigeria you must open a Form M through an authorised dealer bank before the goods are shipped, obtain a SONCAP certificate for regulated products or NAFDAC approval for food, drugs and cosmetics, and present a commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading. Nigeria Customs then issues a Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) used for clearance. Duty follows the ECOWAS Common External Tariff and VAT is 7.5%.

    As of 1 Nov 2026

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