Riding the Construction Boom: Shipping from Houston to the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is in the midst of an economic boom, leading to a huge uptick in construction projects. That presents a huge opportunity for American businesses, especially sellers of the high-quality furniture and office accessories that UAE contractors and interior designers are clamoring for.
From futuristic experimental massive construction projects to the more classic education and business infrastructure expansion that always keep pace with a broadening economy, there are plenty of opportunities for Houston businesses and private furniture/art dealers to ply their wares to major UAE customers.
Here is some simple advice for how to handle Houston freight shipping smoothly and efficiently to make sure your products arrive quickly and safely:
Packing Furniture or Other Large Items for Ocean Freight Shipment
For furniture dealers, Houston pallet shipping services are easily the best option, particularly the lower cost ocean freight services. Air transportation is faster, but more expensive, and with so much cross-continental business with the UAE relating to in-progress construction jobs, arriving slightly earlier is less of a concern.
While you can package your products personally, it’s recommended to use a professional freight service to handle that aspect for you. Certified, trained freight shippers know how to take the many steps to customize their packaging tactics for each individual item they encounter, leveraging both formal training and experience to approach the task.
Do take the time to pass along any relevant information, however. You know your furniture, antiques, or other sensitive products better than anyone. Pass along information on your product’s building materials, any parts that might move during shipping, and anything else that comes to mind.
In the most basic sense, your furniture or other large items will be covered in thick synthetic wrapping, supported in key locations by custom-cut Styrofoam, and secured to a base deemed legally appropriate for Houston pallet shipping to the UAE.
Know Which Items You Can Sell to UAE Customers
The U.S. embassy to the UAE maintains a helpful list of restricted items and key information on shipping products and textiles to your customers there.
Many of these aren’t relevant for furniture sellers engaging in Houston freight shipping to the UAE, although we do recommend reading the entire article (it’s really not that long!). Here are some notable restrictions to keep an eye on:
- Gambling devices of any kind (this might be relevant to antiques dealers in particular)
- Lithium metal batteries (potentially relevant for newer furniture that may have electronics built in)
- Products made in Iran (notable for international furniture businesses who may have collaborations with Iranian manufacturers for certain custom goods)
UAE restrictions are relatively minor, but as always, it’s better to know before you sell an item than when you have to call a disappointed customer later!
Take Advantage of Local Shipping
The best way to ensure your items are handled right is to personally select an experienced freight shipper right in Houston.
Look for the following:
- Experience in international shipping to multiple countries
- Good feedback from previous customers
- Custom packing processes depending on the item
- Knowledge of properly labeling packages to eliminate issues when processing through customs
Looking to Ship to the United Arab Emirates? Contact Pack n Send!
If you’d like to learn more about how to properly ship your furniture, antiques, or other large items to the United Arab Emirates, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’re a frieght shipper in Houston with unparalled experience and expertise, and we look forward to making sure your goods make it to the UAE quickly and safely.
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