Shipping from Dubai to Iraq mostly means sea freight from Jebel Ali or Port Rashid to the Port of Umm Qasr near Basra, then road delivery inland. Published services range from a 36-hour Ro-Ro trailer crossing to a weekly container feeder of about 5 days. The step that most often holds cargo is paperwork, not the sailing: regulated goods need an Iraqi certificate of conformity (CoC) issued before shipment.
Shipping from Dubai to Iraq at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main UAE load ports | Jebel Ali (containers, Ro-Ro trailers), Port Rashid (Ro-Ro trailers) |
| Main Iraqi discharge port | Port of Umm Qasr, Basra Governorate (UN/LOCODE IQUQR) |
| Port owner in Iraq | General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI), a state company |
| Ro-Ro trailer crossing | About 36 hours, Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr (DP World, 2023); under 36 hours, Port Rashid to Umm Qasr (December 2025) |
| Container feeder example | Milaha UGX: weekly, Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr in 5 days via Hamad and Shuwaikh (schedule dated February 2023) |
| Cross-border road, for comparison | Up to 14 days, according to DP World |
| Product conformity | Certificate of Conformity plus a Release Note for regulated goods, under COSQC rules |
| Who issues the CoC | Conformity bodies approved by COSQC, such as Bureau Veritas and Intertek |
| Iraqi customs system | ASYCUDA, live at all 22 federal border crossings (November 2025) |
| Customs and tariff laws | Customs Law No. 23 of 1984; Customs Duty Law No. 22 of 2010 |
| Modes | FCL, LCL, Ro-Ro trailers, breakbulk and project cargo, dangerous goods, air cargo |
Which ports handle sea freight from Dubai to Iraq?
On the UAE side, most container cargo for Iraq sails from Jebel Ali. Our Jebel Ali port guide covers the terminals, export declaration and gate-in rules. Ro-Ro trailer services also run from Jebel Ali, and since December 2025 from Port Rashid (Mina Rashid) in central Dubai.
On the Iraqi side, the Port of Umm Qasr takes almost all of this traffic. It sits on the western edge of the al-Faw peninsula in Basra Governorate and has two main areas, North Port and South Port. Container terminals are run by private operators under GCPI. Basra Gateway Terminal (ICTSI) and Iraq Container Terminal (Gulftainer) work in North Port, and CMA CGM runs a terminal at berth 5 in South Port.
Your carrier decides the terminal. Check it on the booking, because it affects free time, handling charges and where the Iraqi truck collects the box.
Sea freight from Dubai to Iraq: which option fits your cargo?
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| FCL | You book a whole 20ft or 40ft container on a feeder or mainline service to Umm Qasr | Full loads, goods you want sealed from origin to door |
| LCL | Your cargo shares a container, consolidated in Dubai and unpacked in Iraq | Small volumes, a few pallets or cartons |
| Ro-Ro trailer | A loaded UAE-plated trailer sails on a Ro-Ro vessel without its tractor and driver, and the same trailer comes back | Palletised cargo you load at your warehouse, urgent stock, heavy or over-dimensional loads on low-bed trailers |
| Breakbulk and project cargo | Flat racks, open tops or conventional general cargo vessels | Oil and gas equipment, steel, machinery, pieces that do not fit a box |
| Dangerous goods | IMDG containers with carrier acceptance and Iraqi rules on delivery | Chemicals, batteries, gases, paints |
| Reefer | Temperature-controlled containers on plug-in slots | Food and pharmaceuticals that need a set temperature |
FCL and LCL containers
Containers are the default for general goods. A full container keeps your cargo sealed until it reaches the consignee, which helps when the goods are inspected at the Iraqi border against the CoC. LCL costs less for small loads, but your release then depends on the whole consolidated box clearing. One missing certificate from another shipper can hold it. If you are close to half a container, price both. Our FCL vs LCL guide shows how to compare them, and our sea freight service books both.
Ro-Ro trailer services
DP World launched an unaccompanied trailer service between Jebel Ali and Umm Qasr in May 2023, run by P&O Maritime Transports. You load a UAE-plated trailer at your own warehouse, the trailer crosses on a Ro-Ro vessel in about 36 hours, and the same trailer is returned. The cargo is not reloaded onto another truck at a border. DP World says the trailers include low-bed and heavy-axle types for over-dimensional loads.
In December 2025 GCPI welcomed a second DP World Ro-Ro service, linking Port Rashid in Dubai with Umm Qasr. GCPI reported a crossing of under 36 hours and capacity of up to 145 trailers per trip.
Breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo
Much of Iraq's industrial cargo is oil and gas equipment. Basra Gateway Terminal handles project cargo for that sector, as well as general cargo and Ro-Ro. Out-of-gauge pieces up to a certain size can go on flat racks or open tops on a container service. Larger pieces need breakbulk tonnage or a low-bed trailer on the Ro-Ro service. Our guide to flat rack, open top and breakbulk cargo explains the choice, and our break bulk and project cargo team plans the lift, lashing and road permits.
Dangerous goods
Iraq accepts IMDG dangerous goods by sea, but the rules at the port are strict. A carrier advisory from Emirates Line says imports of UN classes 1 to 9 into Umm Qasr are allowed subject to direct delivery, and that IMO hazard labels must be on all four sides of the container, with fines for missing labels. Port data published by ShipNext lists Class 1 (explosives) as allowed only for the Ministry of Defence with authority approval. Plan clearance before the vessel arrives so the container can leave the quay at once. Our dangerous goods shipping team checks the SDS, the DG declaration and carrier acceptance before you book.
How long does shipping from Dubai to Iraq take?
Transit depends on the service and the mode. These are the figures published by operators and carriers that we could verify.
| Service | Route | Published transit | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP World Ro-Ro, unaccompanied trailers | Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr | About 36 hours | May 2023 |
| DP World Ro-Ro, trailers | Port Rashid to Umm Qasr | Under 36 hours | December 2025 |
| Milaha Upper Gulf Express (UGX), containers | Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr (BGT berth 20), via Hamad and Shuwaikh | 5 days, weekly | February 2023 |
| Cross-border road freight (comparison) | UAE to Iraq by land | Up to 14 days | May 2023 |
Port-to-port time is only part of the trip. Add the days for the CoC before sailing, customs clearance in Iraq and the truck to the consignee. Schedules change, so we confirm the current sailing and cut-off when we book.
[AMIR-FACT: our real door-to-door transit time Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr (FCL and LCL) and to Baghdad or Erbil, and the carriers or Ro-Ro services we actually book on this lane]
Delivery from Umm Qasr to Basra, Baghdad and Erbil
Cargo leaves Umm Qasr by road or rail. Gulftainer says its Iraq Container Terminal has a dedicated entrance with access to the Basrah Highway and the southern oil fields. The port also has a rail line to Basra and Baghdad.
- Basra and the southern oil fields. The shortest inland leg from the port.
- Baghdad and central Iraq. Cargo is cleared at Umm Qasr and moves north by road, or by rail where the consignee has access.
- Erbil and the Kurdistan Region. Cargo cleared at Umm Qasr moves north by road. The Kurdistan Region also runs its own conformity scheme (Intertek's CBCA service), so check which rules apply before you ship.
We do not have our own trucks or office in Iraq. We arrange the trip to the port in Dubai and work with your consignee's clearing agent, or a destination agent you approve, for clearance and delivery in Iraq.
Air cargo from Dubai to Iraq
Air freight suits urgent spare parts, samples, electronics and documents. Cargo flies to the international airports at Baghdad, Basra, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. Regulated goods still need a CoC when they arrive by air, and the Intertek CoC application accepts an air waybill as the transport document. Lithium batteries and other dangerous goods need IATA-compliant packing and a shipper's declaration. See our air cargo service for what we handle.
Iraq certificate of conformity: what you need before the cargo sails
Iraq's Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control (COSQC) requires regulated goods to carry a Certificate of Conformity issued before shipment by an approved conformity body. Intertek says compliance became mandatory on 1 January 2020. Exporters must present the CoC and a Release Note to Iraqi Customs before goods can enter through Iraq's ports and borders.
Who issues the CoC?
Only bodies approved by COSQC can issue it. Bureau Veritas runs a Verification of Conformity (VoC) programme for Iraq, with its current data sheet citing a COSQC notification of 24 October 2021 and a start date of 15 January 2022. Intertek was named an approved body for the Iraqi Conformity Assessment Programme (CAP) and has issued CoCs since 1 August 2024. Pick one body and send all documents for a shipment to it.
Which goods need a CoC?
| Product group (Bureau Veritas VoC list) | Examples |
|---|---|
| Toys | Children's toys and games |
| Electric and electronic products | Appliances, cables, lighting |
| Vehicles, bicycles, tyres and parts | Spare parts, tyres |
| Construction products | Cement, steel, tiles, sanitary ware |
| Food products | All food except fresh meat, fresh fish, fresh vegetables and fresh fruit |
| Cosmetics, hygiene products and cleaning agents | Shampoo, detergents |
| Household hardware and kitchenware | Tools, cookware |
| Chemicals, textiles, household fuel-burning appliances, others | Lubricants, fabrics, gas heaters |
Bureau Veritas lists these exemptions: medical and pharmaceutical products (unless an Iraqi standard applies), used products, and goods shipped to an Iraqi ministry under its own specifications. There is no minimum shipment value. Counterfeit goods are not allowed.
How the CoC process works
- The exporter or importer submits a Request for Certificate (RFC) to the conformity body.
- You send the final invoice, packing list, transport document if available, and conformity documents such as test reports. Intertek also asks for a certificate of origin and production details such as lot numbers.
- The body reviews documents, may test products in an ISO 17025 lab, and inspects the goods. Bureau Veritas offers Route A (basic PVoC) and Route B (registration for regular shippers).
- The CoC is issued before shipment.
- At the Iraqi border the body's entry point office checks the CoC against the goods and containers, then issues a Release Note that goes to customs with the CoC.
Labels matter too. Bureau Veritas states that product name, warnings and instructions, where a standard requires them, must be in Arabic, and the country of origin must be marked. Electrical goods must suit 220 to 240 V and use UK-type plugs (BS 1363 or BS 546).
A carrier advisory warns that cargo arriving without a CoC can face severe clearance delays, penalties or return of the shipment, with the costs on the shipper or customer.
Documents for shipping from Dubai to Iraq
| Document | Who provides it | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Shipper | Detailed description and HS code per item. Iraqi Customs does not recognise digital signatures, so sign by hand |
| Packing list | Shipper | Weights and piece counts must match the invoice and bill of lading |
| Certificate of origin | Chamber of commerce at origin | Legalised with the invoice (see below) |
| Bill of lading | Carrier, from our instructions | Consignee and notify party with full name, address, mobile number and commercial licence number |
| Import licence | Iraqi importer | Included in the documents to be stamped at origin, per a February 2023 carrier notice |
| Certificate of Conformity | COSQC-approved body | Issued before shipment for regulated goods |
| Release Note | Conformity body's office at the Iraqi border | Issued after the border check, presented with the CoC |
| DG documents | Shipper | SDS, DG declaration, UN packaging, labels on all four container sides |
| UAE export declaration | Filed in Dubai | Export or re-export, depending on where the goods came from |
Legalising invoices and certificates of origin
Emirates Line told customers in February 2023 that, under a circular from Iraq's Council of Ministers secretariat, the certificate of origin, commercial invoice, import licence and related shipping documents for all Iraq imports must be stamped by the Iraqi embassy at origin. For cargo from the UAE, that means an Iraqi mission in the UAE. Fees and the exact steps change, so we confirm them before each first shipment.
Bill of lading rules
The same carrier notice, citing an Iraqi Customs regulation from May 2019, says a vague description such as "general cargo" is not accepted, and no amendment is allowed after the import manifest is filed. Get the description right on the first draft.
Customs duty and taxes in Iraq
Iraqi duty is set by HS code under Customs Duty Law No. 22 of 2010, with procedures under Customs Law No. 23 of 1984. In November 2025 the head of Iraq's General Commission of Customs said ASYCUDA, the UNCTAD customs system, covered all 22 federal border crossings, including the southern ports. He said essential goods such as medicines and basic food are exempt or pay minimal fees, and luxury items such as cars and electronics pay higher rates. An electronic pre-customs declaration through ASYCUDA started on 1 December 2025.
Under Council of Ministers Decision No. 957 of 2025, the fixed customs fee per 20ft or 40ft container at Umm Qasr was replaced by duty assessed per item and HS code. Customs can value goods from your invoice or from its own reference values.
We do not publish duty rates on this page because no official Iraqi rate table was available to us. Ask the consignee's clearing agent for the rate on each HS code before you agree a price with your buyer.
Restricted and banned goods
- Counterfeit goods are not allowed.
- COSQC keeps a list of specific banned products, which Bureau Veritas publishes on its Verigates site. Check it before you quote.
- Explosives (Class 1) are restricted to government end users with approval.
- All meat must be halal, with a certificate from a recognised body in the country of supply.
What affects the cost of shipping from Dubai to Iraq?
We do not publish freight rates because they change by sailing. These are the parts of the price and what drives each.
| Cost element | What drives it |
|---|---|
| Ocean or Ro-Ro freight | Container or trailer type, carrier, season, space |
| UAE origin charges | Trucking to the port, terminal handling, export declaration |
| Document legalisation | Number of documents to be stamped at origin |
| Conformity certificate | Shipment FOB value, number of containers, any testing |
| Iraqi port and terminal charges | Terminal tariff, storage days |
| Duty and taxes | HS code and customs value of each item |
| Demurrage and detention | Days beyond the carrier's free time |
| Inland delivery | Distance to Baghdad, Erbil or site, cargo size, permits |
The Bureau Veritas VoC data sheet (June 2023) shows how conformity fees scale. They are paid by the exporter and exclude testing.
| Shipment FOB value | Verification fee in country of export |
|---|---|
| Up to USD 80,000 | USD 320 |
| USD 80,001 to 200,000 | USD 320 plus 0.40% above USD 80,000 |
| USD 200,001 to 1,000,000 | USD 800 plus 0.30% above USD 200,000 |
| Above USD 1,000,000 | USD 3,200 plus 0.15% above USD 1,000,000 |
The same sheet lists a border inspection fee of USD 50 to 100 per container, truck or LCL lot depending on value, and USD 250 per bulk shipment. Fees are revised from time to time, so confirm them with the conformity body. Free time matters too, so read our guide to demurrage and detention before you agree delivery dates. The Incoterm decides who pays each line, which we cover in Incoterms 2020 for sea freight.
How to ship from Dubai to Iraq: step by step
- Send us the cargo details. Commodity, HS codes, weight, volume or dimensions, pickup address, consignee city in Iraq and your Incoterm.
- Check the CoC. We confirm whether the goods are regulated and which conformity body the shipper will use.
- Choose the mode and book. FCL, LCL, Ro-Ro trailer, breakbulk or air, priced against your deadline. For DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo we get carrier acceptance first.
- Prepare and legalise documents. Invoice, packing list and certificate of origin, stamped as required, plus the import licence from the consignee.
- Get the CoC issued. The exporter submits the RFC, and inspection is done before loading.
- Pick up, pack and declare. We truck the cargo to the port, file the UAE export declaration and gate in before the cut-off.
- Issue the bill of lading. We check consignee details and the description against Iraqi rules before it is released.
- Clearance in Iraq. The consignee's clearing agent files in ASYCUDA, presents the CoC and Release Note, and pays duty.
- Deliver and return the empty. The Iraqi agent trucks the cargo inland and returns the container within free time.
[AMIR-FACT: one real Dubai to Iraq shipment we handled: cargo type, mode, ports, how the CoC was arranged and total days from booking to delivery]
Checklist before you ship to Iraq
- HS code for every item, matching on the invoice, packing list and CoC.
- CoC requested early enough for inspection before loading.
- Arabic labelling and origin marking checked against the COSQC rules.
- Invoice signed by hand, certificate of origin issued, both legalised.
- Consignee name, address, mobile and commercial licence number ready for the bill of lading.
- DG: SDS, declaration, UN packaging and labels on four sides, and a direct delivery plan.
- Free time agreed, a clearing agent appointed in Iraq, and cargo insurance arranged.
Common mistakes on the Dubai to Iraq lane
- Applying for the CoC after loading. It must be issued before shipment, so apply when the order is confirmed.
- Unlegalised documents. Missing embassy stamps hold clearance until new originals arrive.
- Vague cargo descriptions. The manifest cannot be amended later.
- Assuming a duty rate. Duty is now assessed per item, so a per-container budget can be wrong.
- LCL for certified goods. One shipper's missing paper can hold the whole box.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main port for shipping from Dubai to Iraq?
The Port of Umm Qasr in Basra Governorate takes most sea cargo from Dubai. Containers sail from Jebel Ali, and Ro-Ro trailer services run from Jebel Ali and Port Rashid.
How long does sea freight from Dubai to Iraq take?
Published figures are about 36 hours for DP World's Ro-Ro trailer service and 5 days for a weekly container feeder from Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr. Add time for the CoC, clearance in Iraq and inland delivery.
Do I need a certificate of conformity to ship to Iraq?
Yes, if your goods are on the regulated list, such as electrical goods, food, toys, building materials, cosmetics or chemicals. A COSQC-approved body must issue the CoC before shipment, and a Release Note is issued at the Iraqi border.
Which companies issue the Iraq CoC?
Bodies approved by COSQC, including Bureau Veritas under its VoC programme and Intertek under the Iraqi Conformity Assessment Programme. Check the current list with COSQC or the body before you apply.
Do shipping documents for Iraq need to be legalised?
A February 2023 carrier notice says the certificate of origin, commercial invoice, import licence and related documents for all Iraq imports must be stamped by the Iraqi embassy at origin. Confirm the current steps and fees before shipping.
How is customs duty calculated in Iraq?
Duty is set by HS code under Customs Duty Law No. 22 of 2010 and is assessed per item in the ASYCUDA system. Essential goods pay little or nothing, while luxury goods pay more. Ask the clearing agent for your exact rate.
Can I ship dangerous goods from Dubai to Iraq?
Yes, with carrier acceptance. A carrier advisory says DG imports at Umm Qasr need direct delivery and hazard labels on all four sides of the container. Explosives are limited to government end users with approval.
Can I send a loaded trailer from Dubai to Iraq?
Yes. DP World's Ro-Ro service carries unaccompanied UAE-plated trailers to Umm Qasr, and the same trailer is returned. Low-bed and heavy-axle trailers can carry over-dimensional cargo.
Get a quote for shipping from Dubai to Iraq
Send us the cargo details, the consignee city and your deadline, and we will price the options to Umm Qasr and check the CoC and document steps with you. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a project, DG or Ro-Ro shipment. You can also read about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Gulf Business (WAM): DP World launches UAE-Iraq freight service, May 2023
- Hellenic Shipping News (Xinhua): GCPI welcomes Umm Qasr-Port Rashid service, December 2025
- Milaha: Upper Gulf Express (UGX) rotation and transit times, February 2023
- Intertek: Conformity programme for goods imported into Iraq
- Intertek: Appointed by COSQC for Iraq conformity assessment, July 2024
- Bureau Veritas: Iraq VoC programme data sheet Rev. 6.6, June 2023
- Intertek: Conformity assessment for exports to Kurdistan
- Emirates Line: Iraq documentation and customs requirements, February 2023
- Emirates Line: Umm Qasr port and terminals information, 2025
- US International Trade Administration: Iraq import requirements and documentation
- US International Trade Administration: Iraq import tariffs
- Rudaw: Iraq moves toward full customs automation, November 2025
- Iraq Business News: New customs rules in force at Umm Qasr Port, January 2026
- Gulftainer: Iraq Container Terminal, Umm Qasr
- ICTSI: Basra Gateway Terminal
- ShipNext: Umm Qasr port data (Class 1 restriction)
- Wikipedia: Umm Qasr Port (location, UN/LOCODE, rail link)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026