Shipping from Dubai to Mozambique usually means sea freight from Jebel Ali to the Port of Maputo, Beira or Nacala, with air cargo for urgent goods and breakbulk or bulk for steel, rice, cement, machinery and project cargo. Customs is run by the Autoridade Tributaria de Mocambique (AT) through the Janela Unica Electronica (JUE), and regulated products need a certificate of conformity before they leave the UAE. This guide covers each mode, the documents and certificates, duties, and the order in which to do things.
Shipping from Dubai to Mozambique at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main UAE load port | Jebel Ali (Dubai) |
| Main Mozambican sea ports | Maputo (south), Beira (centre), Nacala (north) |
| Port of Maputo operator | Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC), concession extended to 2058 |
| Cargo through Maputo in 2025 | 32.0 million tonnes, a record for the port |
| Published direct service (carrier brochure) | Hapag-Lloyd Maputo Express: fortnightly, Jebel Ali to Maputo in 15 days |
| Modes on this lane | FCL, LCL, breakbulk and project cargo, dry and liquid bulk, dangerous goods, Ro-Ro and containerised vehicles, air cargo |
| Customs authority | Autoridade Tributaria de Mocambique, Direccao Geral das Alfandegas |
| Customs system | Janela Unica Electronica (JUE), run under the customs directorate |
| Customs broker | Mandatory for imports into Mozambique |
| Product certificate before export | Certificate of conformity from Intertek for INNOQ, for regulated products (CAP) |
| CAP value threshold | Shipments under USD 2,000 FOB exempt, except used products |
| Import duty | 0% to 25%; consumer goods generally 20% |
| Import VAT (IVA) | 16% standard rate since 1 January 2023 |
| Cargo tracking note (ECTN/BESC) | Not found as a requirement in any official or carrier source we checked |
How cargo moves from Dubai to Mozambique
Cargo leaves the UAE through Jebel Ali and sails down the East African coast to one of Mozambique's three main ports. Some services go direct; others call at India or Kenya first, which adds days. Pick the port by the final delivery point, not the cheapest ocean rate.
Maputo is the largest gateway. MPDC reports 32.0 million tonnes handled in 2025, a historic high, and a concession that the government extended to 2058 in January 2024. Maputo also links by road and rail to South Africa's Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo provinces along the Maputo Development Corridor, with the EN4 road running 92 km from the Lebombo and Ressano Garcia border posts to the port.
Beira and Nacala serve the centre and the north. CFM says the Beira container terminal is run by Cornelder de Mocambique, a joint venture with CFM, and describes Nacala as a natural deep-water port that ships can enter and leave without draft restrictions, 24 hours a day.
Ports and gateways on both ends
| Gateway | Side | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali Port | UAE | Containers, breakbulk, project cargo and DG; most sailings to East and southern Africa |
| Port of Maputo | Mozambique, south | Maputo city and province, plus transit cargo to and from South Africa |
| Port of Beira | Mozambique, centre | Consignees in central Mozambique and the Beira corridor |
| Port of Nacala | Mozambique, north | Consignees in northern Mozambique and the Nacala corridor |
| Maputo International Airport | Mozambique | Air cargo, samples, spare parts and urgent stock |
Sea freight from Dubai to Mozambique: FCL or LCL?
Most general cargo on this lane moves in containers. Choose by volume and by how much handling your goods can take.
- FCL (full container load). You book a whole 20ft or 40ft box. It suits stock orders, building materials, foodstuffs and anything you want sealed from loading to the consignee.
- LCL (less than container load). Your cargo shares a box with other shippers and is unpacked at a container freight station in Mozambique. It suits small orders, but it adds handling, and your release depends on the consolidator's paperwork too.
Two points matter more on the Mozambique lane than on most. First, if your goods are regulated under the CAP, Intertek must witness the loading and sealing of FCL shipments, so you plan stuffing around the inspector's visit. Second, with LCL, every shipper in the box needs clean documents, and one stuck consignment can slow the whole unpacking. Our guide on when FCL beats LCL on cost helps you pick.
DP World runs the Maputo container terminal and lists IMDG dangerous goods, reefer containers, project and out-of-gauge cargo and automotive cargo among the cargo it handles. Its terminal page names services from MSC, CMA CGM and Maersk, ONE, Unifeeder and Hapag-Lloyd, PIL, Ignazio Messina and MACS.
Published transit times and sailings
Transit depends on the carrier and the rotation. Hapag-Lloyd's Maputo Express (MAX) brochure describes a fortnightly direct service between Jebel Ali, Mundra and Maputo, with a transit of 15 days from Jebel Ali to Maputo (12 days on the return leg to Jebel Ali). The same brochure offers in-bond transit from Maputo to Komatipoort in South Africa for dry cargo, adding about 5 days. That brochure dates from 2022, and services on this lane change, so treat it as a published indication and check the current schedule before you book.
[AMIR-FACT: Our real port-to-port transit Jebel Ali to Maputo (days) and the carriers or services we actually book to Maputo, Beira and Nacala]
Breakbulk, bulk and project cargo to Mozambique
Bulk and breakbulk matter on this lane, and the Port of Maputo has dedicated terminals for most of the cargo involved.
| Maputo terminal | Operator | What it handles |
|---|---|---|
| General Cargo Terminal, berths 3 to 5 | MPDC | Bagged rice, bagged cement and project cargo, among other goods |
| Container Terminal, berth 10 | DP World | Containers, reefers, DG, out-of-gauge cargo |
| Car Terminal, berth 5 | Grindrod | Vehicles; 115,000 cars a year capacity and 4,158 parking bays |
| Bulk Liquids Terminal, berth 12 | Maputo Liquids Storage Company | Vegetable oil; six heated tanks, 10,000 cubic metres |
| Maputo Grain Terminal (Matola) | Grindrod | Grain; 25,000 tonnes in silos plus 30,000 tonnes of flat storage |
For bulk parcels, the port's operating guidelines treat bulk cargo larger than 300 mm in any dimension as out of specification, which can bring a surcharge. Build that into the sale contract.
| Cargo | How it usually moves | What to plan first |
|---|---|---|
| Steel coils, bars and sections | Breakbulk on a general cargo ship, or flat racks | Weight per piece, lashing, discharge berth |
| Machinery and heavy equipment | Flat rack or open top, or breakbulk if too big | Dimensions, lifting points, road permit in Mozambique |
| Bagged rice, sugar or cement | Breakbulk parcels or containers | Bag count, fumigation, discharge rate, warehouse at destination |
| Vehicles and plant | Ro-Ro, or containers for smaller units | CAP status for used vehicles, documents, storage time |
| Edible oil and liquid chemicals | Liquid bulk or ISO tanks | Terminal acceptance, tank space, DG rules if hazardous |
| Project cargo for energy or mining sites | Heavy-lift or breakbulk tonnage | Lift plan, sailing date, inland route survey |
A decision rule for big pieces: if the item fits a 40ft flat rack by size and weight, a container service gives you more sailings. If it does not, you need breakbulk or heavy-lift tonnage and the sailing date drives the plan. For full shiploads and part cargoes, our article on bulk shipping from Dubai to Africa walks through charter and parcel options. See also our break bulk and project cargo service and our dry and liquid bulk shipping page.
Dangerous goods from Dubai to Mozambique
You can ship IMDG dangerous goods to Maputo. DP World lists IMDG cargo among the types its Maputo terminal handles, and the port's operating guidelines say every IMO class good, breakbulk or bulk, must be declared in the port's VAN system with a Material Safety Data Sheet and an IMO Dangerous Goods Declaration.
Two Mozambican rules stand out. Ammonium nitrate is limited to 10,000 tonnes per vessel call and may not be handled in bulk, under Decree 69/2022. Road moves of dangerous cargo out of the port fall under Decree 50/2019, which requires trained drivers, spill kits, extinguishers and an emergency sheet on the truck.
On the UAE side, you need:
- Correct UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group for every product.
- A Safety Data Sheet and a signed Dangerous Goods Declaration.
- UN-approved packaging, labels on packages and placards on the container.
- Carrier acceptance before you confirm the sailing. Not every service takes every class.
- Any Mozambican permit the product needs, plus a CAP certificate if the chemical is on the regulated list.
Our dangerous goods shipping team checks all of this before you commit to a vessel.
Air cargo from Dubai to Maputo
Air suits samples, spare parts, medicines and anything with a deadline. Most air cargo lands at Maputo International Airport, and the same CAP, broker, duty and IVA rules apply. Ask us for air cargo from Dubai when time matters more than freight cost.
The certificate of conformity (CAP): what you need before loading
The Mozambique Conformity Assessment Programme (CAP) is run for INNOQ, IP, the national standards institute, with INAE as the local regulator. Intertek International Limited is the only body authorised to issue the certificate of conformity (CoC). INNOQ's September 2024 communique says regulated products must be assessed in the country of origin before shipment, and the CoC must be presented to customs on entry. Intertek reports that from 27 June 2025, INAE announced that regulated products must arrive with a valid CoC, with warnings, fines, re-export or destruction as possible penalties.
The regulated list covers 19 product groups. They include toys, electrical and electronic devices, automotive and earthmoving machines, cosmetics, construction materials, mechanical appliances and tools, textiles and plastics, furniture, kitchen utensils, food, chemicals, glass and ceramics, measuring devices, tobacco products and used products. Shipments under USD 2,000 FOB are exempt, except used products.
CAP routes and published fees (Intertek)
| Route | Who it suits | Inspection | Fee, % of value | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Occasional exporters, unregistered products | Every shipment | 0.50% | USD 250 | USD 2,750 |
| B | Frequent exporters with registered products | At least one shipment every 3 months | 0.45% | USD 250 | USD 2,750 |
| C | Manufacturers with licensed products | At least one shipment every 6 months | 0.25% | USD 250 | USD 2,750 |
| D | Shipments that arrive without a CoC | Every shipment, at destination | 0.80% | USD 500 | USD 5,000 |
The fees cover document checks and inspection only. Laboratory testing, registration and licensing are extra. Route D is the expensive fallback: the importer pays the higher fee and clearance is delayed. Used products can only go through Routes A and D.
Intertek asks for a Request for Certification, the Mozambique Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) number, invoices, packing list, the Mozambican tariff code for each product, specifications and any test reports. Without reports, it draws samples for an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab.
How we fit the CAP into a Dubai export:
- Check the HS code against the regulated list before the buyer pays the deposit.
- Get the UCR number from the Mozambican importer and send the request to Intertek with the invoice, packing list and test reports.
- Book the inspection for the day of stuffing, so the inspector sees the goods and witnesses the seal.
- Add the CoC to the shipping set and send it to the consignee's broker with the other documents.
[AMIR-FACT: Typical lead time we see from CAP request to CoC issue for UAE exports, and which Intertek office in the UAE handles our files]
Is a cargo tracking note (ECTN) needed for Mozambique?
Many West and Central African countries require an electronic cargo tracking note (ECTN or BESC). We found no customs, port or carrier source that lists one for Mozambique, and Maersk's Mozambique import page names none. The pre-shipment document that does apply is the CAP certificate above. If a buyer or bank asks for a "tracking note", confirm in writing which document they mean before you pay for one.
Mozambique customs: documents and process
Mozambique's Foreign Trade Portal states that using a customs broker is mandatory, and the broker guides the importer through requirements by product and origin. Declarations go through the Janela Unica Electronica (JUE), the electronic single window run under the customs directorate. The JUE portal connects importers, exporters, shipping agents and terminal operators, and includes the SIGA customs management system, an HS code search and an import duty simulator.
The US trade guide says all importers need a licence from the National Directorate of Trade, so a foreign seller usually ships to a local buyer who imports in its own name.
Documents for an import into Mozambique
| Document | Who provides it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice (final) | Seller in the UAE | True value, clear description, HS code that matches the declaration |
| Packing list | Seller | Weights, package count and marks must match the invoice and bill of lading |
| Bill of lading or air waybill | Carrier, through us | Maersk asks for 2 original bills for Mozambique; telex release and sea waybill are also allowed |
| Certificate of conformity (CoC) | Intertek, before shipment | For products on the CAP regulated list |
| Customs declaration in JUE | Importer's licensed customs broker | Duty and IVA assessed and paid before release |
| Term of Commitment (TCI) | Importer, through JUE | Required for imports and exports under customs service order 02/AT/DGA/411/2025, from 5 June 2025 |
| Importer licence | Mozambican buyer | Issued by the National Directorate of Trade |
| Sector permits | Mozambican agency for the product | For example medicines, firearms and explosives, live animals, plants and food |
| UAE export declaration and certificate of origin | Exporter, filed in the UAE | We file export or re-export with Dubai Customs and send copies |
Transit cargo through Mozambique
Goods that cross Mozambique to another country move under the transit rules of Ministerial Diploma 116/2013. A guarantee is generally required and returned when the goods leave, the cargo must follow the declared route, and customs may seal it.
Mozambique import duty and IVA
Mozambique sets duty by HS code in its customs tariff (Pauta Aduaneira), last restated by Law 17/2022 from 1 January 2023. The US government's country guide gives a range of 0% to 25%, with consumer goods generally at 20%, and a trade-weighted average of 7.1%.
| Tax | Rate | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | 0% to 25% by HS code; consumer goods generally 20% | US trade.gov country guide |
| IVA (VAT) on imports | 16% | Law 22/2022, cut from 17% from 1 January 2023 |
Excise applies to some goods. Use the JUE duty simulator or ask the broker for the exact rate. A decision rule: check the HS code and the duty rate before you fix the sale price. On finished consumer goods, the duty moves the landed cost far more than the freight does.
Restricted and controlled goods
Check restrictions by product. The sources we could confirm show three layers:
- Products on the CAP regulated list need a certificate of conformity before export, or they face Route D fees, delays, fines or re-export.
- Pharmaceuticals, firearms, munitions and explosives need special permits and licences, and live animals need veterinary certificates, according to the US trade guide.
- Ammonium nitrate has its own handling rules and a 10,000 tonne per call limit at Mozambican ports.
Used vehicles fall under the used products group, which gets no USD 2,000 exemption, and INNOQ recommends conformity assessment for them. Ask the buyer's broker about any other restriction before you sell.
What drives the cost of shipping from Dubai to Mozambique?
We do not publish fixed rates. These are the lines that make up a quote.
| Cost line | What moves it |
|---|---|
| Ocean or air freight | Container type, weight, volume, carrier, direct or transhipped service |
| UAE origin charges | Trucking to Jebel Ali, terminal handling, export declaration, documentation |
| Special cargo | DG surcharges, flat rack or breakbulk premiums, lashing and surveys |
| CAP certificate | Route, shipment value, testing needs |
| Mozambican port and line charges | Terminal handling, delivery order, storage after free days |
| Duties and taxes | HS code, duty rate, excise, 16% IVA |
| Inland delivery | Truck or rail from the port, or transit to a neighbouring country |
| Insurance | Cargo value and the policy terms |
Who pays what depends on the Incoterm. Our guide to Incoterms 2020 for sea freight explains where costs and risk change hands.
How to ship from Dubai to Mozambique, step by step
This is how we run a typical sea shipment from Dubai to Maputo. We handle the UAE side and work with the consignee's customs broker in Mozambique.
- Share the cargo details. Commodity, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, value, Incoterm and the delivery point in Mozambique.
- Confirm the Mozambican rules. The buyer's broker confirms the duty rate, permits and whether the product is on the CAP list.
- Choose the port and mode. Maputo, Beira or Nacala; FCL, LCL, breakbulk, bulk, DG or air. We compare services from Jebel Ali and confirm transit and free days.
- Start the CAP file. Get the UCR from the buyer, apply to Intertek, and book testing if needed.
- Book space and arrange stuffing. We truck the empty, the inspector attends if the CAP applies, then we seal and gate in before the cut-off.
- File the UAE export declaration. We file export or re-export with Dubai Customs and get the certificate of origin.
- Release the bill of lading. We check the draft against the invoice and CoC and send the full set to the broker in Mozambique.
- Clearance and delivery in Mozambique. The broker lodges the declaration in JUE, pays duty and IVA, completes the Term of Commitment and arranges delivery.
[AMIR-FACT: One real Dubai to Mozambique shipment we handled: cargo type, mode, port pair and what we did, cleared for publication]
Checklist before you ship to Mozambique
- HS code and duty rate confirmed for every item.
- Mozambican importer licensed, with a customs broker appointed.
- CAP status checked, and the CoC issued before the container is sealed.
- Invoice, packing list, CoC and bill of lading show the same values, weights and consignee.
- Sector permits in hand for medicines, chemicals, food or animals.
- Discharge port chosen to match the final delivery point.
- For DG: SDS, DG declaration, packaging, labels and carrier acceptance.
- For breakbulk or project cargo: drawings, weights, lifting points and the inland route.
- For used vehicles and used goods: CAP assessment planned, with no USD 2,000 exemption.
Common mistakes on the Mozambique lane
- Sealing the container before the CAP inspection. For FCL, Intertek must witness loading and sealing.
- Assuming the goods are not regulated. The list has 19 groups and covers many everyday products.
- Paying for a cargo tracking note that Mozambique does not ask for, while missing the CoC it does ask for.
- Vague descriptions. "General goods" does not support an HS code and invites a classification query.
- Different consignee names on the invoice, the bill of lading and the declaration.
- Shipping to the wrong port. A container for Nacala that lands in Maputo needs a long and costly inland move.
Frequently asked questions
How do I ship goods from Dubai to Mozambique?
Most cargo goes by sea from Jebel Ali to Maputo, Beira or Nacala, as a full container, a shared LCL container, or breakbulk for large items. Urgent goods go by air to Maputo. The Mozambican buyer clears the goods through a licensed customs broker in the JUE system.
How long does sea freight take from Dubai to Maputo?
Hapag-Lloyd's Maputo Express brochure gives 15 days from Jebel Ali to Maputo on its fortnightly direct service. Services that call at other ports first take longer, so confirm the rotation of the actual vessel when you book.
Which port in Mozambique should I ship to?
Ship to the port nearest the final delivery point: Maputo for the south and transit to South Africa, Beira for the centre, Nacala for the north. Maputo is the largest, with 32.0 million tonnes handled in 2025.
Do I need a certificate of conformity for Mozambique?
Yes, if your product is on the CAP regulated list and the shipment is worth USD 2,000 FOB or more. Intertek issues the certificate for INNOQ after checking documents and, depending on the route, inspecting the goods before export. Used products need it whatever their value.
Does Mozambique require an ECTN or cargo tracking note?
We found no official, port or carrier source that lists a cargo tracking note for Mozambique. The pre-shipment document that does apply is the CAP certificate of conformity for regulated products.
What documents do I need to ship from Dubai to Mozambique?
You need a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill and, for regulated goods, a certificate of conformity. The Mozambican importer adds its licence, the customs declaration through a broker in JUE, the Term of Commitment and any sector permits.
How much is import duty and VAT in Mozambique?
Import duty runs from 0% to 25% by HS code, with consumer goods generally at 20%. IVA on imports is 16%, the standard rate since 1 January 2023.
Can I ship dangerous goods from Dubai to Mozambique?
Yes. Maputo handles IMDG cargo, and every IMO class good must be declared in the port's VAN system with an MSDS and a DG declaration. You also need UN packaging and carrier acceptance, and ammonium nitrate is limited to 10,000 tonnes per call.
Can I ship a used car from Dubai to Mozambique?
Yes, by Ro-Ro or in a container. Used vehicles fall under the CAP used products group, are not covered by the USD 2,000 exemption, and INNOQ recommends conformity assessment before shipment.
Get a quote for shipping from Dubai to Mozambique
Send us the cargo, the delivery point in Mozambique and your Incoterm, and we will come back with a routing and a price. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a breakbulk, bulk or DG shipment first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- MPDC: Port of Maputo record volumes in 2025 (January 2026)
- MPDC: Maputo Cargo Terminal (berths and terminals)
- MPDC: General Cargo Terminal
- MPDC: Car Terminal
- MPDC: Bulk Liquids Terminal
- MPDC: Maputo Grain Terminal
- MPDC: Maputo Development Corridor
- MPDC: Port Operating Guidelines (IMO class goods, cargo availability, DG rules)
- Grindrod: MPDC concession extension to 2058
- DP World: Maputo container terminal (cargo types, shipping lines)
- Hapag-Lloyd: Maputo Express (MAX) service brochure
- CFM: Port of Beira
- CFM: Port of Nacala
- Intertek and INNOQ: Mozambique CAP summary datasheet (routes, fees, product groups)
- INNOQ, IP: Communique on the CAP and used vehicles (September 2024)
- Intertek: Mozambique mandatory CoC from 27 June 2025
- Intertek: Mozambique CAP implementation
- Mozambique Foreign Trade Portal: Commerce guides (customs broker, transit)
- Janela Unica Electronica (JUE) portal
- SAL and Caldeira (DLA Piper Africa): Term of Commitment, service order 02/AT/DGA/411/2025
- US trade.gov: Mozambique import tariffs
- US trade.gov: Mozambique import requirements and documentation
- RSM Mozambique: Customs tariff Law 17/2022 and VAT Code changes
- Maersk: Mozambique import information (bill of lading rules)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026