Chennai and Dubai are popular cities for trade between India and the UAE; Chennai is the largest economic centre in South India and home to the second-largest container port in India, while Dubai is home to the largest and busiest port in the whole of the Middle East, Port Jebel Ali.
When shipping between these two cities, it’s important to know the ports available to ship to and from, how long it takes to transport cargo and how to pack your container. This SeaRates blog can help you understand these aspects of shipping so that you fully understand the shipping from Chennai to Dubai cost to you and your business.
It can also help you clear up any confusion regarding the necessary documentation for customs clearance and how to obtain cargo insurance.
If you would like to know more details about shipping between India and the UAE, you can visit the SeaRates blog.
What length of time does it take to ship from Chennai to Dubai?
The length of time for shipping from Chennai to Dubai will depend primarily upon which method of transport you choose, but also the amount and type of cargo you plan to transport.
As Chennai and Dubai are connected by land, there are three options for shipping from Chennai to Dubai: sea freight, air freight, and over land by truck.
Delivery over land by truck takes on average about five days and is often cheaper than air freight. It can be more limiting than sea freight as cargo size and weight is limited to what can be carried by the vehicle.
Sea freight is a good option if your shipment is large and there are no immediate time pressures. Transport can be as short as five days and up to 25 days, but usually takes 10-13 days. As sea freight is usually slower and more space if available, it is usually less costly than air freight. It is also considered the more environmentally friendly option.
Times for ocean freight and delivery over land can also depend on whether you choose FCL shipping (full container load) or LCL shipping (less than container load). LCL shipping can often be slower than FCL shipping because the goods must be consolidated at the origin port and deconsolidated at the destination port.
The fastest option is air freight, which is a good option for those who need shipments to be delivered quickly as transportation can take as little as a day. Yet because of the speed of transit and less available space, the costs will be higher and air freight tends to be 4-6 times more expensive than ocean freight.
| Chennai to Mumbai, port to port | |
| Sea Freight | 10-13 days |
| Air Freight | 1-6 days |
| Land | 5 days |
When is the best time to ship from Chennai to Dubai?
Time of shipping can make a substantial difference to the end cost of shipping. Seasonal factors and peak seasons can affect freight rates, especially for FCL shipping.
Peak seasons generally tend to fall in the Autumn months as companies and business prepare for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. As demand is high, container space is low and so generally more expensive. Therefore, if you want the cheapest shipping from Chennai to Dubai, it would be good to ship around these times of year if possible.
It is worth bearing in mind that the Covid-19 pandemic has created volatility in shipping and freight rates might be higher than normal.
What are the rates for shipping from Chennai to Dubai?
To quickly find out the cheapest shipping rates or the fastest shipping times you can use the SeaRates Online Freight Marketplace. By entering your chosen port of origin and destination as well as your method of transport, SeaRates can give you an estimation of the cost to ship, the length of time it will take, as well as available ships and shipping companies.
The Marketplace also suggests what the overall cost might be to your business if you included services such as port fees, pick-up, and delivery. You can also book shipments straight away.
If you require a quote tailored to your individual needs, SeaRates also provides the option to ‘request a quote’ where you can add services such as cargo insurance and customs clearance.
SeaRates can also put you in touch with freight forwarding specialists, who can help you to decide how to transport your cargo in a way that reduces the cost of shipping from Chennai to Dubai.
What do you need to think about when packing your container?
Packing your container is an important part of shipping, as knowing how much container space you require can reduce the cost of shipping from Chennai to Dubai.
For instance, LCL shipping (less than container load) and FCL shipping (full container load) can vary in price and transport time, so understanding how much cargo space you need is important to the overall logistics and price of transport.
The SeaRates’ Load Calculator can be a valuable tool to better understand what your shipment will look like and how much space it will require. This will help you optimise your use of a container for the cheapest shipping from Chennai to Dubai.
The Load Calculator will ask your chosen method of transport, your packaging type, dimensions, and weight, whether you want cargo palletising and the type and quantity of container. The calculator will then produce a visualisation of what your cargo will look like in its container and the total volume and weight.
You should also take into consideration that there might be certain restrictions or a complete ban on certain products when shipping from Chennai to Dubai. For instance, Dubai does not accept products from protected species, goods of Israeli origin or non-Islamic religious pamphlets.
What are the essential documents that need to be completed when shipping from Chennai to Dubai?
There are several necessary documents for customs clearance when shipping from Chennai to Dubai. Having these documents ready and completed can speed up the shipping process and, in the case of commercial cargo, incorrect customs clearance can lead to substantial fines or even criminal liability so it’s important to get them right.
The necessary documents you will usually need are;
- A certificate of origin
- A commercial invoice
- A packing list
- A bill of lading (ocean freight) or an Airway Bill (air freight)
- A letter of credit or other payment terms
Should you insure your container? If so, how?
SeaRates encourages all its customers to obtain cargo insurance for all stages of the transportation process. Cargo insurance can be paramount in preventing economic losses to your business and provide protection should anything go wrong during transportation.
Most cargo insurance policies provide protection against damage or loss of cargo, but it is possible to obtain cargo insurance with more extensive coverage that protects against fire, theft, fraud, crashes, and others.
SeaRates can help you find the right cargo insurance policy suitable for your cargo and business needs as well as the best insurance rates. Cargo insurance is generally obtained either through the freight forwarding community or through a third-party shipping insurance agent.
Cargo insurance rates generally range from 0.3% to 0.5% of the Commercial Invoice value of cargo, but the price will vary depending on the amount of risk the policy covers.
What are the major shipping ports in Chennai?
The largest shipping port in Chennai, is Chennai Port, formerly known as Madras port. It is the second-largest container port in India, and the largest port in the Bay of Bengal.
Another port in Chennai is Kamarajar Port, formerly Ennore Port. It is in the north of Chennai and is the first port in India which is a public company. It was envisaged as a satellite port to aid congestion at Chennai Port but is now in itself a fully-fledged port able to handle a wide variety of cargo.
Chennai International Airport (MAA) is the only airport available in Chennai for air freight.
What are the major shipping ports in Dubai?
The Port Jebel Ali is the commercial shipping port in Dubai. It is the largest and busiest port in the whole of the Middle East and the ninth busiest in the whole world. The port has connections to the city of Dubai and Dubai International Airport.
It is the only available port for cargo after the closure of Port Rashid in 2018.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the only airport available in Dubai for air freight.
