Best Movers and Packers for Transport Between India and UAE

The Indian expatriate community, constituting approximately 30% of the population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the largest community in the UAE by ethnicity. According to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, there are 3.5 million Indians living in the UAE as of 2021. The increasing opportunities in the United Arab Emirates mean that an increasing number of Indians are moving there to pursue jobs.

As per data from the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, approximately 15% of the Indian expatriate population in the United Arab Emirates consists of white-collar professionals and businessmen. This segment will usually move some, if not all, of their belongings in India to the UAE as these are usually high quality items and spending more money to buy new things does not make sense economically.

Approximately 20% of the expatriate Indian population in the United Arab Emirates is professionals working in non-white collar jobs such as salesmen, shop assistants, and clerical staff. The majority of people in this segment plan to return to India eventually after having earned their targeted amount of money. They typically buy household items like furniture and durable electronics. Some people sell these goods while returning to India, but a sizable number choose to bring their belongings back to India with them.

​This constant flow of expatriates moving back and forth between India and the UAE has given rise to a thriving industry of quality movers and packers services.

Let us look at the best mover and packer companies for transporting your things from India to the United Arab Emirates and vice versa.

Best Movers and Packers From India to the UAE

There are two common options to choose from when you transport your goods from India to the UAE:

1. Air Freight: As this option involves transporting your belongings by air in the cargo section of a commercial passenger airliner or a dedicated cargo aircraft, this is the fastest way to ship your things. Your belongings will reach UAE within 2 to 3 days. However as your things will be moved by aircraft, air freight is the most expensive option.

2. Sea Freight: This involves transporting your belongings in a container by a ship using the sea route. This is cheaper but takes more time, with shipping times often taking 3-8 days or more in some cases.

In the sea freight method, there are three options with respect to the shipping container for your goods. This is based on the size of the shipping container and the total volume of your goods:

• FCL (Full Container Load) 20 Feet Container
• FCL (Full Container Load) 40 Feet Container
• LCL, which stands for Less Than Container Load, is when you share a container with other goods being shipped from India to the UAE. This is typically used when the volume of the goods you send is below 15 cubic metres (sample dimensions 1m x 3m x 5m).

Documents Required for Transporting Your Household Goods to the UAE

The moving companies typically require the following documents for transporting your household goods from India to the UAE:

• Copy of the passport belonging to you as well as your family members if they are moving along with you
• Copy of the visa for the United Arab Emirates
• Copy of your residence permit in the United Arab Emirates
• Copy of the letter of employment on the basis of which you are moving to the UAE
• A list of all the goods that you are sending in detail in English, mentioning the value of the goods
• The original Bill of Lading (A key document that acts as the title to the goods and proves that the carrier has received the goods)

Checklist for Transporting Your Household Goods From India to the UAE

The steps detailed below will help you have a smooth experience while transporting your household goods from India to the UAE:

• Do your research on reputable moving companies. Speak to your friends and relatives for their recommendations.
• Check that the companies have all relevant permits and valid licences as well as their registration details.
• Obtain detailed quotes in writing from multiple moving companies to understand the charges and the overall cost that you will have to bear.
• Get your shortlisted moving companies to visit your house to carry out a survey of the goods and thus be in a position to provide an accurate quote.
• Check and clarify in detail as to what services the company will offer and any additional services, if applicable.
• Check the quotes for pricing and terms transparency. Check the payment schedule and the options available.
• Ask about the type of insurance and the amount of insurance coverage that will be provided for your goods. Check the process for claims in case of loss of your goods or damage to your goods.
• Ask for references from customers for whom they have previously transported goods. Check online forums for reviews of their services.
• Check the contract in detail paying attention to all the clauses, terms and conditions and fine print before you sign it.
• Do remember to take an inventory of the items from the moving company.
• Ask about the quality of the material that will be used to pack your goods.
• Be clear as to the channels the company has for handling complaints and disputes.
• Plan your moving process well in advance and confirm the date and time.
• Make sure that the packing and moving company has proper access to your addresses and arrange for parking if required.
• Ensure that all boxes are properly labelled in a fashion that is easy for you to understand when you unpack.
• Do not pack and send important documents and valuable items. Carry these items yourself.
• Make sure that the destination location is ready for the goods to be delivered.
• Communicate with the company and track your shipment.
• Once you receive your goods ensure that you thoroughly inspect them and raise discrepancies and claims, if any, immediately.

List of the factors to consider when opting for the best movers and packers between UAE and India

The following factors are to be considered when choosing the best movers and packers for shifting services between India and the UAE:

• Experience: Check for the company’s experience in global relocations, especially between India and UAE. Understand their expertise in customs handling and clearance, packaging of fragile items, and security of valuables, among other factors.
• Reputation: Check the company’s reputation and online reviews from customers. You can also check on the services offered by them to ensure you get a comprehensive package.
• Cost: Check on the cost, compare with other movers and packers. Get a breakdown of the cost to do a cost-benefit comparison. Ensure cost is not the sole consideration.
• Insurance: Check if the company provides adequate insurance cover for potential losses and damages during transit and be aware of the terms and conditions.
• Accreditations: Check the company’s registration and licence. Look for certifications like FIDI-FAIM and IAM.
• Customer service: Know about their customer service quality and responsiveness. A company that provides dedicated move assistance needs to be considered.
• Network: Check on the company’s global network and tie-ups with reliable local partners to ensure smooth international shipment.
• Tracking: Check on their tracking system efficiency, real-time updation of shipment, and prompt response to issues during transit.

Best Movers and Packers for Relocating from India to UAE and Vice Versa

Evaluating all the key factors helps you choose the right movers and packers for your relocation needs. Here are some of the best movers and packers for relocating from India to UAE and vice versa.

1. Agarwal Packers and Movers

Agarwal Packers and Movers is a well-reputed company with decades of experience in the moving industry. Key points to consider:

• With their extensive global network in over 182 countries, they offer a flawless international moving experience. They specialise in international relocations and are well-versed in handling the complexities of moving between India and the UAE.
• They offer end-to-end moving solutions with comprehensive service offerings that include packing, customs clearance, insurance, transportation, storage solutions, unpacking, pet relocation, and more.
• Their customs expertise, professional packing with special care, and dedicated move coordinators ensure a smooth relocation process.
• They are accredited by the International Association of Movers, ensuring adherence to global standards and supported by good customer reviews and high online ratings.
• You can track your shipment on a real-time basis on their website

Cost: Their pricing is based on various factors such as the volume of belongings to be moved, route chosen, types of service you avail, custom duties and taxes applicable in both countries and insurance coverage. You can obtain a detailed quote for your relocation needs from their website by providing all the relevant details.

2. Writer Relocations

Writer Relocations is a popular name in the relocation industry, offering extensive services for global moves, including those between India and the UAE. Here are the important factors:

• Writers Relocation has over six decades of experience in the relocation and moving industry and they specialize in international relocations.
• They offer end-to-end comprehensive services from packing to unpacking. With custom expertise and insurance coverage, they also provide additional services like vehicle transportation and pet relocation.
• They ensure safe transit with high-quality packing and special packing for valuables and fragile items.
• They have a robust global network and global presence in 190 countries with 360 partners.
• They are IAM and FIDI-FAIM certified for international moving services

Cost: The pricing of moving solutions from Writer Relocation depends on various factors like special services availed, the volume of goods, specific routes, corresponding customs duties, and taxes. You can choose the location, provide your relocation needs, and request for a quote online on their website.

3. Crown Relocations

Crown Relocations is a globally recognised relocation company that offers comprehensive services for international moves, including those between India and the UAE. Here are a few important points:

• Crown Relocation has nearly six decades of extensive experience in international relocations.
• Their services include home search, immigration services, in-home consultation, packing, school search, door-to-door relocation, secure storage, relocations, unpacking, and more.
• They provide a dedicated move manager to guide you at every step to ensure a seamless moving experience.
• They have a strong track record of complex moves between India and the UAE and high online customer ratings.
• Their efficient packing, insurance coverage, security, and customs expertise in handling customs regulations and clearance can offer you peace of mind during relocation.
• They have an extensive global network with their offices in 53 countries and 204 locations. Their robust network ensures seamless coordination and efficient handling of shipments.
• They are accredited by the International Association of Movers, ensuring adherence to global standards.

Cost: Pricing depends on various factors, such as the volume of goods and the type of services you avail. You can get a detailed quote online on their website. For them to contact you, you need to provide a few details such as move size, additional services, etc.

4. GAC International Moving

GAC International Moving is a renowned company in the moving industry, providing top-notch services for international relocations, including those between India and the UAE. Here are the important points:

• They have six decades of experience in the logistics industry and expertise in customs handling and clearance.
• They offer a full range of relocation services, including packing, transportation, insurance, custom clearance, unpacking, pet relocation, storage solutions, and more.
• High-quality professional packing, comprehensive insurance coverage, and extensive custom regulations knowledge ensure a smooth and efficient relocation process.
• They have a strong presence in the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and beyond. They are partnered with many reputable international moving companies.
• They are FIDI-FAIM certified with excellent real-time tracking system facilities for customers.

Cost: The pricing is based on their customized service as per the move size and your relocation needs. You can request a free quotation on their website.

Cost of Transporting Your Household Goods from India to the UAE

To give you an idea of the cost involved in moving your household goods from India to the UAE, we can use an approximate standard flat size based on the number of rooms (1/2/3BHK etc) as below :

List of the Best Movers and Packers to Transport Your Things From the UAE to India

There are a number of reputed packing and moving companies across the UAE that will help you transport your things back to India. A few of the well known ones are:

There are a number of other packing and moving companies in the UAE, but they provide transportation services within the UAE and not in India.

Cost of Transporting Your Household Goods from the UAE to India

The cost of moving your household goods from the UAE to India depends once again on the size of the goods you want to transport and the distance to be covered. You may also be charged more if you avail of a higher number of services. You can reach out to the service providers for a site visit to provide a customised quotation as per your requirements,

Conclusion

The excitement of moving to a new country, the United Arab Emirates, or moving back to your home country, India, need not be overshadowed by the worries of moving your household goods. Carry out your research and find the most suitable packing and moving company for your requirements and allow them to transport your things to your future home.