Crossing the Atlantic: Moving from the UAE to the USA and Canada
Relocating to North America is one of the most expensive and logistically complex moves you can make from the UAE. With transit times often exceeding 40 days and strict security regulations for goods entering US ports, accuracy is everything.
1. The Importance of the Survey For a long-haul move to New York, Toronto, or Los Angeles, “guestimating” your volume is a recipe for disaster. If you underestimate the cubic footage, your goods might not fit in the container, or you might pay for air inside a half-empty box.
Always insist on a physical or video survey. This allows the moving company to give you a binding quote. You can also use a volume calculator beforehand to get a rough idea of your shipment size (e.g., 20ft vs. 40ft container).
2. ISF Filing and Customs For moves to the USA, the Importer Security Filing (ISF) “10+2” rule is strictly enforced. Your mover must file cargo details 24 hours before the ship leaves Dubai. Failure to do this can result in massive fines (often $5,000+).
This is why you cannot risk using a budget “man with a van” for international jobs. You need verified experts. By using MoveConnector to source your quotes, you ensure you are dealing with professionals who understand ISF filings and US Customs and Border Protection requirements.
