10 Questions You MUST Ask When Choosing Air Freight to Dubai
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Shenzhen Daolong International Logistics Co., Ltd., a highly recommended Chinese freight forwarder, leverages the 27-year industry expertise of its parent company, Shenzhen Sunny Worldwide Logistics. We specialize in the Middle East route and are committed to delivering comprehensive global logistics solutions for air and sea door-to-door transportation. As a leading service provider in the Middle East logistics sector, our core competencies include super-large capacity, extremely fast delivery times, and localized resources. We handle 80% of the air freight orders in the Middle East, establishing ourselves as the ultimate recipient of these shipments.
♦ Faster & Cheaper: 2-3 Days Quicker, 20% Lower Rates Than Competitors
♦Real-Time Cargo Tracking: Full Visibility & Instant Updates Guaranteed
♦ 20+ yrs logistics partners,50+ trucks available and 500+ Operatives with real-time response even at midnight
♦ Cargos dispatched in the morning will arrive by noon, and those dispatched at noon will arrive in the afternoon
Why DL Logistics
1. Domestic Transport with Dedicated Fleet
We operate our own container truck fleet, transporting goods from Shenzhen factories to the airport in just 6–8 hours on average – a testament to our hard power.
2. Long-Term Block Space Purchase
We secure buyout of20 pallet spaces weekly from two major airlines – 10x the shipping capacity of peers (who typically access only 2 spaces).
3. Priority Customs Clearance in UAE
Our exclusive airport channel clears shipments in 2 hours, while competitors often face 2–3 day delays.
4. Expedited Warehouse Pickup
Skip queues at bonded warehouses with our priority access, ensuring local delivery speed – a privilege unavailable to small/regular freight forwarders.
5. Round-the-Clock Middle East Network
We control extensive customs and logistics resources across the region – even answering calls at 2 AM.
6. Same-Day Door-to-Door Urgent Delivery
Morning shipments arrive by noon; noon shipments land by evening – faster than SF Express.
7. Real-Time Cargo Tracking
Full visibility at every node – our commitment level rivals that of cargo owners themselves.
8. Secure Handling of Sensitive/High-Value Goods
Zero seizure record. We resolve customs challenges other agents cannot handle.
9. Integrated Service Model
As both a primary Middle East air freight wholesaler and a door-to-door specialist, we invite you to try us with a small order first.
Service Showcase
Why DL Logistics can become one of the top 5 air freight forwarder
1. Dominant Capacity via Block Space Ownership
As one of the Middle East’s top 5 air freight operators, we invest heavily in securing 20 permanent weekly pallet spaces from two major airlines – a capacity that surpasses competitors relying on scattered bookings.
- Competitors avoid locking space due to insufficient volume; our pallets remain fully loaded year-round, with 60% allocated to peer distributors.
- Unlike rivals facing overbooking/price surges during peak seasons (e.g., Ramadan), our scale-based capacity control guarantees stable rates and on-time delivery.
2. UAE Priority Customs Ecosystem
We leverage exclusive UAE resources, including pre-declaration channels with customs authorities to accelerate clearance:
- Priority clearance for urgent shipments; negotiate reduced inspection time (even waivers) for same-day delivery.
- Example: Lithium battery parts gain pre-approved clearance – inspection slashed from 24 hours to 2 hours, avoiding unpacking.
*Note: Many small Chinese freight forwarders partner with us as intermediaries.*
3. 20+ Years of Localized Ground Operations
Our UAE-based team offers unparalleled expertise:
- 50+ trucks covering direct routes across 6 Gulf countries (no third-party transfers).
- 500+ local staff providing 24/7 support (30-minute response time).
- Deep knowledge of religious holidays/policy shifts.
Operational Results:
- Under 48-hour stable delivery (vs. competitors’ "last-mile paralysis" from outsourced fleets).
- Below 0.1% damage rate.
- Urgent shipments bypass warehouses: direct port-to-door dispatch – a service competitors seek to access.
Industry Malpractices
Malpractice 1
Changing Size/Weight After Pickup: Made-Up Trouble (Cost Fraud)
How they do it:
Some shady freight forwarders get your cargo, then intentionally make the size (length, width, height) bigger or the weight heavier on paper. Because air freight charges are based on whichever is higher – the actual weight or the size weight (called chargeable weight) – making the size bigger artificially increases the size weight. This makes the shipping cost jump up a lot. Some even completely invent "measurement data" that isn't real at all.
Why they do it:
It's the easiest way to cheat for extra profit. By lying about the size or weight (the basis for the charge), they add a big chunk of money to the basic shipping fee. Clients often get a shock when they see the bill.
The Shipper's Problem:
By the time you find out, the cargo is already in their warehouse or even loaded onto the plane. You're stuck! Questioning them takes time and proof (like your photos/videos from packing, your weighing records), but your shipment can't wait. Most of the time, to get your goods moving, you have no choice but to pay the inflated fee.
The Cost Hit:
Air freight is expensive already. If your size/weight gets inflated by 10%-30% or more, it eats directly into your profits. If this happens often, your whole shipping budget gets blown.
Malpractice 2
Overpromising & Underdelivering (Service Fraud)
How they reel you in:
Some freight forwarder salespeople, desperate to get your business, make big promises they can't possibly keep:
Crazy-fast delivery: "Guaranteed 3-day delivery!" or "Door-to-door in 5 days!"
100% customs guarantee: "We clear anything!" or "No customs issues!"
Too-good-to-be-true prices: Offering rates way lower than everyone else.
Full service" claims: Promising "door-to-door," "real-time tracking," or "hassle-free support" – without having the actual resources.
What really happens:
Delays, delays, delays: Flights get held up, warehouses are jammed, transfers go wrong, customs gets stuck.
Customs nightmares: Goods get held, you're asked for more papers, or worse – stuff gets sent back or destroyed.
Tracking blackout: Once shipped, your goods vanish into a black hole. No updates, just stress.
Promises broken: "Door-to-door" becomes "airport-to-airport." "Full tracking" might only show when it took off and landed – nothing in between.
The Client's Nightmare:
After you hand over your goods, you're stuck. Delays mess up your production schedule. Switching forwarders mid-shipment is expensive and often impossible (your stuff is already moving). You feel trapped, forced to accept terrible service and endless excuses while your shipment is held hostage.
1. Mid-shipment price hikes: After your goods are in their warehouse, they suddenly demand extra money to ship it. Excuses? "Flight space is tight," "fuel surcharge went up," "your cargo is special." Pay up, or your goods don't fly.
2. Hidden fees at destination: When your goods arrive overseas, you get hit with a list of unexpected charges to get them released:
Inflated customs agent fees, inspection fees, fines (sometimes caused by their mistakes).
Made-up fees like "management fee," "service fee," or "release fee."
The Attitude Flip:
Before pickup: The salesperson is super nice and helpful.
After pickup: They turn cold and pushy. They might even threaten to "auction off or destroy your goods" if you don't pay immediately.
What it really is:
This is a classic bait-and-switch trap. They hook you with a lowball quote, then jack up the price once they have your goods. Knowing you're desperate to get your cargo and avoid bigger losses (like storage fees piling up), they basically blackmail you into paying these unfair charges.
The Damage:
Beyond the direct financial hit, this can wreck your supply chain, destroy trust with your customers, and seriously damage your business reputation.
Mistake in Air Freight to Middle East Weight Calculation Leads to Client Refusal to Pay! How We Grew from the Experience
Having been in the air freight to Middle East business for many years, I still remember the mistakes I made due to lack of experience when I first started. Once, a client had 20 boxes of Arabian robes to be shipped via air freight to Middle East. I directly used the dimensions provided by the client to calculate the volumetric weight: 40*30*25 cm per box, with each box weighing 100 kg. I quoted the client based on these measurements and felt quite pleased with myself. However, when the goods actually arrived, the airline’s measurements showed that each box was 55*40*30 cm, and the calculated weight per box was 220 kg—a difference of 120 kg per box! When I informed the client, they refused to pay the price difference. I was stunned—what could I do? Eventually, our general manager stepped in, apologized to the client, and we settled on a compromise price for the shipment. Of course, we made no profit, but at least we didn’t lose money.
Through these kinds of experiences, we gradually learned our lessons. It’s essential to be meticulous when preparing documents and to verify any potential issues accurately. Don’t be afraid to ask more questions. Always measure on-site or request that the client provide videos or photos of their measurements, and make sure to note that the airline’s re-measurement will be considered final.
Freight forwarding companies vary in quality, regardless of the country or region they operate in. Whether it’s air freight to Middle East or elsewhere, we often work with local agents, so finding reliable partners is crucial. We are now a senior member of WCA (World Cargo Alliance) with membership number 87909. The barrier to entry for WCA is quite high—it’s not something just any small freight forwarder can join. In addition to the substantial annual fee, companies must meet certain scale and conditions to qualify. This effectively filters out unreliable small freight forwarders.
When we look for local agents, we only work with WCA member companies. The advantage of this platform is its endorsement. If an agent’s service is unsatisfactory or something unexpected happens, the platform will help coordinate a solution and even assist in protecting our rights. This mutual constraint ensures better service from both sides.
It is precisely by holding ourselves to such high standards that we have secured orders from many large enterprises. For example, we once helped Huawei ship electronic products worth 40 million USD. Huawei doesn’t just work with any freight forwarder—they conduct on-site inspections of the company’s capabilities, warehouse conditions, and even investigate the company’s background, including any major legal disputes. Being able to collaborate with Huawei demonstrates that we are fully capable of serving large clients.
To excel in air freight to Middle East, it’s essential to have strong control over warehouse capacity. We currently operate two dedicated air freight to Middle East routes. One is a direct route from Guangzhou/Shenzhen to the UAE, with 30 fixed pallet spaces per week—averaging about 6 per day. These pallet spaces are leased directly from the airline. Freight forwarders capable of leasing airline pallet spaces must be highly competent and have a consistent volume of shipments. But that’s not all—in addition to the direct route, we also have a route from Guangzhou/Shenzhen to the UAE via Beijing. This route is even more frequent, with flights available every day from Monday to Sunday.
In reality, many freight forwarders claim to be primary operators, but there are different levels among them. Some only have a few pallet spaces per week, while we have 30 pallet spaces for our direct route alone—this sets us apart from the competition.
Many clients looking for air freight to Middle East focus solely on price. However, they often overlook the unique aspects of the freight forwarding industry. It’s crucial to evaluate the company—reliability is the foundation of everything. Many clients initially negotiate prices with me, but after visiting our company and seeing our capabilities and services, they end up signing contracts with us.
20 Hours from Shenzhen Factory to Dubai Factory via Air Freight to Middle East – Hard to Find Another One Like This in China
Case 3
Why Do Most Air Freight to Dubai Forwarders Fail to Last 3 Years?
“There are actually 60,000 freight forwarding companies in Shenzhen, such a tiny place!”
“You must be mistaken—maybe 6,000?” a friend once questioned.
“No, it’s correct. According to official business data, there really are 60,000.”
Among them, over a thousand specialize in air freight to Dubai. This means every day in Shenzhen, new freight forwarders are registered, while many others quietly shut down. So why is it that most air freight to Dubai companies don’t survive beyond three years?
The market volume is fair to everyone. The fact that there are so many companies ultimately comes down to varying operational capabilities and internal issues.
The “three-year itch” is indeed a hurdle for many air freight to Dubai forwarders. But our company, established in 1998, has been operating for 27 years. There must be something unique about our approach—so what is it?
Truth is, from the day a freight forwarder registers its business, the owner is full of ambition and confidence, believing they’re on the right path to success. Yet the reality is that 9 out of 10 companies don’t make it past three years. This suggests that most owners’ understanding of success is off-track—sometimes completely opposite.
This also indirectly confirms that, as an air freight to Dubai company, our philosophy and direction are aligned with what it takes to succeed—at least, we’re not too far off.
We’ve faced challenges too. Around the 7-year mark, especially at the start of the workday, it felt like everyone was just showing up to do a job—tired, lacking energy and passion. There was no cohesion. The “seven-year itch” is real! Without timely adjustment, we would’ve become just another average company destined to be dissolved.
I remember feeling anxious and unsure what to do. When there’s concrete work, we can push through. But something like team spirit—you can’t force it with effort alone.
Thankfully, we later met Jucheng and learned about their “morning meeting culture.” We implemented it and saw a fundamental shift in the company’s atmosphere.
A key part of our morning meetings involved dancing and games to energize everyone at the start of the day. Even though people weren’t excited about work, we had some great dancers—probably from childhood dance classes—and plenty who were young at heart, shouting and fully engaged in games. The energy quickly lifted. I remember we went through every game we could find!
Later, the morning meeting culture evolved:
- Monday: Dancing
- Tuesday: Reading the company principles
- Wednesday: Games
- Thursday: Personal sharing
It might sound unusual, but this really happened in a freight forwarding company. What did it bring? It boosted morale and passion for work. Before, laziness could last all day. With this new routine, the positive energy often lasted the whole morning or even the entire day.
With over a hundred employees, everyone took turns hosting. At first, people were nervous, but eventually, they became relaxed and confident on stage—especially the hosts, who carried that energy throughout their day.
Gradually, the morning meeting culture influenced other areas. For example, when recruiting, we’d explain our morning routine. Some applicants would light up and say, “I’d love to work in a company like this!” Others weren’t interested. This helped us find like-minded colleagues.
To succeed, you must be strong from within. Air freight to Dubai is a long-term, often monotonous business. Every day involves orders, quotes, detailed communication, and repeating the same tasks for different clients. That’s why most companies in this field close within three years.[learn about}
The air freight cost from China to Dubai calculated in kilograms based on the weight of the shipment. The freight prices for different weights are different.
It’s hard to say how much air freight will cost from China to Dubai. But we can give you a general idea. $4 to $10 is the standard price for air shipping between these two countries.
Origin Airport (China)
Destination Airport
Estimated Cost (USD/kg)
ShangHai Pudong (PVG)
Dubai International (DXB)
3.5
BeiJing Capital (PEK)
3.4
GuangZhou（CAN）
3.6
Hong Kong International (HKG)
4.0
ZhengZhou (CGO)
3.3
XiaMen Gaoqi (XMN)
3.6
ChongQing(CKG)
3.9
QingDao(TAO)
3.8
NingBo(NGB)
3.7
Kindly be noted, that above costs are just estimates, and actual costs may vary depending on the specific details of your shipment.
You can Contact Us to get an accurate freight quote based on your specific needs.
Contact the dealer directly, try a small order RIGHT NOW
1) Secured weekly buyout of 20 cargo pallets— 10x the shipping capacity of peers.
2) Priority clearance channels at UAE airportsfor immediate customs release upon arrival.
3) Expedited pickup priority— urgent orders delivered to clients within the same day.
