Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and the United Arab Emirates

The Middle East · 10 port guides

In 2025 the United States exported $31.4 billion of goods to the United Arab Emirates and imported $7.7 billion from there. The United Arab Emirates ranked 19th among US export markets and 44th among sources of US imports.

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20 ports in the United Arab Emirates recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$31.4BUp 16.3% on 2024 ($27.0 billion)
US imports, 2025
$7.7BUp 3.8% on 2024 ($7.4 billion)
Goods balance
$23.8BUS surplus
Export market rank
19thAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
44thAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to the United Arab Emirates

Aircraft and spacecraft (chapter 88) led US exports to the United Arab Emirates at $5.7 billion, 18% of the total. The top three chapters made up 47%.

  1. 88Aircraft and spacecraft$5.7 billion18.0%
  2. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$5.1 billion16.2%
  3. 87Vehicles and parts$4.1 billion13.2%
  4. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$4.1 billion13.1%
  5. 71Precious stones, metals and jewelry$3.7 billion11.7%

US imports from the United Arab Emirates

Aluminum (chapter 76) led US imports from the United Arab Emirates at $1.5 billion, 20% of the total. The top three chapters made up 52%.

  1. 76Aluminum$1.5 billion20.2%
  2. 98Special classification provisions$1.4 billion17.7%
  3. 27Mineral fuels and oils$1.1 billion14.4%
  4. 33Essential oils, perfumes and cosmetics$757.9 million9.9%
  5. 73Articles of iron or steel$519.2 million6.8%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with the United Arab Emirates, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents the United Arab Emirates requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with the United Arab Emirates.

Exports through the port, 2025
$367.0M1.2% of the US total with the United Arab Emirates
Leading export goods
Machinery and mechanical appliancesHS chapter 84, $58.8 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$164.1M2.1% of the US total with the United Arab Emirates
Leading import goods
Machinery and mechanical appliancesHS chapter 84, $43.4 million

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in the United Arab Emirates

10 ports in the United Arab Emirates have a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index. In the index, Mina Saqr records the deepest cargo pier of them, at 18 m.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for the United Arab Emirates: Al Hamriyah Lpg Terminal, Al Jazeera Port, Fateh Oil Terminal, Hulaylah Oil Terminal, Mubarraz Oil Terminal, Sharjah Offshore Terminal, Umm An Nar, Umm al Qaywayn, Zirkuh and Zirkuh Oil Field.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.