✅ INBOUND AIR CARGO HANDLING
When your cargo arrives at Dubai International Airport, our team is notified through the cargo manifest and advance cargo information system. We accept the shipment from the airline, verify all documents, and initiate the customs clearance process immediately.
What we manage for inbound cargo:
- Airline cargo release at DXB cargo terminal
- Document verification, airway bill, commercial invoice, packing list
- Customs declaration filing through Mirsal 2
- Physical cargo inspection coordination (if required by Dubai Customs)
- Transfer from airside bonded area to landside warehouse
- Delivery to your warehouse or address in Dubai and across the UAE
ZMC Express commits to clearing standard inbound air cargo within 24 hours of arrival — the fastest turnaround available for airport handling services in Dubai.
✅ OUTBOUND AIR CARGO HANDLING
For cargo leaving Dubai by air, our ground handling team manages the full export process — from cargo acceptance at our DAFZA facility to handover to the airline at the airport.
What we manage for outbound cargo:
- Cargo acceptance at ZMC Express DAFZA warehouse
- Weighing, dimensioning, and labelling to airline specifications
- Export customs declaration through Mirsal 2
- Dangerous goods screening and documentation (IATA DGR)
- ULD build-up, palletising and containerising cargo to airline requirements
- Handover to airline at DXB or DWC cargo terminal
- Airway bill issuance, ZMC Express Cargo is IATA certified to issue AWBs directly
✅ ULD MANAGEMENT AND CARGO BUILD-UP
Unit Load Devices (ULDs) are the pallets and containers used to load cargo onto aircraft. Proper ULD management is critical for weight distribution, cargo safety, and airline acceptance.
ZMC Express Cargo manages:
- ULD selection — right pallet or container for your cargo type and aircraft
- Cargo build-up — securing, wrapping, and netting cargo to airline standards
- Weight distribution planning — ensuring ULD weight and balance compliance
- ULD tracking and return management after delivery
- Build-up of temperature-controlled ULDs for pharmaceutical and perishable cargo
✅ SPECIAL CARGO GROUND HANDLING
Not all cargo is standard. Dubai International Airport is one of the world’s busiest hubs for special cargo and ZMC Express Cargo is equipped to handle every category.
Perishable cargo Fresh flowers, fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, and seafood require fast clearance and temperature-controlled storage. ZMC Express coordinates with Emirates SkyCargo’s cool chain facilities and manages perishable ground handling with priority processing.
Dangerous goods (DG) IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) certified. We manage DG acceptance, segregation, labelling, documentation (Shipper’s Declaration, NOTOC), and storage in designated DG areas at the airport.
High-value cargo (VAL) Jewellery, electronics, currency, and other high-value items handled under secure chain-of-custody protocols. Dedicated locked storage. Controlled access. Full handover documentation.
Oversized and heavy cargo Out-of-gauge cargo that cannot be containerised in standard ULDs. Flat pallet build-up. Coordination with the airline for aircraft type confirmation and space allocation.
✅ CARGO STORAGE AND WAREHOUSING AT DAFZA
ZMC Express operates a warehouse inside Dubai Airport Free Zone. This gives us bonded storage capability, meaning cargo can be held in our facility without triggering UAE customs duty until you are ready to clear and release.
Storage services at our DAFZA facility:
- Bonded (duty-deferred) storage for imported cargo
- General cargo storage for transit and re-export shipments
- Temperature-controlled cold storage for perishables and pharmaceuticals
- Secure high-value cargo storage with controlled access
- Dangerous goods segregated storage area
- Short-term and long-term storage options
✅ CUSTOMS COORDINATION AND CARGO CLEARANCE
Customs clearance at Dubai International Airport is managed through the Dubai Customs Mirsal 2 system. ZMC Express is a registered customs declarant at DAFZA and coordinates all airport cargo clearance in-house.
Our customs clearance process at DXB:
- Filing the import declaration through Mirsal 2 on the day of arrival
- HS code classification for accurate duty assessment
- Calculation and payment of UAE customs duty (5% CIF) and VAT (5%)
- Coordination with Dubai Customs for physical inspection if required
- Issuance of customs release order
- Cargo handover for final delivery
Standard customs clearance at Dubai airport: same day to 24 hours for Green Channel shipments. Red Channel (physical inspection) adds 1 to 2 days.
✅ PROACTIVE SHIPMENT NOTIFICATION
One of ZMC Express’s core differentiators in airport handling is proactive customer communication, before your cargo even arrives at our warehouse.
How it works:
As soon as a shipment is confirmed for arrival, our second support team sends a notification to the customer with the following details:
- Estimated arrival date and flight number
- Quantity and weight of the incoming cargo
- Amount due for customs and handling charges
If the customer does not respond on the first day, our team contacts them directly by phone. We do not wait for problems to develop. We prevent them.
This system ensures that every shipment is actioned on the day of arrival, eliminating storage fees from unnecessary delays.
