USA → UAE
Export Horses from the USA to the UAE
Racing and breeding stock into Dubai, home of the Dubai World Cup and one of the world's largest bloodstock operations.
- Arrives
- DXB / DWC
- Departs
- LAX / DFW
- Flight time
- ~16 hours nonstop from the West Coast
- Plan ahead
- 60–120 days
Dubai
Or whichever US gateway suits the animals
Dubai's role in international racing and breeding — the Dubai World Cup carnival, Godolphin's global operation, and a deep private-ownership market — makes the UAE one of the most active horse-import destinations we serve, and demand has grown sharply over the last two years.
Testing requirements here can move with disease status rather than staying fixed, so confirming the current requirement is the first thing we do on every UAE shipment, not an afterthought.
Regulatory
What a UAE export requires
These are the constraints that shape the timeline. The binding requirements are whatever the United Arab Emirates has in force on your day of export — we confirm the current position as the first step of every quote.
Testing requirements can move with disease status
The UAE has required additional PCR testing for horses in the past in response to disease outbreaks such as strangles. We confirm the current UAE testing requirement with the destination authorities before scheduling isolation, since it changes what the accredited vet needs to run and when.
Import permit and veterinary conditions
The importer's permit specifies the veterinary conditions for the shipment, including whatever additional testing is currently required. It has to be in hand before the isolation clock starts.
Pre-export isolation and testing
Animals are held at a USDA-approved facility while a USDA-accredited veterinarian completes whichever panel is currently in force and prepares the International Health Certificate for USDA APHIS endorsement.
Air stables and handling
Horses travel on the main deck in air stables, with a groom flying the full sector. We brief the receiving agent in Dubai in advance so the ground handoff is arranged before the aircraft lands.
Official source
USDA APHIS publishes the International Regulations for Animal Exports (IRegs) — the U.S. government’s understanding of the United Arab Emirates's current import requirements.
By species
What we handle into the United Arab Emirates
Horses
Racing, breeding and competition horses moved door to door — barn in the United States to barn in Asia-Pacific or the Gulf.
Breeding Livestock
Cattle, swine, sheep, goats and poultry genetics moved as single consignments or as a recurring program.
Exotic & Zoo Animals
Zoo collections, wildlife parks and private exotic consignments — including CITES-listed species — moved with the permitting handled.
FAQ
Exporting to the United Arab Emirates: common questions
Can you export horses from the USA to the UAE?
Yes — we have direct experience and working relationships in Dubai. We confirm current testing and permit requirements for your specific horse before anything is scheduled.
How much does it cost to ship a horse to Dubai?
Ask us for a written figure against your specific horse and date. Pricing here depends more than usual on current testing requirements on the day you ask, so we don't publish a general range the way we do for our longer-established Asia-Pacific lanes.
Is there a nonstop flight to Dubai?
Yes — roughly 16 hours nonstop from the West Coast, among the more direct long-haul routes we fly.
Why has UAE demand grown so much?
The Dubai World Cup carnival and the scale of operations like Godolphin have made the UAE a central hub for international racing and breeding, and that pulls private ownership and endurance demand along with it. It's grown faster than almost any other market we serve.
Does someone travel with the horse?
Yes. A professional groom flies with the horse on every international shipment we handle, keeping it hydrated and with forage available, and manages the offload at the destination.
Do you have people on the ground in the UAE?
We work with agents in Dubai who handle the destination side — customs presentation and the handoff to the importer or racing yard. We stay involved through arrival.
Other lanes
More destinations we run
Saudi Arabia
Export Horses from the USA to Saudi Arabia
Qatar
Export Horses from the USA to Qatar
Hong Kong
Export Horses from the USA to Hong Kong
Moving animals to the United Arab Emirates?
Send us the species, the number of animals, the origin and your target date. We confirm whether the protocol is currently open and come back with a written quote at no charge. If we can't do the shipment, we'll email you and say why.