packing checklist before you move in dubai

Moving homes in Dubai is exciting, with new beginnings, new neighbourhoods, and a fresh setup to look forward to. But before any of that can happen, one thing stands in your way: packing.

Whether you’re relocating from a high-rise apartment in Dubai Marina, a family villa in Arabian Ranches, or a townhouse in JVC, proper packing can make the difference between a smooth, stress-free move and a chaotic one. As someone who has spent more than a decade handling relocations with ShiftyUAE, I can confidently say that 70% of moving-day problems happen due to poor packing preparation.

In this detailed guide, you’ll get a complete, Dubai-focused packing checklist that helps you pack smarter, avoid last-minute stress, and protect your belongings from damage, especially during hot-weather relocations across Dubai Hills, Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah, and more.

Let’s dive in.

1. Why Packing Matters So Much in Dubai

Dubai isn’t like other cities when it comes to moving. From strict tower rules in Downtown Dubai, to access permissions in JLT, to community security checks in Emirates Living, your packing must be:

1. Organised
2. Heat-proof
3. Management-friendly
4. Fast to load/unload.

ShiftyUAE handles hundreds of moves every month, and what we see is simple:

Well-packed homes are moved 30–40% faster and with far less risk.

That is why this packing checklist exists to help you prepare the right way.

2. The Complete Packing Checklist (Dubai Edition)

Below is your full, step-by-step packing checklist designed specifically for Dubai residents.

A. 30 Days Before Moving Day

1. Sort, Declutter & Donate

Before buying a single box, start with decluttering. Dubai homes, especially villas in Arabian Ranches, Mudon, and Jumeirah Park, accumulate a surprising amount of unused items.

Declutter by category:

1. Clothes
2. Kitchenware
3. Toys
4. Paperwork
5. Outdoor furniture
6. Seasonal items

Donate gently used items through:

1. Emirates Red Crescent
2. Dubai Cares
3. Local community groups

ShiftyUAE always encourages clients to minimise load because it reduces:

1. Packing time
2. Cost
3. Unpacking stress

2. Inform Your Building Management

Most Dubai apartments require:

1. Move-out permit
2. Move-in permit
3. Elevator booking

This applies to towers in Dubai Marina, Business Bay, Downtown, JBR, and most Emaar-managed buildings.

Without this, security may refuse access to movers.

ShiftyUAE helps you prepare the required documents:

1. Trade license
2. Insurance
3. Emirates ID copy
4. Vehicle details

3. Create a Moving Folder (Digital + Paper)

Include:

1. Contracts
2. Ejari
3. DEWA closing letter
4. Internet termination
5. New address map
6. Receipts
7. Inventory list
8. Valuables list

Dubai moves often involve multiple departments DEWA, community security, and elevator attendants. Having documents ready saves hours.

B. 14 Days Before Moving Day

4. Order Packing Supplies (or Ask ShiftyUAE)

You may need:

1. Double-corrugated boxes
2. Wardrobe boxes
3. Bubble wrap
4. Packing paper
5. Foam sheets
6. Stretch film
7. Packing tape
8. Marker pens
9. Colour-coded labels

A note from experience:

Dubai’s humidity and heat can weaken cheap boxes. Always choose high-quality materials. ShiftyUAE provides professional-grade supplies for all packing-unpacking jobs across Dubai.

5. Pack Non-Essentials First

Start with:

1. Guest room items
2. Seasonal clothing
3. Books
4. Frames & décor
5. Spare kitchenware

If you’re in a high-rise in JLT or Dubai Marina, packing early prevents clutter, especially in compact living spaces.

6. Take Measurements

Measure:

1. Furniture
2. Staircases
3. Lifts
4. Door frames
5. Hallways

You’d be surprised how often sofas get stuck in Marina towers. ShiftyUAE’s team always measures beforehand, and we recommend you do the same.

C. 7 Days Before Moving Day

7. Start Packing Room by Room

Focus on:

1. Bedrooms
2. Children’s rooms
3. Kitchen (non-daily items)
4. Bathrooms
5. Storage rooms

Use colour-coded labels:

1. Blue – Bedrooms
2. Yellow – Kitchen
3. Pink – Kids Room
4. Green – Living Room
5. Red – Fragile

When the ShiftyUAE team arrives, this system helps us load the truck room-wise, ensuring fast unloading at your new home.

8. Prepare an Essentials Box

This is crucial, especially for families moving into villas in Dubai Hills or Tilal Al Ghaf.

Include:

1. Toiletries
2. Chargers
3. Bed sheets
4. Clothes for 24–48 hours
5. Toothbrushes
6. Medicines
7. Snacks & water
8. Basic kitchen utensils

Label it OPEN FIRST.

9. Protect Fragile Items Properly

Use:

1. Bubble wrap
2. Foam sheets
3. Towel padding
4. Thick blankets

Fragile items include:

1. Mirrors
2. Frames
3. Glass tables
4. Chandeliers
5. Vases
6. Kitchenware

Don’t write “FRAGILE” without actually protecting the item. Dubai roads can be bumpy.

D. 3 Days Before Moving Day

10. Dismantle Small Furniture (if doing DIY)

Items you can dismantle:

1. Small shelves
2. Nightstands
3. Shoe racks

However, for major furniture:

1. Ikea PAX
2. Bunk beds
3. King beds
4. Solid wood items

Always hire professionals like ShiftyUAE. These items require expertise, labelling, and proper reinstallation.

11. Back Up Important Digital Files

Dubai moves sometimes require waiting in lobbies or service elevators.

Keep copies of:

1. Passports
2. IDs
3. Contracts
4. Tenancy agreements

Packing Checklist Before You Move in Dubai

Moving homes in Dubai is an exciting journey with new beginnings, new neighbourhoods, and a fresh setup to look forward to. But before any of that can happen, one thing stands in your way: packing.

Whether you’re relocating from a high-rise apartment in Dubai Marina, a family villa in Arabian Ranches, or a townhouse in JVC, proper packing can make the difference between a smooth, stress-free move and a chaotic one. As someone with over a decade of experience handling relocations with ShiftyUAE, I can confidently say that 70% of moving-day problems happen due to poor packing preparation.

In this detailed guide, you’ll get a complete, Dubai-focused packing checklist that helps you pack smarter, avoid last-minute stress, and protect your belongings from damage, especially during hot-weather relocations across Dubai Hills, Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah, and more.

Let’s dive in.

1. Why Packing Matters So Much in Dubai

Dubai isn’t like other cities when it comes to moving. From strict tower rules in Downtown Dubai, to access permissions in JLT, to community security checks in Emirates Living, your packing must be:

1. Organised
2. Heat-proof
3. Management-friendly
4. Fast to load/unload

ShiftyUAE handles hundreds of moves every month, and what we see is simple:

Well-packed homes are moved 30–40% faster and with far less risk.

That’s why this packing checklist exists to help you prepare the right way.

2. The Complete Packing Checklist (Dubai Edition)

Below is your full, step-by-step packing checklist designed specifically for Dubai residents.

A. 30 Days Before Moving Day

1. Sort, Declutter & Donate
2. Before buying a single box, start with decluttering. Dubai homes, especially villas in Arabian Ranches, Mudon, and Jumeirah Park, accumulate a surprising amount of unused items.
3. Donate gently used items through:
4. Emirates Red Crescent
5. Dubai Cares
6. Local community groups
7. Inform Your Building Management
8. Most Dubai apartments require:
9. Move-out permit
10. Move-in permit
11. Elevator booking
12. Create a Moving Folder (Digital + Paper)
13. Include:
14. Contracts
15. Ejari
16. DEWA closing letter
17. Internet termination

B. 14 Days Before Moving Day

1. Order Packing Supplies (or Ask ShiftyUAE)
2. High-quality materials are crucial to avoid packing issues caused by Dubai’s heat and humidity. We provide professional-grade packing supplies for all jobs across Dubai.
3. Pack Non-Essentials First
4. Start with:
5. Guest room items
6. Seasonal clothing
7. Books
8. Frames & décor
9. Take Measurements
10. Measure your furniture, staircases, lifts, door frames, and hallways to avoid any surprises during your move.

C. 7 Days Before Moving Day

1. Start Packing Room by Room
2. Use colour-coded labels:
3. Blue – Bedrooms
4. Yellow – Kitchen
5. Pink – Kids Room
6. Green – Living Room
7. Prepare an Essentials Box
8. Include toiletries, chargers, bed sheets, clothes for 24–48 hours, medicines, snacks, and water. Label it "OPEN FIRST."
9. Protect Fragile Items Properly
10. Use bubble wrap, foam sheets, towel padding, and thick blankets for items like mirrors, frames, glass tables, chandeliers, and vases.

D. 3 Days Before Moving Day

1. Dismantle Small Furniture (if DIY)
2. Items like small shelves, nightstands, and shoe racks can be dismantled. For larger furniture like Ikea PAX units or king-size beds, always hire professionals.
3. Back Up Important Digital Files
4. Store important documents on your phone, USB, or cloud storage to avoid loss.
5. Keep Cash on Hand
6. Small cash is useful for tipping staff, community gate passes, and quick purchases.

E. The Day Before Your Move

1. Defrost & Clean Your Refrigerator
2. Movers typically won’t move a fridge that is wet, leaking, or full of ice. Defrost it 12–18 hours before your move.
3. Pack Last-Day Essentials
4. Include items such as laptops, important documents, jewellery, watches, cash, medicines, and chargers.
5. Confirm Truck Access With Management
6. Provide truck plate numbers, timing, and elevator schedule details to your building management.

F. Moving Day Checklist

1. Wake Up Early & Stay Hydrated
2. The Dubai heat can be intense, especially when loading trucks outdoors.
3. Keep Children & Pets Safe
4. Set up a temporary play corner, a closed room, or arrange for a neighbour’s help to keep your children and pets safe during the move.
5. Do One Final Walkthrough
6. Check areas like balconies, wardrobes, and behind doors to ensure nothing is left behind.
7. Don’t Rush the Movers
8. Professional movers work best at their normal pace. ShiftyUAE follows a structured method: pack, wrap, label, carry, load.
9. Confirm the Boxes Room by Room at the New Home
10. Direct boxes by colour label, ensuring everything is unloaded in the correct rooms to speed up unpacking.

3. Additional Packing Tips From 10+ Years of Dubai Moves

1. Use high-quality boxes; cheap boxes collapse in humidity.
2. Do not overpack; 20–25 kg per box is ideal.
3. Wrap electronics separately, especially during hot-weather moves.
4. Label screws & accessories, use zip-lock bags for dismantled furniture.
5. Avoid mixing items between rooms it slows down unpacking.
6. Leave heavy furniture to professionals, especially in multi-floor villas.

4. What ShiftyUAE Does to Make Packing Easy

At ShiftyUAE, we provide:

1. Professional-grade packing supplies
2. Bubble wrap, blankets, and foam
3. Room-by-room packing
4. Full dismantling & reassembly
5. Box labelling
6. Protection for fragile items

Costs start from 2000 AED, depending on:

1. Amount of furniture
2. Packing materials
3. Distance
4. Dismantling needs
5. Villa vs apartment access

5. A Real Dubai Client Story

Last month, our team assisted a family moving from Business Bay to a new townhouse in Dubai Hills. They had delicate ceramic vases from Japan. ShiftyUAE's packers wrapped every piece with triple-layer bubble wrap, foam sheets, and blankets. At the new house, the family was amazed that not a single glass item had a fingerprint, let alone damage.

6. FAQs

1. How early should I start packing before a move?
2. Ideally, 2–4 weeks before, depending on home size.
3. Does ShiftyUAE provide packing materials?
4. Yes, all packing supplies are included.
5. Do I need a move-out permit in Dubai?
6. Most buildings require one. ShiftyUAE helps with documents.
7. What items should I pack myself?
8. Important items like jewellery, documents, passports, and cash.
9. What’s the starting cost for Packing Services?
10. Packing + moving services start from 2000 AED, depending on volume and materials.

7. Conclusion

Packing for a Dubai move doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right preparation, high-quality materials, and a step-by-step checklist, your moving day will be easier, faster, and more organised. Whether you’re relocating within Dubai Marina, shifting between villas in Arabian Ranches, or upgrading to a larger home in Dubai Hills, ShiftyUAE brings the experience, materials, and manpower to make your packing smooth and damage-free.

Contact ShiftyUAE today for a free quote and let our expert team handle your packing and unpacking the right way.

Disclaimer: This content is sponsored by ShiftyUAE, a leading moving company in Dubai.