Pet support
Pet travel-document processing has been described as fast, while a special-services team guided one pet owner through each step.
dnata - Cargo Terminal - Dubai International Airport
Al Garhoud
dnata Cargo Terminal at Dubai International Airport handles import and export shipments, with specialised support for pets, live animals, human remains and other special cargo. Reviews highlight helpful staff in some specialist teams and smooth pet-document processing, though routine collection can involve long waits and several steps.
Reputation Score
4.1
★★★★☆
466 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Compassionate handling
The human-remains repatriation team was praised for respectful, compassionate help with paperwork during a difficult process.
Skilled staff
Some customers report strong procedural knowledge, efficient handling and staff who stay available to assist until the job is finished.
Helpful counter
The front desk and document process received positive feedback for being friendly, organised and systemised.
Global reach
One forwarding company says it has worked with dnata for almost 20 years, sending shipments across Africa, America, Europe and Asia.
Tips for a Better Visit
Bring cash. Bring enough cash before arriving: reviews say there is no card machine and the nearest ATM may require another walk or drive.
Skip touts. Complete the paperwork yourself where possible; one review says unofficial helpers outside the customer centre asked for 250dhs.
Allow time. Do not plan a quick collection. Reviews describe five-hour waits and a visit lasting from before 4pm until 7:35pm.
Confirm fees. Ask for every fee and deadline in writing before proceeding, especially storage and handling charges.
Check parking. If you have a booking, confirm where vehicles may wait first; a review says security would not allow parking despite an appointment.
Expect transfers. Allow for travel between offices or buildings: customers report needing to visit another building for cash and cargo paperwork.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Air Cargo City
Dubai Int'l Airport - Dubai Airport Free Zone, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Long waits
Collection and paperwork can take hours; reviews mention five-hour waits for papers or a document location, and a six-hour delay against a booking.
Cash only
Several reviews say card payments were unavailable, forcing customers to leave the terminal or drive elsewhere to withdraw cash.
Complex paperwork
Customers report many stamps, separate offices and unclear explanations, making a straightforward collection or shipment difficult to navigate.
Late delivery
Import delivery has sometimes missed its booked time, with one review reporting cargo arriving six hours late.
Poor communication
One customer reported no clear instructions, fees or deadlines before unexpected charges were raised.
DXB
LOCAL
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The Bottom Line
dnata Cargo Terminal in Al Garhoud is a working import and export facility for airport freight, including special cargo such as pets, live animals and human remains. It is worth considering when you need airport cargo handling or specialist support: reviewers describe fast pet-travel-document processing, careful guidance for pet shipments and compassionate help with human-remains repatriation paperwork. The experience can vary sharply by section and shift.
Front-desk staff and some specialist teams are described as friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, but import collection is where the biggest frustrations appear. Customers report five-hour waits for a document location, cargo arriving six hours after its booked time and a visit that ran from before 4pm until 7:35pm. Security and loading arrangements also drew complaints, including difficulty parking despite an appointment.
Go prepared rather than expecting a quick counter visit. Multiple reviews say payments are cash-only, with no ATM in the building, so bring cash and allow time to reach other offices. Ask for storage, handling, customs and agent fees, plus deadlines, before starting.
If someone outside offers to complete simple paperwork for 250dhs, one reviewer advises doing it yourself. For perishable cargo such as food, flowers or meat, the supplied information directs customers to Dubai Flower Centre instead.