How Much Does Storage Cost in Dubai in 2026? Prices, Unit Sizes and What to Check Before You Store

How much does storage cost in Dubai per month?

Managed household storage with ISS Relocations in Dubai costs roughly AED 450–800 a month for a studio, AED 850–1,500 for a two-bedroom apartment and AED 1,700–3,200 for a four- to five-bedroom villa. These are indicative 2026 bands, excluding 5% VAT, packing, collection and delivery.

Price depends on volume, measured in cubic metres (CBM). Your exact price is confirmed after a free survey.

ISS Relocations indicative monthly rates (2026, excl. VAT):

• A few boxes or a part load (up to 3 CBM): AED 150–350
• Studio apartment (8–12 CBM): AED 450–800
• 1-bedroom apartment (15–20 CBM): AED 600–1,100
• 2-bedroom apartment (25–30 CBM): AED 850–1,500
• 3-bedroom apartment or townhouse (35–45 CBM): AED 1,200–2,100
• 4–5-bedroom villa (50–70 CBM): AED 1,700–3,200
• Business stock and archives: quoted per pallet or per CBM

Longer storage periods usually lower the effective monthly rate.

What is a CBM, and why do movers use it?

CBM means cubic metre: a space 1 m × 1 m × 1 m. Moving and storage companies measure household goods in CBM because packed items are stacked, so height matters as much as floor area. Self-storage facilities quote square feet instead.

What size storage do I need for my home?

• 1–3 CBM (about 15–25 sq ft): 20–30 cartons, suitcases, a golf bag, a bike or a small chest of drawers. Suits seasonal items or a student's room.
• 8–12 CBM (about 25–50 sq ft): a double bed, sofa, TV unit, dining table for four, fridge, washing machine and 30–40 cartons. Typical for a studio.
• 15–20 CBM (about 50–75 sq ft): the above plus a second bed or desk, wardrobe and armchairs, with 50–60 cartons. Typical for a one-bedroom apartment.
• 25–30 CBM (about 75–100 sq ft, roughly a 20 ft container load): two bedrooms of furniture, living and dining sets, appliances and 70–90 cartons. Typical for a two-bedroom apartment.
• 35–45 CBM (about 100–150 sq ft): three bedrooms, full living and dining sets, outdoor furniture and 100–130 cartons. Typical for a three-bedroom apartment or townhouse.
• 50–70 CBM (about 150–250 sq ft, roughly a 40 ft container load): four to five bedrooms, a majlis, garden and gym equipment and 150+ cartons. Typical for a villa.

Why a survey changes the number: two apartments with the same number of bedrooms can differ by 30% or more in volume. Books, children's toys, gym equipment and outdoor furniture add up quickly. A free in-person or video survey gives an exact CBM figure, and therefore an exact price.

Is managed storage cheaper than self-storage in Dubai?

Often, per unit of space. With managed storage you pay for the volume your packed goods occupy. With self-storage you pay for a whole unit, whether it's full or not.

• Managed storage (ISS): full-service storage is commonly quoted in the Dubai market at around AED 30–50 per sq ft a year. ISS packs, collects, inventories and delivers. Access is by appointment, with notice. Best for whole-home storage, moves abroad, storage in transit and long terms.
• Self-storage unit: commonly quoted at around AED 60–90 per sq ft a year. You pack and move, or hire a mover separately. Walk-in access, often with extended hours. Best for items you need to reach often.

What's included in the monthly storage rate, and what costs extra?

Included:

• Space in a secure, managed ISS warehouse
• An itemised inventory of everything stored
• Goods kept packed and stacked by trained crews

Quoted separately:

• Packing materials and packing labour
• Collection from your home and final delivery
• Handling if you retrieve part of your goods mid-term
• Storage insurance (commonly 1–3% of declared value a year in the market)
• 5% VAT

When do people use storage?

• Between homes: your lease ends before the new one starts.
• Storage in transit (SIT): your international shipment arrives before your new home is ready, or you move out before your flight.
• Assignments abroad: keep your furniture in the UAE while you work overseas for a year or two, which is cheaper than shipping it twice.
• Renovations: clear rooms completely for painting, flooring or a villa refit.
• Downsizing: move to a smaller home while you decide what to keep.
• Business: office relocations, surplus furniture, stock and archive boxes.

Is long-term storage worth it? For ordinary furniture, cumulative storage fees can overtake its resale value after roughly 18–24 months. Store what is valuable, sentimental or expensive to replace, and sell or donate the rest before you pack.

What should I check before storing my belongings with any provider?

1. An itemised inventory, signed at collection, as your record of what went in and its condition.
2. Liability and insurance. Ask about the provider's liability cap and insure goods at their real declared value.
3. Temperature and humidity. Ask how the warehouse handles summer heat and humidity, especially for wood, leather, electronics and artwork.
4. Security and pest control: CCTV, access control, fire systems and routine pest treatment.
5. Access rules. How much notice is needed, and whether partial retrieval carries a fee.
6. The full cost in writing: monthly rate plus packing, collection, delivery, handling, insurance and VAT.
7. Accreditation. Independently audited movers, such as FIDI-accredited and ISO 9001-certified companies, follow documented procedures.

How do I prepare furniture and household goods for storage in the Gulf climate?

• Clean and fully dry fridges, freezers and washing machines, and leave the doors slightly open.
• Wrap wooden furniture in breathable covers, not sealed plastic, to avoid trapped moisture.
• Pack books and documents flat in small, strong cartons.
• Remove batteries from electronics and toys.
• Drain fuel from lawnmowers and generators, because fuel is not accepted.
• Photograph valuable items and keep a copy of the inventory.

What can't go into storage?

Flammable or hazardous items (gas cylinders, fuel, paint thinners, bulk aerosols, fireworks), perishable food, plants, live animals, illegal goods and weapons. Keep cash, jewellery, passports and important documents with you or in a safe deposit box.

Where does ISS Relocations store goods?

ISS stores goods in its own warehouses in:

• Dubai: Al Quoz, Dubai Investments Park and Dubai World Central
• Abu Dhabi: Musaffah
• Qatar: GWC Logistics Park, Doha
• Oman: Muscat
• Bahrain: Al Hidd
• Kuwait: Al Jahra
• Saudi Arabia: As Sahil, Jeddah
• India: Madambakkam, Chennai
• Rates for Doha, Muscat, Manama, Kuwait, Jeddah and Chennai are quoted locally. ISS can also collect in one GCC country and store or deliver in another through its own offices.

Frequently asked questions

How much does storage cost in Dubai per month? ISS Relocations indicative 2026 bands run from about AED 150–350 for a few boxes to AED 450–800 for a studio, AED 850–1,500 for a two-bedroom apartment and AED 1,700–3,200 for a four- to five-bedroom villa, before VAT, collection and delivery. The exact price depends on volume, duration and services, and is confirmed after a survey.

What size storage do I need for a one-bedroom apartment? About 15–20 CBM when packed. That is roughly a 50–75 sq ft self-storage unit, or two to three standard storage vaults.

Is VAT charged on storage in the UAE? Yes. Storage rental and related services are subject to 5% VAT. ISS's bands exclude VAT.

Do I need insurance for items in storage? It is strongly recommended. Providers usually limit their liability, so an all-risk policy based on the declared value of your goods protects you properly. Market rates are commonly quoted at around 1–3% of declared value a year.

What is storage in transit? Short-term warehouse storage during a move, for example when your shipment arrives before your new home is ready. Goods stay packed and inventoried and are delivered when you are ready.

Is there a minimum storage period? Managed storage is typically charged monthly, often with a one-month minimum. Longer commitments usually lower the effective monthly rate. ISS confirms terms in your written quote.

Get an exact price

Tell ISS what you're storing and for how long. ISS will survey it, confirm the exact volume and price, and handle packing, collection and delivery. Trusted by Gulf households since 1996.

Book a free storage survey: aeo@iss-relocations.com | Toll-free 800 6683 (MOVE)