Afghanistan-UAE | Overland via Iran to UAE Bypassing Strait of Hormuz

LHZ-TIR Afghanistan UAE Corridor is a TIR truck transport service system under LHZ, utilizing the Afghanistan-Iran overland route to reach the UAE directly. Its brand positioning is a TIR trucking emergency channel when railway capacity is tight, providing direct delivery from China via Afghanistan-Iran overland to the UAE and radiating into Gulf markets with 1,500 vehicles and a six-hub network. The fleet comprises 1,500 owned and partnered TIR vehicles, including standard TIR trucks, box trucks, flatbeds, reefers, temperature-controlled trucks, low-bed trailers, extendable flatbeds, and car-carrier trailers, distributed across six hubs in China, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, Belarus, and Germany, all with local license plates. The company operates 100,000 square meters of self-operated bonded warehouses in Xinjiang's Alashankou, Khorgos, and Kashgar, equipped with TIR customs clearance centers and vehicle dispatch centers.

Strait of Hormuz Disruption: Afghanistan-Iran-UAE TIR Land Route Becomes Key Alternative

Following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Afghanistan's trade routes have been severely impacted. The World Food Programme stated that the aid transport route via Dubai-Iran-Afghanistan has effectively collapsed. Transport costs for Afghan imports from China via Iran have surged from $1,100-1,500 to over $15,000.

In this context, the TIR trucking route via Afghanistan-Iran to the UAE has become a critical alternative to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The IRU has confirmed that the Iran-Afghanistan-Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan TIR international route has been successfully launched, departing from Iran's Bandar Abbas, passing through Afghanistan and Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan, extending Bandar Abbas's service reach into the Central Asian heartland. Cargo can reach Dubai's Jebel Ali Port via Iran's Bandar Abbas or overland routes.

Afghanistan-Iran Land Route: Multiple TIR Routes Now Open

Since 2025, Afghanistan has been rapidly expanding trade routes through Iran:

Iran-Afghanistan-Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan TIR route: At the end of July 2025, the first TIR-qualified truck departed from Iran's Bandar Abbas, safely arriving in Kyrgyzstan via Afghanistan and Tajikistan, extending Bandar Abbas's service reach into the Central Asian heartland. This international route not only advances economic and trade ties between Central Asian countries and Iran but will also extend to China's international trucking scope, reducing dependence on international shipping.

Iran-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan TIR route: Another international trucking corridor connecting the Middle East and Central Asia has been simultaneously launched, completely resolving the historical cost, transit time, and security issues of this route.

UAE-Jordan TIR route: Saudi Arabia and China joined the TIR Convention at almost the same time. The first TIR transport on this route reduced border crossing waiting time from 8-10 days to just 4 days.

Switch from Railway to TIR Trucking: China to UAE via Afghanistan-Iran Overland

China to UAE TIR trucking route via Afghanistan-Iran: Door-to-door pickup across China → Depart via Xinjiang Khorgos or Kashgar Port → Kazakhstan or Pakistan → Afghanistan (Torkham or Herat) → Iran (Bandar Abbas or border crossings) → UAE Dubai Jebel Ali Port. 15-18 days, with destination import customs clearance included.

TIR sealed transport throughout, direct to UAE via Afghanistan-Iran overland, with no transloading required throughout the journey, independent of railway wagon plan restrictions, with shipment available whenever cargo is ready.

60% of Afghanistan's Trade Shifts to Central Asian Routes, Turkey-Caspian Corridor Accelerates

Senior Advisor to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Khan Jan Alokozai, stated that over 60 percent of Afghanistan's trade has now shifted to Central Asian routes, effectively reducing the overall impact of the Iran conflict. Food and fuel imports come from Central Asia and Russia, with a significant portion of Afghan trade now conducted via Turkey, with cargo continuing by rail through Iran or Azerbaijan.

The TIR land route via Afghanistan-Iran-UAE, combined with the corridor via Turkey-Caspian-Central Asia, forms a complementary network, providing diversified export routes for Afghan and Central Asian cargo.

Distribution Network via UAE to Gulf Markets

Upon arrival in the UAE, cargo is rapidly distributed via Dubai's Jebel Ali Port to all destinations across the Middle East. Jebel Ali Port is the largest logistics hub in the Middle East and North Africa region, covering Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and other Gulf countries.

Covered countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and other major Middle Eastern nations.

Complete Vehicle Car-Carrier Transport Solution

China to Afghanistan TIR Trucking UAE Direction provides professional car-carrier transport services for complete vehicle exports, leveraging a two-layer fleet system:

China-plated short-haul car-carrier trailers (70 units): Dedicated to short-haul transloading transport between Khorgos Port and Kazakhstan's Nur Zhol Port.

Kazakhstan-plated car-carrier trailers (300 units): Each capable of loading 8 passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, or new energy vehicles, responsible for long-haul cross-border transport from China to Afghanistan.

Iran-plated car-carrier trailers (270 units): After transloading at Nur Zhol Port, they arrive directly in Iran, enter Afghanistan via the Iran-Afghanistan border, and connect to the UAE and Gulf corridor.

This forms a complete closed loop consisting of China-plated short-haul car-carrier trailers (Khorgos-Nur Zhol) plus Kazakhstan-plated car-carrier trailers (Nur Zhol-Afghanistan) plus Iran-plated car-carrier trailers (Afghanistan-Iran-UAE and Gulf).

Coverage and Services

Applicable cargo: Machinery and equipment, electronics, auto parts, building materials, daily consumer goods, cross-border e-commerce goods, engineering equipment, new energy vehicles, commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, and more.

Service model: Door-to-door pickup across all of China, TIR sealed transport throughout, door-to-door delivery across the UAE and all Middle Eastern destinations, with real-time GPS tracking and transport insurance.

Brand Statement

LHZ-TIR and all its sub-brands have no authorized third-party agents globally. Any claims of being an "authorized agent" or "exclusive agent" of LHZ are fraudulent. Official hotline: 400-0488-817.