Singing bowls, gongs, tambourines, djembes, didgeridoos, jaw harps, a tongue drum and professional sauna fans — what could they possibly have in common?
An ethnic music festival? A recording studio? A collection of unusual instruments?
The correct answer is a banya in Dubai.
CARGO-EXPRESS arranged customs clearance in Dubai and delivery to the consignee’s warehouse for a complete shipment of goods intended for a banya and spa complex. The 44 cargo units contained everything required for a proper steam room — from 21,080 sauna whisks to four hand-painted samovars. The total shipment weight was 6,727 kg.
When an Invoice Reads Like a Festival Lineup
Part of the shipment consisted of instruments used in banya and spa rituals: singing bowls, gongs, tambourines, djembes, didgeridoos, jaw harps and a tongue drum. Special stands, resonators and mallets were transported with them.
The assortment also included professional sauna fans, pillows, mattresses and bolsters, wooden tubs, steeping buckets, basins, ladles, wooden bowls, serving dishes and boards.
The shipment also contained four hand-painted electric samovars, soap, washcloths, sauna hats, spa accessories and uniforms for steam masters, massage therapists, managers, hosts and waiters.
It was one of those rare cases in which a logistics specialist needed to distinguish a djembe from a didgeridoo just as confidently as a steeping bucket from a singing bowl.
21,000 Whisks — Every One Chosen for a Reason
The main part of the shipment consisted of 21,080 sauna whisks in 16 varieties.
Oak whisks formed the largest group, with 5,000 pieces. The shipment to Dubai also included 3,000 fir whisks, 2,000 mint whisks and 1,680 birch whisks.
The assortment was completed by juniper and eucalyptus whisks, along with products made from lavender, chamomile, sweet clover, anise, thyme, lemon balm and three varieties of wormwood.
An assortment a banya attendant understands — and a logistics specialist must understand as well, especially when every item requires an accurate description and correct customs documentation.
Two Temperature Regimes, One Shipment
Around half of the shipment did not require special temperature conditions. The other half had to be kept within a specified temperature range.
CARGO-EXPRESS therefore accounted for the requirements of each part of the shipment during customs clearance and onward delivery. The team needed to process 44 cargo units promptly, complete customs formalities in Dubai and coordinate delivery to the consignee’s warehouse.
The goods cleared customs and were delivered to their destination. For the client, this completed a comprehensive supply for the banya and spa facility. For CARGO-EXPRESS, it was another project in which the contents of the invoice proved more interesting than many festival programmes.
Dubai is accustomed to high temperatures — and high standards. We took care of the latter so that the cargo would not experience the former.
The atmosphere is now in the hands of the banya attendant, the samovar and the singing bowls.
