All about the Karama post office

• History
• Services
• Location
• Timings

The Karama post office is the oldest post office in the UAE that is still operational. It is a major landmark of Al Karama, which is also one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Dubai. Today we tell you all about Karama Post Office, also known as Dubai central post office.

History of Karama Post Office

The evolution of post offices in the UAE is a remarkable story on its own. The first postal agency was set up in Dubai on August 19, 1909. It took another fifty years before the country had something akin to the established postal authority, with offices in all seven emirates. These postal services were managed by the Indian Post Office Services until 1947 and were finally established as the General Directorate of Postal Services under the Ministry of Communications in 1972 after the emirates merged to form the UAE. 

Emirates Post started in 2001, which then became Emirates Post Group in 2007. The central post office in Karama was built in 1975. It was originally known as the General Post Office (GPO) Karama.

At the time of its construction in the 1970s, it was one of the biggest buildings in the country. It included the headquarters of the postal service, the central Emirates post office Dubai and one building dedicated solely to sorting. Eventually, both the headquarters and sorting centres were moved to the Umm Ramool area, which is now the central hub for Emirates Post. 

Emirates Post is the sole provider of postal services in the country, and one of the cheapest local courier services in Dubai. And the central post office is one of the main facilities of the entity. As of last year, a total of 80% of Emirates IDs were sent to the Karama central post office and collected by individuals who don’t have PO boxes. However, the post office is now refurbished, following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.  

Last August, plans were made to refurbish the Karama post office Dubai, which moved operations to the mezzanine floor and corner side office temporarily. As a result of these changes, waiting times have significantly reduced at the post office.

Of course, this is not the first time the building has been renovated. It was also renovated back in the 1980s when the building was still known as GPO Dubai.

Karama Post Office Services 

Along with mail delivery, services offered by the central post office include money orders, international money transfers and bill payment. You can also book Air Arabia tickets from the post office. 

Once you apply for you Emirates ID, you can collect it from the central post office Dubai upon receiving a confirmation SMS from Empost. You just have to present your Emirates ID and EIDA receipt for collection.

Once you enter the post office, you have to take your token number and wait till your number shows up on the screen. This is a significant improvement as previously one had to stand in queues. Now there is also ample seating capacity so you can wait comfortably for your turn. 

The staff is also helpful and professional, and there are multiple counters to accommodate as many people as possible at a time. And even if you have to wait, there is a coffee shop at the post office as well. 

Al Karama Post Office Location

With a central location close to the flats for rent in Karama, there a couple of ways you can reach the post office. There are lots of bus routes near the building and taxi services are also available. Even if you live in far-off locations like the Dubai Sports City apartments, there are buses that take you directly to Karama.

Nearby bus stops include Central Post Office – 02, Central Post Office – 01, Karama bus stop and Umm Hurair bus stop. Buses that stop near the post office include 28, 33, 44, 88, C14 and C26. In addition, you can also use the Dubai Metro Stations to reach the post office. Nearby metro stations include BurJuman Metro Station and ADCB Metro Station. 

Other nearby landmarks include Spinneys Supermarket and the Sheikh Rashid Building. There is also an ID centre and medical centre on the opposite side of the building. 

• Al Karama Post Office Location: Zaa’beel Street, Dubai
• Karama Post Office Number: +971-6-005-9999

KARAMA POST OFFICE TIMINGS

• Karama post office opening hours are from 07:30 am to 09:00 pm from Saturday to Wednesday.
• On Thursday, Karama post office hours are 07:30 am to 01:00 pm and from 04:00 pm to 08:00 pm.
• The post office is closed on Fridays. During Ramadan, Karama post office timings are 09:00 am to 05:00 pm. 

Karama Post Office Parking

The parking area inside the building is also spacious to accommodate visitor volumes, which is a plus point considering the parking woes of the Karama neighbourhood. Having said that, it is easier to find parking when you visit in the afternoon or during late hours. There are no parking charges at the post office.

This wraps up our guide on Karama Post Office. We have even prepared a guide on sending shipments using Emirates Post in Dubai that you can check out. You can also read more about applying for and receiving your Emirates ID in Dubai on our blog as well.