If you would like to ship your car to the UAE, we can include this in your quotation. You can either ship your vehicle within your own exclusive use container or as part of our shared container service. We will need to know the car make and model so that we can work out the volume to be included in the shipment. Please see information below regarding the import of motor vehicles into the UAE.
Background and Documentation
In order to ship your car to the UAE, your vehicle must be no older than ten years old. If your car is over ten years, you will have to contact the Roads and Transport Authority before shipping.
You also require the following documents:
- Original invoice of your vehicle to prove ownership and value
- Certificate of Origin to prove where the vehicle was made
- Your original passport, driving license and visa
- Original shipping receipt
- Cash or cheque to pay custom fees
Clearance and fees
Once you have shipped your car to the UAE, your vehicle must go through clearance at one of the entry points (Port Rashid, Jebel Ali Free Zone, etc.). The authorities have inspected your car, a fee of 5% of the car’s value will be charged. You will also have to pay for a clearance certificate, which costs 4700 AED, alongside a 700 AED container inspection. Once your car is released, you will be required to purchase blue export plates, costing 60 AED each. An additional 10 AED will be charged for clearance documentation.
Vehicle Testing
In order for your car to be road legal, it must be tested at one of the many centres located around the UAE. These centres will conduct thorough tests to ensure that your car is reliable, safe and road legal. Some of the UAE’s best test centres are:
- Tamam
- Al Shamil
- Tasjeel
You also require the following documents for testing:
- Original passport, Emirates ID and driving license (and copies)
- Custom clearance papers
- Import documents
Vehicle Insurance
Finally, you must obtain insurance for your car to be road legal. To do this, you can visit one of the many car insurance companies in the UAE.
You also require the following documents:
- Vehicle inspection report
- Passport, drivers license and Emirates ID
Once you have your insurance policy, you must also register your vehicle with the Roads and Transport Authority.
You also require the following documents:
- Proof of purchase
- Completed application form
- Blue export number plates
- Insurance documents
- Customs clearance letter
- Original driving license, passport and visa (bring copies too)
- Proof of residency besides visa e.g utility bill or rental agreement
- Vehicle inspection clearance
Once you have your insurance policy, you are ready to drive on the open roads of the UAE! If you would like to know more information, or arrange an international car shipping quote, contact us now.
If you’re thinking of moving to the UAE, be sure to read up on the UAE import regulations. And check out our page on moving to the UAE for more information.
