How to Ship Your Car to Dubai | Shipping Car to Dubai | ShipLux

You’re off to your next great adventure in Dubai. How exciting! Perhaps you’re going for a short stay, or maybe you plan on living there for a while. Either way, it’s always good to know the best ways to move around the city.  

If you’re thinking of taking your car with you, there’s a lot you’ll need to know. We’ve got you covered! Keep reading for more on how to ship your car to the United Arab Emirates, specifically Dubai.

First Things First: Important Dubai Car Shipping Questions 

Is your car eligible? 

First of all, you must be sure your car is eligible to ship to another country. There are a few restrictions on vehicles that are allowed into Dubai: 

• Left-hand drive vehicles are not allowed. 
• If your car has tinted glass, it will not be accepted. 
• If your vehicle was manufactured more than 10 years ago, you will need special permission to import it into Dubai.

Is your move temporary or permanent? 

• Temporary: International vehicles starting from countries that are not members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) can be granted a temporary admission license as follows: 

• You may bring your car for up to six months (180 days) if the vehicle is guaranteed by a valid international passage carnet (CPD). This allows you to bring the car in and export it out again 
• Without a CPD, your vehicle may be admitted for 3 months (90 days) with either a bank guarantee or a deposit equivalent to the amount of the customs duties payable on the motor vehicle.  

Check out this check list of requirements for the Temporary Admission of Foreign Private Motor Vehicles in Dubai:

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Permanent: If you’re moving to Dubai permanently, then you’ll need a valid residence permit for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order to import a vehicle into Dubai.

Taxes and Duties 

There are no duty exemptions available when shipping a car to Dubai. 

This means that, in addition to the cost of shipping (see below,) you may also have to pay: 

• An import duty of 5% (value of the vehicle + 1% insurance +shipping costs) 
• A value-added tax (VAT) of 5% 

• If you’re missing original documentation, customs will charge an additional $300 fee  
• The vehicle will be inspected at Customs to verify that your export declaration is accurate. If there is an inconsistency, you may have to pay the difference.

Documents Needed 

As can be expected, you will need some documentation to help with all of this. Check with your shipping company to see if they help you with that, but ultimately it’ll be your responsibility to be sure that you provide all the necessary information for your vehicle to pass through customs with ease.   

For your convenience, here’s list of the documents you’ll need to successfully ship a car into Dubai:

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In addition, after Customs has inspected your vehicle and you have paid your import fees, you will receive a Vehicle Clearance Certificate. This might take 2-3 days.  

How Much Will It Cost to Ship My Car to Dubai? 

The average cost of shipping a car from the US to Dubai is between $3000 – $7000, and can take 20 to 35 days to ship, depending on port of departure and pickup location.  

Factors that affect the cost of shipping your car to Dubai include: 

• Pickup and delivery: Are you taking it to the port, or are you requiring door-to-door pickup and delivery, which requires overland transport? 
• Make and model of your vehicle: Larger vehicles will always cost more. 

Type of transport: Air vs. Sea., shipping container vs. roll-on/roll-off, etc.

Ship Your Car to Dubai the Easy Way: With ShipLux! 

The vehicle shipping experts at ShipLux are here to help you get your car all the way to Dubai, from door to door. Reach out today to talk with one of our expert agents, ask for a fully transparent price quote, and get all your shipping questions answered. With a supportive team and our guaranteed Premium Service, we can help you navigate the complexities of moving your life (at least as far as your vehicle is concerned) to an international location. Then, you’ll be ready for your next adventure driving through the streets of Dubai!