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Car Shipping to Dubai & UAE — International Vehicle Transport to Jebel Ali & Abu Dhabi

Shipping a car to Dubai (Jebel Ali port) costs from £1,043 with a sea transit of approximately 21 days. Abu Dhabi (Khalifa Port) takes approximately 26 days. Both RORO and container shipping are available. The UAE drives on the right — only left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles can be registered for standard road use. A No Objection Certificate (NOC) must be obtained before the vehicle is shipped. UAE residency and a valid Emirates ID are required to import a vehicle personally. Import duty is 5% of CIF value plus 5% VAT. Vehicles must be under 10 years old from the date of manufacture for standard import — older vehicles require special approval.

Phone Number

Type of Vehicle

Vehicle Make/Model

Where Are You Moving From

Moving From City /Town

Where Are You Moving To

Moving To City /Town

Frequency of Sailing

Monthly

Transit Time

21 - 26 Days

Methods

RORO & Container

Cost Starts From:

£-

What Shipping Methods Are Available to Dubai and the UAE?

Both RORO and container shipping serve Dubai (Jebel Ali) and Abu Dhabi (Khalifa Port), with fortnightly sailing frequency on each route.

RORO to Jebel Ali (Dubai) or Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi)

RORO is the most cost-effective method for standard roadworthy left-hand drive vehicles. Your vehicle is driven directly onto a purpose-built car carrier vessel and secured in the hold for the voyage. Electric vehicles are not permitted on RORO services due to maritime battery safety regulations.

Container Shipping to Dubai or Abu Dhabi

Container shipping suits classic cars, high-value vehicles, non-runners, and electric vehicles. A dedicated 20ft container provides full enclosure and protection for the entire voyage. Personal belongings can be included in a dedicated container, subject to UAE customs regulations.

Fortnightly sailings operate on both routes. Sailing frequency and vessel availability are confirmed at the time of booking.

Critical Rule: Left-Hand Drive Vehicles Only

The UAE drives on the right. Only left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles can be registered and legally driven on UAE roads under standard import rules. This is a hard regulatory requirement enforced at the RTA registration stage — not a preference or a guideline.

Standard vehicles from right-hand drive markets cannot be registered for everyday road use in the UAE. The exception applies to classic and heritage vehicles 25 years or older, which may qualify for UAE heritage registration (brown heritage number plates) with special approval from the RTA. This lane is primarily used by collectors and specialist dealers — not for standard personal imports.

Confirm your vehicle is left-hand drive before any booking, NOC application, or shipping arrangement is made.

What Is the NOC and Why Does It Matter?

The No Objection Certificate (NOC) is the UAE’s mandatory entry permit for imported vehicles. It must be obtained and approved before the vehicle leaves its origin country — not on arrival. Shipping a vehicle without an approved NOC will result in customs clearance refusal at Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port, with port storage charges accruing daily until the situation is resolved.

How to apply:

For Dubai / Jebel Ali imports: Apply through the RTA Smart Services portal at rta.ae
For Abu Dhabi / Khalifa Port imports: Apply through the Abu Dhabi Police Vehicle Licensing Department

Processing typically takes 2–5 business days. NOC fees range from AED 200 to AED 500 depending on the emirate. Do not book a sailing until NOC approval is confirmed in writing.

What Import Duty and Tax Apply in the UAE?

The UAE has one of the most straightforward import duty structures of any major vehicle shipping destination:

Tax	Rate	Applied To
Customs Duty	5%	CIF value of the vehicle
VAT	5%	Duty-inclusive CIF value
Effective combined rate	~10.25%	Of CIF value

Additional destination charges payable in the UAE include:

UAE customs clearance fees: approximately AED 4,700
RTA inspection fee: AED 300–1,500 depending on emirate
MoIAT conformity assessment (for non-GCC specification vehicles)
Vehicle registration and number plate issuance
Licensed UAE customs broker fees

Source: UAE Federal Customs Authority (fcainfodesk.gov.ae). Verify current rates before shipping.

UAE Vehicle Age Limit and GCC Compliance

10-Year Age Limit

Standard used vehicle imports into the UAE are restricted to vehicles under 10 years old from the date of manufacture. Vehicles 10 years or older require special approval from the relevant emirate’s transport authority — RTA Dubai or Abu Dhabi Police. Classic and heritage vehicles 25 years or older may qualify for heritage registration under separate rules. Confirm your vehicle’s eligibility before booking.

GCC Specification and RTA Inspection

UK-specification vehicles are built to European standards, not GCC standards. After customs clearance, all imported vehicles must pass an RTA inspection at an approved centre — Tasjeel or Shamil in Dubai, Mussafah in Abu Dhabi. Non-GCC specification vehicles typically require a MoIAT conformity assessment (Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology) before they can pass RTA inspection. Vehicles that do not meet UAE safety, emissions, or climate control requirements must be modified at an approved workshop and re-inspected before registration and number plate issuance.

UAE Residency Requirement

Only UAE residents holding a valid Emirates ID and UAE residency visa may import a vehicle into the UAE for personal use. Tourists and visit-visa holders are not eligible. If you are not yet a UAE resident at the time of shipping, a licensed UAE customs broker can act as importer of record on your behalf until your residency is established. This is a common arrangement for expats relocating to the UAE ahead of their residency being confirmed.

How Car Shipping Worldwide Manages Your Dubai & UAE Shipment

Shipping a vehicle to Dubai involves a sequence of steps that must happen in a specific order — NOC approval before sailing, GCC compliance assessment before RTA inspection, and customs clearance before registration. Missing any step creates delays and port storage charges that are entirely avoidable with the right preparation.

Car Shipping Worldwide coordinates the full process on your behalf, from origin documentation through to UAE port delivery.

Origin Country — Before the Vessel Sails

We verify your vehicle is left-hand drive and eligible for UAE import, manage all origin export documentation including the Certificate of Origin and Commercial Invoice, and confirm your NOC approval is in place before any sailing date is booked. No vessel is confirmed until every pre-shipment requirement is met.

Sea Freight — Dedicated or Shared Container

We match your vehicle to the correct method based on type, condition, and budget. Standard LHD vehicles travel via RORO to Jebel Ali from £1,043 with a 21-day transit. Classic, high-value, non-runner, and electric vehicles ship by dedicated container. All booking, documentation, and Bill of Lading are managed on your behalf with fortnightly sailing options on both routes.

UAE Destination — Customs Clearance & RTA Registration

We coordinate with our appointed agents at Jebel Ali and Khalifa Port, providing any documentation or clarification required to support the customs clearance and registration process on your behalf. We remain available throughout to ensure the process at the destination moves forward without unnecessary delays.

Frequently Asked Questions: Car Shipping to Dubai & UAE

How much does it cost to ship a car to Dubai?

Car shipping to Jebel Ali (Dubai) starts from £1,043 port-to-port. UAE customs duty (5% of CIF), VAT (5%), NOC fee (AED 200–500), RTA inspection, MoIAT conformity assessment for non-GCC vehicles, and customs broker fees are all payable additionally in the UAE — typically adding 13–18% to the total landed cost.

How long does shipping a car to Dubai take?

Sea transit from origin to Jebel Ali (Dubai) takes approximately 21 days. Abu Dhabi (Khalifa Port) takes approximately 26 days. Allow additional time for NOC processing before departure and UAE customs clearance, RTA inspection, and registration after arrival — typically 2–4 weeks total for destination processing.

Can I ship a right-hand drive car to Dubai?

Standard RHD vehicles cannot be registered or legally driven on UAE roads. The UAE drives on the right and permits only LHD vehicles for standard personal import and registration. RHD vehicles 25 years or older may qualify for UAE heritage registration (brown number plates) with RTA special approval.

What is the vehicle age limit for importing into the UAE?

Standard used vehicle imports are restricted to vehicles under 10 years old from the date of manufacture. Vehicles 10 years or older require special approval from RTA Dubai or Abu Dhabi Police. Classic and heritage vehicles 25 years or older may qualify for heritage registration under separate rules.

Do I need UAE residency to import a car?

Yes. Only UAE residents with a valid Emirates ID and UAE residency visa may personally import a vehicle. If you are not yet a UAE resident, a licensed UAE customs broker can act as importer of record on your behalf until residency is established.

What is a NOC and when do I need it?

The No Objection Certificate (NOC) is the UAE’s mandatory vehicle entry permit. It must be approved before the vehicle leaves its origin country. Apply via the RTA Smart Services portal for Dubai imports or Abu Dhabi Police Vehicle Licensing for Abu Dhabi. Processing takes 2–5 business days. Never book a sailing before NOC approval is confirmed.

vehicle shipping to dubai via Roro and Container

What Documents Are Required to Ship a Car to Dubai or Abu Dhabi?

Before Shipping (Origin Country):

Original V5C logbook or equivalent proof of ownership
Commercial invoice stating CIF value and full vehicle specifications
Certificate of Origin (issued by manufacturer or Chamber of Commerce)
Certificate of Marine Insurance
Approved NOC from RTA Dubai or Abu Dhabi Police
Export Declaration (managed by your shipping agent)
Power of Attorney (notarised and attested — if using a UAE customs broker)

At UAE Destination Port (Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port):

Original Bill of Lading
Commercial invoice and packing list
Certificate of Origin
Marine Insurance Certificate
Copy of importer’s passport and Emirates ID
UAE residency visa copy
Approved NOC
Pre-export inspection certificate (where required)

Your UAE clearing agent manages customs clearance and issues the Vehicle Clearance Certificate (VCC) required for RTA registration.