Import Car from USA to Saudi Arabia

Importing Your Car to Saudi Arabia? Car Import from the USA to Saudi Arabia starts at a cost of $1,095 USD with an estimated turnaround time of 20-35 days, depending on the make and model of the car, the port of origin, and the method of shipment. Below, we explore everything you need to know about importing your car to Saudi Arabia in our 2024 guide.

Importing a Car to Saudi Arabia: Checklist

Vehicle Import Options

Vehicle Import Approval

Importing a Car to Saudi Arabia: Costs & Time Frame

Importing a Car to Saudi Arabia: Options

Additional Services

Ports Served in the US and Saudi Arabia

Cleaning Your Vehicle of Biosecurity Concerns

Plating Your Vehicle in Saudi Arabia

Other Saudi Arabia/US Shipping Options

Here’s a rough breakdown of the process you’ll need to go through to ship your vehicle overseas to Saudi Arabia.

More information on the process of importing a vehicle to Saudi Arabia can be found here.

As you engage in the process of importing a car to Saudi Arabia, some of the most important questions to consider include:

• Whether you plan to permanently keep the car in Saudi Arabia or if it’s just a temporary move
• The condition of the shipped vehicle; Saudi Arabia has a five-year vehicle age restriction for the import of passenger cars and other light vehicles
• Whether you’re importing a new or used vehicle

These questions and more will determine whether your car is eligible for import to Saudi Arabia. Your actual tax rate is also based on these details.

When importing cars, you should never assume your international shipping scenario is the same as someone else’s. Importing classic or used cars may have eligibility requirements that differ from those for importing newer vehicles into Saudi Arabia.

To obtain an estimate of the cost to ship a car to Saudi Arabia, fill out our free quick quote form.

Vehicle Import Approval

• Original Title for the car (with no Liens on the Title)
• Notarized Bill of Sale/Sales Contract
• Copy of your passport if you are not a US citizen
• EIN letter from the IRS if you are a US citizen
• Power of Attorney form (if required)
• A Certificate of Conformity

Things to Consider

To obtain an estimate of the cost to ship a car to Saudi Arabia, fill out our free quick quote form.

Car Import from USA to Saudi Arabia can be performed using a shared container, a sole container or a roll-on/roll-off service.

Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) – Vehicles are loaded onto a ship that contains a cargo area built like a very big parking garage. This international car shipping option tends to be more cost-effective as, other than the shipping charge, you are required to pay only port charges and customs clearance charges.

Transits tend to be faster than with the shared container service, as the vessels depart on a weekly basis.

Shared container service – This method for car import to Saudi Arabia requires multiple vehicles to be loaded into one shipping container. While there are more fees involved to ship a car from the USA to Saudi Arabia with shared container service than with the RoRo shipping method, due to the fact that the container must be processed, these charges are shared between the various clients who are using the container. Such fees include a trucking charge, terminal handling charge, customs clearance, and charge for unloading the vehicles at a bonded warehouse.

One disadvantage is that you might face a longer wait before your vehicle departs, as the container must have a full load before importing to Saudi Arabia.

Full container load – You have the added benefit of a fully enclosed container, just like our shared container service, but the 20 ft container is dedicated solely to your vehicle. Since there’s no wait for other cars to be loaded, you’ll enjoy a shorter wait before departure. However, additional terminal handling fees and other charges won’t be shared with other vehicle owners.

Our most selective customers prefer the high level of safety and expediency offered when importing cars with dedicated container shipping. When your vehicle is received, we’ll photograph and document the vehicle’s condition as well as the loading process. Your vehicle will be loaded using our modern steel loading system, which is not only environmentally friendly, but doesn’t rely on outdated wood ramps and nails that other shipping companies use, which can damage your vehicle.

After your car is loaded onto your own private container, it is locked and secured. This will ensure no one gains access to your car before reaching its final destination. Since the vehicle is fully enclosed in a secure container, we invite our clients to pack and transport other items inside the vehicle. However, everything must be loaded securely, as we won’t be responsible for loss or damage of any kind.

Once your vehicle reaches its destination in Saudi Arabia, our agent will unlock the container, document the vehicle’s condition, and photograph the entire unloading process. Every step of the importing process is not only handled carefully but documented for your peace of mind.

Compared to our RoRo shipping option, enclosed container shipping is not only more secure when importing to Saudi Arabia, but much faster due to frequent departures each week.

Sourcing vehicles – Overseas clients who wish to buy a vehicle can turn to our long list of car buyers developed in our nearly thirty years in the auto industry, who can find and purchase vehicles for an additional fee or commission.

Other services – Some of the auto transport services we offer in overseas territories include domestic pickup, vehicle import assistance, tracking of your shipment, customs clearance in the USA and a full vehicle inspection report.

Departure Ports – United States

The location your vehicle will depart from depends on the method of car import to Saudi Arabia, where your vehicle is located, your budget, and which services the nearest port offers. We have multiple departure locations from which we can ship cars from the USA, including Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Miami, Savannah, and more.

Destination Ports – Saudi Arabia

Here are the entry ports in Saudi Arabia that we can ship a car to

Before importing to Saudi Arabia, the undercarriage of your car must be cleaned and free of foreign soil to prevent the introduction of invasive plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. This can be accomplished through steam cleaning or other thorough cleaning methods.

CFR Classic can assist with finding an appropriate cleaner to help ensure you comply with this requirement before car import to Saudi Arabia. We do not recommend washing the interior of the vehicle as it can cause mold during transport. Vacuuming the interior is usually more than sufficient prior to car transport.

After customs clearance, you will need to get authorization to use your shipped vehicle in Saudi Arabia:

• Upon receiving your copy of Bayan (Bill of Entry), you will be able to obtain a SASO (Saudi Arabia Standard Organization) certificate, which is a Certificate of Conformity to declare that the vehicle has met Saudi Arabia’s quality and safety standards.
• The SASO certificate allows the vehicle to clear Saudi Arabia customs and you to obtain a Green Card.
• Before your vehicle can be driven in Saudi Arabia, it must be inspected by MVPI (Motor Vehicle Periodic Inspection) to ensure vehicle safety.
• You can then secure your car registration and Traffic Police certificate. You must remember to arrange the appropriate vehicle insurance.

You will require the following documentation when registering your car in Saudi Arabia:

• Copy of Bayan
• Green Card
• MVPI Certificate
• Car Insurance
• Copy of Passport
• Copy of Saudi Residence Permit
• Copy of Saudi Driver’s License

Importing a Car from the US to Saudi Arabia
Importing a Car from Saudi Arabia to the US
Car Shipping from USA to Saudi Arabia
Car Shipping from Saudi Arabia to USA
Cargo Shipping from the US to Saudi Arabia
Cargo Shipping from Saudi Arabia to the US
Moving Household Goods from the US to Saudi Arabia
Moving Household Goods from Saudi Arabia to the US

This information was updated in January 2024. All information, time frames, pricing, and regulations are subject to change. Please contact a sales representative for the most current rates and information.

Back to Top.