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Import Car from USA to Dubai

Importing a Car from the USA to Dubai

Importing a Car from the USA to Dubai? Car imports from the USA to Dubai start at a cost of $1,095 USD with an estimated turnaround time of 20 – 35 days, depending on make and model of the vehicle, the nearest departure port in the United States, and your final destination in Dubai. Below, our 2024 guide will explore everything you need to know about reliable international car shipping from the USA to Dubai.

Are you ready to get started with reliable international car shipping from the USA to Dubai?

Request a free online quote – Quotes are available online with a guaranteed response within 24 hours for car import and moving services to Dubai.

Please do not hesitate to call or email us anytime with any questions about car shipping to the Middle East. Contact our shipping experts for more information. We are always just a phone call away!

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Want more information on car import services to Dubai from the USA?

Read on below for our US to Dubai Import Shipping Checklist, Vehicle Import Options, US to Dubai Car Import Costs & Time Frame, US to Dubai Vehicle Import Options, Ports Served in the US & Dubai, and other details on how to Import Car from USA to Dubai.

US to Dubai Car Import Checklist

Here’s a rough breakdown of the process you’ll need to go through for car shipping to Dubai.
  • Before beginning the process of importing and registering a car in Dubai, you’ll need a valid residence permit for the United Arab Emirates to import a car abroad into Dubai.
  • After you’ve determined that your vehicle is eligible for car shipping, gather all necessary vehicle documentation, including:

    • New Cars: Original invoice, Original Certificate of Origin

    • All Vehicles: US Customs Export Declaration, US Traffic Dept. Certificate of Vehicle Export, Valid Insurance & Identification

  • Understand the costs of importing a vehicle to Dubai, including:

    • Freight and insurance charges when importing your vehicle

    • Wharf, transport, storage and delivery charges after your vehicle arrives

    • Duties, taxes and fees

    • Cleaning the undercarriage of foreign soil

    • Registration and insurance requirements in the relevant UAE State or Territory

    • Other charges such as import processing, customs brokers’, and logistics service provider charges

  • Select an international car import company and preferred car shipping method to transport your vehicle from the United States to Dubai
  • Determine your vehicle’s departure and destination ports in the United States and the Middle East
  • Confirm the vehicle is clean and free of foreign soil
  • If you wish to register your vehicle for road use in Dubai, you’ll need to get the vehicle plated.

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

Online Quotes - Guaranteed Response within 24 Hours!

Quotes are available online for domestic and international vehicle shipping services. Depend on us for reliable and expedited vehicle relocation services - Our dedicated team of shipping specialists are always a phone call away to answer any questions you may have.

Vehicle Import Options

As you engage in the vehicle import process to Dubai, some of the most important questions to consider include:

  • Whether you plan to import the car permanently or if it’s just a temporary move,
  • Whether you have been the owner of the car for at least 6 months,
  • Whether you’re importing a new or used vehicle.

These questions and more will determine whether your car is eligible for import to Dubai. You’ll need a valid residence permit for the United Arab Emirates to import a car into Dubai.

Also, unless you obtain a commercial register for car sales and imports you’ll be limited to one imported vehicle per year. You should never assume your car shipping scenario is the same as someone else’s. Our United Arab Emirates import agents can assist you every step of the way – we’re always just a phone call away for any questions about car shipping to the Middle East.

To obtain an estimate of the cost to import a car to Dubai, fill out our free quick quote form.

Vehicle Import Approval

Upon arrival of your vehicle import to Dubai, it must be declared in United Arab Emirates Customs. You’ll need the following documentation:

  • New Cars: Original invoice, Original Certificate of Origin
  • All Vehicles: US Customs Export Declaration, US Traffic Dept. Certificate of Vehicle Export, Valid Insurance & Identification

Things to Consider

Foreign private motor vehicles (other than those registered in any of the GCC States) can be granted temporary admission license as follows:

  • Six months (180 days) for motor vehicles guaranteed by a valid international passage carnet.
  • Three months (90 days) for motor vehicles not guaranteed by a valid CPD, renewable for similar periods, if the applicant submits a bank guarantee or a deposit equivalent to the amount of the customs duties payable on the motor vehicle.

Requirements for Temporary Admission of Foreign Private Motor Vehicles:

  • Valid License & Registration.
  • Valid insurance coverage throughout the temporary admission period by an approved insurer in the country.
  • An international CPD carnet, approved in any of the GCC States, shall be presented to guarantee the amount of customs taxes/duties.
  • The person shall be the owner of the motor vehicle or authorized to drive it under a duly certified special proxy issued by the country of registration of the motor vehicle.
  • Valid residence permit in the country of registration of the motor vehicle, if not a national of that country.

US to Dubai Car Import Costs & Time Frame

Using a baseline of a compact car being imported using the roll-on/roll-off method from the Port of Los Angeles to the Port of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, our estimate to Import Car from USA to Dubai starts at a cost of $1,095 USD with an estimated turnaround time of 20 – 35 days.

However, the cost to import a car to Dubai can vary according to factors such as the model and make of your vehicle, your current location, the nearest departure port in the USA, your transport method of choice, availability of your chosen services, and your final destination in the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, you’ll need to consider car shipping costs such as storage, cleaning, other vendor fees, and United Arab Emirates taxes & duties.

Taxes & Duties for Dubai Car Imports

Car Imports to Dubai pay 5% Customs duties. (Value of the vehicle + 1% insurance + cost of shipment).

  • VAT will be applicable on all service charges which is 5% on CIF value on all cost elements.
  • Vehicle will be inspected by Customs to verify that the export declaration value is accurate. If this estimation is inconsistent or different than stated on the invoice, you may have to pay the difference.
  • After vehicle import tax/import duties are paid, the United Arab Emirates’ Traffic & Licensing Department will issue a VCC (Vehicle Clearance Certificate).

The amount of taxes and import duties payable when shipping a vehicle overseas to Dubai from the US will vary and depends on the details of your shipment.

To obtain an estimate of the cost to import a car to Dubai, fill out our free quick quote form.

Online Quotes - Guaranteed Response within 24 Hours!

Quotes are available online for domestic and international vehicle shipping services. Depend on us for reliable and expedited vehicle relocation services - Our dedicated team of shipping specialists are always a phone call away to answer any questions you may have.

US to Dubai Vehicle Import Options

Car import from USA to Dubai can be performed using shared container shipping, sole container shipping, or a roll-on/roll-off service.

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Roll-On/Roll-Off – Best for working vehicles, since your vehicle is driven onto the shipping vessel and secured in a large cargo area. Our most budget-friendly option, as the only added fees are customs clearance charges.

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Shared Container Service – Multiple vehicles are loaded together in a single 40ft. container, using our industry-leading steel loading system. While there are additional fees like terminal handling, as well as trucking and unloading charges, you’ll share the additional fees with other vehicle owners.

*Although you’ll have the added security of a fully enclosed container, you might experience a longer wait before shipping since the container must reach capacity before being shipped out.

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Full Container Load – Similar to our shared container service, your vehicle is shipped in a fully enclosed and secure 20 ft container, dedicated solely to your vehicle. You won’t have to wait for the container to reach capacity before shipping but won’t be able to share the added costs of terminal handling and unloading charges.

However, the enclosed container shipping process offers an added level of security and protection, and your investment is protected from the weather and any other damaging elements throughout its journey to Dubai. When we receive your vehicle, our reliable shipping company agents will document your vehicle’s condition – including the loading process – with photo documentation that will be available online for your convenience. Once your vehicle arrives in Dubai, our agent will access the container and once again document the imported vehicle’s condition and unloading process.

In comparison to our Roll-On/Roll-Off Service, container shipping will be faster, thanks to our frequent weekly departures.

We utilize an eco-friendly steel loading system for added security against damage, unlike other shipping companies that use outdated wood ramps for car shipment.

Additional Services

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Sourcing vehicles – For a nominal fee, we can assist overseas clients purchasing vehicles thanks to our extensive network of car buyers developed in our nearly thirty years of experience in the auto shipping industry.

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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.

Ports Served in the US and Dubai for Importing Cars

Departure Ports – United States

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

Destination Ports – Dubai

Here are the Dubai entry ports where your vehicle can be imported:

  • Abu Dhabi
  • Ajman
  • Al Ain
  • Al Hamriya
  • Automarket
  • Ducamz
  • Dubai
  • Fujirah
  • Jabal Ali
  • JAFZA
  • Jebel Ali
  • Khor
  • Kizad
  • Hamyirah
  • Khalifa
  • Mussafah
  • Ras al Kaimah
  • Ras Al Kohr
  • Rashid
  • Saeed
  • Sharjah
  • Umm Al Qwaim
  • Zayed
  • Zhanjiang

From Jebel Ali, we can transship to:

  • Aqaba, Jordan
  • Alexandria, Egypt
  • Bahrain
  • Beirut, Lebanon
  • Dar E Salam, Tanzania
  • Damman, Saudi Arabia
  • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • Kuwait
  • Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Sohar, Oman
  • Mombasa, Kenya
  • Umm Qasser, Iraq

Cleaning Your Vehicle’s Undercarriage

Before importing your vehicle to Dubai, the undercarriage 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.

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.

Plating Your Vehicle in Dubai

Vehicles shipped to Dubai must be registered to operate on Dubai roads. Dubai Customs will provide a Vehicle Clearance Certificate (V.C.C.) for the vehicle upon clearing the Customs Import Bill of Entry. This certificate is a mandatory requirement for registration. The V.C.C. should be submitted to Dubai Police – Traffic Department for registration. Once registered, you’ll receive a license plate and certificate of registration.

You can request the Vehicle Clearance Certificate (VCC) here.

Other Dubai/US Shipping Options

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.

Online Quotes - Guaranteed Response within 24 Hours!

Quotes are available online for domestic and international vehicle shipping services. Depend on us for reliable and expedited vehicle relocation services - Our dedicated team of shipping specialists are always a phone call away to answer any questions you may have.

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