Importing a car from Dubai: the complete guide, step by step

Importing a car from Dubai is no adventure when every step is known in advance. Here is the full journey, as we follow it for every client, from the first message to your port.

1. Pin down the right car

It starts with three things: the model, the year (or a range of years) and your budget. You can pick from our stock, send us the link to a listing you found on Dubizzle, YallaMotors or DubiCars, or simply describe what you are after.

Think about your arrival country from the start: registration rules, age limits and taxes vary a lot from one destination to another. Your destination page sums up what applies to you.

2. Inspection, before any payment

Before you pay anything, the car goes through a 120-point inspection: bodywork, engine, gearbox, suspension, electronics and a fault-code scan. You receive the report, photos and a walk-around video with the chassis number (VIN) in view. If you are in Dubai, you are welcome to see it in person by appointment.

3. A full quote and a proforma invoice

Once you approve the car, you receive a proforma invoice listing every line: the car, the service fee, export documents, shipping and, if you choose it, marine insurance. Duties and taxes at destination are not invoiced by us, but the quote includes an estimate. For a first idea, our cost estimator works out shipping and fees to your country.

4. Payment by bank transfer

You pay by transfer to a business account in the UAE (Mashreq, Emirates NBD or RAK Bank) in the name of DUBAI EXPORT AUTO FZE, in euros, dollars or dirhams. Deposit and balance follow the terms of your contract. One simple rule: the beneficiary's name must always match the company invoicing you.

5. Export documents

Meanwhile, we prepare the file in Dubai:

• the export certificate, which removes the car from the UAE register (RTA);
• the commercial invoice and the sales contract;
• the GSO certificate, if your country requires it;
• the European certificate of conformity (COC), when one exists for the model;
• the service history and the inspection report.

6. Loading at Jebel Ali

The car leaves from Jebel Ali in a shared container, a dedicated container or on a RoRo vessel, depending on your destination and budget: we compare the three in this article. Once the ship sails, you receive the bill of lading (BL), which lets you follow the vessel live on the shipping line's website.

7. Arrival and customs clearance

Allow 4 to 8 weeks in general between payment confirmation and arrival at your port, depending on the destination and the sailings available. On arrival, the car is cleared with the complete file, by you or your customs broker; we explain beforehand what you will be asked for. We cover duties, VAT and documents in a separate article.

8. Registration

In the European Union, there are two cases:

• the model has a European certificate of conformity (many BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen or Audi models sold in the UAE): the procedure is quick, around 10 days;
• it does not (RAM, Mustang, Land Cruiser and other non-EU models): it needs individual approval, allow 3 to 4 weeks. In France, this goes through the DREAL or UTAC, then customs form 846A.

Outside the EU, every country has its own rules: we tell you about them before you buy, not after.

In short

A car chosen and inspected before payment, a clear invoice, a complete export file and follow-up to your port: that is all an import from Dubai should be.

A question about your project? Write to us: we reply in English, French and Arabic.