Shipping a Car from Dubai: Costs, Documents & Process

RoRo vs Container: The Two Shipping Methods

RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) is the workhorse of car shipping: your car is driven onto a specialised vessel, parked on deck, and driven off at destination. It is typically the cheapest option and available from Jebel Ali to most major ports. The trade-off: the car travels exposed to the elements, and you generally cannot ship personal belongings inside it.

Container shipping puts your car inside a 20ft or 40ft container, often secured with wheel chocks and lashings. It costs more, but the car is protected from weather and handling, and on many routes you can load spare parts or household goods around it (confirm with your forwarder — some lines and destinations restrict this). For classic, luxury or modified vehicles, container is the safer choice.

Step 1: Check the Destination Country’s Import Rules First

Do this before spending a dirham. Import rules vary enormously: some countries restrict vehicles above a certain age, some require specific emissions standards, some tax engine size heavily, and a few (including Australia and others with strict biosecurity) demand professional steam-cleaning with proof. Left-hand vs right-hand drive rules also matter. A five-minute check with the destination country’s customs or transport authority can save you from a car that cannot legally be registered on arrival.

Step 2: RTA Deregistration and Export Plates

In Dubai, a car being exported must be deregistered with the RTA. You will typically need the vehicle present for inspection, the original registration card (mulkiya), and settlement of any fines. Once deregistered, you receive export plates (recognisable by their distinctive format), which allow the car to be driven to the port or shipping yard. Do not skip this: shipping lines require proof the vehicle is cleared for export.

Step 3: Insurance for the Voyage

The shipping line’s liability is limited and will not cover the car’s value if something goes wrong. Arrange marine transit insurance for the voyage — typically available as total-loss or all-risk cover. Insure for the car’s replacement value at destination, not just what you paid in Dubai, and photograph the car’s condition (inside and out) before handover.

Documents You Will Need

• Original vehicle registration card (mulkiya) and deregistration/export certificate
• Passport copy and Emirates ID of the owner/exporter
• Bill of lading (issued by the shipping line or forwarder)
• Commercial invoice or value declaration for customs
• Insurance policy documents
• Any destination-specific permits or approvals identified in Step 1

What Drives the Cost (No Fixed Prices — Here’s Why)

Anyone quoting a single fixed price for “shipping a car from Dubai” without asking questions is guessing. Real cost depends on: the vehicle’s size and weight (an SUV costs more than a sedan on RoRo), RoRo vs container, the destination port and route, marine insurance level, and destination charges (port handling, customs duty, agent fees — which vary wildly by country). Get an itemised quote covering origin, freight, insurance and destination separately so you can compare properly.

FAQs

How long does it take to ship a car from Dubai?
Port-to-port transit is typically 2–6 weeks depending on the destination (indicative); add 1–2 weeks for deregistration, booking and destination clearance.

Can I put personal items in the car when shipping?
On RoRo, generally no. In a container, often yes within limits — but confirm with your forwarder and check destination customs rules first.

Do I need export plates from the RTA?
Yes — the vehicle must be deregistered and issued export plates before it can be shipped from the UAE.

Is my car insured during shipping?
Only to the carrier’s limited liability unless you buy separate marine transit insurance. For a car, proper insurance is strongly recommended.

Planning to ship your car from Dubai? ST Dubai Cargo handles RTA paperwork guidance, RoRo and container bookings from Jebel Ali, and marine insurance — door-to-port or door-to-door. Contact us for a car shipping quote.