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Importing a car from Dubai
Looking to import a car from Dubai? SCL Rotterdam is happy to help. We have nearly twenty years of experience importing cars, including from Dubai. Whether you want to buy a special sports car or you’re relocating from Dubai to the Netherlands and want to bring your own vehicle, we’ll provide expert advice and can handle the entire process for you—from purchase support to Dutch registration.
Why import a car from Dubai?
Dubai is the luxury car hub of the United Arab Emirates. You’ll find a wide range of exotic sports cars that are hardly available in Europe, such as Mercedes-Benz AMGs, Audi RS models, and BMW M models—plus Ferraris, Maseratis, and Lamborghinis. Often in excellent condition and at competitive prices, which makes importing a car from Dubai very appealing.
Costs of importing a car from Dubai
Because the United Arab Emirates is not part of the EU, different rules and costs apply when importing goods. The costs of importing a car from Dubai include:
- Transport costs: ocean freight costs vary by season
- Import duties: 10% on the purchase price and transport costs
- VAT: 21% on the total value including import duties and transport costs
- Inspection costs: costs for the RDW vehicle inspection
- BPM (registration tax): depending on CO2 emissions and the vehicle’s year of manufacture
- Modification costs: required for Dutch registration
Transport costs make up a significant part of the total cost of importing a car from Dubai, and they can fluctuate widely. In recent years there were periods when ocean freight for a 40ft container from Jebel Ali to Rotterdam cost more than USD 3,000. At other times, a container on the same route cost only USD 400.
At SCL we work with multiple shipping lines and handle large volumes. This often allows us to negotiate better deals and secure a more favorable rate for you. So always get in touch with us for the latest updates and current rates—this will give you a clearer picture of the actual costs of importing a car from Dubai.
Importing a car from Dubai to the Netherlands or Belgium
If you’re planning to import a car from Dubai to the Netherlands or Belgium, it’s important to review the vehicle specifications carefully. Cars with EU specs are relatively easy to register. However, manufacturers in the Middle East often build vehicles to GCC specs. GCC stands for “Gulf Cooperation Council” and is the vehicle standard in the Middle East.
GCC specs
About 95% of the cars you can buy at auctions in Dubai have this specification. Importing a car from Dubai with GCC specs is often more challenging because these vehicles do not yet comply with EU regulations. In many cases, there are solutions. At SCL we can often ensure the car can still be registered with a few minor modifications.
US specs
Cars with US specs—built to United States regulations—often require modifications as well. But be careful: US-spec cars in Dubai are frequently former salvage vehicles. These cars are no longer allowed on the road in the United States after an accident due to insurance issues. They are then shipped to the Middle East, where they are cosmetically repaired and resold.
Advice
This means you could end up buying a damaged vehicle without realizing it. Stay alert and contact SCL if you have any doubts. We have access to global databases and can check the history of many vehicles. This gives you more certainty about the quality of the car you want to import from Dubai. We can also arrange an extensive on-site pre-purchase inspection.
Importing a car from Dubai in 5 steps
Importing a car from Dubai is a complex and time-consuming process and involves significant costs. You want to be sure your car arrives safely at its destination. If you use the expertise and experience of SCL Rotterdam, we take care of all paperwork and ensure the import of your car from Dubai runs smoothly.
Step 1: Inspection
We usually import cars from Dubai by ship via the port of Jebel Ali. Once your car arrives at this port, we prepare it for transport by inspecting the vehicle and recording any damage.
Step 2: Transport
The car is then shipped safely and professionally to the country of your choice. This can be the Netherlands, but also Belgium or France. You can ship your car in a container or choose roll-on/roll-off transport (RoRo).
Step 3: Homologation
Once the vehicle arrives at its destination, we manage the official inspections and documentation to ensure your car is allowed on the road in the Netherlands or elsewhere. If needed, we can modify the car to meet European standards.
Step 4: Customs clearance
We calculate import duties and VAT and handle the BPM declaration as well. We take care of this process entirely for you and make importing a car from Dubai as straightforward as possible.
Step 5: Ready to drive
Finally, you can pick up the car at our location, or we can arrange delivery to your home. We make clear agreements in advance so you know exactly what to expect.
Exporting a car to Dubai
SCL Rotterdam can also help you export a car to Dubai. We can handle the entire process for you, or support you if you prefer to manage certain parts yourself. In any case, we load the car into a container in Rotterdam, arrange the documentation, and ship the car to the port in Dubai. Our local agent will then assist you with completing all formalities on site.
To export your car to Dubai, you will need the following documents:
- Purchase invoice
- Proof of ownership
- Customs payment
- Vehicle Clearance Certificate from the Road Transport Authority (RTA) in the United Arab Emirates
Our local partner in Dubai can help you with various destination services, including the vehicle inspection and local registration. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Request a free, no-obligation quote
Do you have questions about exporting to Dubai or importing a car from Dubai, or would you like a clearer estimate of the costs? Feel free to call us or fill out the contact form. We’ll be happy to help. Dubai is a complex destination and logistics processes can take some time. But with our extensive experience, we know what it takes to make the import process as smooth as possible.
Why choose SCL Rotterdam?
We are experts in automotive logistics and registration. With almost 20 years of experience in the US, Canada and UAE and other countries, we have all the knowledge and expertise to help you.
From the initial inspection to home delivery, we'll take care of everything for you throughout the entire car import process from the United States.
Get on the road immediately after you take delivery. Our inspection and registration services ensure your car meets all requirements.
Our passion for cars translates into personalized service with an eye for detail. We are committed to the process and take care of everything – quickly, safely, and transparently.
SCL Rotterdam's advanced customer portal gives you insight anytime, anywhere. This way, you know exactly where your car is in the import or export process.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Importing from Dubai
How much does it cost to import a car from Dubai?
The cost of importing a car from Dubai includes the transportation costs, import duties, VAT, and BPM (private car and motorcycle tax). Plus the costs of inspection and any modifications required to be allowed on the road in Europe.
Is it worth importing a car from Dubai?
Importing a car from Dubai can be a worthwhile investment, as Dubai offers a wide range of exotic sports cars that are hard to find in Europe. It's also a worthwhile investment if you've lived in Dubai and are moving back to the Netherlands as an expat.
How do I export my car to Dubai?
Exporting a car to Dubai is quite simple. SCL Rotterdam can handle the entire process, or support you if you prefer to arrange certain matters yourself. In any case, we'll load the car into a container in Rotterdam, arrange the export documentation, and ship it to the port in Dubai. Our local agent will then assist you with all the necessary formalities on-site.
What's the risk of importing a car from Dubai?
The biggest risk of importing a car from Dubai is buying a damaged vehicle. Many cars from the United States are driven in Dubai, but are no longer allowed on the road there due to insurance issues after an accident. These are then refurbished in the Middle East and resold. If in doubt, always contact SCL to check the car's history.