Shipping a Car from Dubai to UK

Written by Lee H.
Last Updated July 26, 2021
Read Time : 7 Minutes

Car Shipping Services from Dubai to UK

Looking to import your car to the UK? We work with the best car shipping agents within the UAE. We are able to export your vehicle from the Dubai to the UK seamlessly whilst saving on costs!

With 100+ Shipping Agents in UAE, Global Relocations takes the guesswork out of moving.

All of our agents are geared up to handle any vehicle shipping requests as well as moving & relocations requirements.

You can start by completing our simple form, allowing car shipping agents to get started on your quotation, today! And best of all – it’s completely FREE.

How to Ship your car from Dubai to UK

When shipping your car to the uk from Dubai, there are multiple considerations you need to be aware of. Here is a list of the topics and requirements which you need to know when importing your vehicle to UK.

Shipping Methods

Full Container

This is the preferred method for shipping high value vehicles and classic. You can have your car collected from any UAE address, you can also deliver your car to the port of departure saving a little on cost. Another option you can have a container dropped at your address if you have your own dedicated container you can also load other personal effects at the same time then the shipping company will arrive at the agreed time to load and transfer the container to the port of exit.

Mover Tip: Its advised to let a shipping company load your car to be sure your car is correctly choked into position so it does not move while your container is shipped you can also pack your car to save space.

Consolidation / Shared Container

The next choice is a consolidation container. You can have your car packed into a container with other cars but this could delay the shipping time until the container is full but it is a cheaper option

Ro-Ro Shipping

The next method is Ro-Ro a dedicated ship with ramps which means your car will be driven onto the ship and driven off, so your car must be in full working condition as it has to be driven on and off by the loaders by far the cheapest method of shipping. You are able to load the car with any personal property only the things like spare wheel jack and other items that belong with the car.

The reason for this is as the shipping company have the keys and control of your car the insurance company and the shippers will not be responsible for personal belongings.

Documentation Requirements

What Documents is required to ship your car into the UK?

Passport Copy / Visa Copy
Export certificate from RTA
Original bill of lading / Air way bill
ToR1 Application - Transfer of residence
Copy of registration documents proving ownership
Declaration form C384 (if car is less than 6 months old)
Insurance policy documentation (copies from country of origin proving use)
Utility bills / bank statements that prove place of residence was outside the EU for more than 12 months

Important steps to follow in when importing a car into the UK.

Inform HM revenue and customs.(HMRC) Pay vat and duty if required. Get vehicle approval. To show your vehicle meets safety and environmental standards. Register and tax the vehicle and you will also need Insurance

If you choose a reputable shipping company, they will take care of all documentation for you if using a door-to-door service, possibly saving you many frustrations delays and cost if you’re unsure how to do this.

Mover Tip: Duty-free entry is permitted if the vehicle has been possessed and used for at least 6 months outside the European Union before it is imported and will not be sold or otherwise disposed of for 12 months after the date of importation. Owners of the goods register their intention to import a vehicle in advance to starting the process of shipping with the DVLA.

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Obtaining an Export Certificate

The First Step of Shipping a Car is to get an export certificate

1. Prepare Documentation

In order to get your car shipped, you have to first cancel your car registration with the RTA and get an export certificate. The documents required to complete this process include:

Passport/UAE visa and Emirates ID

The prerequisite for shipping anything out of the UAE is that you should have a valid passport or visa.

2. Car Registration / Fines

Original car registration is a must in order to complete this process. If it is expired, you might need to renew your car registration. In addition pay any outstanding fines.

3. Additional Documents for Financed Vehicles

If you’ve bought the car through finance, you will also need to submit a mortgage release letter. This is issued by the bank once you’ve cleared your loan.

4. Visit RTA Office

Once you’ve collected all these documents, head to your nearest RTA centre. Submit the documents, the number plates and pay off any fines you might have on your car.

Mover Tip: Export Certificates are valid for 15 days, RTA will usually ask you to obtain a 15 days insurance coverage whilst the car still remains in the UAE, which can be arranged at the same time whilst you are at the RTA.

What information you will need at the RTA office :

Copy of the driving license, Emirates ID, Passport and residency to the recipient with the address and a contact number and an email address.
Copy of the recipient’s passport and ID, address and a contact number and an email.

Your car registration will be cancelled if your paperwork is complete and the RTA will issue an export certificate for you along with temporary blue export number plates. You can drive with these number plates for 15 days in the UAE.

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Cost of Shipping a Car

How much is it to ship a car to the UK from the UAE?

The cost of shipping your car from Dubai to the UK depends on a few factors, but primarily it depends on whether you intend to ship the car only, or combine along with your furniture and personal effects. If it’s the latter, then for many people it means upgrading from a 20ft container to a 40ft container.

Shipping the car alone by a RORO service which is similar to a car ferry will cost around USD 2,500-3,000.

If you upgrade from a 20ft to a 40 ft container then the additional costs for including car are likely to add around USD 2,000 – 2,500, depending on shipping line, transit time and port of destination.

If you decide to ship the car on it’s own in a 20ft container then you looking at over Usd 3,000

Can I ship my car to the UK with my furniture?

Yes – this is very common and as referenced above, this might be the most cost effective options. It’s important to keep the goods partitioned from the vehicle in order to prevent damage. This usually involves, loading the furniture and personal effects first in the rear of the container, creating a bulkhead, or dividing partition with plywood, and then loading the vehicle nearest to the container door.

Is my car safe inside a shipping container?

Yes – However it is very important to partition the car and also ensure the car is tethered and blocked inside the container to eliminate lateral movement of the vehicle once the container is in transit. Rope or preferably ratchet straps

Can I temporarily import my car to the UK?

You can usually use a vehicle with foreign number plates without registering or taxing it in the UK if all of the following apply:

you’re visiting and do not plan to live here
the vehicle is registered and taxed in its home country
you only use the vehicle for up to 6 months in total – this can be a single visit, or several shorter visits over 12 months

If you become a resident or stay for longer than 6 months you must register and tax your vehicle in the UK