Shipping a Car from the USA to the UAE
Nearly every car we send to the Emirates lands at Jebel Ali in Dubai, one of the largest ports on earth. We run the full chain: trucking from any US door or auction yard to the export port, then the ocean crossing booked through our FMC licensed sister company, Royal Port Container Lines, Inc. DBA Cassandra Logistics.
What does it cost to ship a car from the USA to Dubai?
Your price is two honest pieces. The US trucking leg to the port prices instantly in our calculator. On the ocean leg we show you the ocean carrier's actual invoice and cap our commission at $100 per shipment. Exporters who mark up freight quietly are the norm on this lane. We are the exception, on purpose.
Should I use RoRo or a container to Jebel Ali?
Jebel Ali has excellent RoRo service, so a single running car often ships cheapest on a vehicle deck. Container makes sense for non-runners, high value cars, and anyone pairing two vehicles in one 40 footer to split the cost. We price both options against the same sailing window and let you choose with real numbers.
How long does shipping to the UAE take?
Plan on four to six weeks on the water from the US East Coast to Jebel Ali, with the domestic trucking leg adding under a week up front. Routings via the Mediterranean or around the Cape shift transit meaningfully, so we confirm the live schedule when we book.
What happens when my car reaches Jebel Ali?
Your clearing agent or receiver handles UAE customs, pays the applicable duty, and collects the car. Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi are all a short drive from the terminal. We hand over a complete document set so clearance starts the day the vessel discharges.
Can I send an auction car from Copart to Dubai?
Yes, and this is the bread and butter of the lane. Lightly damaged US auction cars are repaired and resold across the Gulf every day. We handle the auction yard pickup, winch loading if it does not run, port delivery, and the ocean booking as one job, which keeps you ahead of the yard's storage fees.
What paperwork does a UAE export need?
The original title and US customs export validation before sailing, then your agent's import file on the UAE side. Start with our export documents guide and email us copies early so nothing delays your vessel.
UAE shipping questions
Why do so many American cars get shipped to Dubai?
The UAE has a deep repair and resale market for American vehicles, from lightly damaged auction cars rebuilt in Sharjah workshops to luxury models resold across the Gulf. US market prices plus honest freight often beat local retail.
Can I ship a salvage title car to the UAE?
Yes, salvage and repairable vehicles ship to Jebel Ali constantly. The UAE accepts them for repair and re-export, though registering a heavily damaged car for UAE roads has its own inspection rules your receiver should confirm.
Do American cars meet GCC specifications?
US spec and GCC spec differ in cooling, filtration, and warranty terms, and buyers in the Gulf care about the label. A US spec car is fully legal to import and drive, it just sells as US spec. Know which you have and price accordingly.
Can I ship my car to Abu Dhabi or Sharjah instead of Dubai?
Vessels overwhelmingly discharge at Jebel Ali in Dubai, and the drive onward to Sharjah or Abu Dhabi takes about an hour. Clearing at Jebel Ali and driving is almost always faster and cheaper than hunting for an alternate port call.
Is there a duty on cars imported into the UAE?
The UAE charges a modest import duty of around five percent of the vehicle's value for cars entering the local market, one of the lightest in the region. Cars entering a free zone for re-export are treated differently. Your clearing agent confirms the current figures.
Can I load personal items in a container to Dubai?
Carriers on the UAE lane generally allow declared items secured inside a containerized vehicle, but UAE customs inspects and duties can apply. Tell us exactly what you want to load and we confirm against the carrier's current rules before booking.
Actual carrier invoice, our commission capped at $100. Price the US trucking leg in the calculator.
Email us your shipment