Shipping from Dubai and the UAE to Europe
Cars, containers and machinery from Jebel Ali and Khalifa Port to Bremerhaven, Antwerp and Rotterdam, then by road to your door. EU customs handled before delivery, with our own office in Abu Dhabi.
From any emirate to any address in Europe
We collect from dealers, private sellers and warehouses in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the northern emirates, arrange the export paperwork and book space on a RoRo or container sailing to North Europe. When the ship arrives, our customs team clears the vehicle or cargo and our own car carriers and tautliners deliver it.
Most of our UAE jobs are European buyers of cars from Dubai dealers, expats moving home with their car, dealers sourcing GCC stock, and companies sending equipment or stock to Europe. Our Abu Dhabi office can meet sellers, check documents and photograph the car before it goes to the port.
Who we do this forEvery way to ship from the UAE
Cars by RoRo
Running cars driven on and off the vessel. Usually the lowest price for shipping a car from the UAE.
Running vehiclesCars in a container
Strapped and secured inside a 20 ft or 40 ft container. More protection for high-value, classic or non-running cars.
1 to 4 carsFull container (FCL)
A 20 ft or 40 ft container for your cargo only, sealed in the UAE and opened at destination.
20 ft · 40 ft · 40 ft HCShared container (LCL)
Your pallets or boxes consolidated with other cargo. You pay for the volume you use.
From 1 palletMachinery and oversized
Flat rack and open-top containers for equipment, plant and cargo that will not fit a standard box.
Out of gaugeRelocation and personal effects
Household goods and a car together in one container when you move to Europe.
Moving homeFrom the UAE to your door, in one price
- Collection in the UAEFrom the seller, dealer, auction yard or your home
- Export documentsPrepared and checked before the cargo reaches the port
- Ocean freightRoRo, full container or shared container
- EU import customsDuty and VAT confirmed in writing before shipping
- Delivery to your doorOn our own car carriers and trucks, with photos for vehicles
Port-to-port is available if you handle the road legs yourself. Duty and import VAT are charged at cost.
Where your shipment leaves the UAE
| Port of loading | Region | Arrives in Europe |
|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali | Dubai | Bremerhaven, Antwerp or Rotterdam |
| Khalifa Port | Abu Dhabi | Bremerhaven, Antwerp or Rotterdam |
Usually about 3 to 5 weeks at sea to North Europe, depending on the line and whether the vessel routes via Suez or around Africa. Your quote shows the current sailing. From the arrival port we deliver by road to any address in Europe.
Documents for shipping from the UAE
- Vehicle export certificate from the RTA (Dubai) or the traffic police in the other emirates
- Registration card (mulkiya) or certificate of title
- Copy of the owner's passport or Emirates ID
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- For goods: commercial invoice and packing list
For EU customs we also need the purchase invoice and, for companies, an EORI number. We send you an exact checklist when you book.
Import duty and VAT in the EU
| What you ship | Duty and VAT |
|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 10% import duty, plus VAT of the destination country |
| Vans, pickups and trucks | 10% to 22% duty depending on the vehicle type, plus VAT |
| Motorcycles | 6% to 8% duty depending on engine size, plus VAT |
| Classic cars (30+ years, original) | Often 0% duty and reduced import VAT as a collector's vehicle |
| Moving home to the EU | Duty and VAT relief possible if you lived outside the EU for 12+ months and owned the car for 6+ months |
Duty and VAT are charged on the customs value: the purchase price plus shipping and insurance to the EU. VAT depends on the country where the vehicle is cleared, from 17% to 27%. We confirm the exact figures in writing before the vehicle ships.
From request to delivery in four steps
Shipping from the UAE?
Tell us what you are shipping and a planner replies with one fixed price within a working day.
Shipping from UAE: request a fixed price
For the fastest quote, tell us- What you are shipping (make, model and year for vehicles)
- Collection city in the UAE
- Delivery address or city in Europe
- RoRo or container, if you know
- When it is ready to ship
- All-in price, no surcharges added later
- The planner who prices your move also runs it
- Your details go only to our transport team
Request a fixed price
About one minuteShipping from UAE: what customers ask
How much does it cost to ship a car from Dubai to Europe?
It depends on RoRo or container, the size of the car, the arrival port and the final delivery address. Send us the make, model, collection emirate and destination and you get one fixed price within a working day, including the road leg in Europe.
How much import duty do I pay on a car from Dubai?
For a passenger car, 10% customs duty plus the VAT of the EU country where it is cleared, both calculated on the purchase price plus shipping and insurance. If you are moving home after living in the UAE, you may qualify for duty and VAT relief.
Can a GCC-spec car be registered in Europe?
Usually yes, but many GCC-spec cars need an individual approval in the destination country, and sometimes changes to lights or other equipment. Tell us the make, model, year and destination country and we will tell you what usually applies before you buy.
Do I need to be in the UAE when the car is collected?
No. A dealer, friend or agent can hand over the keys and documents. We photograph the car at collection and send you the report the same day.
RoRo or container from Jebel Ali?
RoRo is usually the cheapest option for a running car. A container is better for high-value or non-running cars, for several cars together, or when you want to ship personal effects with the car.
