Need Car Shipping from the UK to Dubai?

 

Methods of Car Shipping from the UK to Dubai

We offer two primary methods to facilitate car shipping from the UK to Dubai — sea freight and air freight — each with its pros, cons, and ideal use cases.

Sea Freight (Container & RoRo)

Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo)

• • The vehicle is driven onto a specialized vessel and secured on deck.

• • Most economical for standard cars (no extra cargo or personal goods).

• • Transit time is typically 20–30 days (UK port to Jebel Ali / Dubai).

• • Cost for a standard saloon car via RoRo from the UK to Dubai is often in the range of £1,150 to £1,900, depending on size, port, and season.
    
    • • For example, Autoshippers lists £1,290 for a standard saloon car via RoRo to Abu Dhabi / Jebel Ali. autoshippers.co.uk
    • • For SUVs / 4×4, the RoRo rate may reach £1,906 as per autoshippers. autoshippers.co.uk

• • Pros: lower cost, tried-and-tested method.

• • Cons: restricted to vehicles that are drivable, no internal loading of personal goods, basic protection.

Container Shipping

• • Vehicles are loaded into 20-foot or 40-foot containers (solo or shared).

• • Better protection from weather, damage, and theft.

• • Allows limited personal goods (depending on local regulations).

• • Transit is similar to RoRo — ~20–30 days depending on port schedules.

• • Cost can vary widely depending on whether the container is shared (consolidated) or dedicated.
    
    • • A single 20-ft container carrying one car might cost £1,800–£2,200 or more in certain routes.
    • • Some consolidators offer container rates from $1,100 to $1,400 USD (≈ £870–£1,100) per vehicle to UAE ports. wcshipping.com

• • Pros: more secure, greater flexibility.

• • Cons: more expensive, slightly more handling.

Air Freight (Express / Premium Transport)

When time is of the essence, air freight is the premium option.

• • Transit time: 3 to 7 days, depending on aircraft schedules, handling, and customs.

• • Cost is based on weight and volume (or whichever yields higher chargeable weight).

• • As a benchmark, Autoshippers quotes £5,408 for Manchester to Dubai for an air freighted car. autoshippers.co.uk

• • Such high rates mean air freight is suitable mostly for luxury, high-value, classic, or urgent cars.

• • Pros: fastest, minimal handling, premium security.

• • Cons: very expensive, size/weight constraints.

Below is a cost / method comparison summary:

Method	Approx Cost (UK → Dubai)	Transit Time	Best For / Notes
RoRo Sea Freight	£1,150 – £1,900	~20–30 days	Standard vehicles, cost-sensitive shipments
Container Sea Freight	£1,800 – £2,500+ (or $1,100–$1,400 USD)	~20–30 days	Greater protection, some personal cargo allowed
Air Freight	£4,500 – £6,500+	3–7 days	High-value, urgent vehicles

These figures act as rough guides. Final quotes depend on vehicle dimensions, weight, pickup/delivery, insurance, and seasonal surcharges.

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Major UK & Dubai Ports for Car Shipping

Knowing the main ports helps you understand routing, transit, and handling times.

UK Ports

We regularly ship from the following UK ports:

• • Southampton — a major UK export hub for car shipments, often the departure for UAE-bound RoRo or container vessels.

• • Felixstowe — handles many container exports.

• • Tilbury (London Gateway) — advantageous for clients near London / East of England.

• • Liverpool — serves north-west UK shipments.

Many of our shipments consolidate at a UK staging warehouse, then move to the loading port.

Dubai Port / UAE Ports

In the UAE, these are the principal ports we handle:

• • Jebel Ali Port (Dubai) — the main import hub for Dubai; excellent connectivity and customs facilities.

• • Port Rashid — alternative port in Dubai, sometimes used for specific consignments.

• • For ancillary delivery in other Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman), we coordinate inland transfers from Jebel Ali or regional ports.

Transit handling at Jebel Ali includes unloading, customs inspection, payment of duties, and vehicle release.

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Average Cost of Shipping a Car from the UK to Dubai

Here we break down typical cost components, with recent benchmark figures.

Sea Freight Costs

• • RoRo for standard saloon: ~ £1,150 – £1,900 (depending on vehicle size & route)
    
    • • Example: Autoshippers quotes £1,290 for a standard saloon via RoRo to Abu Dhabi / Jebel Ali. autoshippers.co.uk

• • RoRo for SUV / 4×4: ~ £1,800 – £2,200+
    
    • • Example: Autoshippers quotes £1,906 for SUV / 4×4 RoRo. autoshippers.co.uk

• • Container (20-ft single car): ~ £1,800 – £2,500+ depending on shared or dedicated loading

• • Consolidated container rate: Often offered at $1,100–$1,400 USD (≈ £870–£1,100) per vehicle. wcshipping.com+1

Additional costs to consider:

• • Inland transport or pickup/delivery charges (UK & UAE)

• • Port handling fees

• • Terminal handling, customs clearance, documentation

• • Insurance

• • Local delivery / road transport in UAE

Air Freight Costs

• • Benchmark: £5,408 for Manchester → Dubai (as per Autoshippers) autoshippers.co.uk

• • Other published routes (e.g. Manchester → Abu Dhabi) ~ £5,689 autoshippers.co.uk

• • As rates often scale, for smaller vehicles or lighter loads, cost may slightly reduce—but remain multiple times the sea freight rates.

Cost Range Conversion to AED / USD

To provide you a local perspective:

• • £1,200 ≈ AED 5,700

• • £1,900 ≈ AED 9,000

• • £5,400 ≈ AED 25,600

Thus, a mid-size car by RoRo might cost AED 6,000 to AED 10,000 + other charges, while air freight may exceed AED 25,000–30,000.

These figures are indicative; your final quote may vary based on season, fuel surcharges, and actual vehicle specs.

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Step-by-Step Process of Shipping Car from UK to Dubai

Here’s how Panther Shipping LLC manages your vehicle shipment, from origin to delivery.

1. 1. Request & Quotation
      
      • • Client submits vehicle make, model, dimensions, origin, and destination.
      • • We evaluate and provide a formal quote (including sea or air option).
      • • Once accepted, booking is confirmed.

1. 1. Vehicle Inspection & Preparation
      
      • • We arrange a pre-shipment inspection (photos, condition reports).
      • • Client ensures no personal items inside, fuel tank ≤ ¼ full, battery secured.
      • • Clean the vehicle for customs inspection visibility.

1. 1. Loading / Packaging
      
      • • For RoRo: vehicle is driven onto the vessel and secured.
      • • For container: vehicle is loaded, strapped, and container sealed.
      • • Proper lashing, chock blocks, and safety measures are applied.

1. 1. Export Customs Clearance (UK side)
      
      • • We arrange all export formalities in the UK, including CRS (Customs) export clearance, documentation submission, etc.
      • • Submit V5, export certificate, purchase invoice, etc.

1. 1. Ocean / Air Transit
      
      • • Sea ships or aircraft depart per schedule.
      • • Tracking and updates are sent periodically.

1. 1. Import Customs Clearance (Dubai / UAE side)
      
      • • Local agents handle inspection, duty & VAT payment, port handling.
      • • Required documentation is submitted to UAE customs authority.

1. 1. Delivery / Handover
      
      • • Once cleared, vehicle is released at port or delivered to your address or warehouse (if door-to-door service).
      • • Final checks performed; signature and release.

1. 1. Registration & Licensing in Dubai (if needed)
      
      • • We assist with RTA inspection, registration, licensing, and number plate issuance.

Throughout each stage, we provide regular status updates.

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Required Car Import Documents in Dubai

To ensure a smooth shipping car to Dubai from UK process, the following documents are generally required:

• • Original vehicle registration certificate (V5C / Title)

• • Purchase / Sales Invoice (proof of purchase)

• • Export certificate / de-registration from the UK

• • Valid passport copy & UAE residence visa / Emirates ID

• • Copy of valid UAE driving licence (if available)

• • Bill of lading or airway bill

• • Insurance certificate / coverage

• • Power of attorney (if someone else handles customs)

• • Emissions / compliance certificate (if required)

• • Any prior correspondence or approval from UAE customs

Missing or incorrect documents can lead to delays or rejection, so accuracy is critical.

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Customs Regulations & Import Duties in Dubai

When shipping car from UK to Dubai, you must comply with UAE’s import rules:

• • Import Duty: 5% flat rate on CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) value of the vehicle.

• • VAT: In many cases, an additional 5% VAT may be applicable (depending on regulations at import time).

• • Age Limit / Condition: Some Emirates impose age limits (e.g., maximum 5 years), depending on policy—though Dubai currently allows older vehicles under some conditions.

• • Left-hand drive only: Usually, only left-hand drive vehicles are accepted in UAE.

• • Inspection & Testing: The vehicle may undergo physical inspection, safety checks, emissions, etc.

• • Registration with RTA (Roads & Transport Authority): After customs clearance, you’ll need to register the vehicle, obtain inspection pass, licensing, and number plates.

• • Roadworthiness / compliance: Imported vehicles must meet GCC / UAE road safety and emissions standards.

Panther Shipping LLC can guide and assist during the customs / registration stage to minimize your hassle.

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Estimated Transit Times

• • Sea Freight (RoRo / Container): 20 to 30 days (UK port to Jebel Ali / Dubai)

• • Air Freight: 3 to 7 days (depending on flight schedules and handling)

Delays may occur due to port congestion, customs backlog, or bad weather. Always allow buffer time.

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Car Shipping from Dubai to the UK (Return / Export Service)

We also handle car shipping from Dubai to UK (for resale, return, or relocation). Here are key points:

• • Cost estimates: As per our own data, typical rates range between £1,000 and £3,000 depending on method and vehicle type. Panther Shipping LLC
    
    • • RoRo for average-sized car: ~ £1,000–£1,500
    • • Container: £2,000–£3,000

• • Import duties & VAT (UK side):
    
    • • 10% import duty (for vehicles from outside EU)
    • • 20% VAT on the combined value + freight + duty

• • Transit time: ~4–6 weeks

• • We assist with UK import compliance, customs, MOT, registration, and delivery.

This service complements shipping car from UK to Dubai, giving clients full flexibility.

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European Countries We Serve (In Addition to UK)

Beyond the UK, Panther Shipping LLC supports car export/import from major European countries: car shipping to Dubai from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Ireland, Norway, Austria, Sweden.

You can ship car from Germany to Dubai, or from France to the UK, etc. We arrange multimodal logistics (road + sea / air) for those routes, integrating them smoothly into your main shipping plan.

This broad coverage ensures that wherever you are in Europe, we can arrange car shipping UK to Dubai, even if your vehicle originates in Paris, Berlin or Milan.

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Why Ship Your Car with Panther Shipping LLC?

We believe in combining SEO visibility with real-world reliability. Here’s why customers choose us:

• • Proven Experience: Years in international auto transport, especially car shipping from UK to Dubai.

• • Transparent Pricing: No hidden costs – you see the breakdown.

• • Door-to-Door Service: We handle pickup, port handling, customs, and delivery.

• • Global & Local Agents: Our network ensures smooth handling at both ends.

• • Full Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive transit insurance to protect your asset.

• • Real-Time Tracking & Updates: You stay informed at every step.

• • Expert Customs & Regulatory Support: We guide you through paperwork, duties, and registration.

• • Customer Testimonials / Reviews: We maintain strong ratings from past clients (available upon request).

• • Flexibility & Customization: Choose sea or air freight, shared or exclusive containers, door delivery vs port drop-off.

• • European connectivity: We cover major European origin points beyond just the UK.

Let us make car shipping UK to Dubai effortless for you.

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Client Reviews & Testimonials

“Panther Shipping handled my Jaguar from London to Dubai with zero fuss. The process felt seamless, and the car arrived in perfect condition.”
— S. Ahmed, Dubai

“I considered buying a local car, but Panther’s RoRo rate from Manchester was so competitive that shipping made far more sense.”
— Emma P., UAE expatriate

“They managed the customs and registration end in Dubai so I just drove it away on arrival. Highly recommended.”
— Rahul S., Jebel Ali

We regularly collect feedback and peer reviews. We can provide case studies or references upon request.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How long does car shipping from the UK to Dubai take?
A: Sea freight (RoRo / container) takes ~20–30 days. Air freight can take 3–7 days depending on flight schedules and customs.

Q2. What is the cheapest way to ship a car to Dubai from the UK?
A: Typically RoRo sea freight is the most economical method, especially for standard vehicles.

Q3. Is air freight worth it?
A: Only when time is critical or the vehicle is very high value. The cost is substantially higher than sea shipping.

Q4. What documents are required to ship a car to Dubai?
A: Registration document, purchase invoice, export certificate, passport / visa, bill of lading or airway bill, insurance, and more (see “Required Documents” section above).

Q5. Can I ship luxury, classic, or vintage vehicles?
A: Yes, as long as they meet import age / condition rules. Container shipping is often preferred for extra protection.

Q6. Do you ship cars from Europe (e.g. Germany, France) to Dubai?
A: Absolutely — we support major European countries beyond the UK and combine overland + sea/air to get your car to Dubai.

Q7. What customs duties / taxes will I pay on import to Dubai?
A: Usually a 5% import duty on CIF value, plus applicable VAT (check prevailing regulations).

Q8. What if my vehicle is too large or non-running?
A: We have special handling, lifting, and transport solutions. We’ll assess your vehicle, quotes, and suitable method.

Q9. How do you ensure safety during transit?
A: We use quality lashing, chocks, monitoring, and comprehensive transit insurance.

Q10. How do I get a formal quotation?
A: Fill our enquiry form or contact us with vehicle details, origin, destination, and preferred method. We’ll respond promptly with a detailed quote.

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Request a Quotation

Ready to move ahead? To get a precise, customized quote for car shipping from UK to Dubai, including sea vs air options, door-to-door delivery, and all handling charges, simply trigger our quotation engine (Cinet) now:

➡️ Request Your Free Quotation (via Cinet)
Provide: vehicle make/model, origin UK postcode / city, Dubai destination (e.g. Jebel Ali / your residence), preferred method (sea or air).
We will respond with a full breakdown—no hidden fees.

Don’t let logistics complicate your move. Let Panther Shipping LLC manage your car with precision, transparency, and efficiency. Request your quote today and experience best-in-class car shipping UK to Dubai service.