
Ship Your Car To Or From Abu Dhabi
Typical Shipping Prices – How Much Does It Cost?
- The cost of shifting a to standard-sized car to Abu Dhabi from the United States ranges from $1,500 up to $7,000, depending on the type of vehicle and where in the U.S. it’s being relocated from.
- Larger cars, trucks, and SUVs will cost slightly more.) Customs are generally assessed at 4-5% of the vehicle's value.
Exporting a vehicle to Abu Dhabi (or anywhere in the United Arab Emirates, for that matter) is no easy task, and it’s essential to understand the restrictions, limitations, and required documents when doing so.
One of the main concerns when importing a car to Abu Dhabi is whether it can handle the extreme heat, with temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees during the summer months. The weather can wreak havoc on air conditioning systems and radiators, so fire extinguishers are now required in vehicles in Abu Dhabi.
Additionally, it may be more challenging to locate car parts for less common models. Even though Toyotas are common and their parts are readily available, it won't be easy to find a mechanic to assist you if your vehicle has a manual transmission (stick shift) rather than an automatic transmission. A commercial license is required to import more than one vehicle annually into Abu Dhabi, and cars with tinted windows are prohibited entry. Having no Arab on hand to help you through the paperwork procedure might be a significant headache.
Abu Dhabi uses street cameras to catch speeding motorists; you might not know you’ve been ticketed until well after the fact. It’s often not until you pay yearly registration fees that you find out you’ve been ticketed, which can confuse you with unfamiliar drivers. You can use the Abu Dhabi police’s online portal to inquire about a ticket or fine.
See this map for traffic camera locations in Abu Dhabi.
Required Documents For Hauling
When shipping a car to UAE, a Lack of proper paperwork will most certainly cause a delay in retrieving your vehicle. Here are the required documents, though we highly recommend contacting the U.S. Embassy to ensure everything is in order (see link below) before Exporting.

- Registration from country of origin.
- Vehicle purchase invoice.
- Title.
- Passport.
- Proof of ownership.
- Residence permit.
- Valid insurance.
- Export certificate from country of origin.
- Customs declaration.
Auto Transport Methods For Abu Dhabi
- RoRo (Roll on, Roll off) - RORO auto transport to Abu Dhabi is the most popular method of vehicle transport. The car must be operable since it is driven up a ramp onto a ship, which then travels to the local port for delivery. Vehicles are securely held in place during RoRo transport and then driven off the shipping vessel upon arrival. Items may not be stored in the car when using roll-on/roll-off transport.
- Container Shipping - Containerized shifting is another option, and it’s the best choice if you need goods or personal items relocated along with your vehicle. As with RORO, the car is securely held in place during transit, but you can include other items in the container and, often, in the car itself.

Process of registering a vehicle in Abu Dhabi.
Auto Transport Resources
Abu Dhabi Visitor Information - If you’re unfamiliar with the Persian Gulf or United Arab Emirates, it’s recommended that you familiarize yourself with the area before visiting and especially before shipping a car.
U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi - The Embassy of the U.S. in Abu Dhabi is the best resource you have at your disposal when traveling, visiting, or exporting a car to the area.