Importing Japanese used cars to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Here is an overview of the import procedures to the UAE. Duties are low and there the Emirates has a fairly liberal free trade policy and low import taxes.

Import / Export Documentation

If you choose to import your car into Dubai, you will need an evaluation by a customs official to determine the local market value of the vehicle. The duty payable will be 5% of the value attributed by the expert. Once the duty has been paid, you should apply to the Dubai Traffic Police to register the car and obtain local license plates.

The consignee/agent should obtain a delivery order from the Shipping Agent and submit original standard trade documentation, including certificates of origin, bills of lading, commercial invoice, export declaration and various government/embassy attestations. These documents must be presented for all imports and exports.

Customs Valuation The customs valuation is based on the CIF value.  This means that the cost of the item plus the amount paid for insurance plus the transportation cost to move the freight to the UAE is taken in total and then assessed duty at the applicable rate for the commodity classification.  

The CIF value that is stated on the commercial invoice is generally accepted, however UAE Customs are not bound to accept the figures listed and can reset the estimated value of the goods

Dubai, the major area for foreign trade, is a free trade zone and free port with no restrictions on imports or exports. The individual emirate governments exert no control over imports, except for licensing.

Commercial Invoice: is required for everyshipment except documents.  It should include all of the following essential data elements: complete shipper's and consignee information including telephone and/or fax numbers, quantity of the goods, complete description of the goods (spare parts, part numbers, samples, etc are not adequate descriptions), individual values for each of the commodities in your shipment, the country of origin for each of the commodities in your shipment, specify the currency type, signature of shipper with date and title.

Certificate of Origin: is not required by Dubai Customs. 

Commercial Shipments: the UAE government requires that the importer/exporter be licensed by their local municipality and possess a trade license from their local Chamber of Commerce to in the commodities that they are importing and/or exporting.   

Personal Shipments: the UAE government may require the recipient's personal identification number in order to clear a shipment into the UAE.  

Customs Fees Apart from the usual five percent (5%) duty rate.  There is a customs fee of DH 30 (approximately $8.20 USD) for each Bill of Entry presented to customs. 

Contact

Dubai Customs
P.O. Box 63
Dubai, UAE
Tele: 971-4-345-5555

Dubai Police Department
P.O. Box 1493
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tele: 971-4-297-7877
E-mail: mail@dubaipolice.gov.ae

UAE Ministry of Health
Trade Center St, Bldg 61
Dubai, UAE
Tele: 971-4-396-6669
E-mail: postmaster@moh.gov.ae

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry
P.O. Box 1457
Dubai, UAE
Tele: 971-4-228-0000
E-mail: dcciinfo@dcci.gov.ae

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