Can I import a right-hand-drive car from Japan to Saudi Arabia?

No — RHD vehicles are strictly banned in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is a left-hand-drive country and the ban is enforced at customs. We source only LHD cars: Japanese export vehicles, GCC-spec models and LHD Japanese domestic market examples available at auction.

What is the SASO Certificate of Conformity and is it mandatory?

Yes, it is mandatory. Before a vehicle can be shipped to Saudi Arabia, a SASO Certificate of Conformity must be obtained through Saudi Arabia's SABER platform. Without it, the vehicle cannot clear Saudi customs. Our team arranges this as part of the pre-shipment process.

How much is the import duty and VAT in Saudi Arabia?

The GCC 5% customs duty on CIF, plus 15% Saudi VAT on the CIF-plus-duty total, gives a combined burden of approximately 20.75% of CIF. Non-conforming vehicles may also face a GCC energy-efficiency surcharge of SAR 20,000 or up to 50% of value. Our team quotes the exact figure for your specific car.

Which port is best — Jeddah or Dammam?

It depends on your destination. Jeddah Islamic Port is generally better for Riyadh and Western Province buyers, while King Abdul Aziz Port Dammam is more efficient for the Eastern Province (Khobar, Dammam). We route your shipment to the port that minimises your total landed cost.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Saudi Arabia

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

Saudi Arabia is the largest automotive market in the Gulf, and Japanese vehicles — sourced through the Kingdom's authorised importers or via direct licensed procurement — are widely trusted for their build quality and after-sales network. The rules are strict and non-negotiable: Saudi Arabia mandates left-hand drive and bans right-hand-drive vehicles outright, which means the bulk of Japan's domestic stock is ineligible for direct registration. More critically, Saudi Arabia enforces a five-year age cap calculated from the year of manufacture — so for 2026 imports, only vehicles manufactured in 2021 or later are admissible through normal channels; older cars require special approval that is very rarely granted. Classic and antique vehicles thirty years or older are exempt from the age rule but cannot be used on Saudi public roads. On the duty side, the GCC 5% customs duty applies on the CIF value, and Saudi VAT at 15% is levied on the CIF-plus-duty amount, making the combined burden approximately 20.75% of CIF. Saudi Arabia also enforces GCC energy-efficiency standards: non-conforming vehicles face an additional surcharge of SAR 20,000 or up to 50% of value. Before shipment, the SASO Certificate of Conformity via the SABER platform must be obtained — our licensed team arranges this. The Kingdom has two primary import ports: Jeddah Islamic Port on the Red Sea and King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam on the Arabian Gulf, and we route each shipment to whichever port is most cost-effective for your destination city.

Main ports: Jeddah Islamic Port
King Abdul Aziz Port, Dammam
Import age rule: Vehicle must be manufactured within 5 years of the import year (2021+ for 2026). Calculated from year of manufacture per ZATCA. Classic/antique vehicles ≥30 years are exempt but cannot be used on public roads.
Steering: LHD
Duties & taxes: 5% GCC customs duty on CIF + 15% VAT on (CIF + duty). Combined burden ~20.75% of CIF. LHD only; RHD banned. Vehicle must be ≤5 years old (manufacture year 2021+ for 2026 imports).

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Estimate only — duties, freight and last-mile delivery vary and policies change. Our team confirms exact, current figures on WhatsApp before any bid.

How to import a car from Japan to Saudi Arabia

Confirm LHD eligibility, age and spec
Saudi Arabia requires LHD, a maximum five-year age (2021+ for 2026), and GCC energy-efficiency compliance. We confirm eligibility before shortlisting any car, and screen for fuel type and engine displacement to flag any energy-efficiency surcharge risk.
Auction sourcing in Japan
With our licensed USS auction access, our team finds the exact LHD car, reads its auction sheet and grade, and verifies condition and specification — including confirming it is not a salvage, rebuilt, flood, fire, ex-police or ex-taxi vehicle, all of which are prohibited in Saudi Arabia.
SASO Certificate of Conformity via SABER
A SASO Certificate of Conformity must be obtained through Saudi Arabia's SABER platform before the vehicle leaves Japan. We arrange this, which is a firm shipping prerequisite — no certificate, no clearance.
Ocean freight to Jeddah or Dammam
We book the car onto a vessel to either Jeddah Islamic Port or King Abdul Aziz Port Dammam, choosing the route that minimises total landed cost to your destination city. You receive the sailing schedule and tracking.
Saudi customs clearance
On arrival we handle ZATCA customs valuation, pay the 5% GCC duty and 15% VAT, and present the SASO conformity certificate. Any GCC energy-efficiency surcharge is calculated and disclosed at this stage — we flag this risk in advance.
Delivery to your city
The cleared vehicle is delivered to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca, Medina, Khobar or your specified destination at a price confirmed upfront.

Import duties & taxes in Saudi Arabia explained

Saudi Arabia applies the GCC 5% customs duty on the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value of an imported vehicle. Saudi VAT at 15% is then applied to the CIF-plus-duty total, giving a combined tax burden of approximately 20.75% of CIF. This is meaningfully higher than the UAE, so a vehicle's CIF value has a larger bearing on total landed cost here. Additionally, vehicles that fail GCC energy-efficiency standards face a surcharge of SAR 20,000 or up to 50% of value — this is not a minor penalty. SASO conformity certification adds a fixed pre-shipment cost. Because the ZATCA customs value, SABER compliance costs and any energy-efficiency surcharge all depend on your specific car's year, engine, fuel type and CIF, our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Saudi Arabia

Toyota Land Cruiser
The defining vehicle of the Saudi market — the Land Cruiser is a cultural institution in the Kingdom. GCC-spec LHD examples sourced via Japan's auction lanes carry exceptional resale value, and the 200 Series in particular is a perennial favourite from Riyadh to the Eastern Province.
See prices
Toyota Prado
The Prado occupies the sweet spot between family practicality and off-road credibility for Saudi buyers. LHD examples available through Japanese auction exports are well-specified and hold value strongly in the Kingdom.
See prices
Nissan Patrol
A Saudi staple with strong brand recognition. The Y62 Patrol's V8 engine and full-size cabin make it the prestige family SUV for many buyers; Japanese-sourced LHD examples meet the right spec profile when available at auction.
See prices
Toyota Hilux
The most trusted pickup in Saudi Arabia for both commercial use and personal transport in rural and semi-arid terrain. LHD Hilux examples through Japanese export auctions are sought for their durability and low maintenance cost.
See prices
Honda Accord
For buyers seeking a premium Japanese saloon, the LHD Honda Accord sourced via Japanese export lanes offers a well-appointed cabin and strong reliability record at a better-value price than European alternatives.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh — Delivery from Jeddah Port to Riyadh runs approximately $280 for a sedan.
Khobar — Delivery from Dammam Port to Khobar runs approximately $100 for a sedan.
Dammam — Delivery from Jeddah Port to Dammam runs approximately $380 for a sedan.
Medina — Delivery from Dammam Port to Medina runs approximately $750 for a sedan.
Mecca — Delivery from Dammam Port to Mecca runs approximately $810 for a sedan.
Jeddah — Delivery from Dammam Port to Jeddah runs approximately $840 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import a right-hand-drive car from Japan to Saudi Arabia?: No — RHD vehicles are strictly banned in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is a left-hand-drive country and the ban is enforced at customs. We source only LHD cars: Japanese export vehicles, GCC-spec models and LHD Japanese domestic market examples available at auction.
What is the age limit for importing a car to Saudi Arabia?: Saudi Arabia enforces a strict five-year age cap calculated by ZATCA from the year of manufacture. For 2026 imports, only vehicles manufactured in 2021 or later are admissible through normal channels. Classic and antique vehicles thirty years or older are exempt but cannot be used on public roads.
What is the SASO Certificate of Conformity and is it mandatory?: Yes, it is mandatory. Before a vehicle can be shipped to Saudi Arabia, a SASO Certificate of Conformity must be obtained through Saudi Arabia's SABER platform. Without it, the vehicle cannot clear Saudi customs. Our team arranges this as part of the pre-shipment process.
How much is the import duty and VAT in Saudi Arabia?: The GCC 5% customs duty on CIF, plus 15% Saudi VAT on the CIF-plus-duty total, gives a combined burden of approximately 20.75% of CIF. Non-conforming vehicles may also face a GCC energy-efficiency surcharge of SAR 20,000 or up to 50% of value. Our team quotes the exact figure for your specific car.
Which port is best — Jeddah or Dammam?: It depends on your destination. Jeddah Islamic Port is generally better for Riyadh and Western Province buyers, while King Abdul Aziz Port Dammam is more efficient for the Eastern Province (Khobar, Dammam). We route your shipment to the port that minimises your total landed cost.