How do you import a car from Japan to United Arab Emirates, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
5% GCC customs duty on CIF + 5% UAE VAT on (CIF + duty). Combined burden ~10.25% of CIF. LHD only; RHD not registrable. Vehicles must be <10 years old from manufacturing date.
Car import duty calculator for United Arab Emirates
Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive. We do not convert steering. For United Arab Emirates we can only source the limited left-hand-drive cars that come up at Japanese auctions, mostly European and American imports, so choice is narrow and prices are higher than for ordinary Japanese stock.
The UAE is one of the most active used-car markets in the Gulf, and Japanese vehicles are prized for their reliability and competitive purchase price at auction. The critical rule to understand before you start: the UAE is a left-hand-drive country, and right-hand-drive cars — which make up the bulk of Japan's domestic stock — cannot be registered on UAE roads. Additionally, the UAE requires all imported vehicles to be less than ten years old from the date of manufacture; for 2026 imports that means a 2016 model or newer must be in your hands, and anything older requires special RTA approval that is rarely granted for standard private vehicles. On the cost side the UAE is comparatively light: the GCC applies a 5% customs duty on the CIF value, and UAE VAT of 5% is then charged on the CIF-plus-duty total, giving a combined tax burden of roughly 10.25% of CIF — far lower than most markets in Asia or Africa. Non-GCC-spec cars also face ESMA compliance testing on arrival. Jebel Ali Port is the primary entry point.
Can you import a used car from Japan to United Arab Emirates?
- Steering
- Left-hand drive only
- Age limit
- UAE RTA requires imported vehicles to be less than 10 years old from the manufacturing date. Vehicles over 10 years require special RTA approval. Classic vehicles ≥30 years may qualify for heritage brown-plate registration with separate approval.
- Inspection
- RTA technical inspection at authorised centre (Tasjeel, Shamil, etc.) on arrival before registration.
- Restrictions
- RHD not registrable in the UAE. Salvage-title vehicles rejected. Non-GCC-spec vehicles require ESMA compliance testing before registration.
- Special rules
- GCC-origin vehicles may enjoy simplified inter-GCC movement. Non-GCC imports (including Japan-origin) pay the standard 5% CET. Non-GCC-spec vehicles must meet ESMA technical standards.
- Entry ports
- Jebel Ali Port
How do you import a car from Japan to United Arab Emirates, step by step?
Check the import rules
UAE RTA requires imported vehicles to be less than 10 years old from the manufacturing date. Vehicles over 10 years require special RTA approval. Classic vehicles ≥30 years may qualify for heritage brown-plate registration with separate approval. United Arab Emirates requires left-hand-drive vehicles, so ordinary right-hand-drive Japanese stock cannot be registered there.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase in Japan the car's registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. An English translation of it is needed for customs and registration in United Arab Emirates.
Complete the required inspection
Required for United Arab Emirates: RTA technical inspection at authorised centre (Tasjeel, Shamil, etc.) on arrival before registration.
Ship to Jebel Ali
Cars from Japan arrive at Jebel Ali. Sea transit is about 38–48 days. The shipping line issues the bill of lading, which customs needs for the entry.
Lodge the customs entry and pay the taxes
A licensed clearing agent lodges the import declaration with the invoice, bill of lading and export certificate. Customs assesses GCC Customs Duty and UAE VAT; the rates are in the duty table on this page.
Register the car
After customs release and payment of port charges, the car is registered and plated by United Arab Emirates's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does United Arab Emirates charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| GCC Customs Duty | 5% | CIF value |
| UAE VAT | 5% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
GCC Customs Duty
Rate: 5%. Charged on: CIF value.
UAE VAT
Rate: 5%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
The UAE levies a 5% GCC customs duty on the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value of an imported vehicle. UAE VAT of 5% is then applied to the combined CIF-plus-duty amount, making the total tax burden approximately 10.25% of CIF — one of the lightest in the region. Non-GCC-spec vehicles are subject to ESMA compliance testing, which adds an additional step and cost that varies by make and model. Note that only LHD vehicles can be registered, and the car must be under ten years old from the manufacturing date.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to United Arab Emirates?
Worked examples are not shown for this market. Use the calculator below with your own car.
How long does shipping take, and which ports?
| Port | Method | Transit (days) | Freight from (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali | RoRo or container | 38–48 | US$1,050 |
Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in United Arab Emirates?
- Models and prices
Ford Explorer
Sold new in Japan with left-hand drive, so used Explorers turn up in Japanese stock from time to time.
- Models and prices
Porsche Cayenne
Some Cayennes were sold new in Japan with left-hand drive and resurface in Japanese used stock in small numbers.
- Models and prices
Cadillac SRX
An American SUV sold new in Japan with left-hand drive; examples appear in Japanese used stock occasionally.
- Models and prices
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Left-hand-drive S-Class cars sold new in Japan appear in Japanese used stock, mostly older examples.
How much is inland delivery to cities in United Arab Emirates?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Jebel Ali | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Abu Dhabi | Jebel Ali | US$180 | US$220 | 2 |
| Jebel Ali | Jebel Ali | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Sharjah | Jebel Ali | US$160 | US$200 | 2 |
| Ajman | Jebel Ali | US$170 | US$210 | 2 |
| Al Ain | Jebel Ali | US$190 | US$240 | 2 |
How do you avoid scams when buying a car from Japan?
- Check that the exporter is a registered Japanese company: look up its corporate number and address, and prefer members of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association.
- Ask for the original auction sheet and, after purchase, the export certificate. Both name the chassis number, which should match the invoice.
- Pay only to a company bank account in the exporter's name, never to a personal account or a money-transfer agent.
AVON INTERNATIONAL company and licence details are on the About page, and the JUMVEA member list is public. JUMVEA (exporters association) · About AVON INTERNATIONAL · Is buying a car from Japan safe?
Frequently asked questions
- Can I import a right-hand-drive Japanese car to the UAE?
- No — right-hand-drive vehicles cannot be registered on UAE roads. The UAE is a left-hand-drive country and the RTA does not permit RHD registration.
- What is the age limit for importing a car to the UAE?
- UAE RTA requires imported vehicles to be less than ten years old from the date of manufacture. For 2026 imports that means a 2016 model or newer. Vehicles older than ten years require special RTA approval, which is rarely granted for standard private vehicles. Classic cars thirty years old or older may qualify for heritage brown-plate registration under a separate process.
- How much is the import duty on a car in the UAE?
- 5% GCC customs duty on the CIF value, plus 5% UAE VAT on the CIF-plus-duty total — a combined burden of roughly 10.25% of CIF. Non-GCC-spec vehicles also face ESMA compliance testing costs.
- Which port does my car arrive at in the UAE?
- Jebel Ali Port in Dubai is the primary entry point for imported vehicles.
Car import duty calculator for United Arab Emirates
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Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.