Shipping a car from Saudi Arabia to the UK

Whether you are moving back to the UK or you have found the car you want in Saudi Arabia, we handle the whole journey: collection, shipping, customs and delivery.

Free and no obligation. A real person writes every quote.

Typical journey Usually 4 to 8 weeks
How it travels Shared container, dedicated container or RoRo
Arrives at Castle Donington, Derby

How it works from Saudi Arabia

It starts with a quote. There is no instant calculator here: a person writes yours with current prices and the best way to ship your car.

  1. Collection

    We collect from your address or dealer anywhere in Saudi Arabia and truck it to the port. Depending on its value, we will quote for open or enclosed transport to the port. If you want enclosed, just say so on the quote form.

  2. Shipping

    Unless you pay for a container of your own, your car shares one with other customers’ cars, which keeps the price down. We keep you updated from the day it sails.

  3. Customs

    We handle the customs paperwork at both ends. In the UK we are HMRC CDS authorised agents, so we clear the car ourselves and make sure you pay the right amount, with no unnecessary add-ons.

  4. Arrival

    The car comes to our site in Castle Donington, where our team unloads it. Collect it from us, or we can deliver it anywhere in the UK on an open or enclosed trailer.

Route map: Saudi Arabia to Castle Donington By sea from Jeddah to Southampton, then by road to our yard in Castle Donington. Jeddah Castle Donington
By sea Road to our yard Indicative route. The shipping line chooses the actual lanes and ports.

Tax and duty

A car from Saudi Arabia usually pays 20% import VAT plus 10% duty. Cars over 30 years old pay 5% VAT and no duty. And if you are moving here after more than 12 months abroad, with a car you have owned for over 6 months, Transfer of Residence makes it tax and duty free.

We work out what applies to your car when we quote, so the number you see is the number you pay. Want a rough idea now? Try the import tax calculator.

Moving here? Read how to bring your car tax free. Bringing a UK car home? See what you need.

Getting it on UK roads

Shipping a Car is part of My Car Import, so if you want the car on UK plates it can go straight into testing on the same site. Which test it needs depends mostly on its age:

Under 10 years old
IVA test, on our own lane, plus any changes it needs
10 to 40 years old
MOT, usually with a rear fog light added
Over 40 years old
No MOT needed

We run one of only seven privately operated IVA centres in Great Britain, and our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register imported cars within 10 working days.

Registration at My Car Import

Questions people ask

How long does it take to ship a car from Saudi Arabia to the UK?

Usually 4 to 8 weeks, as a guide. Sailing dates, customs checks and how busy the route is all play a part, so your quote will give you a firmer estimate.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Saudi Arabia?

Our guide price is from £2,150 for a car, built from a year of real jobs. It covers shipping only: registration, other services, import tax and remedial fees are extra. Motorbikes start from £1,250.

Will I pay import tax?

A car from Saudi Arabia usually pays 20% import VAT plus 10% duty. Cars over 30 years old pay 5% VAT and no duty. And if you are moving here after more than 12 months abroad, with a car you have owned for over 6 months, Transfer of Residence makes it tax and duty free.

Can you register the car once it is here?

Yes. Shipping a Car is part of My Car Import, so testing and registration happen on the same site. Our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register imported cars within 10 working days.

Shipping from Saudi Arabia?

Where it is, what it is and when you need it here. We will come back with a price for the whole job, not just the boat.

Free and no obligation. A real person writes every quote.

Rather talk it through? Call 01332 810442

Get a quote