Car Shipping to Qatar | Via RORO And Container

Ship Cars Ltd ships vehicles from the UK to Hamad Port, Qatar, by RoRo from £1048 for a saloon and £1296 for an SUV, with weekly sailings and a 24-day transit time. Only left-hand drive vehicles may be registered in Qatar. A 5% customs duty applies on the CIF value. A valid Qatar Residence Permit (QID) is required before a vehicle can be registered in your name.

RORO & Container Shipping to Doha

Ship Cars Ltd, a fully insured vehicle shipping company offers reliable, affordable shipping to Qatar every week. Our services include both roll on/roll off and container shipping. These reliable vessels transport saloon cars, SUV’s, vans, trucks and plant machinery safely. Transit time to Doha takes on average 24 days by RORO and 26 days by container.

Our experienced staff will help you ship your vehicle safely from the UK. They can offer sound advice to anyone who is unsure of the export process involved in successfully shipping a vehicle to Doha. As a registered UK customs broker, we keep costs as low as possible for our customers by keeping everything in-house.

RoRo and Container Car Shipping to Qatar — Costs and Details

Vehicle shipping costs by RORO to Hamad Port in Qatar start from £1048 for a saloon type car. The cost to ship an SUV such as a Toyota Land Cruiser costs £1289 from the port of Southampton. The costs to send large vehicles to Qatar such as a truck, trailer or a van will vary as the overall length, width and height will differ from vehicle to vehicle. For best prices simply contact us with the measurements and we will get a rate to immediately.

RORO Vehicle Shipping to Qatar

To ship a car to Qatar is cheaper when shipped on our RORO Services out of the UK. These safe, purpose-built vessels offer a more convenient way of shipping multiple vehicles by sea. The ease of loading and unloading the vehicle keeps the cost of shipment very competitive. All vehicles are secured below deck using ratchet straps to the front and the rear of the vehicle.

Container shipping to Qatar

Our dedicated container shipping services to Qatar offers a safe way of shipping a vehicle to Doha port out of the UK. Our container shipping services sail from Southampton and offers a great way of shipping a high valued vehicle overseas. The advantage of shipping a car or van by container means that you can load personal belongings inside a vehicle for no extra cost.
We regularly ship single cars inside a 20ft container and 2 cars on our 40ft container services. Vessels sail every week out of the UK with vehicles secured using straps secured to each wheel. We take loading and securing vehicles very seriously and will ensure that each vehicle is properly looked after from start to finish.

The Import Vehicle Restrictions in Qatar

Any foreigner wanting to import a vehicle must firstly obtain their Residence Permit before they are allowed to bring the car into the country. Most GCC countries require that vehicles have an export plate and its official paperwork. Because a Residence Permit will be required in Qatar just remember that this can take up to six weeks to process. However another party may be required to bring the vehicle in on behalf of the importer if a permit has not yet been supplied. Vehicles need to registered within 2 weeks of its arrival in to Qatar as stipulated by the vehicle registration process.

Import Duty: Qatar charges 5% customs duty on the vehicle’s CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value. Qatar does not currently levy VAT on vehicle imports. A private-use exemption from duty may apply if the vehicle is demonstrably over 3 years old and is not intended for resale — verify eligibility with the General Authority of Customs (GAC — gac.gov.qa) before shipping. Source: Qatar General Authority of Customs; Expat Focus Qatar Car Guide (2025). Rates are subject to change.

GCC Specification Compliance: All vehicles imported into Qatar must comply with GCC technical specifications, covering safety standards, air conditioning capacity for extreme heat, fuel type compatibility, and emissions standards. UK-specification (Euro-spec) vehicles may require technical modifications to pass Qatar’s mandatory roadworthiness inspection (conducted by FAHES / Woqod Vehicle Inspection) before registration can be completed. Budgeting for potential homologation costs is recommended for any UK-origin vehicle. Confirm GCC spec requirements with your Doha clearing agent or the Traffic Department of the Ministry of Interior (moi.gov.qa) before shipping.

Vehicle Inspection and Registration (FAHES / Istimara): After customs clearance at Hamad Port, the vehicle must pass a roadworthiness inspection at an authorised FAHES (Woqod Vehicle Inspection) centre before registration with the Traffic Department of the Ministry of Interior. Registration must be completed within 14 days of the vehicle’s arrival in Qatar. The Traffic Department will then issue Qatari registration plates and an Istimara (Vehicle Registration Certificate).

Qatar Residence Permit:

Qatar ID (Residence Permit / QID) Requirement: To register an imported vehicle in your name in Qatar, you must hold a valid Qatar ID (QID) — the residence permit issued to all foreign residents. Without a QID, you cannot purchase, register, or insure a vehicle in your name. The QID process can take up to 6 weeks to complete after arrival. If your QID is not yet issued when your vehicle arrives at Hamad Port, a licensed clearing agent or your employer sponsor can receive and hold the vehicle on your behalf until your QID is in hand. Confirm this arrangement with your Doha clearing agent before booking your shipment.

Export Paperwork Requirements for Qatar

When shipping a vehicle to Qatar from the UK, your Doha clearing agent will require:

1. Original Bill of Lading — issued by the shipping carrier after loading

2. V5C (UK Vehicle Registration Document / Logbook)

3. Commercial Invoice stating the purchase price / declared CIF value

4. Certificate of Marine Insurance covering the sea transit

5. Copy of consignee’s passport (photo page)

6. Copy of Qatar ID (QID) or employment/residence visa (if available at time of shipping)

7. UK Export Declaration (C88 Form) — completed by ShipCars as a registered UK customs broker

Your Doha clearing agent will advise on any additional documents required by the General Authority of Customs for your specific vehicle type and import category.

For full details on the UK export declaration process, see our Customs Clearance guide.

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping to Qatar

How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Qatar?

RoRo shipping from the UK to Hamad Port, Qatar starts from £1048 for a standard saloon and £1289 for an SUV such as a Toyota Land Cruiser, departing weekly from Southampton. Container shipping is also available for high-value or non-running vehicles — contact ShipCars for container pricing. These figures cover UK-to-Hamad Port ocean freight only. Qatar’s 5% customs duty (on the CIF value), FAHES inspection fee, Doha agent charges, and Traffic Department registration are payable separately in Qatar.

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

Transit from the UK departure port (Southampton) to Hamad Port, Qatar takes approximately 24 days by RoRo and 26 days by container. Vessels depart weekly. Including UK collection, pre-shipment preparation, and Qatari customs clearance, FAHES inspection, and Traffic Department registration on arrival, allow 5–7 weeks total from booking to your vehicle being registered and ready to drive in Qatar.

Can I ship a right-hand drive UK car to Qatar?

No — Qatar drives on the right side of the road and only permits the registration of left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles. All standard UK-registered cars are right-hand drive and cannot be permanently registered in Qatar. This lane is primarily used by UK vehicle exporters and dealers shipping LHD commercial stock, or UK residents who own a LHD vehicle. If you own a LHD vehicle or are exporting LHD vehicles commercially, contact ShipCars to discuss your shipment.

What is the age limit for importing a car into Qatar?

Qatar generally does not permit the import of used vehicles older than 5 years from the date of manufacture for non-GCC imports. Limited exceptions may apply for classic or antique vehicles under specific conditions. [PLACEHOLDER: verify exact current age limit with the General Authority of Customs (gac.gov.qa) or ShipCars’ Doha agent before publishing.] Always confirm the current limit before booking your shipment.

What import duty do I pay when shipping a car to Qatar?

Qatar charges 5% customs duty on the vehicle’s CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value. Qatar does not currently levy VAT on vehicle imports — making it one of the more cost-effective Gulf states for vehicle duty. A private-use exemption from duty may apply for vehicles over 3 years old that are demonstrably not intended for resale — verify eligibility with the General Authority of Customs (GAC — gac.gov.qa) before shipping. Source: GAC and Expat Focus Qatar Car Guide, 2025.

Do I need a Qatar ID (Residence Permit) to import a car?

Yes. To register an imported vehicle in your own name in Qatar, you must hold a valid Qatar ID (QID) — the residence permit issued to all foreign residents. Without a QID, you cannot purchase, register, or insure a vehicle in your name. The QID can take up to 6 weeks to process after arrival in Qatar. If your QID is not yet issued when your vehicle arrives at Hamad Port, a licensed clearing agent or your employer sponsor can receive and hold the vehicle until your QID is in hand — this is a standard arrangement for new arrivals.

What is GCC specification and does my UK car comply?

GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) specification covers the technical standards required for vehicles operating in Gulf states: air conditioning capacity designed for extreme heat, safety and lighting standards, fuel type compatibility, and regional emissions requirements. UK-registered vehicles are built to Euro specification, which differs from GCC spec in several respects. A UK-origin LHD vehicle may require modifications to pass Qatar’s mandatory FAHES (Woqod Vehicle Inspection) roadworthiness test before it can be registered with the Traffic Department. Budget for potential homologation costs and confirm GCC spec requirements with your Doha clearing agent before shipping.

What documents do I need to ship a car from the UK to Qatar?

Required documents include: original Bill of Lading, UK V5C vehicle registration document (logbook), commercial invoice stating declared CIF value, certificate of marine insurance, copy of the consignee’s passport (photo page), copy of Qatar ID / employment visa (if available), and the UK Export Declaration (C88 Form) — completed by ShipCars as a registered UK customs broker. Your Doha clearing agent will advise on any additional documents required by the General Authority of Customs.

What happens at Hamad Port after my car arrives?

After the vessel docks at Hamad Port, your appointed Doha clearing agent manages the customs declaration, 5% duty assessment and payment, and port release. The vehicle must then pass a roadworthiness inspection at an authorised FAHES (Woqod Vehicle Inspection) centre. After passing FAHES, the vehicle is registered with the Traffic Department of the Ministry of Interior, which issues Qatari number plates and an Istimara (Vehicle Registration Certificate). Registration must be completed within 14 days of arrival. Any outstanding traffic fines on the vehicle must be cleared before registration can proceed.

Can I ship personal belongings inside my car to Qatar?

Container shipments allow personal effects to be loaded inside the vehicle at no extra shipping cost. However, all personal goods must be declared to Qatar customs on arrival and are subject to Qatari import regulations. Alcohol, pork products, and other prohibited items must not be included under any circumstances — Qatar’s customs rules on these are strictly enforced. Confirm what personal effects are permitted and whether they attract separate duty with your Doha clearing agent before packing. Personal effects cannot be carried inside vehicles shipped by RoRo.

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