Car Shipping to Saudi Arabia | Via RORO And Container

Ship Cars ships vehicles from the UK to Jeddah and Dammam, Saudi Arabia, by RoRo from £887 for a saloon, with weekly sailings and a 14-day transit to Jeddah (24 days to Dammam). Only left-hand drive vehicles may be imported. A 5-year age limit applies. A SASO Certificate of Conformity via the SABER platform is mandatory before the vehicle leaves the UK. Import duty is 5% of CIF plus 15% VAT.

Shipping Cars to Dammam & Jeddah

Are you looking to ship a car to Saudi Arabia? Ship Cars Ltd offers both Roll on/Roll off (RORO) and container services to the ports of Jeddah, Dammam & Riyadh every week. Our UK based company works directly with all major shipping operators. This allows us to offer professional services every time by sea. Our professional no nonsense approach keeps our customers’ needs and services at the forefront of everything we do. Whatever vehicle you want shipped from the UK then we can help you. Our knowledge and experience dates back over 10 years, we regularly ship cars, vans, trucks and caravans from the port of Southampton.

Important for UK customers: Saudi Arabia drives on the right and only permits the import of left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles. All standard UK-registered cars are right-hand drive and cannot be imported or registered in Saudi Arabia. This lane is used by UK exporters and dealers shipping LHD commercial stock, or individuals who own a LHD vehicle. If you own a LHD vehicle or are exporting LHD vehicles commercially, contact Ship Cars to discuss your shipment.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to Saudi Arabia?

The car shipping costs to Saudi Arabia start at £887 for a standard size saloon car such as a Toyota Avensis or Ford Fiat Zetec on our RORO services from Southampton to Jeddah. Our SUV rates such as a Toyota Land Cruiser or a Land Rover to Jeddah costs £11066 by roll on/roll off.  Our vehicle shipping rates for vans, trucks and caravans are priced on the dimensions such as the length, width and height. The larger the vehicle the more expensive the cost will be to ship it to either port.

RORO Shipping to Jeddah & Dammam

RORO, also known as Roll on/Roll off offers a safe, & affordable way of Shipping a car to Jeddah or Dammam. These purpose-built vessels load and stow thousands of vehicles at any one time on multiple decks throughout the ship. Heavier vehicles such as trucks and plant machinery are loaded on to the lower levels whereas saloon cars and SUV’s are on the higher levels.

All vehicles are secured to the floor using straps to the front and rear of each vehicle. These Impressive ships can transport any rolling cargo from a saloon car right up to extremely large plant machinery with ease. The ease of loading and unloading cargo makes RORO the favourite choice to many people, from private individuals right up to large contractors who ship hundreds of new vehicles at any one time. The transit time by RORO to Saudi Arabia varies; Jeddah takes approximately 14 days from the UK whereas Dammam takes on average 24 days.

Container shipping to Saudi Arabia

Container shipping to Saudi Arabia is a great choice for anyone looking to ship their high valued vehicle to Jeddah or Dammam. Vehicles are loaded at one of our many receiving depots and is secured inside using straps around each wheel. Safety is key so special attention is always provided when shipping any vehicle by container. The advantage of shipping a car inside a container is that you can also load your vehicle with personal items inside the car for no extra charge. Once the vehicle has been secured and loaded inside the container, the steel doors are closed and locked using a tamper proof seal.

What Documents Do I Need to Ship a Car to Saudi Arabia?

Shipping a vehicle from the UK to Saudi Arabia requires the following documentation:

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

2. UK V5C Vehicle Registration Document (Logbook)

3. Commercial Invoice stating the vehicle’s purchase price and declared CIF value

4. Certificate of Marine Insurance covering the sea transit

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

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

7. SABER Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) — registered on the SABER platform for the vehicle model before shipment

8. SABER Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) — issued per shipment through SABER by a SASO-approved inspection body before the vessel departs

9. Saudi Residence Permit / Iqama (if applicable, for personally importing a vehicle)

Your Jeddah or Dammam clearing agent will advise on any additional documents required by ZATCA for your specific vehicle type and import category.

Post Arrival section:

After Arrival: Fahes Inspection and Muroor Registration After customs clearance at Jeddah or Dammam port, the vehicle must pass a Fahes (vehicle technical inspection) at an authorised inspection centre, verifying roadworthiness, emissions compliance, and GCC specification conformity. Following a successful Fahes test, the vehicle is registered with the Muroor (Saudi Traffic Department) via the Absher digital government platform. Temporary licence plates valid for 15 days are issued while the full registration is completed. All outstanding fines on the vehicle must be cleared before registration can proceed.

 What Are Saudi Arabia’s Vehicle Import Requirements?

Mandatory before your vehicle leaves the UK: SASO Certificate of Conformity via SABER

As of 1 January 2025, all vehicles imported into Saudi Arabia must have a valid Certificate of Conformity (CoC) registered in SASO’s SABER platform before the vessel departs from the UK. This applies to both new and used vehicles. Two certificates are required:

• Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC): Registered on the SABER platform for your vehicle model
• Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC): Issued per shipment through SABER

For used vehicles, a physical inspection by a SASO-approved Conformity Assessment Body — such as TÜV Rheinland, Intertek, or SGS — must be carried out in the UK before the SCoC can be issued. Certificates obtained after arrival are not accepted by Saudi customs — shipments arriving without valid SABER certificates are returned at the importer’s expense.

ShipCars will advise you on arranging the SABER inspection and certificate as part of your Saudi Arabia shipment booking. Allow additional lead time for this step before your vessel’s departure date.

Vehicle Age Limit: Saudi Arabia requires that imported passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks under 3.5 tonnes be manufactured within 5 years of the import year. For 2026, the vehicle must have been manufactured in 2021 or later. Vehicles older than 5 years are refused at Jeddah or Dammam port — resulting in costly return shipping at the importer’s expense. Classic/antique vehicles over 30 years old may be imported as exceptions but cannot be driven on public Saudi roads. Source: ZATCA (zatca.gov.sa); Expat Focus Saudi Arabia Car Guide, 2025.

Customs Duty and VAT: Saudi Arabia charges 5% customs duty on the vehicle’s CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value, administered by ZATCA (zatca.gov.sa). 15% VAT is then applied on the combined total of the vehicle’s CIF value plus customs duty. Together, these add approximately 20% to the CIF value in taxes. Registration fees (approximately SAR 300) and SABER inspection costs are payable separately. Source: ZATCA, Expat Focus Saudi Arabia Car Guide (2025). Always verify current rates with ZATCA before shipping.

3-Year Resale Restriction: Residents who personally import a vehicle into Saudi Arabia are prohibited from selling that vehicle for 3 years from the date of importation. This restriction applies to personal imports only — not to commercial vehicle dealers.

GCC Specification Compliance: All vehicles imported into Saudi Arabia must comply with GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) technical specifications, covering air conditioning capacity for extreme heat, safety standards, fuel type, and emissions regulations. UK-specification (Euro-spec) vehicles differ from GCC spec and may require modifications to pass the post-arrival Fahes (vehicle inspection) and obtain Saudi registration (Istimara via Muroor/Absher). Budget for potential GCC homologation costs and confirm compliance requirements with a SASO-approved body before shipping. Source: SASO (saso.gov.sa).

For an overview of the UK export process, see our Customs Clearance guide.

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping to Saudi Arabia

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

RoRo shipping from the UK to Jeddah starts from £887 for a standard saloon and £1071 for an SUV such as a Toyota Land Cruiser, with weekly sailings and approximately 14 days transit. Container shipping is also available for high-value or non-running vehicles. All prices cover UK port to Saudi port only; Saudi import duty (5% CIF), 15% VAT, SABER inspection, agent fees, and registration are payable separately.

What is the difference between shipping to Jeddah and Dammam?

Jeddah sits on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast: it is the faster (14-day transit) and cheaper option, serving western Saudi Arabia and acting as the most common road-transit gateway to Riyadh. Dammam is on the Arabian Gulf coast: transit takes approximately 24 days and costs slightly more, but it is the natural entry point for the Eastern Province, Al-Khobar, and Gulf-facing destinations. ShipCars offers weekly sailings to both ports.

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

No — Saudi Arabia drives on the right and only permits the import of left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles. All standard UK-registered cars are right-hand drive and are barred from import. Post-manufacture RHD-to-LHD conversions are also prohibited. This lane is used by UK exporters and dealers shipping LHD commercial stock, or individuals who own a LHD vehicle. Contact ShipCars to discuss LHD vehicle shipments to Saudi Arabia.

What is the 5-year vehicle age limit for Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia requires that imported passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks under 3.5 tonnes be manufactured within 5 years of the import year. For 2026 imports, the vehicle must have been manufactured in 2021 or later. Vehicles over the age limit are refused at Jeddah or Dammam port — the result is mandatory return shipping at the importer’s expense. Classic/antique vehicles over 30 years old may be imported as an exception but cannot be driven on Saudi public roads. Source: ZATCA (zatca.gov.sa).

What is the SASO SABER Certificate of Conformity and do I need one?

Yes — it is mandatory since January 2025 and must be obtained before your vehicle leaves the UK. All vehicles entering Saudi Arabia must hold a valid Certificate of Conformity registered in SASO’s SABER platform. Two certificates are required: a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC). For used vehicles, a physical inspection by a SASO-approved body — such as TÜV Rheinland, Intertek, or SGS — must be conducted in the UK before the SCoC is issued. Shipments that arrive in Saudi Arabia without valid SABER certificates are returned at the importer’s expense with no alternative. ShipCars will advise on arranging the inspection as part of your booking.

What customs duty and VAT do I pay when shipping a car to Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia charges 5% customs duty on the vehicle’s CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value, administered by ZATCA. 15% VAT is then applied on the combined total of the CIF value plus customs duty — adding approximately 20% in total taxes to the CIF value. There is no VAT exemption for vehicle imports. A duty exemption may apply in specific personal-import circumstances — verify with ZATCA (zatca.gov.sa) before shipping. Source: ZATCA; Expat Focus Saudi Arabia Car Guide (2025).

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

Required documents include: original Bill of Lading, UK V5C registration document (logbook), commercial invoice stating CIF value, certificate of marine insurance, copy of the consignee’s passport, UK export declaration (C88) completed by ShipCars, SABER PCoC (Product Certificate of Conformity), and SABER SCoC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) issued before the vessel departs. Your Jeddah or Dammam clearing agent will advise on any additional ZATCA requirements for your vehicle type.

What is GCC specification and does my UK car comply?

GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) specification covers the technical standards for vehicles in Gulf states: high-capacity air conditioning for extreme heat, safety equipment, fuel compatibility, and emissions standards. UK vehicles are built to Euro specification, which differs from GCC spec. A UK-origin LHD vehicle may need modifications to pass Saudi Arabia’s mandatory Fahes (vehicle technical inspection) before Muroor registration. Budget for potential GCC homologation costs and confirm compliance requirements with a SASO-approved body — such as TÜV Rheinland or Intertek — before shipping.

What happens at Jeddah or Dammam port after my car arrives?

After the vessel docks, your Saudi clearing agent manages ZATCA customs clearance, 5% duty payment, and port release. The vehicle must then pass a Fahes vehicle technical inspection at an authorised centre. After Fahes, the vehicle is registered with Muroor (Traffic Department) via the Absher digital platform. Temporary licence plates valid for 15 days are issued while full registration completes. All outstanding fines on the vehicle must be cleared before registration can proceed. Allow 2–5 days for the full customs-to-registration process.

Can I ship personal belongings inside my car to Saudi Arabia?

Container shipments allow personal effects to be loaded inside the vehicle at no extra shipping cost. However, all personal goods must be declared to ZATCA on arrival. Alcohol, pork products, and any items contrary to Saudi law must not be included under any circumstances — Saudi customs enforcement on prohibited goods is comprehensive and strictly enforced, including inspection of container contents. Undeclared or prohibited goods result in seizure and potential penalties. Confirm permitted personal effects and any duty implications with your Jeddah or Dammam clearing agent before packing. Personal effects cannot be carried inside RoRo-shipped vehicles.

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