Import duty · Saudi Arabia
Duty breakdown for Saudi Arabia
Every charge Saudi Arabia applies to an imported car, in the order its customs system applies it, plus the vehicle age limit that decides whether the unit can enter at all.
| Charge | Rate and base |
|---|---|
| Customs duty | 5% of CIFGCC Common Customs Tariff on passenger cars: 5% of CIF. |
| VAT | 15% of CIF + duty + everything above |
Reviewed 2026-09-24 · Checked against published rules
Where these figures come from
- GCC Common Customs Tariff
- ZATCA customs and VAT rules
- SASO / SABER conformity programme
- SABER / SASO conformity certification is mandatory and is arranged before shipment, not at the port.
- The 5-year rule is the binding constraint: a 2021 or newer unit is required, which lines up with the 3–6 year old near-new stock China supplies best.
- VAT at 15% is three times the duty, so on a Saudi quote the tax line dominates.
Age limits, certification routes and duty lines are taken from published rules and reviewed by our team, but customs assesses each vehicle individually. Treat anything here as a planning input, not as an assessment.
Full Saudi Arabia import guideRun your own numbers
The calculator starts on this country. Change the FOB, freight, engine size and vehicle age to match the unit you are actually considering.
Your figures
Editable on purpose: the duty band moves with HS code, engine and age, so use the rate your clearing agent confirms.
5 years excluding the year of import. A vehicle imported in 2026 must be model year 2021 or later. Left-hand drive is required by the regulations, which is exactly what a China-sourced unit is.
Estimated landed cost
- CIF value
- $13,620
- Customs duty (5%)
- $681
- VAT (15%)
- $2,145
- All charges except duty
- $2,826
20.75%% of CIF — Age limits, certification routes and duty lines are taken from published rules and reviewed by our team, but customs assesses each vehicle individually. Treat anything here as a planning input, not as an assessment.
- How much is car import duty in Saudi Arabia?
- Base customs duty is 5% of CIF, and 1 further charges sit on top: VAT. The order matters, because VAT is charged on the charges as well as on the car. Put your own FOB and freight figures into the calculator above to see the total.
- Is Saudi Arabia duty charged on the price I paid for the car?
- ZATCA assesses on the CIF value at Jeddah, Dammam or Jubail, supported by the SABER certificate.
- What is the vehicle age limit for importing into Saudi Arabia?
- 5 years excluding the year of import. A vehicle imported in 2026 must be model year 2021 or later. Left-hand drive is required by the regulations, which is exactly what a China-sourced unit is.
- What is not included in these figures?
- Port charges at both ends, terminal handling, demurrage if a unit sits, agent and clearing fees at destination, and registration or number plates after clearance. Any inland transport line is shown separately where it applies, because it is a road cost rather than a customs charge. Ask for a quote and every one of these is itemised.