Import duty · UAE
Duty breakdown for UAE
Every charge UAE 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 | 5% of CIF + duty + everything above |
Reviewed 2026-09-24 · Checked against published rules
Where these figures come from
- GCC Common Customs Tariff
- UAE Federal Tax Authority VAT rate
- UAE Federal Customs Authority import procedures
- The cheapest major entry point on the whole list, and the standard route for onward re-export into Iraq, Yemen and East Africa.
- Re-export from a free zone is duty-free if the vehicle never enters the domestic market; a unit cleared for UAE registration pays the 5% and then the 5% VAT.
- Jebel Ali handles the largest RoRo and container volume from China, which keeps the freight line low as well.
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 UAE 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.
No hard age cap, but vehicles over about 10 years face stricter inspection and some insurers and re-export buyers will not take them.
Estimated landed cost
- CIF value
- $13,620
- Customs duty (5%)
- $681
- VAT (5%)
- $715
- All charges except duty
- $1,396
10.25%% 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 UAE?
- 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 UAE duty charged on the price I paid for the car?
- Customs value is the CIF value declared at Jebel Ali, Sharjah or Khalifa. Dubai Customs accepts the invoice plus freight and insurance as the starting point.
- What is the vehicle age limit for importing into UAE?
- No hard age cap, but vehicles over about 10 years face stricter inspection and some insurers and re-export buyers will not take them.
- 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.