New Guide to Buying a Used Car From GCC: Latest Import Fees and Paperwork

Many car buyers in the UAE prefer to import cars from other GCC countries. So buying a used car from another GCC country sounds simple. It is the same geographical region, with similar regulations and driving conditions. You can just drive it across the border. The process appears to be quite easy.

While it is not overly simple, it is not complicated either. It's far easier than importing from Europe or America. No shipping containers. Lower costs. Faster turnaround. Just as within the GCC, importing a car into the UAE involves following a well-established procedure. This process involves customs, inspections, and fees.

Here is our guide for 2025 on the latest import fees and paperwork that you need to know to make the whole experience smooth and hassle-free. 

Why Buy From GCC Countries

Used cars imported from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar are often cheaper than comparable models in the UAE. Saudi Arabia, in particular, offers more competitive prices because vehicles there generally cost less when new and follow a different depreciation trend.

Also, driving the car back yourself saves shipping fees. Overland transport from Saudi Arabia or Oman costs nothing except fuel and time. From Kuwait or Qatar, you might use a car carrier service, which costs AED 1,500–2,500.

The advantage is that GCC-spec vehicles already meet regional standards. They are built for a similar climate with improved cooling systems and air conditioning. Buyers in the UAE hardly need any further modifications, unlike with European or American cars.

Basic Requirements Before You Start

UAE Residency

The first thing is that you must be a resident with a valid Emirates ID. This means that tourists or temporary residents cannot import vehicles for permanent registration. While temporary admission for up to 180 days is possible for GCC-registered vehicles, it is different from permanent import.

Vehicle Age 

Any vehicle that is being imported into the country should not be more than 10 years old from the date of its manufacture. There is one exception, like 30-year-old classic cars, which need special RTA approval..

Left-Hand Drive Only

Right-hand drive vehicles are prohibited, but this is no longer an issue for GCC cars since they're all left-hand drive anyway.

GCC Spec

The imported vehicle must fulfill GCC standards, which is again pretty standard; since you're buying from another GCC country, it should already comply.

Non Insurance or Flood Damage

The UAE completely bans importing non-insured cars or those declared total losses. Flood-damaged cars are strictly banned. Get a full vehicle history report before buying.

GCC Import Cost Breakdown

Let’s look at the cost of importing a used 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser from Saudi Arabia to the UAE, assuming a market value of AED 150,000. The final amount can vary depending on whether the vehicle qualifies for GCC duty exemption.

Description	GCC Exemption	No Exemption (5% Duty + 5% VAT)
Import Processing Fee	AED 4,700	AED 4,700
Blue Export Plates	AED 70	AED 70
Vehicle Inspection	AED 120	AED 120
RTA Registration	AED 600	AED 600
Insurance	AED 3,500	AED 3,500
Miscellaneous (Typing, NOC)	AED 300	AED 300
Customs Duty (5%)	-	AED 7,500
VAT (5% on value + duty)	-	AED 7,875
Total	AED 9,290	AED 24,665

GCC exemption saves AED 15,375 by waiving duty and VAT for previously taxed GCC vehicles.

Documents Checklist

From the Seller

Original vehicle registration certificate, which is the Mulkiya equivalent from the origin country. The export certificate from the GCC country's traffic department. Proof of ownership transfer or sale agreement. The car’s roadworthiness certificate showing the car's condition and chassis number.

Your Documents

A valid UAE residency permit or Emirates ID, passport copy, UAE driving license, and a No Objection Certificate from the RTA.

Additional Paperwork

Original purchase invoice showing the sale price. An insurance policy valid in the UAE; you also need this for registration, proof of prior customs clearance in the originating GCC country for duty exemption, and export plates or temporary transit plates.

It is worth noting that all documents not originally in Arabic need official Arabic translations. There is no exception for this for customs clearance.

Registration

Once the car has completed the inspection, you need to move to the RTA for registration. There is a registration fee based on the type of car and also on each Emirate, ranging between AED 400-800 for standard vehicles.

Insurance is compulsory, so it get quotes from multiple providers. Comprehensive coverage for a used car costs AED 1,500-4,000 annually, depending on value.

RTA issues your registration card (Mulkiya) and license plates. The entire registration process takes 1-3 days if everything's in order.

Understanding GCC Import Advantages

Importing a car already registered in the GCC comes with simpler import procedures than non-GCC vehicles.

Customs Duty Exemption

This is one big advantage. If the origin country has already taxed the car you are importing, it may be exempt from UAE customs duties. However, this is subject to proof of prior customs clearance. This can save you up to 5% of the vehicle's CIF value, which turns out to be thousands of dirhams on expensive cars.

Streamlined Documentation

In paperwork, there is a lot of relaxation in documentation for GCC vehicles, with a compatible registration process for easier verification. This helps you save time and effort.

Lower Inspection Fees

Vehicle testing for GCC imports costs AED 120, while for non-GCC imports, you must pay AED 450 for the same inspection. That's an AED 330 savings right there.

No Modification Requirements

GCC-spec cars already have the necessary specs, like proper cooling systems, catalytic converters, and climate adaptations. For non-GCC vehicles, the modification cost can incur AED 3,000-8,000 to meet UAE standards.

GCC Country-Specific Import Considerations

Origin Country	Border Crossing	Typical Drive Time to Dubai	Export Process Difficulty	Vehicle Pricing vs UAE	Best Vehicle Types
Saudi Arabia	Al Batha, Hatta	4-8 hours	Moderate	10-20% cheaper	SUVs, luxury sedans
Oman	Hatta, Al Wajajah	2-4 hours	Easy	5-15% cheaper	SUVs, off-road vehicles
Kuwait	Via Saudi transit	12-16 hours	Complex	15-25% cheaper	Luxury cars, American imports
Qatar	Via Saudi transit	6-10 hours	Moderate	10-18% cheaper	Luxury SUVs, sports cars
Bahrain	Via Saudi transit	8-12 hours	Moderate	8-15% cheaper	Mixed inventory

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not Verifying GCC Specs

Some cars in GCC countries are gray imports from Japan or Europe. They don't meet GCC standards, despite being a GCC country. Verify the car's original market specification before buying.

Skipping Vehicle History Check

Get a comprehensive history report. Check for accidents, flood damage, or odometer fraud. Services like CarFax work in some GCC countries, or you can use local equivalents.

Incorrect Valuation

Don't under-declare the vehicle's value to save on customs duty. UAE customs has access to market valuations. Under-declaration can result in penalties of up to 300% of the duty owed.

Missing Export Documentation

Leaving the origin country without proper export certification causes major headaches. You might get stuck at the UAE border without entry or customs clearance.

Foreign Plates 

Those buyers who have limited time to complete the registration after importing the car should not delay the process. Most temporary plates expire quickly, and if you happen to drive an unregistered car, it can cost you dearly with heavy fines. 

Timeline Expectations

Buying and Export: 3-7 days

This involves the total purchase, ownership transfer, and obtaining export certification.

Border Crossing and Customs: 1-2 days

Submit the necessary paperwork and secure customs clearance to cross the border. 

Registration and Inspection: 2-5 days

Need to schedule inspection, pass testing successfully, and finish RTA registration.

Total Time: Between 1 and 2 weeks 

The total time to import the car turns out to be 15 days at max if all the procedures are followed properly without any issues. However, delays can occur in certain situations, such as when documents are missing, the inspection fails, or the customer is dissatisfied with the responses. Therefore, you should keep this in mind before calculating your timelines. 

Conclusion

Importing a car from GCC countries saves significant money as compared to non-GCC imports. A used car priced at AED 100,000 in Dubai, if imported from a GCC country, can be cheaper by AED 15,000–20,000, which is certainly a huge sum of money. The import procedure is rather simple and hassle-free. The trick is securing a customs duty exemption by proving prior GCC taxation. Thereafter, it is a matter of getting all the paperwork in place. With proper preparation, it's quite straightforward and cost-effective.