A Toyota Land Cruiser from Dubai to Mombasa on RoRo costs AED 4,800. The same vehicle in a 20ft container costs AED 8,200. Same ship, same departure date, different methods — and which one you pick depends on a lot more than price.
This is the breakdown for overseas car export from Dubai, specifically. For inter-emirate car transport (Dubai to Sharjah, Dubai to Ajman), our inter-emirate car shifting guide covers that separately — it's a completely different service.
RoRo vs Container — The Honest Difference
RoRo (Roll-on / Roll-off)
Your vehicle is driven onto a specialised car-carrier vessel and secured to the deck. It arrives drivable at the destination port. Faster processing, cheaper freight, but:
- No personal belongings allowed inside. Customs worldwide reject RoRo shipments with items in the vehicle.
- Insurance is limited. RoRo carriers offer basic liability only — AED 15,000-25,000 maximum coverage. For a vehicle worth AED 180K, that's a rounding error.
- Weather exposure. Vehicles sit on open or semi-covered decks. Arrive-as-is, including any salt spray or wind damage.
- No classic or luxury cars. Most RoRo operators exclude vehicles over AED 300K or with documented collector status.
Container Shipping (20ft or 40ft)
The vehicle is strapped inside a steel container, sealed at Jebel Ali, and only reopened at the destination. More expensive, more protected:
- Personal goods allowed alongside. Up to 500kg typically — furniture, boxes, household items. The household goods must be listed on the bill of lading.
- Full declared-value insurance available. Up to 100% of vehicle value at 0.8-1.5% premium.
- Fully protected from weather. Sealed steel box — no salt, no wind, no exposure.
- Accepts all vehicle types. Classic cars, luxury sedans, modified 4x4s.
Destination Cost Table (Dubai Export)
All prices are for mid-size sedans or SUVs (not supercars). Includes Jebel Ali handling, ocean freight, and basic destination port charges but excludes destination customs duties, inland delivery, and insurance.
| Destination | RoRo | 20ft Container | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| India (Mumbai) | AED 3,200 - 4,200 | AED 6,500 - 8,500 | 12-18 days |
| Kenya (Mombasa) | AED 4,500 - 5,500 | AED 7,500 - 9,500 | 14-20 days |
| UK (Felixstowe) | AED 5,800 - 7,200 | AED 9,500 - 12,500 | 25-35 days |
| Australia (Sydney) | AED 6,500 - 8,500 | AED 11,000 - 14,500 | 30-40 days |
| South Africa (Durban) | AED 3,800 - 5,200 | AED 7,000 - 9,200 | 18-24 days |
| Nigeria (Lagos) | AED 4,200 - 5,800 | AED 7,500 - 10,000 | 20-28 days |
Add AED 2,000-4,500 for marine insurance on container shipments. RoRo insurance (if any) is typically AED 400-800 and covers only liability, not vehicle value.
The RTA Export Certificate Process
Before your car leaves Dubai, the RTA requires an export certificate. This is non-negotiable — no export certificate, no shipping approval. The process:
- Pay outstanding fines on the vehicle. RTA won't issue an export certificate if any Salik, parking, or traffic fine is open.
- Cancel the insurance policy. Must be cancelled before export, not after.
- Deregister at RTA vehicle registration centre. Eligible RTA branches are Umm Ramool and Al Barsha. Allow a full morning.
- Obtain the export plate. Temporary red export plates issued by RTA, valid for 30 days.
- Pay the export certificate fee. AED 300-400 depending on vehicle type.
- Hand over ownership card. RTA retains this; they issue an export certificate instead.
This process takes 3-5 working days from start to finish. Shipping schedules at Jebel Ali run on weekly cycles — miss one window, wait another week. Budget 3-4 weeks from 'decision to ship' to 'car on the water.'
Destination Customs — The Hidden Cost
Jebel Ali export is the cheap part. Destination duties are the expensive part. Approximate import duties on used vehicles:
- India: 125-165% of vehicle value (often prohibitive)
- Kenya: 25% duty + 16% VAT + 2% import declaration + age-based depreciation
- UK: 10% duty + 20% VAT on CIF value; personal effects relief possible if you're relocating
- Australia: 5% duty + 10% GST + Luxury Car Tax if above threshold; strict asbestos compliance
- South Africa: 25-36% duty + VAT; ITAC import permit required
- Nigeria: 20% duty + 7.5% VAT + 5% ECOWAS levy; maximum age restrictions
For a AED 180,000 Land Cruiser to Australia, destination duties alone can hit AED 50,000+. Factor this in before deciding to ship. Often, selling in Dubai and buying at destination is the better financial play.
When to Pick Which Method
Pick RoRo when:
- Vehicle value is under AED 120K
- You're shipping only the car (no personal effects)
- Cost is the primary driver
- Destination is India, Kenya, or other common RoRo routes
- You're willing to accept limited insurance
Pick Container when:
- Vehicle value is above AED 150K
- You want personal goods shipped alongside the car
- Vehicle is classic, luxury, or modified
- Destination is UK, Europe, US, or Australia (more regulatory scrutiny)
- You want full declared-value insurance
SAMA's Car Shipping Workflow
We coordinate the full Jebel Ali export on your behalf — RTA deregistration, export certificate, shipping line booking, insurance, and destination agent handoff. Our international movers service includes the end-to-end paperwork. For clients combining a car with household goods, we load both into one 40ft container, which is almost always cheaper than shipping them separately. See our international relocation guide for the combined shipment structure.
Our Jebel Ali movers page has port-specific logistics. Request a car shipping quote with your destination and vehicle details and we'll return a full cost sheet within 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to ship a car from Dubai overseas?
From booking to destination arrival: 4-7 weeks for most routes. RTA deregistration takes 3-5 days, Jebel Ali loading and departure another 3-10 days, ocean transit 12-40 days depending on destination, and destination customs clearance 3-14 days. Plan for at least 6 weeks total.
Can I put household goods inside my car for RoRo shipping?
No. RoRo shipments are rejected worldwide if personal items are inside the vehicle — this is a firm rule with no exceptions at destination customs. If you need to ship belongings with the car, use container shipping instead; most 20ft containers can hold the vehicle plus 500-800kg of boxes.
Is RoRo safe for expensive cars?
Not recommended for vehicles above AED 150K. RoRo insurance caps typically at AED 15-25K — a fraction of luxury vehicle value — and exposure to weather, salt spray, and minor handling damage is higher than container shipping. For any vehicle above AED 150K, containerise with full declared-value insurance.
Do I need to be in the UAE for the RTA export process?
Yes — the registered owner must appear in person at RTA for deregistration, or provide a notarised Power of Attorney to SAMA or another authorised agent. POA notarisation costs AED 250-400 and allows us to handle the full export on your behalf if you've already relocated.
