01. Export & Shipping
We take care of the entire process of getting your car to the United Kingdom and arrange for an agent to handle the export of your vehicle in Abu Dhabi.
Importing your car from Abu Dhabi to the United Kingdom
02. Vehicle Modifications & Testing
We handle all of the modifications to your vehicle to ensure it is compliant in the United Kingdom then handle any testing for you.
03. Registrations
We submit all of the paperwork required to register your vehicle, and all you need to do is collect it – or choose to have it transported to you.
Why choose My Car Import?
Tackling the process of shipping a car from Abu Dhabi to the UK alone can be a lengthy, confusing and potentially stressful process, so we are on hand to relieve you of all the associated worry by handling all elements of the import.
DEREGISTRATION OF THE VEHICLE
Ahead of shipping from Abu Dhabi to the UK, you will need to apply for export number plates with RTA. This is an incredibly straightforward process and, once you have received the plates, the My Car Import agents in Abu Dhabi will accept your car at the warehouse ready for shipment to the UK.
LOADING & VEHICLE SHIPPING
The next stage of the process involves the loading of your car into its container prior to shipping. We have taken great care to ensure our agents in Abu Dhabi follow our practices and you can rest assured that they all have extensive experience in shipping all manner of cars.
They will load your car with the utmost care before securely fastening it down so there is no chance of movement whilst at sea. We do offer optional transit insurance for added peace of mind which insures your car to its full replacement value during the journey.
IMPORT TAX REGULATIONS
If you are following your car to the UK to live, you can bring the car in completely tax free if you have owned the car for a minimum of six months and have lived outside of the UK for over 12 months. It is important to bear in mind that you won’t be able to sell the car on for the first 12 months you are in the UK.
For more recent car purchases, you will be required to pay import duty tax and VAT; the price of which is calculated based on the value of the car. If your car was built in the EU, you will pay a one-off £50 duty and 20% VAT however, if built outside of the EU, you will pay 10% duty and 20% VAT.
If you are shipping over a car that is over 30 years old, by meeting a set of conditions, you will in most cases qualify for a reduced rate at just 5% VAT and no duty.
TESTING AHEAD OF REGISTRATION
Before your car can be registered and legally allowed to be driven on UK roads, a level of modification and testing is required; again dependent on the age of the car.
After your car has cleared UK customs, it will be collected and transported to our premises where, if it is under 10 years old, it must pass an IVA test before the DVLA will register it.
At My Car Import, we are the only company in the UK to have our own, on-site DVSA approved IVA testing lane for passenger cars. This means we can reduce turnaround times significantly compared to Government run facilities by completing the testing and modifications in a much shorter time frame.
A variety of modifications will be required for your car to pass the IVA test, but all will be completed on-site by our team. Changes to your car may include, but are not limited to, changing the speedometer to miles per hour, adjusting the headlight pattern to suit UK roads and installing a rear fog light if there is not one fitted as standard.
For those cars over 10 years of age, an MOT test is required alongside a number of modifications and road safety testing to ensure it is fit for driving on UK roads.
REGISTRATION WITH THE DVLA & NEW NUMBER PLATES
With My Car Import, you’ll benefit from our own DVLA Account Manager who works exclusively with our clients to process registration applications far quicker than traditional methods.
After registration, we’ll fit your new number plates so the car is ready to hit the UK roads. You then have the option to collect directly from our depot in the East Midlands or we can arrange delivery direct to your door.
We strongly believe that shipping a car from Abu Dhabi to the UK couldn’t be easier than with My Car Import, so contact us today on +44 (0) 1332 81 0442 to discuss your requirements and begin the process.
How long does it take to ship a car from Abu Dhabi to the United Kingdom?
The time it takes to ship a car from Abu Dhabi to the United Kingdom can vary based on the shipping method, specific shipping route, and other logistical factors. Generally, there are two common shipping methods for transporting a car between these locations:
Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) Shipping: In Ro-Ro shipping, the car is driven onto a specialized vessel at the port of origin (Abu Dhabi) and driven off at the destination port in the United Kingdom. Ro-Ro shipping is generally faster and more cost-effective for transporting cars. The transit time for Ro-Ro shipping from Abu Dhabi to the UK is typically around 2 to 4 weeks.
Container Shipping: Alternatively, the car can be transported inside a shipping container. The car is securely loaded into a container, and the container is then placed on a cargo ship. Container shipping may take a bit longer than Ro-Ro shipping due to additional handling and processing time. The transit time for container shipping from Abu Dhabi to the UK is typically around 3 to 6 weeks.
Please note that these transit times are rough estimates and can be influenced by various factors, such as weather conditions, port congestion, the shipping company’s schedule, and the specific destination in the United Kingdom.
To get a more precise and up-to-date estimate of shipping time for a car from Abu Dhabi to a particular port in the United Kingdom, it’s recommended to fill in a quote form for more information on how long it will take at the time of quotation. That way we can provide you with accurate time frames to import your car from Abu Dhabi to the United Kingdom.
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Frequently asked questions about importing a car from Abu Dhabi to the United Kingdom
What types of car can you import from Abu Dhabi?
You can potentially import a wide range of car types from Abu Dhabi to the United Kingdom or other countries. Abu Dhabi, being a wealthy and diverse region, has a thriving automotive market with various types of cars available for export. Some of the types of cars you can consider importing from Abu Dhabi include:
Luxury Cars: Abu Dhabi is known for its luxury car market, and you can find a wide selection of high-end cars from prestigious brands like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and others.
SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles): SUVs are popular in Abu Dhabi due to their versatility and performance. You can find various luxury SUV models suitable for import.
Performance Cars: The region has a strong interest in performance cars, and you can find a wide range of sports cars and supercars for import.
Exotic Cars: Abu Dhabi is known for its collection of exotic and rare cars, and you might find unique and limited-edition cars for export.
4×4 and Off-Road Vehicles: Given the desert terrain and outdoor lifestyle, you can find rugged 4×4 and off-road cars suitable for import.
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Abu Dhabi, like many other regions, is promoting the adoption of electric cars. You can find various EV models available for export.
Hybrid Vehicles: Hybrid cars are gaining popularity in Abu Dhabi, and you can explore various hybrid models for import.
Classic and Vintage Cars: If you’re interested in classic and vintage cars, Abu Dhabi might have well-preserved and sought-after models.
Convertibles: With the region’s pleasant climate, convertibles are popular, and you can find various models suitable for import.