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Last reviewed: 3 July 2026 · Read the full UAE deep-dive guide

Import a Car from UAE to the UK

Dubai imports: Jebel Ali shipping, ToR relief for expats, IVA and DVLA registration

On top of purchase price
35-50%
Or £0 duty & VAT with ToR relief
Dubai driveway to UK road legal
5-9 Weeks
For vehicles under 10 years old
IVA Test

The UAE is a popular source for low-mileage, well-kept cars — especially for returning expats. By default expect 10% customs duty plus 20% VAT, but Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief can remove both entirely for qualifying expats. GCC-spec cars usually need IVA and lighting modifications.

Estimate your import costs from UAE

Pre-set to the movement from UAE. Confirm customs origin, evidence, relief and the legal tariff rate before relying on a reduced result, then adjust the value and transport figures to match your import.

UK passenger-car import duty and VAT calculator

Built around separate customs and VAT values, route-specific UK rules, and the official 2026-27 V149 rates. Reliefs and preferential rates are applied only after you confirm the required eligibility and evidence.

1. Import route

“Arriving from” controls Great Britain/Northern Ireland customs rules. “Origin” controls tariff preference: an EU-purchased Japanese-built car is not automatically EU-origin. Some territories have a different customs status from their state, so select the route separately rather than relying on the country name.

2. HMRC value in pounds
Use the invoice/bill of sale and add accessories purchased with the car. If any amount is in foreign currency, convert it using the HMRC customs exchange rate. Do not enter the same freight or handling charge twice.
3. Customs treatment
4. DVLA registration and vehicle tax

Import tax breakdown

More information required

  • • Enter the HMRC customs value or current vehicle valuation.

DVLA payment

More information required

  • • Enter the date of original registration (box 24) — it decides which tax scheme applies.

HMRC / NOVA

Enter the arrival date

Tell HMRC within 14 days of a permanent arrival. Your agent may make the notification for a shipped car. Check the correct route.

Next step

  • Keep the invoice/valuation, freight invoices, origin evidence and customs declaration.
  • Wait for HMRC confirmation that NOVA is processed and tax is settled.
  • Keep the foreign registration document and obtain approval, MOT or exemption evidence.
  • Use the exact DVLA tax class, list price and approved CO2 figure on the V55 form.
Apply this to my vehicle

This is a planning estimate, not a customs declaration or HMRC decision. Exact liability depends on the accepted customs value, commodity code, non-preferential and preferential origin, evidence and relief approval. A result is intentionally withheld when those facts are unresolved.Rules and linked guidance last reviewed 19 July 2026.

Need the rules behind the estimate? Read the UK car import duty and VAT guide or build a complete logistics budget with the car import cost checklist.

What catches people out importing from UAE

  • ToR relief removes duty and VAT for returning residents meeting the 12+6 month rules — apply before shipping.
  • GCC-spec cars need IVA and rear fog light added for UK use.
  • Cars under 10 years old need a full IVA test (£199).
  • Shipping from Jebel Ali takes 5-9 weeks.

Popular imports from UAE

Toyota Land CruiserNissan PatrolLexus LXMercedes G-ClassRange Rover

Read the complete UAE import guide

A 15 min read deep dive covering shipping, customs, NOVA, approval, and the V55/5 form step by step — with real cost examples.

Read the guide

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to import a car from Dubai to the UK?
Budget roughly 35-50% on top of the UAE purchase price. That covers shipping from Jebel Ali (£1,200-2,500), 10% customs duty, 20% VAT on the duty-inclusive value, IVA test (£199), GCC-spec modifications, and DVLA registration (£55). Returning expats who qualify for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief pay no duty or VAT at all, which cuts the added costs dramatically.
Can I bring my car back from Dubai without paying duty and VAT?
Possibly, yes. Transfer of Residence (ToR1) relief gives full exemption from both the 10% duty and 20% VAT if you're moving your normal home to the UK, lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months, and owned and used the vehicle for at least 6 months before the move. You cannot sell the vehicle within 12 months of import. Apply to HMRC before the car ships.
Are Dubai cars left-hand drive, and is that legal in the UK?
UAE cars are left-hand drive, and LHD vehicles are fully legal on UK roads — there is no requirement to convert to right-hand drive. You will need to convert the headlights to a UK (left-dipping) beam pattern, fit a rear fog light, and for cars under 10 years old ensure the speedometer displays mph.
Do UAE imports need an IVA test?
If the car is under 10 years old, yes — most UAE imports fall into this bracket. Cars sold new in the UAE are GCC-spec and generally lack EU type approval, so they need an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test costing £199. Vehicles more than 10 years old are exempt from IVA and just need an MOT (if over 3 years old) before registration.
How long does shipping a car from Dubai to the UK take?
Sea freight from Jebel Ali to Southampton or Tilbury typically takes 3-5 weeks, by RoRo or container. Allowing for UAE export paperwork, UK customs clearance, IVA modifications and testing, and DVLA registration, the full door-to-road process usually takes 5-9 weeks.
What paperwork do I need from the UAE before shipping?
You need a vehicle export certificate from the RTA (in Dubai) or the equivalent authority in your emirate, which cancels the UAE registration. Any outstanding finance must be settled first — mortgaged vehicles cannot be exported. You'll also need the bill of sale or purchase invoice, your passport/Emirates ID copies, and the shipping documentation (bill of lading) for UK customs.

Apply this to your vehicle

We'll start with a car imported from UAE, then ask only for the facts needed to confirm your NOVA, approval, MOT, document and V55/5 route.

Apply this to my vehicle →

Primary sources

This guide maps to official GOV.UK guidance. Always check the current source for the latest rules before you submit your V55/5.

v55-5.com is an independent service and is not affiliated with the DVLA, HMRC, or any government body.