Your Complete Guide to Shipping Cars from China to the UAE

China is one of the largest automotive production markets globally, and the UAE is one of its key destinations for vehicle imports. With strong trade relations, shipping cars from China to the UAE is a fast and seamless process.

• Sea Freight: The Best Way to Import Cars from China to the UAE
• 3 Ways to Ship Vehicles from China to the UAE Via Sea
• Sea Routes for Car Shipping From China to the UAE
• Automobile Loading and Unloading Ports in China
• The Cost of Shipping Cars from China to the UAE 
• Customs Process in Shipping Cars from China to the UAE 
• TFI: Your Reliable Partner in Shipping Cars from China to the UAE

This contributes to the influx of fresh Chinese car brands and healthy competition among various carmakers in the region.

Sea Freight: The Best Way to Import Cars from China to the UAE

Shipping automobiles from China to the UAE via sea freight offers several advantages. For starters, it’s a cost-effective option for long-distance and bulk car transport compared to air or land transportation. Moreover, it’s an excellent way to maintain the safety and integrity of your goods throughout transit. 

With 30+ years’ operational excellence, Total Freight International has a proven track record in offering reliable and flexible marine freight forwarding services for automobiles. We combine our trusted global network, established relationship with carriers, and in-house expertise to provide tailored solutions that meet your needs. 

3 Ways to Ship Vehicles from China to the UAE Via Sea

As a client, you have the flexibility to pick the right sea freight service that meets your requirements and budget. Whether transporting a single automobile or a large group of vehicles, you can opt for an arrangement that works for you. These alternatives are as follows:

• Full Container Load (FCL) – This service is designed for transporting many vehicles using standard containers. 
• Shared Container or Less-than Container Load (LCL) – You can share a container with other goods if you own one or more cars. The shipping fee will depend on the size of the car and how much room it takes up in the shared container.
• Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) – This is a dependable and safe method of shipping automobiles, trucks, buses, boats, mining equipment, and agricultural machinery across international waters. In contrast to container shipping, roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessels are made to handle vehicles and rolling freight, which may be hauled or driven onto the ship using roll trailers.

Sea Routes for Car Shipping From China to the UAE

Automobiles are shipped by sea via several available routes from China to the UAE. They are frequently loaded aboard container ships in Chinese ports like Shenzhen or Shanghai and transported via the South China Sea and the Arabian Sea. Then, cars are shipped to ports in the UAE.

Meanwhile, other routes enable direct shipping via the Arabian Sea, wherein ships are allowed to sail directly from ports such as Nanjing or Shenzhen to UAE ports. 

Automobile Loading and Unloading Ports in China 

There are several ports for loading and unloading cars in China, and these are part of the global maritime network. The most renowned ones are as follows: 

• Shanghai Port – Regarded as the biggest in China and among the biggest worldwide, this port provides cutting-edge infrastructure and contemporary amenities.
• Ningbo Port – This is one of China’s most significant ports for the export of automobiles. It offers state-of-the-art infrastructure for quickly and effectively loading and unloading automobiles.
• Tianjin Port – Ranked as China’s second-biggest port, it’s ideally situated near Beijing and other important cities.
• Guangzhou Port – Situated in southern China, this is a significant port for the region’s auto traffic.
• Dalian Port – This busy port offers vehicle loading and unloading services to northern China.

The Cost of Shipping Cars from China to the UAE 

There are several factors affecting the cost of shipping cars from China to the UAE, one of which is the geographical distance between the two countries. The others include the following:

• The shipping route 
• The weight and volume of the cargo
• Extra services required
• The sea freight service of your choice (FCL, LCL, or Ro-Ro)

As of July 2024, the average approximate cost for sea freight from China to the UAE for a 20-ft container, is roughly $1,950 to $2,300. Meanwhile, it might cost you between $2,500 and $3,200 for a 40-ft container. However, it’s important to note that these prices can vary from one freight forwarding company to another. They may also fluctuate due to market dynamics, demand, fuel prices, and other factors. 

Customs Process in Shipping Cars from China to the UAE 

If you are importing Chinese cars to be sold in the UAE market, it’s important to be familiar with the UAE’s customs landscape. We want you to have a stress-free and smooth experience, so we’ve compiled below everything you need to know. 

• Obtain a customs code – Getting an HS code for your merchandise is the first step. This code can determine the taxes and customs charges that will be applied to your shipment. Next is to declare the goods’ worth. The CIF (cost, insurance, and freight) or FOB (free on board) methods can be used for this. The cost of shipping your goods from China to the UAE is included in the CIF method, but it’s not included in the FOB approach.

• Secure an import license – The UAE Ministry of Economy will require an import license if you’re importing products to the UAE. After securing the license, it’s imperative to submit a declaration to the UAE customs that includes the following information:1. Original sale invoice addressed to a licensed importer in the country detailing the total quantity, total value for each item, goods description, country of origin, HS code, and gross weight.
  2. Vehicle information – Make, model, VIN, engine no., model year, color, and capacity

  According to UAE customs regulations, all cargo must be cleared within 48 hours upon arrival. To ensure a seamless process, include a certificate of origin (COO) and a bill of lading when submitting your declaration for shipping commercial products. You can get this documentation from your Chinese supplier.After submission of the declaration, the UAE Customs will issue a permit that must be presented to the goods’ carrier once they arrive in the country.

• Keeping the cars in a free zone facility – At TFI, we offer a free zone facility in Dubai Logistics City where you can keep your vehicles without customs duty and import VAT. Once the cars are required for registration, that’s when the duty and import VAT will be imposed. Customs duty is 5% of the CIF invoice value, while import VAT is 5% of the CIF invoice and customs duty.

TFI: Your Reliable Partner in Shipping Cars from China to the UAE 

Chinese cars offer the perfect balance of groundbreaking innovation, outstanding performance, and contemporary design. With a price that won’t break the bank, they are slowly gaining momentum in a lucrative market such as the UAE. 

If you’re planning to import cars from China into the country, absolute adherence to the UAE’s trade laws and regulations is a must. This can entail time-consuming, stressful, and costly procedures. Therefore, it’s crucial to partner with a qualified freight forwarding company in Dubai that offers 360-degree services.

At TFI, we take pride in our global agent network and in-house team of customs brokers that take care of the entire process from A to Z. Whether it’s in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or any other emirate in the UAE, our experts will provide you with tailored and hassle-free shipping solutions. 

Get in touch with our experts today to know more about shipping cars from China to the UAE!