Importing a Car to Saudi Arabia: Duties, Inspection and Registration

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest vehicle markets in the Middle East, and demand for imported cars — particularly SUVs, pickup trucks and large saloons — remains strong. However, unlike the UAE, Saudi Arabia only permits left-hand drive vehicles for road use, which means UK exporters can only ship left-hand drive cars (typically vehicles originally sold in continental Europe, the US, or elsewhere and later registered in the UK) rather than standard UK right-hand drive stock.

The main ports of entry are Jeddah Islamic Port on the Red Sea coast and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam on the Gulf side, both of which handle substantial RORO and container vehicle traffic. Sailing times from UK ports such as Southampton to Jeddah typically run from around 20 to 28 days depending on routing.

Saudi Arabia's vehicle market is closely regulated by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), and understanding SASO's conformity requirements is essential before committing to a shipment, since non-compliant vehicles can be refused entry or held at port pending certification.

Every vehicle imported into Saudi Arabia requires a SASO Certificate of Conformity, issued through SASO's accredited inspection partners (such as Intertek or SGS) before or shortly after shipment. This certificate confirms the vehicle meets Saudi technical regulations covering safety, emissions and general specification standards, and is checked against the vehicle's VIN at the point of customs clearance.

Obtaining a SASO COC typically involves submitting the vehicle's specification documents, VIN, and manufacturer data to an approved conformity assessment body, who will confirm whether the specific model and trim meets Saudi requirements or flag any modifications needed. This process can take one to three weeks and should ideally be started before the vehicle is shipped, since customs will not release an uncertified vehicle and demurrage charges accrue quickly at Saudi ports.

Without a valid SASO certificate, a vehicle can be denied entry entirely and may need to be re-exported at the owner's expense, so this is one of the most important pre-shipment steps for this destination — considerably more involved than the paperwork needed for many other Gulf markets.

Saudi Arabia applies a standard customs duty of 5% on the CIF value of most passenger vehicles, in line with GCC common external tariff arrangements, though certain vehicle categories can attract different rates. VAT at 15% is also charged on the total value including duty, which is notably higher than the UAE's 5% VAT rate and should be factored carefully into your overall cost calculation.

Saudi Arabia restricts the import of used vehicles based on age — as a general rule, vehicles must not be older than five years from the date of manufacture to be imported for private use, although this threshold has been adjusted periodically by Saudi customs authorities, so it is essential to check the current limit before purchasing a car intended for export. Vehicles that fall outside the permitted age range are typically refused entry rather than merely charged a higher duty rate, unlike some other markets covered in our guides.

On arrival, vehicles undergo a customs inspection matching the VIN, SASO certificate and shipping documents, followed by a technical inspection at a licensed vehicle inspection centre before registration through the Saudi Ministry of Interior's Absher/Najm platforms. This inspection checks roadworthiness items such as brakes, lights, tyres and structural condition, similar in scope to an MOT but administered through the national vehicle inspection network (Fahes centres).

Once the vehicle passes inspection, registration requires the SASO certificate, customs clearance documents, proof of ownership, a valid Iqama (residency permit) for expatriate owners or national ID for Saudi citizens, and comprehensive Saudi motor insurance. Registration plates and the vehicle's Istimara (registration card) are then issued through the relevant traffic department.

Because of the SASO conformity requirement and age restrictions, we strongly recommend contacting our team before purchasing a vehicle intended for Saudi Arabia, so we can confirm eligibility and help coordinate the conformity certificate process alongside the shipping booking. We offer both RORO and container shipments to Jeddah and Dammam, and our experience with the SASO documentation process helps avoid the port delays and demurrage costs that can catch out first-time exporters to this market.