Shipping a Bentley Continental GT to Dubai: The Complete Process

Dubai has one of the world's highest concentrations of Bentley Continental GTs per capita, driven by low import duty on GCC-spec vehicles, a strong resale market, and a culture that prizes grand tourers for both daily driving and weekend use. UK-sourced Continental GTs — particularly W12 Speed and Mulliner specification cars — command a premium in the UAE due to their right-hand-drive rarity being converted or accepted for personal import, and the perception that UK cars are well-maintained with full main dealer service history from marques like Bentley Bristol or Jack Barclay Bentley.

Given the Continental GT's value — typically £90,000–£220,000 depending on age and specification — we exclusively recommend a dedicated enclosed container rather than RORO for this route. The vehicle is driven into a 40ft high-cube container at our Southampton facility, secured with four-point wheel-strap lashings to the container floor rings, and the container is sealed with a numbered customs seal that isn't broken until it reaches Jebel Ali. This eliminates exposure to salt air, weather and handling by third parties throughout the roughly 18–24 day transit.

A dedicated container shipment for a Continental GT from Southampton to Jebel Ali typically costs £2,600–£3,400, including origin handling, ocean freight and export documentation. Shared container options are available from around £1,600–£2,000 if you're comfortable with a variable sailing date and sharing space with a second vehicle. Transit time by sea is approximately 18–24 days via major shipping lines including Maersk and CMA CGM. Get an exact quote through our cost calculator.

The UAE charges 5% customs duty on the vehicle's CIF (cost, insurance, freight) value for personal imports, plus 5% VAT, with no additional duty for vehicles under a certain age. Dubai's RTA requires a technical passing inspection at one of its official testing centres, checking emissions, chassis condition and modification compliance before UAE plates are issued. Left-hand-drive conversion is not required as the UAE drives on the right but accepts right-hand-drive personal imports for registration in most emirates, though buyers should confirm current requirements as regulations are periodically reviewed.

Given the vehicle's value, we strongly recommend agreed-value marine insurance rather than standard cargo cover, ensuring a total loss is settled at the vehicle's true market value rather than a depreciated default figure. Required documentation includes the original UK V5C, a bill of sale or invoice showing purchase price, and an export MOT if the vehicle is UK-registered. We handle the UAE import declaration and liaise with a Dubai-based customs clearance agent to ensure the container clears Jebel Ali port without delay.