Shipping a Car to Riyadh from the UK: Complete Saudi Arabia Guide

Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, home to more than seven million people and the centre of one of the most ambitious construction programmes in the world. With Vision 2030 driving major projects in NEOM, Diriyah Gate, Qiddiya and the Riyadh Metro, the city has attracted a wave of British expatriates working in construction, finance, healthcare, energy and hospitality. Many of them choose to ship a personal car from the UK rather than buying locally, where premium German and Japanese brands dominate the showroom floor and British marques can be hard to source in the right specification.

The city itself is landlocked, so all vehicles enter the Kingdom through Jeddah Islamic Port on the Red Sea or King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam on the Arabian Gulf, and are then trucked overland to Riyadh. The Ship Cars operates regular RORO shipping and container shipping services to both ports, with onward inland transport included as standard.

If you are weighing Saudi Arabia against neighbouring Gulf states, our companion guide to shipping a car to Saudi Arabia covers the wider regulatory picture, while shipping to Dubai explains the Emirates route. For broader UK export procedures, see UK export procedure.

Saudi Arabia operates one of the most regulated vehicle import regimes in the Middle East. Two organisations control the process: Saudi Customs and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (SASO).

The 5-year rule — Passenger vehicles must be no more than 5 years old, calculated from the year of manufacture. A car built in 2022 must clear customs before the end of 2027. There is one important exemption: certified antique or classic vehicles over 30 years old can be imported as collectables, provided they are not used as a daily driver.

Left-hand drive only — Saudi Arabia drives on the right and right-hand-drive vehicles are generally not permitted on the road, with limited exceptions for diplomatic missions and racing teams. UK exporters should confirm the specification carefully before booking.

SASO and SABER conformity — Every vehicle must obtain a Certificate of Conformity through the SABER platform before it can clear customs. The certificate verifies that the car meets Gulf safety, lighting and emissions standards. The Ship Cars arranges SABER registration on the customer's behalf.

Documentation — Required paperwork includes the original V5C, Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, SABER certificate, copy of the importer's Iqama (residency permit) or commercial registration, and a power of attorney for the customs agent.

RORO to Jeddah Islamic Port (closer to Riyadh by road than Dammam for west-coast routings)
• Indicative cost: £1,300 to £2,200
• Transit time: 18 to 24 days from Southampton
• Inland transport Jeddah to Riyadh: a further 2 to 3 days, around £400 to £700 included on request

RORO to Dammam (King Abdulaziz Port)
• Indicative cost: £1,400 to £2,300
• Transit time: 22 to 28 days
• Inland transport Dammam to Riyadh: 1 to 2 days, around £300 to £550

Shared and dedicated containers (recommended for premium and luxury vehicle shipping)
• Shared 40ft: £1,700 to £2,900 per vehicle
• Dedicated 20ft: £2,500 to £4,200

Saudi landed cost components
• Customs duty: 5% of CIF value
• VAT: 15% of (CIF + duty)
• SASO/SABER conformity: SAR 750 to 1,500
• Port handling, broker fees and delivery order: SAR 1,000 to 2,500
• Inland transport to Riyadh: as above
• Final registration with the Muroor (Traffic Department): SAR 500 to 1,200

For a tailored estimate run your details through our cost calculator or read our full shipping cost guide.

The clearance process happens at the port of arrival, not in Riyadh itself. Once the duties have been paid and the SABER certificate is matched against the manifest, the vehicle is released to a bonded transporter and trucked inland.

1. Pre-arrival paperwork — We submit the SABER conformity request as soon as the vessel sails from Southampton, so the certificate is usually ready before the ship arrives.
2. Customs assessment at Jeddah or Dammam — Saudi Customs verify the value and apply the 5% duty plus 15% VAT.
3. SASO inspection — The vehicle is checked against its conformity certificate. Engine number, chassis number and emissions equipment are verified.
4. Release and inland transport — The car is loaded onto an enclosed or open transporter and delivered to your address in Riyadh.
5. Local registration — At your local Muroor office, the vehicle is presented with insurance, Iqama and customs release. The traffic police issue Saudi plates and a registration document (Istimara).

The complete door-to-door process usually takes 5 to 7 weeks from collection in the UK to plates on the car in Riyadh.

- Match the specification — A GCC-spec car will sail through SASO inspection. UK or European spec is allowed but expect more questions and possibly minor compliance work on lighting.
• Service the cooling system — Riyadh summers regularly exceed 45°C. A fresh radiator flush, new coolant and a strong battery before shipping save trouble on arrival.
• Insure for the full value — Marine cover should reflect agreed value, not market value. Read our marine transit insurance explainer for what is and is not covered.
• Avoid the holiday peak — Customs slow noticeably during Ramadan, the two Eid holidays and Saudi National Day. Allow extra time if your shipment will arrive during these periods.
• Use one accountable agent — Saudi clearance involves customs, SASO, port operator, transporter and Muroor. The Ship Cars coordinates all five so you only deal with a single point of contact.

Ready to ship to the Saudi capital? You can request a free quote online or contact our team for door-to-door pricing from your UK postcode to Riyadh.