Guide to Shipping Vehicles from UAE to USA

It might seem hard to shipping vehicles from UAE to USA, but it’s pretty easy if you know what you’re doing and plan. You can find out everything you need to know about moving your car from one area to another in this complete guide.

Read our blog on Moving To UAE – A Complete Relocation Checklist

Understanding the Basics

You will be required to deal with customs laws, shipping methods, documentation, and charges while transporting a vehicle from the United Arab Emirates to the United States of America. The process normally takes between thirty and forty-five days, depending on the delivery method that you select and the location that you intend to deliver the item to within the United States.

Legal Requirements and Documentation

Before you send your vehicle, you need to make sure that it satisfies the regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US customs. Ensure that your vehicle satisfies the pollution norms and safety standards of the United States. If your car is less than 25 years old, it is required to comply with all of the criteria set forth by the DOE (Department of Transportation) and the EPA.

Among the most important documents that you will require are:

• The initial registration for the car
• An invoice for the purchase or evidence of ownership
• A copy of a valid passport
• Obtaining authorization to export from US officials
• Bill of lading (BDL)
• Form 3520-1 of the EPA
• DOT form HS-7
• Detailed information regarding the vehicle’s past
• Documents about insurance

Shipping Methods Available

Shipping cars from the UAE to the USA can be done in two major ways:

The most common and safest way to ship is in containers. Your car will be put into a 20-foot or 40-foot container, which will protect it from the weather and possible damage while it’s being shipped. You can choose between having a full container load (FCL) or less than a full container load (LCL) all to yourself.

RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping is cheaper, but it can only be done with cars. Your car will be taken onto the ship at the port where it leaves and off at the port where it arrives. This way is less expensive, but your car will be exposed to the weather while it’s being moved.

Cost Considerations

There are several things that affect how much it costs to ship a car from the UAE to the USA. Some of these are the size and weight of your car, the shipping way you choose, the season, the departure and arrival ports, and any extra services you may need.

Shipping in containers usually costs more, but it protects your things better. However, there are limits on what can be left inside the car when RoRo shipping is used. Don’t forget to add in extra costs like insurance, customs taxes, port handling fees, inland transportation, and paperwork fees.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Shipping

For shipping to go smoothly, you need to make sure you’re ready. Before you ship your car, make sure it’s clean on the inside and out, and take clear pictures of it from every angle. Take out all of your items and make sure the gas tank is only three-quarters full.

Check to see if your car is in good working order. Make sure the brake oil, battery, and tire pressure are all full. Make sure there are no fluid leaks if you are sending via RoRo. Write down any damage or technical problems that you find before you ship.

Insurance Coverage

Shipping companies take steps to keep your car safe, but you still need foreign car shipping insurance. Standard coverage usually protects you against total loss, but you might want to look into extra coverage in case some damage happens. Pay close attention to the insurance policy to learn what it covers and what it doesn’t.

Customs Clearance Process

When your car gets to the US, it has to go through customs before you can get it. Customs officers will look over your papers and the car to make sure you are following US rules. They will make sure that the car meets safety and emission standards and that all taxes and fees have been paid.

Port Arrival and Vehicle Collection

After your car goes through customs, you’ll need to make plans to have it picked up at the landing port. You can either pick up the car yourself or hire a transport company to bring it to where you want it to go. Before you sign for delivery, carefully check your car and write down any damage that might have happened during transport.

Conclusion

Shipping a car from the UAE to the USA needs a lot of planning and attention to detail. You can make sure the transfer of your vehicle goes smoothly by understanding the process, getting the right paperwork ready, and picking the right shipping way.

Are you ready to move your car from the UAE to the USA? Universal Relocations offers full shipping services for cars and offers expert advice throughout the process. Get a free price from us today or visit our website to find out how we can help you move your car without any stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to ship a car from the UAE to the USA?

The shipping process takes between 30 and 45 days. But this depends on the method used, the port of departure, and the final location. Because of the steps needed to load and unload, container shipping might take a little longer than RoRo shipping. Weather and crowded ports can also make travel times longer or shorter.

What happens if my car doesn’t meet US emission standards?

If your car doesn’t meet US pollution standards, you’ll have to make changes to it to make it meet EPA rules. Depending on the type of car, this may be expensive or even impossible to do. These rules don’t apply to cars that are 25 years old or later. To avoid problems at US customs, you must make sure that your car meets the requirements before shipping it.

Can I ship personal items inside my car?

If you’re shipping containers, you might be able to ship some personal things in the car. But you have to declare them and list them one by one. For RoRo shipping, however, you can’t put any personal items inside the car except for things that came with it from the factory, like the spare tire and jack. To avoid problems with customs, it’s best to ship personal things separately.