Short answer: buy and deregister the car for export in the UAE, ship it to an EU port, clear customs (normally 10% duty plus 19% import VAT), get an individual technical approval if the car has no valid EU type approval, then register it at your local registration office.
The process in seven steps
- Find and compare the car. Search UAE marketplaces and compare each car with German listings for the same model, year and mileage.
- Inspect before paying. Diagnostics, accident and repaint checks, underbody, mileage against service history, and documents.
- Buy and deregister for export. Fines must be settled and the car deregistered for export with the traffic authority (RTA in Dubai), which issues export documents.
- Ship. RoRo or container from Jebel Ali to Bremerhaven, Hamburg or another EU port. Get transport and insurance quoted in writing.
- Clear customs. Declare the car on arrival and pay duty and import VAT — usually through a customs agent.
- Technical approval. Without a valid EU certificate of conformity, an individual approval (Einzelgenehmigung) is normally required.
- Register. With the approval, customs documents, insurance confirmation (eVB) and ID, register at the Zulassungsstelle.
Duty and VAT
| Item | How it is calculated |
|---|---|
| Customs value (CIF) | Price + transport + insurance to the EU border |
| Customs duty | 10% × customs value |
| Import VAT | 19% × (customs value + duty) |
VAT-registered dealers can normally reclaim import VAT; private buyers cannot. Special cases such as qualifying historic vehicles are treated differently. Sources: zoll.de, EU TARIC 8703.
Technical compliance
GCC-spec cars can differ from EU versions in lighting, emissions equipment and software. A technical service assesses the car and may require modifications or documents such as a manufacturer data sheet. Check what the specific car will need before you buy — this is often the cost that decides the deal. See homologation support.
Costs to budget
- Purchase price and UAE export handling
- Shipping and marine insurance
- Customs duty and import VAT
- Port and clearance fees
- Approval, expert report and any modifications
- Registration and preparation
Run the numbers in the import cost calculator, or see every UAE car with its landed cost and margin in the platform.
Checklist before you commit
- Comparable German prices for the same spec and mileage
- Inspection report
- Approval route and likely modifications confirmed
- Written shipping and insurance quote
- Full landed cost, not just the price gap
Confirm tax and approval requirements with your customs agent, tax adviser and technical service before purchase.