Your Guide to Importing a Car to Saudi Arabia on Your Own
If you’re planning to import a car into Saudi Arabia or bring your own car as an expat, the process is now easier than ever! You no longer need a customs broker, but it is important to understand the rules, fees, and steps, including how to buy motor insurance online with a customs card.
We’ll cover all these details below!
Key takeaways 🔍
✅ Previously, you had to go through a customs broker to import a car.
✅ If the imported car is still under warranty, the authorized dealer in Saudi Arabia is required to provide parts and repairs.
✅ Non-GCC spec cars must be technically inspected to be declared fit for use and comply with Saudi standards.
✅ Imported cars are subject to a 20% total tax (5% customs duty + 15% VAT).
✅ Make sure the car meets all import requirements — if it exceeds the age limit or fails fuel efficiency standards, you could face pay more than SAR 20,000.
1️⃣ Decide how to bring the car into Saudi Arabia
You have 2 options for getting your imported car into the country:
- Shipping it by land or sea through a reliable transport company.
- Driving the car yourself into Saudi Arabia.
💰 Estimated Shipping Costs:
If you’re shipping from Dubai to Riyadh, expect to pay between SAR 1,500 – 3,000, depending on whether you choose a hydraulic or enclosed carrier.
2️⃣ Visit ZATCA website & sort out the paperwork
To officially import your car to Saudi, the first step is to register on the ZATCA (General Authority of Zakat and Tax) website (zatca.gov.sa), then select the “Vehicle Import” service, and create a new request by entering the car’s data, the customs declaration, and uploading the required documents.
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If your car is coming from the USA, Japan, or any non-GCC country, you must check its energy efficiency rating with the SASO before submitting your import request.
3️⃣ Pay the import tax for cars in Saudi (and other fees)
For example, if the car you’re going to import to Saudi car costs SAR 100,000, you should budget an additional SAR 20,000 for import taxes and fees.
💰 Cost Breakdown
How much does it cost to import a car to Saudi Arabia?
- ✅ 20% of the car’s value (5% customs + 15% VAT).
- ✅ Temporary car number plate fee: SAR 300.
- ✅ Additional fees may apply if the car doesn’t meet Zatca’s import rules and regulations.
- ✅ Shipping, plate registration, and car insurance costs.
Zatca stated that they calculate these taxes based on the purchase invoice. But, if customs officers suspect the invoice is undervalued, they will assess taxes based on the car’s market value in Saudi Arabia.
4️⃣ Collect the Car & Temporary Plates
Once you’ve paid the fees and your car passes any required inspections, you can pick up your car and print your temporary plates and customs card from the ZATCA website.
5️⃣ Get Insurance (Third-Party or Comprehensive)
Before registering the car, you need to buy car insurance using the customs card number. Here’s how you can do it online:
- Go to a licensed car insurance platform in Saudi Arabia
- Enter your customs card number (instead of the car’s number plate, since you don’t have Istimara yet).
- Provide car details (such as make, model, and year).
- Compare quotes & get what fits your needs and budget.
- Buy your motor insurance online and get digital proof.
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Take your time choosing a car insurance policy. If you just go for the cheapest option without comparing features and coverage, you could run into all sorts of problems.
For example, your TPL will not cover any types of accidents or repairs, if you were 100% at fault. So, you’ll have to pay for repairs yourself. Some comprehensive policies are cheaper than others but come with high deductibles, no agency repair, and no roadside assistance.
6️⃣ Register the car & get Saudi plates
Before you start, make sure your car insurance is linked to Najm and activated.
Here’s how to register your car in Saudi Arabia:
- Sign up on the Tamm platform for traffic services.
- Choose the option to get a permanent vehicle registration.
- Select the type of ownership and enter the customs card number.
- Pick the license plate number, registration type, and vehicle type.
- Fill in the car details and registration information.
- Pay the 100 riyals fees using the SADAD payment system.
- After payment, Tamm will issue your Istimara electronically.
So, is importing a car to Saudi worth all that?
Importing a German or high-end car can save you a good amount of money, but for other cars, once you add up the import costs, the final price might end up being pretty similar to what you’ll pay for buying a car in Saudi.
But if you’re thinking about importing to save some cash, our advice is: to only import a car that meets the fuel economy standard in Saudi Arabia to avoid fines. Try to handle the import process all by yourself to save on extra fees. And since car insurance in Saudi can be expensive, be sure to compare prices online to find the best deal.
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