In 2025, the UAE will be a popular destination for car exporters and enthusiasts due to its wide range of vehicles, reasonable prices, and excellent infrastructure. Vehicle exports from the UAE to Egypt are more common, but they need to be carefully planned and subject to certain rules.
Egypt’s import process has challenges, including high import taxes, strict eligibility criteria for cars, and a long list of documents needed in the UAE and Egypt. To export used car from UAE to Egypt, you may have to deal with several delays, extra charges, or even having your car rejected at the port if you haven't prepared well.
With the help of the following UAE car export guide Egypt, you can plan your vehicle export confidently, covering each aspect from shipping routes, customs procedures, and registration to Egypt's import rules 2025.
Egypt Vehicle Import Conditions in 2025
Before starting the process of used car export UAE to Egypt, you must be well informed about the restrictions and allowances set by the Egyptian authorities. The import rules cars Egypt 2025 determine which vehicles are suitable for import, who qualifies for exemptions, and which vehicles are outright banned.
1. Import Eligibility by Vehicle Type
Egypt doesn’t allow all cars for import. So, you have to ensure that the car you have chosen is eligible for import into Egypt. The following is the age restriction for different categories of vehicles:
- Passenger Cars: These must not be more than 3 years old from the date of manufacture.
- Electric Cars: They are also capped at 3 years but often eligible for duty reductions.
- Pickup Trucks: Allowed only if they’re at least 3 years old or less.
- Heavy Equipment and Buses: Controlled by separate import laws and require special permits.
2. Special Exemptions
All buyers are not treated equally for import. The following are the special exemptions for a used car import into Egypt from the UAE:- Egyptians Returning from Abroad: They are eligible for partial customs duty exemption depending on the period of stay abroad.
- Diplomatic Staff and Government Entities: They can import vehicles duty-free with the proper clearance permits.
3. Prohibited Imports
Many vehicle imports are not allowed in Egypt. You must be conscious of these prohibitions. The following cars are not allowed:- Vehicles older than 3 years, unless a classic car permit is obtained.
- Salvage, accident-damaged, or insurance write-off vehicles.
- Right-hand drive vehicles.
- Cars that don’t comply with Egyptian safety and emissions standards.
Vehicle Export Options from the UAE
Choosing an option for vehicle export UAE to Egypt 2025 is the next step after you've verified that your vehicle is permitted for import into Egypt. Due to costs and convenience factors, most buyers rely on sea transport, though some may think about the self-drive option.
1. Self-Drive Export
Driving a car from the UAE to Egypt is possible, but not common. The journey involves multiple border crossings, transit fees, and an extended travel period. So, most exporters avoid this option due to high costs and complicated documentation.
2. Shipping Export
This is the most common export option. The majority of vehicles are exported via shipping. You can choose between:
- RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off): Your car is simply driven onto the vessel and secured for the journey. It is the cheapest and fastest method, commonly used for mid-range vehicles.
- Container Shipping: Your vehicle is placed inside a sealed container. This is more secure and private, and ideal for luxury, expensive, or fragile cars, but it costs more than RoRo.
For any method, you’ll need the key documents. These include your Egyptian ID/passport, residence permit for expats, RTA Export Passing Certificate, export fee receipt, and a commercial invoice.
Documents Required at UAE Customs
One of the most important aspects of the process of car shipping Dubai to Alexandria Egypt, is ensuring your documents are in order before the car leaves the UAE. Customs clearance in both countries counts heavily on proper documentation.
1. Commercial Invoice / Export Invoice
The vehicle's VIN, make, model, year, announced value, and buyer information must all be prominently displayed on this invoice. It serves as the basis for tax calculations at Egyptian customs, verifying that the shipment originated in the UAE and was headed to Egypt.
2. Export Declaration
The export declaration officially documents the vehicle for export. It can be submitted to UAE Customs via Dubai Trade, Abu Dhabi Customs, or Sharjah e-Services.
3. Export Certificate
The RTA-issued Export Certificate allows the vehicle's shipment and deregisters it in the UAE. The vehicle cannot be cleared at Egyptian ports or loaded onto the ship without it.
Post-Arrival in Egypt: Customs and Registration
The process isn't complete when the car gets to Egypt. Customs duties, inspections, and registration procedures must be finished by importers before the vehicle is permitted to be driven on Egyptian roads.
1. Customs Clearance
You will be required to submit your invoice, bill of landing, and export certificate at major ports such as Alexandria, Port Said, Damietta, or Suez. Expect to pay a high price, including:
- Customs Duty: 40%–135%, depending on engine size
- VAT: 14%
- Development Fees: 3%–5%
The total import cost often reaches 100%–200% of the vehicle’s CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight).
2. Technical Inspection
Every car must pass a technical inspection to ensure that it fulfills Egypt's emissions and safety restrictions. In the event that the car's technical examination is unsuccessful, there will likely need to be delays and improvements before clearance.3. Vehicle Registration
Egypt vehicle registration after import requires submitting your customs clearance certificate to the Traffic Department. You will receive Egyptian license plates and a registration certificate after paying the necessary registration fees. At this point, the car is ready for driving in Egypt.Examples of Tax and Duty Calculation
Understanding the customs duties Egypt car import is necessary before purchasing. Here are two real-world examples of custom duty calculations:
- Example 1: After duties, VAT, and fees, a sedan under 1600cc with a CIF value of AED 40,000 can cost about AED 65,000.
- Example 2: After all taxes and fees are deducted, a sedan larger than 2000cc with a CIF of AED 60,000 may end up costing almost AED 163,000.
These examples show why customers repeatedly favour cars with smaller engines. The tax also increases with engine size.
Shipping Routes from the UAE to Egypt
Choosing the right shipment route is part of the planning process when accomplishing a vehicle export UAE to Egypt 2025. Different ports provide different prices and transit times.
- Jebel Ali Port (Dubai) to Alexandria (Egypt): The most popular route, used by most exporters.
- Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi) to Port Said: Both RoRo and Container Shipments are offered for central Egypt.
- Sharjah (Khor Fakkan) to Damietta: A less expensive alternative, which was preferred by budget-conscious buyers.
Depending on the route and the company, transit takes almost 10-20 days.
Final Advice for Egyptian Buyers
Vehicle export UAE to Egypt 2025 can be a smart move, but only if you plan appropriately. Always double-check certain things before buying. These include:
- Always make sure the car is importable (under 3 years) before you buy, and check if you are qualified for a discount as an Egyptian abroad.
- Duties can exceed the value of a car, so calculate before you buy. When choosing shipping options, go with container shipping for expensive cars and RoRo for less expensive ones.
- To prevent delays in customs, always make sure the vehicle is GCC-spec and meets Egypt's emission regulations.
- Before making your purchase, figure out the total landed cost, including VAT and duties. This guarantees that, once the car arrives in Egypt, you won't pay more than it is worth.
Above all, you must always buy a used car from licensed dealers like First Choice Cars in the UAE to avoid any hindrance and ensure the best purchase experience.
Conclusion
Export of a used car from the UAE to Egypt is a great option for buyers looking for lower prices and a wide range of model options. The UAE car market offers a large selection of new and used cars for export, including popular brands such as luxury cars such as Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Lexus, and BMW. Choosing a used car to export from the UAE often offers a better price than a local purchase in Egypt.
While the process involves compliance with customs, documents, and Egyptian rules, reliable exporters in the UAE make it smooth and free of any issues. With trustworthy shipping services and transparent documentation, buyers can enjoy a cost-effective solution. Therefore, for anyone thinking of buying a family car, SUV, or premium brand, used car export UAE to Egypt is a smart and profitable choice.
Disclaimer: All information, including pricing, vehicle details, and legal requirements, is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change due to market conditions or policy updates. While First Choice Cars makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, we hold no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or outdated content. We recommend contacting our team directly to confirm the latest details before making any decisions.