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RTA Car Inspection in Dubai: A Guide for Imported Vehicles

Navigating Dubai’s RTA Rules for Imported Cars

If you want to import a car to Dubai, that would be a great idea. You can access a world of vehicles, especially from a market like Japan. But let’s be honest, it can feel a little heavy when you think about the rules. RTA. Customs. Paperwork. A whole lot of official-sounding stuff.

Think of it like a game with a very specific rulebook. To win, you must know the rules to get your car registered and on the road. You must know how the RTA and Dubai Customs referees operate. We’re here to be your coach. We’ll give you the playbook, explain the rules, and show you how to make all the right moves.

RTA Rules for Imported Cars

The Roads and Transport Authority, or RTA, is the main referee for vehicles in Dubai. The RTA car import regulations in Dubai are all about one thing: safety. They want to confirm every car on the road is fit for it. This means your imported vehicle must meet specific standards. Some are obvious, some less so. It’s their field, their rules. And we know how to play.

Eligibility Criteria for Importing Used Cars to Dubai

So, who gets to play? And what equipment can you bring?

First, you need to be a resident. You must have a valid UAE residency visa and an Emirates ID. Simple as that.

Second, the car itself. This is the big one—the most important of Dubai’s used car import guidelines. The vehicle must be Left-Hand Drive (LHD). Japan is a Right-Hand Drive (RHD) country, so you must source an LHD model from there. These are typically American or European cars originally sold in Japan. Also, there are age limits. Generally, you can import vehicles up to four years old, but rules can be flexible. A classic car, for instance, has a different set of permissions.

Required Documents for Importing Used Cars in Dubai

Every game needs registration forms. For a car import, your paperwork has to be perfect. A missing document is a penalty. A delay. You will need:

• The original invoice to prove you own the car.
• The original Bill of Lading from the shipping company.
• The car’s Japanese Export Certificate.
• A copy of your passport, UAE visa, and Emirates ID.

Having all these ready before the car lands at Jebel Ali port is a pro move. It really is.

Dubai Customs Duty & VAT on Imported Cars

You must pay the entry fee before your car can enter the game. The duty of Dubai customs on imported vehicles is straightforward. It’s a 5% duty based on the car’s total value—its price, its insurance, and the shipping cost.

On top of that, there’s a 5% Value Added Tax (VAT). This VAT is calculated on the car’s value plus the 5% duty you paid. It’s a consistent formula. Predictable. Once you pay these fees to Dubai Customs, they give you a Vehicle Clearance Certificate, or VCC—a critical piece of paper.

RTA Vehicle Testing & Inspection Process

You have your VCC. Your car is officially in the country. Now it needs its physical. The RTA car inspection in Dubai is the final check before your vehicle gets its jersey and is allowed on the field.

You take your car to an authorized testing center like Tasjeel or Shamil. They put it through a series of tests. They check the brakes. The tires. The chassis. The emissions. They check everything to confirm the car is safe for Dubai’s roads. It’s a thorough examination. No shortcuts.

Process to Register Imported Cars in Dubai

Your car passed the test—the home stretch. The process for RTA registration for imported vehicles is the final lap. You take your passed inspection report and all your other documents to an RTA service center. You get a UAE-based insurance policy for the car.

You submit everything. You pay the registration fees. Then you get your new registration card and your official Dubai license plates. The game is won. Your car is now a full-fledged member of the team.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Importing Used Cars

We’ve seen many players make simple fouls—easy-to-avoid mistakes.

The biggest one? Buying an RHD car by accident. A classic rookie error. Another common mistake is to forget the taxes and fees in your budget. You must account for the full landed cost, not just the car’s price. And finally, messy paperwork. A small error on a form can cause a considerable delay at the port. These are the penalties you want to sidestep.

Why Choose Skyery Auto for Clear Car Imports

So, why have a coach? Why have we? Because we know the rulebook by heart. We’ve played this game thousands of times. We know every RTA rule for importing used cars in Dubai. We are one of the few companies with offices in Japan and the UAE. This setup means we manage the whole game for you.

We help you pick the right player—a compliant LHD car. We prepare all the paperwork perfectly. We manage the customs clearance. We guide you through the RTA inspection. We take the complexities and the worries out of the process. We help you win. Simple as that.