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How to Export guide

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Export car FAQs

  • How to calculate your car size (cubic meters. CBM) for RoRo
    It’s good for a more accurate shipping price to calculate the CBM (cubic meters). If you know the dimensions of your car you can use these free calculators. First go to https://www.automobiledimension.com/car-comparison.php to see your car size then here https://www.cbmcalculator.com/ to work out the CBM (Cubic Meters).
  • What is the difference between a container and Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo)
    Roll-on/roll-off (RORO or ro-ro):

    RoRo ships are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as automobiles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers, and railroad cars, that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels.

    RoRo tends to be cheaper than container shipping but carries more risk as containers are secure and packed, whereas RoRo shipping is among many other cars and driven on a off the ramps.

    This is in contrast to lift-on/lift-off (LOLO) vessels, which use a crane to load and unload cargo.

    RORO vessels have built-in ramps that allow the cargo to be efficiently rolled on and off the vessel when in port.

    Container shipping:

    Car Shipping in a dedicated container is more expensive than other modes .The car is securely put into your own container and it is generally safer than RoRo as we pack the car in tightly and the car is never driven until it reaches port. You can also put your personal effects into the container together with your car.

    Car Shipping in consolidated container is more economical than other modes. The car is securely put into the container with two or more cars in it.

  • How long will it take?
    See our African country guide for estimated shipping durations. Your Shipping Agent will confirm to your estimated delivery time. There are several factors that affect the time to delivery:
    • Distance of your destination country
    • RoRo can take longer than container ships as they stop at more ports
    • Container shipping tends to be faster than RoRo
    • Paperwork and your country’s requirements for entry
    • Outside factors like weather, mechanics, etc.
  • What paperwork do I need?
    This can vary from country to country. See our full guide to African countries. Your dedicated Shipping Agent will walk you through the paperwork you need at each step. Typically you will need:
    • Original passport
    • Private buyers might need a No-sale certificate (saying you won’t sell the car for two years)
    • Commercial licence if you are a dealer
    • Bill of Landing
    • Driving licence
    BUT there are many variations depending on your country, so our country guide and your Shipping Agent can help you.
  • Do you ship to the GCC or worldwide?
    We also export from the UAE to outside Africa, please contact us for a quote and country guide.
  • How does the transfer of ownership work?
    Our shipping and inspection partners can handle the transfer of ownership. Our shipping agent will help you with the paperwork you will need to provide.
  • What does the inspection include?

    Inspections We can inspect and appraise cars and trucks throughout the entire UAE. Each report includes detailed checks of the body, paint, chrome, signs of accident damage, rust or bondo. We also check the engine and test-drive each car. We photograph the underbody, check the instrumentation, tires, wheels and interior along with the offer of a free professional consultation to every client. In short, we do just about everything that is possible without actually taking the car apart!

  • How can I trust the inspection?
    Our partner Rafid and Motorcheck are independent experts who are government regulated and work closely with the Sharjah Emirate to ensure high standards are set. They carry out 170-point inspections and you will be sent the full inspection report to make your decision on whether to buy
  • Is my money safe?
    We only work with wire transfers via official bank accounts. As a business that has been established in the UAE for 5 years, we have an established reputation and a trade licence. We also only work with dealers or businesses that pass our verification process.
  • Is the car insured in transit?
    The cost of insurance is covered by the shipping cost but it is up to you to check what the insurance covers and if you are happy with it. The shipping agent can help you decide what insurance cover is best for you. You might also want to think about insurance before the shipping or after the car is delivered to your home port.

See how much it costs to ship a car to your country. Get Started with ExportSafe

Country guide for exporting for Africa

Check out our Country Guide for Africa. Select your country above and here we’ll tell you what the entry, tax and paperwork requirements are.

Accurate at time of publishing, please check your own country’s authorities for updated information.

How much does it cost?

Cost varies depending on which country we are exporting to and the size of your car, number of cars, etc. We always quote with a full breakdown of the costs before you commit. The charges work like this: One-time, small management fee (no commission) Shipping cost including insurance (RoRo or container, see here for differences) Inspection - optional cost for a full inspection before you buy (typically $200-$400 depending on number of cars) Pick up and drop off.

How we get a car to you safely

By land, sea or air, our shipping partner Aeon uses strong tethers and packs the tires so they cannot move during transport. For land transport, they can use covered containers so they remain dust free and not exposed to the elements. For RoRo, there are less options for packing but our team will do their best to ensure the vehicle is safe. Whatever the chosen mode of transport Aeon and Rafid ensure all the paperwork is completed then carefully monitor and track your vehicle all the way until you tell us it’s reached you safely.