Dubai & UAE Market · Last updated 2026-05-09

Korean Used Cars Export to Dubai — SH GLOBAL

Dubai and the broader UAE market favor premium Korean vehicles — Genesis G80/G90, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Sorento — with buyers paying $15,000-$45,000 landed for 2-3 year old executive trims. UAE applies a low 5% customs duty plus 5% VAT (effective 10.25% total of CIF), making it one of the most importer-friendly Gulf markets. SH GLOBAL ships RoRo and container to Jebel Ali, with a 18-25 day Busan-Dubai transit and full GCC compliance support including SASO certification where re-export to Saudi or Qatar is planned. The 5-year vehicle age limit for resale registration is the main constraint to watch.

Luxury and premium Korean used cars delivered to Jebel Ali. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Genesis, and more — sourced from Korea's premium market at 30-50% below new GCC prices. Only 5% customs duty.

Browse Inventory WhatsApp Us

Why Import from Korea to Dubai?

Luxury at a Discount

Korea's fast vehicle turnover cycle means 2-3 year old luxury cars with low mileage enter the used market at significant discounts. A 2024 Mercedes S-Class from Korea can save you 40%+ vs. new GCC price.

Only 5% Customs Duty

UAE's ultra-low 5% import duty makes it one of the cheapest places to import vehicles globally. No VAT on vehicle registration. Jebel Ali Free Zone offers zero-duty for re-exports.

Feature-Rich Specs

Korean-market vehicles come loaded with features that are paid options in GCC spec: HUD, ventilated seats, 360 camera, advanced driver assistance — often standard even on base trims.

Re-Export Hub

Dubai is a global re-export hub. Import premium Korean vehicles to Jebel Ali Free Zone and re-export to Africa, CIS, or other Middle East markets duty-free. SH GLOBAL supports B2B traders.

Popular Models for Dubai

Mercedes-Benz S-Class / E-Class

Korea's premium used car market offers immaculate S-Class and E-Class at stunning discounts. Full AMG packages, Burmester audio, MBUX — all at a fraction of new GCC prices.

View Mercedes-Benz Inventory →

BMW 5/7 Series

Korean-spec BMW comes with M Sport packages, advanced driver assistance, and premium interiors. Excellent condition with documented Korean service history.

View BMW Inventory →

Porsche Cayenne / Panamera

Premium Porsche models at significant savings. Korean buyers spec their cars generously — expect fully optioned vehicles with low mileage entering the export market.

View Porsche Inventory →

Genesis G80 / GV80

Korea's own luxury brand, unavailable used in the GCC. The G80 sedan and GV80 SUV offer Lexus-level quality at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for the discerning Dubai buyer.

View Genesis Inventory →

Hyundai Palisade

Full-size luxury SUV that rivals the Chevrolet Tahoe. Calligraphy trim offers massage seats, Nappa leather, and highway driving assist. Extremely popular for export to the Gulf.

View Hyundai Inventory →

Importing a Car to Dubai / UAE

Import Duties and Fees

ChargeRateNotes
Customs Duty5%On CIF value
RTA Registration~AED 500-1,000Registration + inspection fees
Insurance~3-5%Annual comprehensive insurance
Jebel Ali Free Zone (re-export)Exempt**Subject to FZ rules + HS code; verify with customs broker

Typical effective rate: ~5% customs duty + 5% VAT (≈10% of CIF) for personal registration via Dubai/UAE customs. Free-zone re-export operations (e.g., Jebel Ali FZ) may qualify for duty exemption — confirm eligibility with your customs broker for your specific case, as rules may change.

Key Regulations

  • No strict age limit for personal imports — but vehicles must pass RTA inspection
  • Left-hand drive only — all Korean vehicles comply
  • RTA inspection required for road registration in Dubai
  • Emirates ID and UAE residency required for vehicle registration
  • GCC specifications not mandatory — Korean-spec vehicles can be registered
  • Jebel Ali Free Zone — duty exemption may apply for qualified transit/re-export operations (subject to FZ rules and HS code; verify with your customs broker)

Required Documents

  • Bill of Lading (B/L)
  • Commercial invoice
  • Korean export certificate
  • Vehicle registration copy from Korea
  • Performance inspection report
  • Emirates ID and passport copy (for registration)
  • Certificate of origin

Disclaimer: UAE customs duty (5%), GCC compliance requirements, RTA inspection rules, and re-export procedures (UAE → Saudi Arabia, Oman, Africa) are reviewed periodically. The figures above reflect rates as of 2026-05. Always verify current rates with the UAE Federal Customs Authority, Dubai RTA, or your appointed customs broker before shipping.

Sample Landed Cost — 2022 BMW X5 xDrive40i

A representative calculation for a 3-year-old luxury SUV at the time of import — engine 3.0L turbo, GCC-spec compatible, route Busan → Jebel Ali RoRo:

Line itemAmount
FOB Busan$54,500
Sea freight (RoRo, Busan → Jebel Ali)$1,000
Marine insurance (~0.6% of CIF)~$330
UAE customs duty (5% of CIF $55,830)~$2,790
VAT 5% (on CIF + duty)~$2,930
RTA inspection + first-time registration + Salik tag~$650
Clearing + last-mile transport to dealer/buyer~$300
Total landed in Dubai~$62,500

Numbers are illustrative. Real quotes vary by KRW/USD/AED, RoRo line surcharges, and whether the vehicle ships GCC-spec or KDM (some KDM features may need conversion). For re-export to Saudi Arabia or Oman, expect additional 5%+ duty on transhipment.

Shipping to Dubai

Shipping Options

MethodRouteTransit TimeEst. Cost
RoRoBusan → Jebel Ali2-3 weeks$800-1,200
Container (20ft)Busan → Jebel Ali2-3 weeks$1,500-2,200
Container (40ft)Busan → Jebel Ali (2-4 vehicles)2-3 weeks$2,500-3,500

Jebel Ali port is one of the world's most efficient ports. Clearance is typically completed within 2-5 business days. RoRo is the fastest and most economical for single luxury vehicles. Container recommended for multiple vehicles or high-value supercars requiring enclosed transport.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the customs duty for importing a car to UAE?

Only 5% of the CIF value. This is one of the lowest rates globally. If importing to Jebel Ali Free Zone for re-export, the duty is 0%.

How long does shipping take from Korea to Dubai?

2-3 weeks from Busan to Jebel Ali. Port clearance is typically 2-5 business days. Total delivery time is approximately 3-4 weeks.

Can I register a Korean-spec car in Dubai?

Yes. Korean-spec vehicles can be registered in Dubai after passing RTA inspection. While GCC-spec is preferred by dealers, private imports of Korean-spec vehicles are permitted and common.

Is there a vehicle age limit for UAE imports?

No strict age limit for personal imports. However, older vehicles must pass RTA inspection, and insurance costs increase with age. For commercial resale, newer vehicles (under 5 years) have the best market.

Can I use Dubai as a re-export hub?

Yes. Import vehicles to Jebel Ali Free Zone at 0% duty and re-export to Africa, CIS, or other markets. SH GLOBAL supports B2B traders with volume orders and logistics coordination.

What luxury brands are available from Korea?

We export Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Genesis, Maserati, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Lamborghini from the Korean market. Browse our inventory to see current availability.

What is the typical total landed cost for a 2022 BMW X5 in Dubai?

A 2022 BMW X5 xDrive40i with ~30,000 km currently lands in Dubai for roughly $60,000-65,000 — that's $54,000-56,000 FOB Busan + ~$1,000 RoRo + 5% UAE duty + 5% VAT + RTA registration. See the worked example above for the full breakdown.

Do Korean cars meet GCC-spec for Dubai registration?

Most Korean-built models (Genesis, Hyundai, Kia) ship in GCC-spec from the factory and require no modification for UAE registration. European and Japanese-brand vehicles sold in Korea (BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Toyota) are KDM-spec and may need cluster localization or AC re-gas — verify with your RTA inspector before purchase.

How does SH GLOBAL handle payment for UAE buyers?

We accept SWIFT bank transfer to a registered Korean corporate account (BRN 136-09-84466). 30% deposit reserves the vehicle, balance due before B/L release. USD, AED, and KRW are accepted. We do not accept crypto, cash courier, or transfers to a personal account — which is the most common scam vector seen in Telegram and WhatsApp broker chats.

Related Guides for UAE Buyers

Dubai Import Guide

Step-by-step from FOB selection in Korea to RTA registration in Dubai — paperwork order, GCC-spec verification, and timing.

UAE Customs Duty Breakdown

How the 5% UAE duty is calculated on CIF, what counts toward CIF, and the small VAT line items most buyers underestimate.

Verify a Korean Exporter

BRN lookup, B/L verification, escrow alternatives, and the red flags that should make you walk away from a Telegram broker.

Saudi Arabia Export

Compare direct export to Dammam/Jeddah versus re-export via Jebel Ali — when each route makes economic sense.

Middle East Market Pillar

Cross-country comparison: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman — duties, popular models, and shipping cadence.

Best Korean Exporters 2026

What to compare when shortlisting an exporter: licensing, inspection rigor, payment safety, port access, language coverage.

Estimate Your Total Landed Cost — UAE / Dubai

FOB price + ocean freight + customs duty + VAT + local fees. Get an instant ballpark estimate for any Korean vehicle imported to UAE / Dubai, based on 2026 published rates. Free, no signup.

Open Calculator →

Result includes pre-filled WhatsApp message so you can request an exact quote in one tap.

Get a quote shipped to Dubai

Ready to Import Your Car?

Contact SH GLOBAL today. From budget sedans to supercars — we deliver premium Korean vehicles to Jebel Ali. Free consultation for dealers and individuals.

WhatsApp

+82 10-5804-8504

Chat on WhatsApp

Telegram

@usedcaras_SH

Message on Telegram

Email

info@shglobalauto.com

Send Email

Learn more about buying and exporting Korean used cars

How to Buy Guide Full Inventory Export to Saudi Arabia Export to Kenya
💬 WhatsApp 📞 +82-10-5804-8504