Required Documents for Shipping a Car from USA to UAE Customs

When I first tried shipping a car from the U.S. to the UAE, I thought the process would be all about the car itself—choosing the right model, paying for shipping, and waiting for it to roll off the ship at Jebel Ali port. But I quickly discovered something else: it’s not the car that slows most people down, it’s the paperwork.

If you’ve ever lost a single document at a government office in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you know how frustrating it can be. Now, multiply that by a stack of customs requirements, shipping company rules, and U.S. export laws, and you’ll understand why getting the documents right is half the battle in car shipping. The paperwork may look boring, but it’s the difference between driving your imported Dodge Charger on Sheikh Zayed Road in two weeks—or watching it sit at the port for months while fees pile up.

Here’s my breakdown of the key documents you’ll need, why they matter, and a few lessons (some learned the hard way) on making sure nothing goes wrong.

1. Original Car Title

The car’s title is the single most important piece of paper in this process. It proves legal ownership in the U.S. and is required by both the shipping company and UAE customs. Without the original title, the car isn’t going anywhere.

Sounds simple, right? But here’s the catch: if you financed the car in the U.S. and it still has a lien, the bank technically owns it. I knew someone who bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee at what looked like a bargain price, only to realize the seller hadn’t cleared the loan. When the shipping agent asked for the lien release, the whole deal collapsed.

Tip: Always confirm the title is clean and in the seller’s name. If you’re buying from a dealer, ask them to release the original title before the shipping date. Some states take weeks to process title transfers, so don’t leave this for the last minute.

2. Bill of Sale

Think of the bill of sale as your receipt. It lists the seller’s and buyer’s details, the agreed price, and the vehicle’s description. While UAE customs might not need every single detail from it, shipping companies and clearing agents usually ask for it.

I once had a shipping agent in New Jersey insist on the bill of sale even though I argued he already had the title. His explanation made sense in hindsight: customs sometimes use the sale price to calculate duties, and discrepancies between declared value and actual price can raise red flags.

So, even if it feels repetitive, keep your bill of sale neatly filed and ready.

3. Export Declaration (AES Filing)

Here’s where U.S. rules kick in. Any vehicle leaving American soil has to go through the Automated Export System (AES). This means the seller, freight forwarder, or you (if you’re doing it solo) must file the export information electronically. Once filed, you get an Internal Transaction Number (ITN)—basically proof that the U.S. government knows the car is leaving.

The first time I heard about AES, I thought it was just another formality. Then a friend’s shipment got delayed in Baltimore because the ITN hadn’t been filed properly. The car sat at the port for an extra week while the paperwork caught up, and storage fees started ticking like a taxi meter.

Lesson learned: never skip or underestimate the AES filing. If your shipping agent says they’ll handle it, ask them for the ITN confirmation email as proof.

4. Bill of Lading

The bill of lading is like the car’s boarding pass. Issued by the shipping company, it records all the shipment details: vehicle description, container number (if applicable), departure and arrival ports, and consignee information (the person receiving the car in the UAE).

When your car arrives in Jebel Ali or Khalifa port, UAE customs officers will match the bill of lading against the other documents. If the details don’t line up—say the VIN on the bill of lading doesn’t match the car’s title—you’re in for delays.

I once had to help a friend fix exactly that issue. The VIN on his bill of lading had a single digit wrong. It sounds minor, but customs wouldn’t release the vehicle until it was corrected, and that meant paying for amendment fees plus extra storage days. A typo cost him nearly $600. Double-checking every number on this document is worth the time.

5. UAE Customs Documents

Once the car is in the UAE, you’ll need additional paperwork for clearance. The main one is the Import Code—essentially your importer registration with UAE customs. If you don’t have it, the car won’t clear. Some people use clearing agents’ codes, but if you plan to import regularly, it’s worth registering for your own.

You’ll also need:

Copy of passport and residency visa (if you’re an individual importer)

Trade license (if importing under a business)

Customs entry form (filled out by the clearing agent)

One acquaintance thought he could just use his tourist visa to import a car. Customs politely told him that wasn’t going to happen. Unless you’re a resident—or importing under a registered business—the paperwork stalls right there.

6. Proof of Insurance (Optional but Wise)

While not strictly required for customs clearance, shipping insurance documents can save you from heartache. Cars get damaged in transit more often than you’d expect—scratches, dents, even cracked windshields. Without marine insurance, you’re covering those repairs yourself.

A friend once received his Toyota Land Cruiser with a nasty dent on the rear bumper. Luckily, he had insurance, and the claim covered the repair costs in Dubai. Without that, he would’ve paid out of pocket before even driving a single kilometer.

7. Emissions and Compliance Certificates

This one doesn’t always come up, but it can. UAE has regulations on vehicle emissions and modifications. If the car doesn’t meet the standards, it might fail inspection when you try to register it locally. Some shipping agents suggest carrying an emissions compliance certificate from the U.S., especially for newer or modified vehicles.

I remember a story of a Dodge Charger with aftermarket exhausts that didn’t meet UAE’s noise limits. The owner had to spend extra to replace the system just to get it registered. It wasn’t a document issue per se, but having proof of compliance could have made the process smoother.

8. Power of Attorney (if Using an Agent)

If you’re not physically present in the UAE to clear the car, your clearing agent will need a notarized power of attorney. It authorizes them to act on your behalf with customs and port authorities.

I learned this the awkward way when my first shipment arrived while I was traveling. My agent called, asking for the signed POA, and I had to scramble to get it notarized and sent over. It delayed release by two days and added unnecessary stress.

Keeping Everything Organized

Now, having all these documents is one thing. Keeping them organized is another. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people lose time at customs because they had the title in one folder, the bill of lading in an email, and the AES filing somewhere on their phone.

What worked for me was creating a single folder—both physical and digital—labeled by the car’s VIN. Every related document, receipt, and email went into it. That way, when the customs officer asked for something, I didn’t fumble around like I’d lost my homework.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

From watching friends and colleagues go through this process, here are the slip-ups I see most often:

Mismatched details – even a single digit off on the VIN can cause chaos.

Overlooking export rules – not filing AES properly leads to delays at U.S. ports.

Buying with liens – cars with outstanding finance can’t be shipped legally.

Ignoring residency requirements – customs won’t release a car if the importer doesn’t meet UAE residency/business criteria.

Assuming agents handle everything – some do, some don’t. Always verify.

Final Thoughts

At first, the list of documents might feel overwhelming. Title, bill of sale, AES filing, bill of lading, customs forms—the pile grows quickly. But once you break it down, it’s manageable. The key is not leaving things for the last minute and double-checking every detail.

From my own experience, I’ve realized that the paperwork stage isn’t just bureaucracy—it’s actually what ensures the car you bought in the U.S. legally becomes yours in the UAE. Miss a single paper, and your dream car could be sitting at Jebel Ali gathering dust while you argue over fees.

If you take anything from this, let it be this: treat the documents like the car’s passport. Without them, it’s not crossing any borders. And when you’re finally driving through Dubai, with the skyline in the rearview and the car humming just right, you’ll be glad you sweated the small stuff early on.

Published on: Sep 08, 2025

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