Car Shipping from Dubai to Kuwait – The Saudi Transit Route and How to Get It Right
Shipping a car from Dubai to Kuwait is the longest road haul in the GCC. No shared border, full Saudi Arabia transit, and two full international border crossings. But people do it every week without problems. The difference between smooth and stuck is entirely in preparation. Get the documents right, book through the right team, and your car arrives without drama.
Here’s what the process actually looks like from our experience running this route.
The Road Route from Dubai to Kuwait
There is no direct land route from UAE to Kuwait. The only road option is through Saudi Arabia. The carrier leaves Dubai, crosses the UAE-Saudi border at Ghuwaifat or Sila, drives north through Saudi Arabia via Riyadh or the Eastern Province, and enters Kuwait at the Abdali border crossing. The total road distance from Dubai to Kuwait City is approximately 1,100 kilometres. Realistic total transit time including border crossings is 28 to 36 hours. Most professional carriers break the Saudi leg into two driving shifts.
Sea Freight as an Alternative to Kuwait
For those who prefer to avoid the Saudi land route, sea freight from Jebel Ali Port to Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait City is an option. The sailing takes approximately 3 to 4 days. Port customs clearance in Kuwait and inland delivery add another 4 to 7 days. Total door-to-door by sea is 10 to 14 days. Sea freight is more expensive but avoids the multi-border road complexity.
Documents You Need for Car Shipping Dubai to Kuwait
| Document | Purpose | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| UAE Vehicle Registration (Mulkiya) | UAE export clearance | Must be valid; deregistration required at RTA |
| RTA Export Plate | Legal export from UAE | Issued at RTA after deregistration |
| Bank NOC | Required if vehicle is financed | From UAE financing bank; takes 3 to 5 days |
| UAE Export Declaration | Dubai Customs clearance | Filed via Mirsal 2 by your forwarder |
| Saudi Transit Permit | Passing through Saudi Arabia | Arranged by Saudi-licensed agent |
| Kuwait Import Declaration | Kuwait Customs clearance | Arranged by Kuwait customs agent |
| GSAS/GCC Compliance Certificate | Kuwait vehicle registration | Required if vehicle is non-GCC spec |
The Saudi Arabia Transit Leg – What You Must Know
Two Transit Permits, Not One
Unlike Qatar-bound shipments where one Saudi transit permit covers entry at Ghuwaifat and exit at Salwa, Kuwait shipments cross deeper into Saudi territory. Depending on the route taken, your carrier may enter via Ghuwaifat and exit via the Saudi-Kuwait Abdali crossing. The Saudi transit permit must specifically authorise both the entry and exit points. Your forwarder’s Saudi agent arranges this. A permit that specifies the wrong exit point will get the carrier stopped at the Saudi-Kuwait border.
Saudi Highway Route Options
From the UAE border, carriers typically take one of two routes north through Saudi Arabia. The coastal route via Dammam and the Eastern Province is slightly longer in distance but has better road infrastructure and more rest stops for truck drivers. The inland route is shorter but less serviced. Most professional carriers prefer the coastal route for reliability.
Kuwait Customs Import Process for Vehicles
Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior requires vehicles to meet specific standards for registration. Kuwait General Administration of Customs processes the import at Shuwaikh Port (sea) or Abdali land crossing (road). The inspection checks the chassis number, vehicle condition, and emissions compliance. Kuwait requires vehicles to meet Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) standard specifications. Most vehicles manufactured for the GCC or Middle East market by major brands clear this without issues.
After customs clearance, the vehicle goes to Kuwait’s vehicle testing centre (Fahes) for a roadworthiness check before registration. This is standard practice in Kuwait for all imported used vehicles. Budget one to three additional days for this step after customs clearance.
A Real Situation – The Wrong Saudi Transit Permit Exit Point
A client had his Toyota Prado shipped from Dubai to Kuwait City through a forwarder he found online. The forwarder arranged a Saudi transit permit but specified the exit point as the Haditha crossing (used for Jordan-bound traffic) instead of the Abdali crossing for Kuwait. The carrier was turned back at the Saudi-Kuwait border. The permit had to be cancelled and reissued — a process that took 48 hours. The carrier waited in Saudi Arabia for two days with the client’s car. The delay cost the client additional storage and waiting charges, and it was entirely down to one wrong line on a permit form.
Use a forwarder who knows this route specifically. Not one who handles it occasionally and guesses the details.
How Long Does Car Shipping from Dubai to Kuwait Take
- Road carrier door to door — 28 to 36 hours transit plus 2 to 3 days for documentation processing at both ends
- Sea freight door to door — 10 to 14 days total including sailing, port clearance, and inland delivery
- Kuwait Fahes vehicle test — 1 to 3 days after customs clearance (road and sea)
- UAE deregistration at RTA — 1 to 2 working days before shipping starts
- Bank NOC if needed — 3 to 5 working days from financing bank
Start the process at least 10 to 14 days before you need the car in Kuwait. If you’re also relocating and have flights booked, start even earlier.
Protecting Your Vehicle During the Long Road Haul
The Dubai to Kuwait road route is a long haul. Dust, road debris, and summer temperatures that exceed 50 degrees Celsius on Saudi highways between June and September all affect the vehicle during transit. Standard open car carriers expose the vehicle to these conditions. If you have a luxury vehicle or a car with a fresh paint job, request an enclosed carrier or discuss sea freight as an alternative. The extra cost is worth it for a car you care about.
At delivery in Kuwait, inspect the car thoroughly before signing the delivery receipt. Check the windscreen for chips, all body panels for scratches, and the wheels for any handling damage. Do this in daylight. Photographs are your evidence if you need to file a claim.
Book Through a Team That Knows This Specific Route
The Dubai to Kuwait run requires coordination across four regulatory systems — Dubai RTA, UAE Customs, Saudi Customs (transit), and Kuwait Customs. Our team at cargo services in Dubai has established agent relationships in all three transit countries and handles the full documentation chain. You get one contact in Dubai who manages everything end to end.
See our full vehicle shipping options at car shipping to Kuwait from Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does car shipping from Dubai to Kuwait City take?
By road carrier through Saudi Arabia, expect 28 to 36 hours driving time plus border waits totalling 6 to 10 hours. Add 1 to 2 days for UAE deregistration and documentation, and 1 to 3 days for Kuwait Fahes testing after arrival. Total process from start to vehicle ready for Kuwait roads is typically 5 to 7 days from when documents are ready. By sea it’s 10 to 14 days.
Is it legal to drive my UAE-registered car to Kuwait?
You can temporarily enter Kuwait in a UAE-registered vehicle as a visitor, but permanent residency or employment in Kuwait requires the vehicle to be properly imported and registered. Long-term use of a UAE-registered car in Kuwait without import clearance is not permitted. The import and registration process through Kuwait Customs is required for anyone keeping a vehicle in Kuwait for more than a short visit period.
What taxes or duties does Kuwait charge on imported vehicles?
Kuwait charges customs duty on imported vehicles. The rate varies depending on the vehicle type, age, and declared value. Used vehicles typically attract a different rate than new vehicles. Your Kuwait customs agent calculates the duty based on the vehicle’s customs value. There is no VAT in Kuwait, which differs from UAE where VAT applies. Get a full cost estimate from your Kuwait agent before shipping.
Can I track my car during shipping from Dubai to Kuwait?
Professional car shipping companies provide tracking updates at key milestones — departure from Dubai, UAE border crossing, Saudi Arabia transit, Kuwait border crossing, and delivery. Some carriers have GPS tracking on their trucks with live location sharing. Confirm what tracking is included when you book. At minimum you should get checkpoint updates at each border crossing.
What if my car breaks down during the Saudi transit leg?
If a vehicle on the carrier has a mechanical issue during the Saudi transit, the carrier company handles it. The vehicle is on the carrier, not being driven. If the carrier truck itself breaks down, the transport company arranges a replacement truck or roadside assistance. This is the carrier’s responsibility under your transport contract. Confirm what the carrier’s breakdown protocol is before you book and ensure it’s in writing.
