Vehicle Import Duties by Country 2026: UAE, Australia, Canada and More

Import duty is calculated on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight) of the vehicle, not the sale price you paid in the UK. On top of duty, most countries add local VAT or GST plus excise, registration, plate, inspection and environmental fees. Skipping any of these at the import port will lead to seizure or daily storage charges, so accuracy matters more than speed.

- Duty: 5% of CIF value
• VAT: 5%
• Registration: AED 350–450
• GCC exemption: vehicles previously registered in another GCC state may be duty-free.
• Right-hand-drive: not registrable for UAE roads — RHD vehicles can transit only.

More detail: UAE destination page.

- Duty: 5% on CIF (0% on cars over 30 years old).
• GST: 10% on CIF + duty.
• Luxury Car Tax: 33% on the value above the LCT threshold (AUD 80,567 fuel-efficient / AUD 71,849 others, 2026 indicative).
• Compliance: SEVs scheme for older or specialist vehicles; standard vehicles need ADR compliance.
• Asbestos: pre-2004 cars require an asbestos declaration.

More detail: Australia destination page.

- Duty: 6.1% on non-NAFTA vehicles, 0% on US-origin under USMCA.
• GST: 5%; PST/HST varies by province.
• Excise: CAD 100 air-conditioning tax on most cars.
• Green levy: CAD 1,000–4,000 on cars with fuel consumption ≥ 13L/100km.
• 15-year rule: vehicles over 15 years old are exempt from RIV compliance.

More detail: Canada destination page.

- Duty: 10% on CIF (EU customs union — usually waived for EU-origin).
• VAT: 19%.
• Excise: CO2-based, EUR 0–10/g for cars above 120g/km.
• Registration tax: applied on transfer to Cyprus plates.

More detail: Cyprus destination page.

- Duty: 50–100% depending on engine size (cars over 1800cc are heavily taxed).
• Sales tax: 17% on CIF + duty.
• Excise duty: 5–25%.
• Income tax (advance): 6%.
• Used vehicles older than 3 years are not allowed under normal commercial import (gift, transfer-of-residence and baggage schemes apply).

More detail: Pakistan destination page.

- Duty: 35% on CIF.
• Levy: 35% surcharge.
• VAT: 7.5% on CIF + duty + levy.
• ETLS: 0.5%.
• Pre-shipment inspection (CRI) required.

More detail: Nigeria destination page.

- Duty: 25% on CIF for new and used passenger cars.
• VAT: 15% on CIF + duty + 10% uplift.
• Ad valorem excise: 0–30% depending on price.
• ITAC permit: required for all used-vehicle imports.
• Returning residents and inheritance schemes carry reduced rates.

More detail: South Africa destination page.

We provide landed-cost calculations including duty, VAT and clearance for every country we ship to. Call or WhatsApp +44 (0)1495 320540, email info@shipcarsroro.co.uk or request a quote.

Before any international shipment, vehicles need to reach the loading port — and many customers ask us to handle the UK leg too. Our recovery and transport network covers every postcode, 24 hours a day.

Start with the main hubs: Car Recovery UK, Vehicle Recovery UK, 24/7 Breakdown Recovery and Nationwide Vehicle Transportation.

City coverage includes London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield and Bristol.

Pre-book a port run on a flatbed transporter from Southampton, Portsmouth, Liverpool or Felixstowe via Ipswich, or call 24/7 for breakdown recovery in London, Birmingham or Manchester.