Here are controls for importing personal vehicles

Logo of Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) gave the green light for individuals to import personal vehicles through the land and sea customs ports, allowing individual importers to file the necessary documents and complete the vehicle import procedures directly through its website.

According to ZATCA, the controls include allowing the import of small vehicles, buses, and light transport vehicles (3.5 tons and less), provided that the model year doesn’t exceed five years.

The following table shows the controls for importing vehicles for individuals:

ZATCA stated that the documents must be verified and match the chassis number registered on the vehicle. There is no scratching or modification to the chassis number.

The authority further indicated that it is prohibited to import vehicles under a legitimate agency, while the agency may only complete the import procedures.

GCC citizens have the right to import two vehicles annually (12 months). The documents that must be submitted to finalize the vehicle import procedures include:

1. A document proving ownership of the vehicle (original vehicle registration or a certificate of origin certified by the competent authority for cars imported from the US, Canada and Brive for cars imported from Europe, and the export certificate for cars imported from Gulf countries and its equivalent for other countries). 

2. National ID.

3. A document explaining the payment method​.

Residents have the right to import one private car every three years and are not allowed to sell it until three years from the date of import (stamped on the card and is not sold until after three years).

The phrase is removed on the expiry of the specified period of three years or in the event of final exit.

Documents that must be submitted to complete vehicle import procedures include:

1. A document proving ownership of the vehicle (original vehicle registration or a certificate of origin certified by the competent authority for cars imported from the US, Canada and Brive for cars imported from Europe, and the export certificate for cars imported from Gulf countries and its equivalent for other countries).

2. National ID

3. A document explaining the payment method

ZATCA noted that the submitted invoice is taken, and if not accepted, the lists provided by the local agent are relied upon for the value of the new car with a depreciation discount of 10% annually starting from March of the first year and 10% for the following years starting from the first day of each year, so that the discount rate does not exceed 50% for cars and 80% for trucks.

The mechanism for approving vehicle fees at the first points of entry into the GCC countries. Fees are calculated at the first entry points into the GCC countries. If the vehicle is moved from one country to another within the GCC countries, customs duties are approved under the following controls:

1. The vehicle must not have entered the first GCC check point more than two years ago.

2. Availability of documents proving the payment of customs duties on the first GCC port.

3. Be satisfied with the value provided to the first port, otherwise the difference in customs duties shall be assessed and collected.

4. If the fee category differs, the difference resulting from the category of fees will be collected if the percentage is less.