Beyond Autos

Logistics

Shipping cars from Dubai — RoRo, container, and air freight

Jebel Ali Free Zone is one of the best-connected export hubs in the world. Three methods cover every realistic scenario — here’s which one fits your order.

RoRo (Roll-on / Roll-off)

Purpose-built car carriers with weekly departures. Fastest to most African ports, lowest per-unit cost for single sedans and SUVs.

From
$900
Transit
18–28 days

Pros

  • Lowest cost per vehicle
  • Weekly sailings to most ports
  • No loading/unloading handling of the vehicle itself

Trade-offs

  • Not available to every port
  • No additional cargo can be packed with the vehicle
  • Slightly higher theft risk — disable keyless entry

Container shipping

Two or three vehicles per 40ft container, sealed at Jafza. Best for multi-unit orders, high-value cars, or markets where RoRo is restricted.

From
$1,400 / 40ft
Transit
22–35 days

Pros

  • Secure — container is sealed until destination
  • Consolidates spares, parts, and documents with the vehicle
  • Available to virtually every port worldwide

Trade-offs

  • Higher per-unit cost for single cars
  • Longer port handling time
  • Requires destination yard to handle de-stuffing

Air freight

Reserved for urgent orders — launch events, VIP buyers, or replacements for sea-freight delays. Typically 3-4 days from Dubai to any major hub.

From
$6,000
Transit
3–5 days

Pros

  • Fastest transit — 72 hours to most destinations
  • Full tracking via IATA AWB
  • Best for launch deadlines

Trade-offs

  • Roughly 3× the cost of sea freight
  • Strict fuel-level + battery rules
  • Limited to single units per booking

Frequently asked questions

Want pricing for your exact route?

Per-port shipping estimates live on each market page. Transit times and costs vary by season.