UK Car Shipping to Oman

Cost of Shipping a Car from the UK to Oman (Sohar, Salalah)

The total cost of shipping depends on the vehicle make, model and most importantly size. We work directly with all shipping lines in the UK to arrange regular and reliable vehicle exports from the UK to Oman (Sohar, Salalah).

Approximate — call for the latest rates. These are indicative shipping rates from our published rate table for Sohar. They move with the market and with the vehicle, and a full export quote covers the UK-side work listed below as well, so treat them as a guide rather than a final price. See the full rate table or ask us for an itemised quote.

What a full export quote covers

• Loading and lashing vehicle into ship
• UK customs export and clearance
• UK port handling charges
• DVLA documentation and export certification
• Export documentation (e.g. Bill of Lading)
• Posting of the Export Documents from UK by UPS/DHL
• Shipping of the vehicle from the UK to Destination Port

Not covered

• Pre-Export Inspection (if required)
• Marine Insurance (container only)
• Collection and/or delivery of the vehicle
• All destination country's import fees

Apart from import duty, taxes, port storage and demurrage at the destination, which the importer always pays, we can add any of these to your quotation, priced separately, along with customs clearance, registration and delivery to your door through a local agent.

Shipping to Oman

Cars are no longer landed at Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat: on 31 August 2014 Oman moved its container, general-cargo and ro-ro vehicle traffic to Sohar, and the Muscat port has been run as a cruise and tourism port since. Sohar's port is developed and run by a joint venture of the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Government of Oman. Höegh Autoliners lists Sohar and Salalah as its Oman ports, although its published schedule still names Port Sultan Qaboos on some calls, which is why that name appears in the sailing table, so we confirm the actual discharge port for your sailing when you book.

A left-hand-drive car has its own limits to meet. Oman Customs admits a used private vehicle only if it is under seven years old, unless it is a classic approved by the General Traffic Department, and it must comply with the standard specifications in force in Oman. Customs and vehicle registration both sit with the Royal Oman Police, through its General Directorate of Customs and Directorate General of Traffic. For importers and exporters in the trade, Oman Customs lists a permit from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion to import second-hand vehicles, which covers up to 50 vehicles over several shipments and is valid for a year.

On the UK side we cover sourcing a left-hand-drive car, tax-free supply where it qualifies, collection, export clearance and loading. Sailings leave from Southampton. We can arrange customs clearance, registration and delivery to your door through a local agent, quoted separately, or work with an agent of your choice.

Documentation Required for Booking

• Car Registration Document (V5 or Logbook) and Vehicle Invoice (or value).
• ID (one government-issued photo ID and one utility bill showing address).

Payment Terms / Modes

• A £1,000 deposit secures a vehicle we source or buy for you. It is part of the price, not an extra fee. If you cancel, our terms and conditions say what is refunded.
• The balance is due in full, in cleared funds, before the vehicle is loaded, unless your quotation sets out different terms.
• Bank transfer preferred. Card payments up to £5,000, with no fee on personal debit or credit cards.
• Letters of credit, cheques, money orders and cash are not accepted.

Our Other Services

Car Sourcing and Buying on your behalf

Buying and exporting a car to Oman doesn't need to be stressful. UK Vehicle Exporters specialises in sourcing and exporting vehicles from the UK, with trusted shipping partners and support at every stage, from choosing the vehicle through to loading it onto the ship.

Tax-Free Vehicle Supply and UK VAT

UK Preferential Origin (Reduced Import Duty)

Some UK-built vehicles may qualify for reduced or zero import duty. That depends on the UK having a trade agreement with the destination country and on the car meeting that agreement's rules of origin. During your quote, we'll confirm whether the vehicle you're interested in qualifies.

VAT-free Supply of VAT-Qualifying (VATQ) Cars

A new car, or a used car that carries VAT on its full price, can be sold free of UK VAT when it is exported and HMRC's conditions are met. Used cars of that kind are known in the trade as VAT-qualifying: typically ex-rental or ex-lease cars, where the hire or leasing company reclaimed the VAT when it bought them. On a VAT-inclusive price, the VAT is one-sixth. We buy the car from the dealer, sell it to you zero-rated, export it to Oman and keep the proof of export. A used car sold under the second-hand margin scheme is different: VAT is due only on the dealer's margin, so there is no VAT to take off it for export.

HMRC's Personal Export Scheme (PES)

The Personal Export Scheme lets overseas visitors and UK residents who are leaving the UK, and will stay outside it with the car for at least six months, buy a car free of VAT and use it here before it is exported. Only a business that operates the scheme can sell under it, and we do not, so you buy from a dealer that runs it. The car must leave within 12 months of delivery for an overseas visitor who lives outside the EU, or 6 months for a UK or EU resident, or the VAT becomes payable. It can suit anyone relocating to Oman: we find a dealer that runs the scheme and ship the car when you are ready. How the scheme works.