Car transport: Dubai to Mumbai
Before you price shipping a car from Dubai to Mumbai, read the eligibility gate: India tightly restricts used-car imports, and for an ordinary used car the route is effectively closed. A used vehicle must be no older than three years from manufacture, right-hand drive, with a km speedometer and "keep-left" headlamps, and may be imported only through the Mumbai customs port — with homologation, testing and very high duty.
This page covers whether your car can be imported at all, the narrow exceptions (vintage; specific approvals), documents, duties and preparation for a Dubai→Mumbai vehicle move.
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India restricts used-car imports — for an ordinary used car the route is effectively closed. A used vehicle must be ≤3 years old, right-hand drive, with a km speedometer and keep-left headlamps, and may enter only via the Mumbai customs port, with high duty.
Can your car be imported into India?
Usually not for an ordinary used car. India restricts used-vehicle imports to narrow cases meeting strict age, drive-side and port conditions; most personal used cars from the UAE do not qualify.
- Not older than 3 years from the date of manufacture
- Right-hand drive with controls on the right
- Speedometer in kilometres and "keep-left" headlamps
- Imported only through the Mumbai customs port
- Homologation + pre/post-shipment testing (ARAI/VRDE) and roadworthiness for 5 years
- Vintage cars (manufactured before 1 Jan 1950) are exempt from the age limit
- Ordinary used cars older than 3 years
- Left-hand-drive vehicles (except specific exempt categories)
⚑ Verify eligibility and current duty with DGFT and Indian Customs before shipping any vehicle.
RoRo vs container
| Method | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo (drive-on) | Lowest | Eligible cars; vehicle must be empty. |
| Container (sole use) | Higher | High-value/vintage; can pack some goods (rules apply). |
Indicative car shipping (Dubai → Mumbai)
Flat per-vehicle freight only · Indian customs duty is very high and extra · indicative, Jun 2026 · AED
| Move | Our price | Market | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| RoRo (drive-on) | AED 3,700 – AED 5,700 | 7–14 days | |
| Container (sole use) | AED 9,700 – AED 15,000 | 7–14 days |
Documents
| Export (UAE) | Import (India) |
|---|---|
| UAE de-registration + export certificate | IEC; eligibility check (age/RHD/port); homologation + testing |
| Original registration, invoice, insurance | Customs declaration; very high duty on assessed value |