Regulations For Importing Cars To Saudi Arabia And Heavy Trucks

The Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority’s website incorporated the regulations that govern importing cars to Saudi Arabia. These regulations apply to all vehicles including heavy trucks (locomotives, trailers, and semi-trailers), small vehicles, buses, and light commercial vehicles.

Vehicle Import Regulations for Individuals

• Imports of cars to Saudi Arabia, buses, and light commercial vehicles (3.5 tons and less) are allowed provided that their operational age doesn’t exceed 5 years, as it’s calculated in descending order, except for the current year.
• Imports of heavy transport trucks (more than 3.5 tons) including locomotives, trailers, and semi-trailers are allowed provided that their operational age doesn’t exceed 5 years, as it’s calculated from the beginning of January since the year of manufacture, along with an implementation of the legislation issued by relevant authorities.
• The vehicle should conform to the Energy Efficiency Label, as well as issuing an inquiry notice through the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization’s website
• Imports of antique cars which are over 30 years old are allowed (The customs card is stamped that it is not allowed to drive on public roads).
• Imports of used cars that don’t conform to the Energy Efficiency Label and the authorized operational age are allowed to Saudi individuals and holders of Premium Residency. The financial compensation ranges between (20-50%) of the vehicle’s value and not less than 20,000 SAR, and this is based on the Council of Ministers’ decision No. 335 dated 15 Jumada II 1443 AH. When the fee is calculated, it’s taken into account that this regulation doesn’t apply to the following:
  • Antique vehicles which were manufactured 30 years ago
  • Sports vehicles used on racetracks
  • New vehicles that don’t conform to Energy Efficiency Label, provided that the vehicles’ mileage doesn’t exceed 1000 KM and that they’re a current or a last year’s model
• Documents must be authentic and match the chassis number registered on the vehicle along with no abrasion or modification to the chassis number
• Imports of vehicles through Power of Attorney are unauthorized and the agency is only used to complete the procedures

Residents

• A resident can import one private car every 3 years and isn’t entitled to sell it until after three years from the date of import (Stamped on the card to not be sold until after three years)
• Imports of transport vehicles and buses are banned for residents
• The stamp is removed when:
  • Expiry of the three-year period
  • Final exit

And the following are the required documents to complete the vehicle import procedures:

• Vehicle title
• Residence permit
• Document showing the payment method

Vehicles Banned from Importation

• Salvaged vehicles that were sunk or involved in an accident, fire or overturning, or damage to the chassis, according to the inspection results obtained by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.
• Taxis or police cars
• Vehicles with logos related to school transportation or something similar
• Vehicles that have damage to the external structure, unless it happened at the port of arrival, in which a certificate from the competent authority is presented to prove that
• Vehicles with modified steering from right to left
• Stolen vehicles
• Vehicles with a chassis number that was tampered with
• Vehicles used for residents’ transportation
• Armored vehicles

These regulations were established through decision No. 335 issued by the Council of Ministers concerning the imports of vehicles in KSA.