The words, in plain English.

The Saudi government platform that a lot of vehicle services run through, including export and registration changes with the Muroor.

The Customs Declaration Service, HMRC’s system for import declarations. Our in-house customs team are HMRC CDS authorised entry agents, so we make the declaration for you.

The car travels inside a steel container, usually shared with other customers’ cars to keep the cost sensible. A container to itself is available, and we recommend it for valuable cars. Usually 3 to 6 weeks at sea.

The changes a left-hand drive Gulf car needs for UK roads: headlights adjusted to dip the correct way, a speedometer that reads in miles per hour, and a rear fog light if the car does not have one.

The price of the car plus the cost of getting it to the UK. Import duty and VAT are both worked out from it.

Abu Dhabi’s road toll system. Any Darb balance has to be cleared, along with fines, before the car can be deregistered.

Taking the car off its local Gulf register. Every Gulf car has to be deregistered or put on export plates before it ships, and nothing can be owed against it first.

The agency that registers the car in the UK and issues its number plates. We register through our dealer-level DVLA account, usually in around 10 working days.

Once a Dubai car’s local registration is closed, it goes onto export plates issued by the RTA, along with an RTA export certificate.

A car built for the six Gulf Cooperation Council markets, with the cooling, filtration and equipment that goes with them. It is not better or worse than a European car, just different, and not every car on Gulf roads is GCC spec.

Cars over 40 years old do not need an MOT before they are registered, and they may qualify for the historic vehicle tax class.

10% of the customs value. Classics over 30 years old pay no duty, and an approved Transfer of Residence claim removes it altogether.

20% of the customs value plus the duty. Classics over 30 years old pay 5%, and an approved Transfer of Residence claim removes it altogether.

The car’s registration card. We ask for a copy to get started.

Individual Vehicle Approval, the test for cars under ten years old. It checks a car built for another market against UK standards. We were the first privately owned IVA testing centre for passenger vehicles in the UK.

The largest port in the Middle East, and where UAE cars ship from.

The Ministry of Interior app. It shows any traffic violations against the car, which have to be paid before export.

The roadworthiness test for cars between ten and 40 years old, taken after the usual conversions. Cars over 40 do not need one before registration.

The car’s registration card. We ask for a copy, along with your passport and proof of ownership.

The Saudi traffic authority, which handles export and registration changes, mostly through Absher.

Notification of Vehicle Arrivals. HMRC has to be told about an imported car within 14 days of it arriving, and we take care of it.

HMRC relief for things that leave the UK and come back. A car exported from the UK and brought back within 3 years, unaltered, may pay no duty and no VAT. HMRC decides.

Roll-on, roll-off. The car is driven onto the ship and travels on a deck among other vehicles. Usually quicker at sea, around 2 to 4 weeks, and available from some ports.

The Roads and Transport Authority. It issues export plates, and it will not release a car with unpaid fines or Salik charges against it.

Dubai’s road toll system. Any balance has to be cleared before the RTA will issue export plates.

HMRC relief for people moving their home to the UK. If you have lived outside the UK for over 12 months and owned the car for at least 6 months, there can be no duty and no import VAT to pay. You cannot sell the car for the first 12 months, and you apply before the car arrives.