Where to buy
Dubai is the central marketplace for car sales in the UAE. In Dubai itself the Avir market (Al Awir) is a major hub. It is a vast area where new and used cars are kept separate, and where right-hand drive and left-hand drive vehicles are often offered in distinct sections. About 25 km from central Dubai lies the Sharjah suburb with the Abu Shagara market, and another similar market is in Ajman. This Ajman market sits a bit farther from the city center and tends to specialize in higher-end vehicles.
Vehicles are not cleaned up before listing. The inventories on market sites and local ads are presented in English since the markets largely serve exporters. Some managers have English speaking ability. Payments are accepted by cash and credit cards.
Auctions represent another source of cars, including new ones. However, winning a bid does not guarantee a cheaper purchase, and sellers may block a sale if the final price does not meet expectations.
Overheads
1. Delivery. Most shipments use a combination of sea and rail transport and do not include inland car transport. Costs vary widely by route, car size, and destination, with the most popular route often passing through Iran. Typical delivery costs range from 800 to 2000 dollars.
In Russia, cargo often arrives at Astrakhan port. For residents of the Urals, it can be advantageous to arrange delivery to a Kazakhstani city first, then transport onward. Delivery times usually span from one month to a month and a half.
2. Customs clearance: import duties, excise duties, VAT, disposal fee, customs processing, and proof of ownership are required.
Costs depend heavily on the car price and engine power. Small cars may incur around 1 million rubles in duties, mid-range cars such as a Toyota Camry can be under 2 million rubles, and large SUVs often fall between 2.5 and 3 million rubles.
3. Registration. SBKTS registration costs range from 10 to 30 thousand rubles depending on the region. ERA-GLONASS installation remains a theoretical requirement, but the mandate has been suspended.
4. Additional overheads cover travel to Dubai, currency exchange, commissions, and insurance. The total can amount to 200–300 thousand rubles.
What’s the price
Current trends show that purchasing pricier cars in the Emirates can be more economical. Public sector workplaces restrict storage and locating certain models can be challenging. For example, a Hyundai Santa Fe 4×4 2.5 with 180 horsepower may not be worth moving around. After accounting for all ancillary costs, total costs can approach 4 million rubles, or slightly more, which matches the price of a Santa at certain authorized dealers.
- Toyota Land Cruiser 300 in Dubai typically costs 4–5 million rubles (dirhams). With customs clearance and delivery, the total can reach 7–8 million. In company showrooms, a Land Cruiser can exceed 10 million rubles.
- Mitsubishi Montero with a V6 petrol engine (209 hp), referred to locally as Pajero, tends to be around 4.5–5 million rubles.
- Nissan Kicks, aimed at emerging markets, shares a platform with the Duster and offers a richer feature set. It runs about 1 million rubles in the UAE, and once delivery and customs are included, the total resembles Kaptur in market competitiveness.
Distance purchase
When direct dealing with local intermediaries is not necessary, local companies can manage the purchase and delivery. The final payment installment, typically 15–20 percent, is often due upon arrival in Russia or Kazakhstan. While this route can be more expensive than handling everything independently, it is still cheaper than the official process. Some firms guarantee delivery within 8–10 days.
The approach carries risk: there have been cases where firms canceled the transaction, leaving the buyer to recover the prepaid amount.
risks
One concern about vehicles prepared for the UAE is the possible absence of a stove and heating, replaced by a boosted air conditioning system. Some models may lack heated windshields, steering wheels, or seats, though a heater is usually present.
Another issue is corrosion protection on Middle Eastern cars, which can be weaker and lead to earlier rust in harsher climates. Markets source cars from around the world, including Europe and the United States, so there is variability in coatings and maintenance history.
Additionally, vehicles intended for warm climates may use fluids with properties suited to such climates and not winter conditions. However, antifreeze is commonly suitable for various climates, and changing it can provide peace of mind.
- Details on which models can bridge gaps in the local market are discussed here.
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