The Middle East is a high-intent destination for Chinese vehicles, but it is not a single rulebook. Most Gulf markets apply GCC technical specifications and left-hand drive only, while age caps and tax structures differ country by country. This page puts those dimensions into one matrix. For country navigation use the Middle East market page, and for the end-to-end process start with the complete import guide.
The Middle East is one of the highest-intent destinations for Chinese vehicles, with Dubai and Jebel Ali acting as the region's re-export hub. Most Gulf markets apply GCC technical specifications and left-hand-drive only, and several cap vehicle age at 5–10 years. This guide summarises the real import framework for each country: age limits, duties, ports, certification and documents. Figures are indicative — always confirm with the destination customs before shipping.
Every figure below comes from the same published country facts used on our market pages. They are indicative: the destination authority's current rule is final, and Gulf conformity requirements in particular have changed several times in recent years.
Caps vary widely across the region. Kuwait limits vehicles to 5 years from the year of first registration under Law No. 147 of 27 December 2000, with trucks at 10 years. Saudi Arabia requires used passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks under 3.5 tonnes to be manufactured within 5 years of the import year, with trucks and buses allowed to 10. Oman limits private vehicles to 7 years and trucks and buses to 10. The UAE is commonly cited at no more than 10 years, though some sources give tighter figures around 5. Jordan has no strict legal limit on commercial imports and caps personal-use imports at 10 years, and from 1 November 2025 bans electric vehicles older than 3 years including the clearance year — hybrids are exempt. Iraqi sources conflict, citing 2 years, 7 years and no current restriction.
Gulf states generally levy duty and VAT on CIF: Kuwait applies 5% duty on a customs-assessed value; Saudi Arabia 5% duty plus 15% VAT — roughly 20% of CIF — with some 2025 summaries citing 2.5% for new energy vehicles; Oman a minimum 5% duty plus 5% VAT on most passenger vehicles; and the UAE 5% duty plus 5% VAT, with exemptions possible for vehicles already taxed in another GCC state. Jordan differs: 16% sales tax plus special tax of up to 56% on passenger cars and 30% on pickups, vans and trucks under 4.5 tonnes, while electric vehicles pay 0% duty and 0% special tax — roughly 18% in total. Iraqi figures conflict, commonly citing 25% on petrol vehicles, 15% on hybrids and 12.5% on EVs.
Customs or tax authorities lead in every market, with local certification and registration on top. Saudi Arabia: ZATCA collects the tax, and SASO certification runs through the SABER platform — since 1 January 2025 a valid Certificate of Conformity must be registered before the vessel departs, with physical inspection of used vehicles by a SASO-approved body. Kuwait: the General Administration of Customs collects duty, and the Ministry of Commerce issues a temporary import permit valid for 30 days. UAE: the Federal Customs Authority and emirate customs handle clearance, ESMA/MoIAT handle conformity certification, and RTA handles technical inspection and registration, with GCC specification required and salvage, flood-damaged or uninsured vehicles banned. Oman: the Royal Oman Police — Directorate General of Traffic and Directorate General of Customs — issues the import No Objection Certificate. Jordan: Jordan Customs handles clearance, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Licensing handles technical inspection, and Interpol VIN clearance applies. Iraq: the Iraqi Customs Service clears, the Ministry of Trade issues dealer import licences, and the Directorate of Traffic registers vehicles.
EZ Auto is based in China (Zhengzhou, Henan) with 15–20 years in the country's car export trade. We export new and used Chinese vehicles across the Middle East, with sea freight to Jebel Ali, Jeddah, Dammam, Sohar, Aqaba, Umm Qasr and Shuaiba, handling China export clearance and full documentation. Local import clearance is arranged by the buyer or a licensed broker; we provide all paperwork and per-country guidance, including the pre-shipment certification that several Gulf markets require. We do not operate local offices in the Middle East — every car is sourced and inspected in China before shipment.
To be explicit about scope: EZ Auto sources, inspects and exports vehicles from China and provides the export paperwork for each unit, including the pre-shipment certification several Gulf markets require. We are not a stand-alone freight forwarder, we do not ship vehicles bought from a third-party supplier, and documents such as UN38.3 test summaries or MSDS are supplied with vehicles purchased through us — they are not sold separately and cannot be transferred to another vehicle or battery. Destination clearance and inland delivery are handled by the buyer or a licensed local broker.
Check the matrix, then confirm the two items that most often stop a shipment — the age cap and the conformity certificate registered before the vessel departs. Once the model and discharge port are fixed, browse current stock or send us the specification for a document-complete quotation.
Rules, rates and port practice shown here are indicative and drawn from our published country guides. Always confirm the current requirement with the destination customs authority or a licensed broker before shipment.
Buyers from our destination markets.
I took a Zeekr 9X, a Geely Monjaro and a Deepal S05. Quality is up to standard, prices are fair, and the loading was done even faster than planned. All three cars arrived without a single hitch. Thanks to the EZ Auto team — we will be back. (Translated from Russian)
We received a Geely Galaxy M9 and a Changan CS55. Both cars are new, fully equipped, and everything matches what was agreed. The managers are always reachable and helped organise the delivery. We plan to expand our range together with EZ Auto. (Translated from Russian)
I ordered two vehicles from EZ Auto: a Jetour Dashing and a Jetour X70 Plus. The cars arrived as described and in very good condition. The team replies quickly and follows the file through to delivery. I will do business with them again. (Translated from French)
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