From Bahrain to UAE

[Sicnarf]

:hay: Hi guys, greetings from Bahrain

As i have completed 2.5 years tenure in Bahrain, I might have an opportunity to work in, Abu Dhabi, UAE. I have have be offered a position there end of October. I was wondering if im able to bring my bimmer along. Wat does it take? Wat r the necessary paperworks? Please advise.

Thanks n regards

Cheers.

[SSense]

You can get in touch with your local traffic authority and ask them for the exact papers required, you need some papers that has to be stamped by some ministry and customs etc, so its always good to have everything ready before you reach the border, thats if you're driving it to Dubai..

Whereas if you're planning to ship it, you can get in touch with Pickfords in Manama, they will take care of the shipping without you having to do anything, here's there number to make things easy +973 17735355

Remember, driving is cheaper than shipping, but more of a hastle, so the choice is yours..

[Hasan Shaikh]

Driving is more fun. Trust me, I have done that, and I loved it. I even brought a lot of household stuff with me and faced absolutely no problems during the journey.

Its better to consult the Traffic Department in Bahrain on the documents required.

Here is what I did when I brought my car from Qatar.

I only took a clearance certificate from the Traffic Department in Qatar and drove to Dubai with my Qatar number plates. Went to Port Zahid in Abu Dhabi and got the import documents and customs valuation done there. It took around 3 hours to do it. Then went to the Traffic Depratment in Dubai with the import documents and customs clearance certificate and got the car registered. It can all be done in a day.

Customs Duties:

If your car is more than 2 years old, you shall have to pay customs duty @5% of the current market valuation. The guy who did the valuation for my car was very reasonable and we negotiated the valuation.

Mistakes I made:

Since I was driving with my Qatari number plates, the customs at the UAE border did not know that I wanted to transfer my car and I entered into UAE without getting the bill of entry, which complicated my case a bit. However, the people at Port Zahid were very cooperative and helped me through the process.

My suggestion is to show them the clearance certificate from Bahrain and they shall prepare the bill of entry for you and give you the vehicle valuation as well. Very easy.

P.S: Don't forget to get the transit visa for Saudi from Bahrain before you set out for the UAE.

[RAFiK]

^^ now that is a helpful reply !

Other than that, welcome aboard :)

[Sicnarf]

Thanks alot guys for the head up. So when all else are done. im able to convert the car to a UAE number plate?

[RAFiK]

Double check your papers and clearance and off you go.

[Hasan Shaikh]

Thanks alot guys for the head up. So when all else are done. im able to convert the car to a UAE number plate?

Indeed!

As Ali said, having the car shipped by a professional company is the easiest way. But it would cost you more.

If you want to drive, you have 2 options.

1. Drive with your Bahraini number plates.
2. Get the car de registered and drive with export number plates. {This is the most common practice}

I didnt select option 2 because I thought I would have difficulties crossing the Saudi Arabian borders. However, this is just what I assessed based on what I had herd and might be wrong.

In any case, the key is having the correct documentation and following the correct procedure. Again, I would suggest that you visit the Traffic Department and a professional shipping company to get more information.

Whatever decision you take, you should be 100% sure that you know what you are doing and steps need to be followed.

[Sicnarf]

Thanks again Hasan...

[salty]

welcome to the club man other than that i have no idea :)

[mahsiri925]

1st of all... welcom 2 pir family and welcome 2 UAE

[Sicnarf]

hey guys, i totally forgotten bout the insurance. Its just insured locally in bahrain. Do i need to get a new insurance policy in AD? Do i need any letters from my employer or company in AD?

[SSense]

hey guys, i totally forgotten bout the insurance. Its just insured locally in bahrain. Do i need to get a new insurance policy in AD? Do i need any letters from my employer or company in AD?

If your insurance covers all GCC countries then you should be fine with the current insurance policy, but if it doesnt then you need to get a new insurance policy when you come to or enter the UAE border..

[RAFiK]

Or you can get a temporary insurance for 48 hours or so just to let you have some time before you register your car here. I did this when I transfered my car from AD to Dubai, bought 48 hours insurance.

[mahsiri925]

when i export my company cars 2 qatar i bought 2 weeks export insurance

[Sicnarf]

Thanks again guys...