How I Imported My Car from Qatar to Saudi Arabia: My Complete Experience
A simple, step-by-step guide to Qatar export procedures, Saudi customs clearance, SASO inspection, Fahas, insurance, and Istimara registration.
Importing a car from Qatar to Saudi Arabia may look easy, but the process involves several steps. You need to complete the export procedures in Qatar, clear the vehicle through Saudi customs, obtain the required approvals, get SASO Inspection, Fahas Inspectiob, arrange insurance, and complete the final registration.
I recently completed this process for my car model year 2022. After dealing with the paperwork, inspections, and follow-ups, I finally received my Saudi vehicle number plates and registration card, known as the Istimara (ุงุณุชู ุงุฑุฉ).
In this blog, I am sharing my personal experience for those who are planning to bring their cars from Qatar to Saudi Arabia or from any other country to KSA.
Check two major requiremenet before you plan:
- Your car must not be more than 5 years old
- Cars imported into Saudi Arabia must meet mandatory SASO fuel economy standards, with minimum limits of 10.3 km/L for passenger cars and 9.0 km/L for light trucks. Normally it is okay if the car is imported from GCC as the GCC sandards renains same for all.
Important: The costs and procedures below are based on my experience. Fees, requirements, and processes may change, so confirm the latest requirements with the relevant authorities before starting.
Part 1: Completing the Export Process in Qatar
Step 1: Get the Vehicle Inspected at Woqod Fahes
The first step is to visit a Woqod Fahes inspection centre in Qatar and request a vehicle inspection for export.
In my experience, the inspection cost was approximately QAR 150.
After the inspection, you will receive a certificate showing the inspection results.
Do not panic when you see “Legally Passed” and “Technically Failed” on the export certificate. This is normal for export certificates.
The reason is simple: they cannot confirm whether the vehicle meets the technical requirements of the country where it will be imported. So, they mark it as “Technically Failed.”
Keep the inspection certificate safe because you will need it for the next step.
Step 2: Obtain Export Insurance and Export Number Plates
After completing the inspection, I went to the number plate section in Qatar's Industrial Area.
Location: Industrial Area Number Plate Section – Google Maps
At this location, I obtained the required insurance for the export process. The insurance cost was approximately QAR 150.
Inside the building, I was directed to the counter at the left-hand end. After arranging the insurance, I took a token to meet the officals at counter and submitted the insurance document and export inspection paper to the official at the counter.
I paid approximately QAR 225 for the export number plates and related processing.
Once all the paperwork was completed, I collected the number plates and had them installed on my vehicle. Staff outside the building are available to help you install the new export number plates.
Step 3: Travel Towards the Salwa Border
After completing the Qatar-side procedures, I drove towards the Salwa border.
I was advised to use the truck lane rather than the normal vehicle lane for the export process.
On the Qatar side, a customs agent helped me complete the final exit paperwork. The approximate service charge in my case was QAR 150–250, total process time - 1- 1.5 hour
Customs agents are easily available there. They walk around the area and are authorised agents, so do not worry.
After completing the process, I received a scanned copy of the documents through WhatsApp and the original paperwork in person.
At this stage, the Qatar export process was complete.
Declare the Car Value Carefully
Make sure you declare the car's value carefully. In general, car depreciation is around 10% per year, but the actual rate can vary. Depending on the car's condition, market value, and age, depreciation of 15%–20% may also be possible.
For Chinese cars, the resale value may be lower than expected. You can mention up to 20% depreciation per year, or another suitable rate. Just ask the Qatar customs agent to mention that value.
The value declared on the Qatar side is an important point because it can affect the total cost of importing your car.
Part 2: Preparing the Saudi Customs Declaration
Step 4: Contact a Saudi Customs Agent Before Reaching the Border
You can ask the Qatar customs agent to provide the contact number of a Saudi customs agent.
This was an important step in my experience.
Before reaching the Saudi customs counter, I contacted a customs agent on the Saudi side and shared the required documents and vehicle details.
The agent processed the paperwork in the Saudi system and provided a Bayan number (customs declaration number). The approximate service charge was SAR 200–250.
Having this number was important for the next steps, including the SASO inspection.
Process time- 2-3 hours (as it required many online approval)
Important: The time required may vary depending on the queue, documentation, inspection requirements, and customs procedures.
Part 3: Entering Saudi Arabia
Step 5: Complete Saudi Border Customs Procedures
At the Saudi border, the customs officials checked my documents and directed me to the vehicle inspection area for an X-ray inspection. The customs officers also used a trained dog to check my car for any prohibited items.
After the required checks and paperwork, I received a temporary Saudi vehicle plate with a black strip on the side.
Once the customs procedures were completed and I had the required temporary documents and plates, I was able to continue my journey to my destination in Saudi Arabia.
Process time : 1-1.5 hours
Part 4: Completing the Requirements Inside Saudi Arabia
Step 6: Book the SASO Inspection
After entering Saudi Arabia, the next major step was the SASO inspection.
SASO stands for the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.
I booked the vehicle inspection using my Bayan number. The inspection cost was approximately SAR 300.
The inspection itself took around 15 minutes in my case.
After the inspection, SASO informed me that the result had been sent electronically to the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA).
For any enquiry, complaint, or if you do not receive a number online, you can send an email to INSP.DEP@saso.gov.sa.
Step 7: Obtain the Customs Card
After the SASO result was received and the required customs procedures were completed, I obtained my customs card (ุงูุจุทุงูุฉ ุงูุฌู ุฑููุฉ).
You can check the customs card online yourself or ask a customs agent to do it for you.
This document contained the vehicle details and was required for the next stages of the registration process.
Check all the detail carefully, in my case, my nationality was wrongly mentioned as Saudi. For any correction, you can call 19993 or email infor@zatca.gov.sa.
If the customs card is ready but you cannot download or print it, contact the customs authority or your customs agent and ask how to obtain the official document.
Link for the Customs Card download.
Step 8: Complete the Fahas Inspection in Saudi Arabia
After receiving the customs card, I arranged the Saudi Fahas vehicle inspection.
Create a login ID and log in to find the option for “Import Vehicle Enquiry.”
When booking, use the customs card details, as required for this type of registration.
I completed the inspection and received approval within 15 minutes.
Step 9: Purchase Saudi Vehicle Insurance
The next step was to arrange vehicle insurance using the customs card details.
I purchased a third-party insurance policy from Gulf Union Al Ahlia. After purchasing the policy, I received an SMS from Najm confirming that the insurance policy had been successfully registered.
This was a useful confirmation that the policy had been registered with Najm.
Step 10: Visit Muroor for Final Vehicle Registration
The final step was registering the vehicle with the Saudi Traffic Department, known as Muroor (ุงูู ุฑูุฑ).
I checked the appointment options in Absher and selected the service called Vehicle Registration License Procedures for my appointment in Riyadh.
The documents required for this procedure were:
Customs card
Insurance copy
Iqama
Driving licence
In my case, the registration charges were approximately SAR 400, and I registered my car for the next three years.
After completing the process, I received my Saudi vehicle registration card, the Istimara, along with the permanent Saudi vehicle registration details.
They asked me to return the temporary number plates and handed over the permanent number plates.
Finally, my car was registered in Saudi Arabia!

