This blog compares door-to-door, port-to-port, and door-to-port car shipping options from Dubai to Europe and the USA. It explains what each service includes, who handles what, agent involvement, and why Freight My Car recommends door-to-port for maximum flexibility and cost control.
If you’re planning to ship a car from Dubai to Europe or the USA, one of the first decisions you’ll face is choosing between different shipping models: door-to-door, port-to-port, or door-to-port. Each comes with its own pros and cons, depending on how much responsibility you want to handle yourself, how quickly you want the car delivered, and how much flexibility you want at the destination.
We pick up your vehicle from any address in Dubai and deliver it to your doorstep overseas—Paris, Los Angeles, Munich, wherever. It's end-to-end shipping where you don’t need to lift a finger.
What We Handle:
- Home pickup in Dubai
- Export customs
- International transport
- Destination customs
- Final delivery
What You Handle:
- Provide documents (export certificates, carnet de passage, tourism certificates etc)
- Pay import duties/VAT (direct or via us)
While convenient, this option isn't always available. Countries like Romania, Poland, Portugal, or Turkey often require client-side involvement for customs. Agents aren’t consistently available and clearance fees are unpredictable. So we typically avoid offering firm rates for door-to-door to these locations.
France, Germany, and the Netherlands? Much easier. Well-established port systems and reliable agents make full delivery smoother. Even so, final-mile delivery is subject to local port/airport restrictions and customs regulations.
You drop your car at a Dubai port (like Jebel Ali), we ship it, and you—or your agent—pick it up at the destination port.
What We Handle:
- Export filing and shipping
What You Handle:
- Drop-off at origin port
- Hire agent at destination
- Pay duties and handle delivery
Great for traders and repeat shippers, not ideal for first-timers or high-value cars.
We collect the car from you in Dubai, handle the export and freight, and deliver it to the destination port. You or your agent take over from there.
What We Handle:
- Home collection
- Export clearance
- International shipping
What You Handle:
- Destination customs and final delivery
This model offers flexibility. You pick your own agent (or use one we recommend), negotiate directly, and stay in control of costs at your end. No hidden fees, no unnecessary middlemen.
With door-to-door, we assign the agent. For port-to-port and door-to-port, you’re free to appoint your own. Need help? We can refer you to trusted partners in Europe or the USA, but we don’t interfere with their billing or timelines.
| Shipping Type | Ideal For | Our Role | Client Role | Cost | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Door-to-Door | Expats, high-value cars | Everything | Nothing | $$$ | Low |
| Port-to-Port | Dealers, experienced shippers | Export + shipping | Clearance + pickup | $ | High |
| Door-to-Port | Most private clients | Pickup + shipping | Clearance + delivery | $$ | Very High |
Door-to-door is great if you want zero involvement, but it's not always feasible in every country. Port-to-port is budget-friendly but puts a lot on your plate. For most clients, **door-to-port offers the perfect balance of service and freedom**.
Thinking of shipping a car from Dubai? Visit Freight My Car for a quote and we'll help you find the best route—without the stress.
