Al Mellah International Shipping (0580402747) ships cars from Riyadh to Lebanon on a hydraulic flatbed or enclosed carrier to Jeddah Islamic Port, then by sea, RoRo or in a container, through the Suez Canal to Beirut port or Tripoli in 2 to 4 weeks. A small car starts from SAR 3,700 including the road from Riyadh to Jeddah. Before shipping we estimate what you’ll pay in Lebanon with you, because customs there calculate duties on the car’s reference value, not your invoice.
Many Lebanese in Riyadh work in banking, consulting, engineering and medicine, and many own a good car they consider taking home. The shipping itself isn’t complicated: a road leg to Jeddah, then a relatively short voyage to Beirut. But the real cost shows up at Beirut port, when the car is valued on its reference value. This guide starts with the questions that settle the shipping decision, then the route and prices.
🧮 Four questions that settle whether to ship your car to Lebanon
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| How old is your car? | A car over the permitted limit won’t get in |
| What’s its engine size and reference value? | They set the duties more than your purchase price |
| Is there a lien on it? | It must be released before export |
| Will it stay in Lebanon or go temporarily? | Temporary entry has a different regime with an international carnet (triptyque) |
🚢 RoRo or container to Beirut?
| Method | Advantages | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo to Beirut | Best value for one car | SAR 3,700 for a small car from Riyadh |
| 20 ft container | Full protection for a luxury car | Request a quote |
| 40 ft with furniture | The car at the front and furniture behind a timber partition | Request a quote |
| 4×4 by RoRo | By size | Request a quote |
The small-car price from Riyadh includes the road to Jeddah and shipping, excluding Lebanese duties.
How to get the lowest total cost
🛣️ Sea or overland from Riyadh?
On the map the overland route north through Jordan and Syria looks shorter than going round to Jeddah and then by sea, which is why the question keeps coming up. But for a personal car specifically, what settles it is regular schedules and clear procedures:
| Criterion | Sea via Jeddah | Overland via Jordan and Syria |
|---|---|---|
| Regularity | Regular sailings and clear dates | Depends on border conditions |
| Procedures | Export from Jeddah and clearance in Beirut | Crossing several borders |
| Best for | Personal cars and furniture | Some commercial shipments when crossings are open |
| Duration | 2–4 weeks | Variable |
| Stage | Where | Approx. duration |
|---|---|---|
| Estimating duties and age | With us and the customs calculator | Before booking |
| Fines and lien release | Absher and the bank | Depends on the case |
| Export plates | Riyadh traffic | One to two days |
| Transport to Jeddah | Hydraulic flatbed or enclosed carrier | Two to three days |
| Sailing | Jeddah → Beirut | One to two weeks |
| Clearance and registration | Beirut port, then vehicle registration | Days |
🔑 Preparing the car in Riyadh
🕐 Temporary entry: a summer visit with your car
For a Lebanese resident in Riyadh who wants to spend summer in Lebanon with their car and bring it back, there’s temporary entry with an international carnet (triptyque) for a set period without sale. We arrange the outbound shipping, book the return before the period ends, and remind you of the date.
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| The document | An international carnet from the competent body |
| The period | Set, and the car must leave before it ends |
| Sale | Not allowed |
| Insurance | Insurance covering Lebanon for the whole stay |
🇱🇧 Registration in Lebanon
| Step | What you need |
|---|---|
| Customs clearance | After paying duties on the reference value |
| Mechanical inspection | At an approved inspection centre |
| Insurance | Compulsory, from a Lebanese insurer |
| Registration and plates | At the Traffic, Vehicles and Mechanics Management Authority with your Lebanese ID |
⛰️ Delivery in the mountains and regions
After clearance in Beirut we deliver the car to your address in Mount Lebanon, the south, the Bekaa or the north on an enclosed carrier. For villages with narrow roads we use a small flatbed, and coordinate with the weather in winter for the Dahr el Baidar road and high areas.
🛡️ Marine insurance
We issue marine insurance on the declared value from loading in Riyadh to delivery in Lebanon, photograph the car before sealing or boarding, and compare its condition with the photos at delivery.
🛋️ Car and furniture in one container
For families returning to Lebanon, it’s usually best to put the car at the front of a 40 ft container secured with straps and chocks, then a timber partition, then the numbered furniture, so both reach Beirut under one file. Furniture details are in the guide to shipping from Riyadh to Lebanon.
🔋 Electric and hybrid cars
The customs treatment of electric and hybrid cars in Lebanon varies with the decisions in force, so check it with the calculator before shipping. We ask for the battery at 30–50%, the charger and cables with your belongings, and the battery type for the sea declaration.
📄 Documents
| Document | Final entry | Temporary entry |
|---|---|---|
| Original registration | ✔ | ✔ |
| Export plates and export certificate | ✔ | Depending on arrangement |
| Lebanese ID or passport | ✔ | ✔ |
| International carnet (triptyque) | — | ✔ |
| Fasah authorisation and bill of lading | ✔ | ✔ |
| Purchase invoice | If available | — |
🚫 Prohibitions
🏁 Delivery and tracking
We send the sailing or container number and notices at sailing, arrival and clearance, then deliver the car at the port or to your door, and compare its condition with the loading photos.
⚠️ Common mistakes
⚖️ How to choose a car shipping company from Riyadh to Lebanon
🔁 From Lebanon to Riyadh
We also ship cars from Lebanon to Riyadh, including temporary-entry cars returning after summer, taking into account the Kingdom’s used-car import rules, SABER platform requirements and 15% VAT.
❓ FAQ: car shipping from Riyadh to Lebanon
❓ How much does it cost to ship a car from Riyadh to Lebanon?
A small car starts from SAR 3,700 from Riyadh; 4x4s, containers and luxury cars are quoted.
❓ How long does shipping to Beirut take?
Two to four weeks.
❓ How are car duties calculated in Lebanon?
On the international reference value, plus VAT and registration fees.
❓ What’s the maximum car age?
Usually cited as 8 years for passenger cars; we check it at shipping time.
❓ Can I take my car for the summer and bring it back?
Yes, with temporary entry on an international carnet for a set period.
❓ Is the overland route faster?
It may suit some commercial shipments; sea is more regular for personal cars.
Send the model, year, engine size and your region in Lebanon, and we’ll help estimate duties and send the price.
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