Al Mellah International Shipping (0580402747) ships cars from Riyadh to Libya on a hydraulic flatbed or enclosed carrier to Jeddah Islamic Port, then by sea, RoRo or in a container, through the Suez Canal to Misrata, Tripoli, Benghazi or Khoms, in 3 to 6 weeks. Before any booking we check the car’s history by VIN: its age against the Libyan decision in force, and that it’s free of flood, fire and chassis cuts. The price is by quote because Libya sailings change.
A car refused at Misrata port doesn’t come back easily, costing its owner the car’s price, the freight and storage fees. The most common reason for refusal isn’t the paperwork but the car’s history: many cars in the Riyadh market were imported from overseas auctions with a flood or accident record and repaired until they look excellent, and the current owner doesn’t know. So this guide starts with the check, then the route and cost.
🔍 Step one: check the car before buying or shipping
| What we check | Why |
|---|---|
| Year of manufacture against the Libyan decision in force | Decisions have changed more than once, and a car older than allowed is refused |
| A vehicle history report by VIN | It reveals flood, fire, rollover and major accidents |
| Original import documents if the car was imported | Auction ‘salvage’ papers may cause refusal even after repair |
| The chassis and its numbers | A cut chassis or tampered number is a certain refusal |
| Lien and ownership | Export plates aren’t issued for a car under lien |
🚢 RoRo or container to Libya?
| Method | Advantages | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo | Usually the best value for one car | An empty car when a sailing to Misrata or Tripoli is available |
| 20 ft container | Full protection, useful with transhipment | New and luxury cars |
| 40 ft container for two cars | Shared cost | A trader or brothers |
| 40 ft with furniture | One file for home and car | A returning family |
Direct sailings from Jeddah to Libya are limited, and many pass through a Mediterranean transhipment port where the cargo moves to a smaller vessel. A container protects the car during this extra handling, while RoRo is cheaper when a direct sailing is available.
💵 How is the price calculated?
| Element | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Road transport | Hydraulic flatbed or enclosed carrier from Riyadh to Jeddah |
| Export | Original export plates and certificate, Fasah authorisation and clearance in Jeddah |
| Sea | RoRo or container, direct or via transhipment |
| Release in Libya | Via an agent at the port; Libyan fees are separate |
| Inland transport | From the port to your city if requested |
Line rates to Libya change with sailings and transhipment ports, so we give you a specific figure once we know the car, the method and the date.
How to get the lowest cost
🛣️ The car’s journey from Riyadh to Libya
| Step | Where | Note |
|---|---|---|
| History and age check | With us by VIN | Before any booking or payment |
| Lien release and clearance certificate | The bank and Absher | Required to issue export |
| Export plates and certificate | Riyadh traffic | The original certificate is required in Libya |
| Transport to Jeddah | Hydraulic flatbed or carrier | Two to three days |
| Shipping | RoRo or container | Depending on available sailings |
| Release and registration | The Libyan port, then traffic | Registration within the set period |
⚓ The arrival port for your city
| Your region | Arrival port |
|---|---|
| Misrata, Zliten and Khoms | Misrata or Khoms |
| Tripoli, Zawiya and Sabratha | Tripoli or Misrata |
| Benghazi, Marj and Al Bayda | Benghazi |
| Sirte and Ajdabiya | Misrata or Benghazi |
| Sabha and the south | Misrata or Tripoli, then by road |
Misrata, with its free zone, is the busiest gateway for cars coming from Jeddah, and has an active car market.
🏷️ Traders: cars from the Riyadh market to Libya
Libyan traders buy cars from Riyadh showrooms and auctions to sell in Libya. A citizen is usually allowed one car for personal use, while several cars for sale are treated as trade and need commercial documents and an importer’s name. We check each car before purchase, prepare an export certificate for each, and ship them in 40 ft containers two at a time.
🔑 Preparing the car in Riyadh
🇱🇾 Registration in Libya
After release at the port the car is registered with Libyan traffic within the set period, with the original export certificate, customs documents and insurance. Keep all originals with you, and send copies to the receiver if you’re not there.
🛡️ Marine insurance
Transhipment and extra handling in the Mediterranean make marine insurance essential. We issue it on the value you declare from loading in Riyadh to release, and photograph the car before sealing the container or boarding the vessel.
🛋️ The car with return furniture
For returning Libyan families, we 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 it reaches Misrata or Tripoli under one file. Furniture details are in the guide to shipping from Riyadh to Libya.
🔋 Electric and hybrid cars
Libya’s charging network is limited, so think before shipping a fully electric car; a hybrid is usually more practical. For shipping we ask for the battery at 30–50%, the charger with your belongings, and the battery type for the sea declaration.
📄 Documents
| Document | Personal car | Cars for sale |
|---|---|---|
| Registration in the shipper’s name | ✔ | ✔ |
| Original export plates and certificate | ✔ | ✔ |
| Clearance certificate and lien release | ✔ | ✔ |
| Libyan receiver’s ID | ✔ | ✔ |
| Purchase invoices and importer’s name | — | ✔ |
| Fasah authorisation and bill of lading | ✔ | ✔ |
🚫 Prohibitions
🏁 Delivery and tracking
We send the container or sailing number, with notices at sailing, transhipment and arrival, then the car is delivered after release at the port or moved to your city, and we compare its condition with the loading photos.
⚠️ Common mistakes
⚖️ How to choose a car shipping company from Riyadh to Libya
🔁 From Libya to Riyadh
We also ship cars from Libya to Riyadh, taking into account the Kingdom’s used-car import rules, SABER platform requirements and 15% VAT.
❓ FAQ: car shipping from Riyadh to Libya
❓ How much does it cost to ship a car from Riyadh to Libya?
By quote depending on the method (RoRo or container), port and date, including transport to Jeddah; Libyan fees are separate.
❓ How long does car shipping to Libya take?
3 to 6 weeks door to door.
❓ Why do you check the VIN?
Because flood, fire and salvage cars are refused in Libya even if they look excellent.
❓ Can two cars go in one container?
Yes, in a 40 ft container.
❓ Which port is best?
Usually Misrata for its frequent sailings, and Tripoli or Benghazi depending on your city.
❓ When do I register the car in Libya?
Within the set period after release, with the original documents.
Send the VIN, year and your city in Libya, and we’ll check the history and send a quote.
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