Import your own boat

Thinking of importing
your next boat?

Official importers are authorised to sell a brand in this country. A boat bought outside that channel is a grey import — also called a parallel import. It can look cheap. Compliance, wiring, warranty and insurance often are not.

Full brief: grey_import.pdf

What is a grey import?

A grey or parallel import is a boat sold through a non-authorised channel. Official importers and distributors of a brand are the ones authorised to sell it here.

Boats exported for a destination country are re-wired to that country’s legal and insurance standards. A hull bought “as is” from another market is built for that market, not for the GCC sheet.

You’re the importer — you’re responsible.

If you import the boat yourself you take on the compliance file. In a failure — safety, build standard or emissions — the importer bears that liability. In a serious accident the skipper and owner carry liability under the law.

Can you afford that risk?

Is it safe?

  • Grey imports are brought in without the manufacturer’s consent, so they are not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
  • They may not receive the same safety check as authorised product.
  • Meeting the standard in the country of origin does not mean the boat meets the minimum local safety requirement.

Is it legal?

Boats are built to the standards of a specific market. Every imported boat must be assessed against local regulations. Most grey imports are not compliant. Regulations exist for a reason. Non-compliant product is substandard until it is brought into compliance. If it cannot be brought into compliance it should not be sold, imported or used.

Is it worth it?

The window price is not the file. Add freight, duties, tax, transport insurance, no factory warranty and often no local insurance.

  • Authorised dealers are often not permitted to service grey imports or supply factory parts. Factory-trained work may be refused.
  • Resale on a grey or parallel import is often low or nil next to an authorised hull.
  • Recalls and warranty bulletins go through authorised dealers. Unauthorised channels often do not.
  • Many insurers will not pay a claim if the boat is non-compliant against local standards. You can be uninsured.

Authorised GCC importer

Why buy from the desk.

Buy the boat, PWC or engine from the authorised importer and you can expect:

  • After-sales support — warranty, servicing and maintenance.
  • Build, flotation and safety compliance for this market.
  • Electrical systems wired to the destination standard.
  • Certification that insurers will actually look at.
  • A resale file that is not a surprise when the extra import costs are added up.

Purchase from authorised importers in the GCC. A legally imported boat qualifies for maintenance support, spare parts and help with insurance queries.

Write the desk Download the PDF

This page restates the house brief. It is not legal, insurance or customs advice. Confirm every file with the desk and your insurer before you move a hull.

Dubai Power Boats

Exclusive importer across the GCC, Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles. Private viewings from Dubai Marina.

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