How to Ship a Car Internationally: Complete 2026 Guide

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car Internationally in 2026?

International car shipping costs range from $800 to $6,500+ depending on the route, shipping method, and vehicle size. The two primary methods are RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) and container shipping, each with different cost structures.

RoRo is typically 30-50% cheaper than container shipping because the vehicle is driven onto a specialized vessel and parked in the cargo hold alongside hundreds of other vehicles. No container is needed, reducing handling and equipment costs. However, RoRo ships only serve specific ports, limiting route options.

Container shipping places your vehicle inside a 20ft or 40ft steel container. It's more expensive but provides full protection, supports any port-to-port route, and allows you to include personal belongings or additional cargo alongside the vehicle.

RoRo vs Container Shipping: Which Method to Choose

The choice between RoRo and container shipping depends on your vehicle type, budget, destination, and whether you need to ship personal items alongside the car.

Step-by-Step: How to Ship a Car Internationally

Follow these steps to ship your vehicle internationally. The process typically takes 2-3 weeks to arrange before the vessel sails, plus transit time.

• Step 1: Get Quotes and Choose a Shipping Method — Contact 2-3 international car shipping companies or freight forwarders for quotes. Specify: vehicle make/model/year, dimensions and weight, origin and destination addresses, desired shipping method (RoRo or container), and timeline. Compare total door-to-door costs including all fees, not just the ocean freight.
• Step 2: Prepare Your Vehicle — For both RoRo and container: wash the vehicle thoroughly (for customs inspection), document existing damage with photos/video, remove all personal items (RoRo) or declare items (container), disable the car alarm, leave only 1/4 tank of fuel, check for fluid leaks and repair them, secure or remove loose accessories (spoilers, antennas, bike racks).
• Step 3: Gather Required Documentation — Standard documents needed: vehicle title (original), bill of sale or commercial invoice, valid photo ID/passport, power of attorney (if someone else handles shipping), export certificate (varies by country), destination country import permit (if required). For US exports, you'll also need the EPA and DOT forms confirming the vehicle meets destination country requirements.
• Step 4: Book and Deliver to Port — Confirm your booking with the shipping company, receive the booking confirmation and cutoff date, and deliver the vehicle to the designated port/warehouse. For container shipments, the vehicle is loaded into the container at a CFS (Container Freight Station) 3-5 days before sailing. For RoRo, deliver the vehicle 2-3 days before the vessel's arrival.
• Step 5: Customs Export Clearance — Your forwarder or customs broker files the export declaration. In the US, vehicles valued over $2,500 require an Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing through AES (Automated Export System). The customs clearance process typically takes 1-2 days.
• Step 6: Ocean Transit — Track your vehicle during transit. RoRo vessels typically take the same routes as container ships. Transit times: US to Europe 10-16 days, US to Australia 25-35 days, US to South America 10-18 days, Japan to US 14-21 days. Use our Transit Time Calculator for specific routes.
• Step 7: Destination Customs & Import Clearance — The most complex step. Every country has different import requirements for vehicles: import duties (0-100%+), age restrictions (some countries ban vehicles over 3-8 years old), emissions standards compliance, safety inspections, homologation requirements (converting from LHD to RHD or vice versa in some countries). Research destination requirements thoroughly or work with a destination agent.
• Step 8: Delivery to Final Destination — After customs clearance, the vehicle is released from the port. For RoRo, you or an agent collects it from the port. For container, it's unloaded at a CFS or delivered to your address. Inspect the vehicle immediately and document any transit damage for insurance claims.

Import Duties and Taxes for Vehicles by Country

Import duties are often the largest cost component of international car shipping, sometimes exceeding the shipping cost itself. Here are the duty rates for the most common destination countries:

Hidden Costs of International Car Shipping

Beyond the shipping rate and import duties, several additional costs often catch first-time vehicle shippers by surprise:

• Marine Insurance — Standard carrier liability for vehicles is limited (typically $500-$5,000 per vehicle). For adequate coverage, purchase marine cargo insurance at 1.5-2.5% of the vehicle's declared value. A $30,000 car costs $450-$750 to insure. This is essential for luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles.
• Port Handling Fees — Both origin and destination ports charge handling fees: $150-$400 at origin, $200-$500 at destination. These cover vehicle inspection, loading/unloading, and short-term storage at the terminal.
• Customs Brokerage — A customs broker charges $150-$350 for vehicle import/export clearance. This is separate from the duties themselves and covers the filing, classification, and compliance work.
• Vehicle Compliance & Modifications — Many countries require imported vehicles to meet local standards. This may include: emissions testing ($100-$500), headlight conversion ($200-$1,000), speedometer conversion ($100-$300), or full homologation ($2,000-$10,000+ in some markets). Research these before shipping.
• Inland Transport (Drayage) — Getting the vehicle from your home to the origin port and from the destination port to the final address adds $200-$800 each way, depending on distance. This is typically done by car carrier truck or flatbed.
• Storage and Demurrage — If the vehicle isn't collected from the destination port within the free storage period (typically 3-5 days), storage charges of $30-$75/day apply. Customs delays can quickly accumulate storage costs.

Shipping Classic, Luxury, and Exotic Cars

High-value vehicles require special handling and planning. If your vehicle is worth $50,000+, or has collector/emotional value, follow these additional precautions:

Always use enclosed container shipping, never RoRo. The cost premium of $1,500-$3,000 is trivial compared to the risk of weather damage, salt spray, or minor dings during RoRo loading/unloading.

Invest in professional vehicle preparation: a specialty auto transport company can secure the vehicle inside the container using wheel chocks, ratchet straps, and inflatable dunnage bags that prevent any movement during transit. Standard loading uses basic straps and blocks; professional loading uses multiple redundant securing methods.

Purchase all-risk marine insurance with agreed value coverage. Standard insurance pays market value; agreed value pays the amount you and the insurer agree on, which is critical for classic cars where replacement value exceeds market value.

Consider a climate-controlled container for vehicles sensitive to humidity (certain paints, leather interiors). These cost 2-3x a standard container but provide temperature and humidity control throughout the voyage.

Document the vehicle's condition exhaustively before shipping: professional photos of every panel, close-ups of any existing imperfections, undercarriage photos, mileage, and a condition report signed by both parties. This documentation is essential if you need to file an insurance claim.

Country-Specific Requirements: What You Need to Know

Every country has unique import regulations for vehicles. Here are the key requirements for the most popular destination markets:

• Importing a Car to the USA — Vehicles must meet EPA emissions and DOT/NHTSA safety standards. Cars under 25 years old must comply or be modified by a Registered Importer (RI). Cars 25+ years old are exempt (classic car exemption). Import duty is 2.5% for cars, 25% for trucks/SUVs (chicken tax). You'll need: title, bill of sale, EPA 3520-1 form, DOT HS-7 form.
• Importing a Car to the UK — Post-Brexit, importing a car from outside the UK incurs 6.5% duty + 20% VAT on the total value (car + shipping + duty). The car must pass an IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test unless it's from an approved type-approval country. Historic vehicles (40+ years) are exempt from IVA. DVLA registration is required within 14 days.
• Importing a Car to Australia — All imported vehicles must comply with the SEVS (Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme) or be a personal import (owner must have owned the car for 12+ months). Import duty is 5% + 10% GST. Luxury Car Tax applies to vehicles above the threshold ($76,950 in 2026 for fuel-efficient, $69,152 for others).
• Importing a Car to Brazil — Brazil has some of the highest vehicle import costs globally. Total taxes (import duty + IPI + ICMS + PIS/COFINS) can reach 80-120% of the vehicle's CIF value. Only new vehicles can be imported by individuals; used car imports are restricted to Brazilian nationals returning from abroad (limited to 1 vehicle).
• Importing a Car to Dubai/UAE — One of the most import-friendly markets. 5% import duty + 5% VAT. No age restrictions for personal imports. Left-hand drive vehicles only. Vehicles must pass Emirates Authority for Standardization (ESMA) compliance. The process is relatively straightforward and affordable compared to most markets.

Tips to Save Money on International Car Shipping

International car shipping doesn't have to break the bank. Here are proven strategies to reduce costs:

• Choose RoRo Over Container (When Appropriate) — If your vehicle isn't luxury/classic and you don't need to ship personal items, RoRo saves 30-50%. It's perfectly safe for standard vehicles on well-traveled routes.
• Share a Container — If you're shipping one standard car, it only uses about 60% of a 20ft container. Many shippers offer shared container options where 2 vehicles share a 40ft container, reducing your cost by 25-40% versus an exclusive container.
• Be Flexible on Timing — Shipping rates fluctuate seasonally. January-March is typically the cheapest period for vehicle shipping as demand drops after the holiday relocation season. Avoid August-October (peak season) if possible.
• Ship Port-to-Port — If you can deliver the car to the origin port and collect it from the destination port yourself, you save $400-$1,600 in inland transport fees. This works best if you're near both ports.
• Research Destination Taxes Before Buying — If you're buying a vehicle specifically to import, factor in destination country duties and taxes. A car that costs $20,000 in the US might cost $35,000-$44,000 after import to Brazil but only $22,000 after import to the UAE. The destination tax regime should influence which vehicle you buy and from where.
• Get Multiple Quotes — Car shipping rates vary significantly between companies. Get at least 3 quotes and ensure each includes the same scope (door-to-door or port-to-port, insurance, customs brokerage). Work with a reputable freight forwarder who specializes in vehicle shipping.

Frequently Asked Questions