International Boat & Yacht Shipping
Moving a boat abroad is one of the more technical challenges in relocation. A vessel is heavy, awkwardly shaped, valuable and often irreplaceable to its owner — and unlike a car or a container of household goods, there is rarely a single obvious way to ship it. The right method depends on the length, beam, weight and hull type of your craft, on the distance involved, and on how much handling you are prepared to accept. Flyto Relocation has arranged international moves since 2018, and we coordinate boat and yacht shipping worldwide through vetted specialist partners so that your vessel arrives ready for the water.
Flyto is not a carrier and does not own ships. What we do is plan the route, match your boat to the correct shipping method, brief the specialist operators, handle the customs and documentation, and keep you informed from cradle to quayside. Below is a clear, honest guide to how international boat transport actually works and what it typically costs.
How boats are shipped internationally
There are three principal methods for moving a boat across borders and oceans. Each suits a different size and type of vessel, and the difference in cost and handling between them is significant.
RoRo (roll-on / roll-off)
RoRo shipping carries your boat on its own road trailer, which is driven or towed onto a vehicle deck and secured for the voyage — the same principle as a car ferry. It is generally the most economical option for trailerable and smaller craft. Because the boat travels on wheels and is not lifted, handling stress is low, but the vessel must be roadworthy on a suitable trailer and the sailing schedules are fixed by the ferry or car-carrier operator.
Flat-rack or open-top container
Mid-size boats that will not fit inside a standard box but are still small enough to sit on a container base can travel on a flat-rack or in an open-top container. The boat is chocked and shored onto the rack, secured with straps and, where needed, a custom cradle. This method offers broad routing choice on scheduled container services and reasonable protection, provided the shoring is done correctly.
Dedicated yacht carrier / lift-on lift-off
Large yachts and sailing vessels are best moved by dedicated yacht-transport ships using lift-on / lift-off (LoLo) handling: the yacht is lifted by crane or floated onto a semi-submersible deck, cradled and secured for the crossing. This is the specialist end of the market — the most protective and the most expensive — and is the standard approach for craft that are too large, too heavy or too valuable for RoRo or a flat-rack.
Which method suits which boat
| Method | Typical size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo on trailer | Small / trailerable craft (roughly up to 8–9 m) | Most economical; needs a roadworthy trailer; fixed schedules; low handling stress. |
| Flat-rack / open-top container | Mid-size boats (roughly 8–14 m) | Chocked and shored; often needs a cradle; wide routing on container services. |
| Dedicated yacht carrier (LoLo) | Large yachts & sailing vessels (14 m and above) | Crane or float-on loading; most protective; specialist schedules; highest cost. |
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These size bands are indicative only. Beam, draught, weight and hull configuration can push a boat into a different method, so the correct choice is always confirmed vessel by vessel.
Cradle and preparation
Preparation is where most of the risk in international boat shipping is managed, and it is worth getting right. For flat-rack and yacht-carrier moves a custom cradle or proper shoring is usually needed so the hull is supported evenly and cannot shift during the crossing. For sailboats, the mast is unstepped (removed) and packaged separately or lashed securely along the deck. Loose gear, electronics, canvas and personal effects are removed or stowed, through-hull fittings and water systems are drained to prevent freeze or leak damage, batteries are disconnected, and fuel is typically reduced to the level the operator specifies. Fenders and padding protect vulnerable points, and the whole vessel is documented photographically before it leaves. Requirements vary by boat and by operator, so we confirm the exact preparation checklist for your vessel before shipping.
What does it cost to ship a boat abroad?
Honest answer: there is no fixed price, and any quote that ignores your vessel’s dimensions should be treated with caution. International boat shipping is priced case by case, driven mainly by length, beam, weight and hull type; the method (RoRo is generally cheapest, dedicated yacht carrier the most expensive); the distance and route, including whether a direct sailing exists; the season and equipment availability; and extras such as cradle fabrication, mast handling, inland haulage to and from the port, and marine insurance. As a very broad guide, short intra-European RoRo moves of a small trailerable boat sit at the lower end, while transocean yacht-carrier moves of a large vessel are considerably higher. Rather than quote a misleading figure, we price your specific boat and route and set out the full breakdown before you commit.
Customs, duty and VAT
A boat crossing a customs border is subject to the import rules of the destination country, and these can be substantial. Depending on the destination and on your residency status, import duty and/or VAT may apply to the vessel’s value. Where the boat is a genuine personal vessel and you are relocating, some countries offer transfer-of-residence relief that can reduce or remove import charges, but the conditions are strict and vary widely. Proof of prior VAT status, ownership history and the boat’s build documentation are often required. Because the financial impact of getting this wrong is large, we confirm the specific customs and tax treatment for your route and destination in advance and handle the documentation, rather than relying on general assumptions.
Insurance
Marine transport insurance is essential, not optional. A dedicated marine cargo policy for the voyage protects against loss or damage in transit, which standard boat or household policies frequently exclude. Cover should reflect the full replacement value of the vessel and the chosen shipping method. We help you arrange appropriate cover through our partners and make sure the declared value and terms match what is actually being shipped.
How Flyto coordinates your boat move
Flyto operates its own hubs across Northern, Central and Southern Europe and works with vetted specialist partners overseas, so we can plan a boat move as part of a wider relocation or as a standalone shipment. We assess your vessel and route, recommend RoRo, flat-rack or a dedicated yacht carrier, brief the operators, arrange cradle and preparation where needed, coordinate inland haulage, manage customs and VAT paperwork, and keep a single point of contact accountable throughout. You deal with one team; we manage the specialists behind the scenes.
Get started
Every boat move is different, and the sensible first step is a proper assessment of your vessel, your route and your timeline. Tell us your boat’s length, beam, weight and hull type, where it is now and where it needs to go, and we will recommend the right method and give you a transparent, itemised quote with no invented figures.