International Car Shipping
Shipping a car overseas is one of the more complex parts of any international move. Vehicles are high-value, tightly regulated at customs, and can only travel on specific vessels between specific ports. Flyto Relocation has arranged international vehicle shipping for private movers, expatriates and returning nationals since 2018. We do not own car carriers or ships; instead we broker and coordinate your shipment through a network of vetted freight partners, matching your route, vehicle and budget to the right method and the right carrier. This guide explains how international car shipping actually works, what it costs, how long it takes, and what you need to prepare.
How international car shipping works
Almost every car that crosses an ocean travels by sea. There are three mainstream methods, and choosing between them is the single biggest decision you will make.
RoRo (roll-on/roll-off)
RoRo vessels are purpose-built car carriers. Your vehicle is driven on at the origin port, secured on a dedicated deck, and driven off at the destination port. Because nothing is packed around it, RoRo is usually the cheapest option and often the fastest to book, as sailings are frequent on major trade lanes. The trade-off is that the vehicle is not enclosed, and you generally cannot ship personal belongings inside it.
Shared-container (consolidated)
Your car is loaded into a shipping container that it shares with other vehicles or cargo. It sits inside a fully enclosed steel box, giving far better protection from weather and handling than RoRo. Costs fall between RoRo and sole-use container because the container space is split across several customers. Availability can be slower, as the container needs to fill before it sails.
Sole-use container
You book an entire 20ft or 40ft container for your vehicle alone. This offers the highest protection, the most flexibility on timing, and — on many routes — the ability to ship limited personal belongings loaded around the vehicle. It is the most expensive method, and is popular for classic, luxury or high-value cars.
RoRo vs container: a direct comparison
| Factor | RoRo | Container (shared / sole-use) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | Lowest | Higher (shared) to highest (sole-use) |
| Protection | Open deck, exposed to elements | Fully enclosed, best protection |
| Belongings inside | Generally not allowed | Often allowed (route-dependent, sole-use) |
| Availability | Frequent sailings on major lanes | Can wait for consolidation (shared) |
| Best for | Standard, driveable vehicles on budget | High-value, classic or non-running cars |
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What drives the cost of shipping a car abroad
There is no single “car shipping cost” figure, because the price is built from several variables. The main cost drivers are:
- Distance and route: the specific port pair matters more than raw mileage. Busy, well-served lanes are cheaper per kilometre than remote ones.
- Method: RoRo is usually cheaper than container; sole-use container is the most expensive.
- Vehicle dimensions and weight: pricing is often based on the volume your car occupies (cubic metres), so SUVs, vans and pickups cost more than compact cars.
- Season: demand peaks (and rates rise) around summer and major relocation windows; shoulder seasons can be cheaper.
- Door-to-port vs door-to-door: inland transport at either end, port handling and terminal fees all add up.
- Insurance: marine cover is priced as a percentage of declared vehicle value.
- Destination duties and taxes: not part of the freight price, but a major part of the total landed cost (see below).
As a rough guide only, international RoRo shipments on established lanes often fall in the region of a few hundred to around a couple of thousand euros, while container shipping — especially sole-use — can run several thousand and upward on long-haul intercontinental routes. These are broad market ranges that depend entirely on your route, method, vehicle size and season. A firm figure always requires the specific origin, destination and vehicle, which is exactly what a quote provides.
Typical transit times by region
Transit time is the port-to-port sailing, and does not include booking lead time, port cut-offs, or customs clearance at either end. As general expectations:
- Within Europe / short sea: a few days to about two weeks.
- Europe to North America: roughly two to four weeks.
- Europe to the Middle East: around three to five weeks.
- Europe to Asia, Africa, Australia or South America: commonly four to eight weeks or more.
Add one to three weeks on top for scheduling, consolidation (for shared containers) and clearance. Weather, port congestion and customs inspections can extend any of these.
Documents and customs
Customs authorities treat an imported vehicle strictly, and missing paperwork is the most common cause of delays and storage charges. Requirements vary by destination country, but you should expect to need:
- Original title and registration document, in your name
- Proof of ownership and proof of purchase / value
- Your passport and, often, proof of residence or a visa
- Proof of de-registration or export declaration in the origin country, where required
- The bill of lading issued once the car is booked onto the vessel
Import duties, VAT and taxes are set by the destination country and vary enormously — some countries grant relief for returning residents importing a personally-owned vehicle, others levy substantial duties based on engine size, emissions or value. These charges are payable to the destination authorities and are separate from the freight cost. Always confirm the rules for your specific destination before you ship, because a car can become uneconomical to import once local taxes are applied.
Preparing your vehicle
Good preparation protects your car, satisfies biosecurity rules and avoids surprises at the port. Before your vehicle is collected or delivered to the terminal:
- Fuel: leave roughly a quarter tank — enough to load and unload, but not full, for safety.
- Clean it thoroughly, inside and out: many destinations (notably Australia and New Zealand) enforce strict biosecurity and will reject or quarantine a car carrying soil, seeds, insects or plant matter.
- Remove personal items: for RoRo the car must generally be empty. Some container routes allow limited belongings — confirm this in advance, as it affects customs treatment.
- Disable alarms, note any existing damage, and photograph the vehicle before handover for your own records.
- Check for leaks and mechanical issues; a non-running vehicle can still be shipped by container but needs to be declared.
Insurance
Standard motor insurance does not cover a vehicle at sea. Marine cargo insurance is arranged specifically for the voyage and is strongly recommended. Cover is typically offered as total-loss protection or as more comprehensive all-risks cover, priced as a percentage of your declared vehicle value. We always recommend insuring the shipment; the premium is small relative to the value of the asset in transit.
How Flyto coordinates your shipment
Flyto Relocation is a European relocation company. We own and operate our own logistics hubs in Northern, Central and Southern Europe, and we work with a network of vetted overseas partners to handle the destination side. For your car, that means we:
- Assess your route, vehicle and priorities to recommend RoRo or container
- Source and compare rates from our vetted freight partners
- Arrange door-to-port or, where available, door-to-door transport via partners
- Coordinate export paperwork, booking and the bill of lading
- Guide you on destination documents, customs and expected duties
Because we broker rather than operate the vessels, you get an impartial recommendation and access to multiple carriers, with a single point of contact managing the move end to end.
Get a firm quote for your route
Every car shipment is priced on its specific route, method, vehicle and timing, so the most useful next step is a real quote rather than an estimate. Tell us where the car is starting, where it needs to arrive and what you are shipping, and we will match it to the right method and a vetted partner. Get a car shipping quote and one of our relocation specialists will build a tailored plan for your move.