Cost to Ship a Car Overseas: | How Much Does It Really Cost?

Moving can be stressful and expensive, especially involving seemingly impossible things like hauling cars overseas. However, the expense is less when considering the cost of buying or renting a car in your new home. To keep matters simple and easy to calculate, let's assume that the point of origin is from the US.

Calculating the cost of relocating overseas may be a little tricky. Still, you can make it easy by making a list of things to get an accurate idea of the cost of shipping your car overseas. The list will also help you be prepared for otherwise unexpected expenses. The following points can be tabulated as a list so that you do not miss out on anything and can keep it with you until the car is safely handed over.

Things to be taken into consideration while calculating the cost to ship a vehicle overseas are:

The Size and Weight of the War - While one cannot generalize, a compact car usually costs less to move than a large car. The smaller the car, the lesser the cost, especially if it needs packing materials to keep it safe during transport. Also, if the vehicle is an SUV, you can expect to get a bill of $2000 if the destination is Europe. However, when it is Australia that you are shipping to, even a standard-size car can cost you $2,950. Most companies use a standardized rate that considers the overall volume of the vehicle measured in cubic feet (CBF), the year of manufacture, the model, and the make of the car. So, a vehicle measuring 600 CBF with a height of 1.6 m can cost $1,300, and other charges.
Condition of the Car - When the car is running, you can lower the expenses by not having to use a truck to haul it to the ship and back again onto land. If the car has to be in a drivable condition for transit, add the amount you must pay for repairs and servicing. Non-operational vehicles will cost you more for loading and unloading from the ship, as you might need to hire trucks. Most of the time, movers use a Ro-Ro method where the car will be rolled onto the haul and again rolled off, which decreases the cost significantly as you do not need any special equipment for this method.
Transportation – This consists of three things:
The starting location to the terminal
While on the ship
From the hauling terminal to the destination

Some companies will deliver only from port to port and not door to door, with a significantly lower cost. Choose the latter if you can transport the car to the port and have arranged relocation from the destination port. If your car is in good running condition, all you must pay for is gas until you get it to the terminal and from the port to your new home. Otherwise, it is best to let the moving company handle the hauling.

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The transportation charges, if it is door-to-door, will vary if the route is as follows:

When calculating the cost to ship a car overseas, the pricing depends on various factors, including the route, pickup and drop-off locations, shipping method, container size, and insurance.

If you’re shipping door-to-door within the US before your vehicle heads overseas, expect added fees based on distance. For example, moving a car between two major U.S. cities might add around $100 to the base cost, bringing domestic transport fees to about $650 to $800. However, if your vehicle is picked up or delivered in a remote area, especially in the Midwest or far from a significant port, you might see prices rise to $900 or more due to added effort and logistics.
For international car shipping, sending a vehicle from the U.S. to a significant European city typically adds about $750 to your total. If you're using a 20-foot container to ship to destinations like Australia, the price may be around $3,200, depending on the size of your shipment. Larger containers or shipments to less common locations globally may come at a premium.
Shipping services often include pickup, handling, vehicle loading, and securing on the vessel. Choosing an enclosed transport will cost more than open carriers but offers added protection, especially for high-value or classic cars.
Marine insurance is essential for overseas shipping. Most providers offer two types:
All-Risk Coverage, which insures your vehicle for its full value and allows claims for in-transit damage.
Total Loss Only, which only covers the car if it's completely lost, such as falling overboard.
Insurance usually costs between 1.1% and 2.5% of the car’s declared value. Since maritime law limits the carrier’s liability to $500 per vehicle, securing additional insurance is a smart way to protect your investment.

Car Transporters

Common sense dictates that you cannot do it all by yourself and need the help of professionals such as car transporters. You might find good deals with several car relocators with much experience shifting overseas. However, choose one with a good reputation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Also, never settle for the first company that you come across, but get quotations from at least 4 or 5. This will give you an idea of how things are charged and might give you points for bargaining. One of the charges that you can expect from the company is administrative charges.

Foreign Rules

Check whether the company knows about the duties, rules, and customs restrictions that you might encounter in the destination country. Otherwise, you can do your homework by calling up the consulate and asking them yourself. A few things that you will need to know are

How much will it cost to bring a foreign car into the country?
What are the duties and taxes that you will have to pay?
How should the car be delivered and where?
Can you sell the car in a foreign country if need be?
Does the car qualify as a luxury car and, hence, subject to paying the luxury car tax (LCT)?

European ports might charge you $200 for entry taxes, but it is advisable to know the rates beforehand so that you will not be caught unaware of them in a strange land.

Documents

Getting your documents in order is crucial when you're shipping a car internationally. Being far from home, you can’t afford paperwork delays. These documents play a key role in clearing customs at both the departure and arrival ports. Ensure to bring the original documents and certified copies, which can be obtained from your local Department of Motor Vehicles.

If your vehicle is new and doesn't have a title yet, you’ll need the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin and two copies of it. If your car has an active lien, you must provide a letter of authorization from the lienholder and two copies. You should also confirm with your auto transport provider if any additional forms are required, such as the Shipper Export Declaration Form or the Dangerous Goods Declaration Form, which may involve small extra fees.

Final Step Before the Journey

Before shipping your vehicle, ensure it is thoroughly cleaned and emptied of any items that could cause issues during transport. Remove:

Personal belongings
Tools and repair equipment
Paperwork
Any loose items that might shift around

Items like spare tires, seat covers, and floor mats can remain inside the car. This helps prevent unnecessary damage, and most insurance companies won’t cover claims if unsecured items caused the damage.

Read all the provided guidelines carefully before shipping begins. This helps you follow every rule correctly and avoid penalties. Also, confirm all charges beforehand so you won’t be caught off guard by unexpected costs later.

Cost While in Transit

You may have to pay the hauler when your vehicle is picked up for overseas transport. The total cost can also depend on how long the journey takes, as some shipments are completed within days while others may take weeks.

Stay in touch with the carrier to track your vehicle's location. If your car arrives before you do, international communication might be necessary, so it’s a good idea to include those call expenses in your total cost estimate.

Time of Travel

The time of year also impacts your shipping rate. Winter months are generally less expensive because demand is lower. On the other hand, shipping during the summer tends to cost more since it’s the peak season for international vehicle transport.

All’s Well That Ends Well

Once your vehicle arrives at its destination, scrutinize it for any signs of damage. Only make the final payment if everything looks the same as it did before shipping. A thorough inspection helps ensure you get what you paid for and prevents disputes after delivery.