How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Car Overseas?

Cost of Shipping a Car Overseas

Hauling a car overseas differs from shipping within the continental U.S. for two main reasons. The first is that shipping a vehicle to another country usually means putting your car on a boat that hauls it to a port near the destination. The second is that import taxes and documents are required, but they are not in play when dispatching domestically.

Transport Methods

There are two main options for hauling a car by boat. Providing the vehicle can fit, a shipping container is often used since it is the preferred method for sending all types of cargo worldwide. Containers are easily stackable on ships and just as easily transferred to a truck bed for overland transport.

The other method is called “roll on, roll-off” or “RORO” for short. In this case, the car is driven onto the transport boat and secured in the cargo deck using special equipment, straps, and tie-downs. Once the ship arrives, the vehicle is driven off. RORO is a bit more straightforward since it doesn’t require the loading and unloading of containers.

Taxes

Import taxes should be one of the first things you consider when considering shipping a car to another country. Not only can taxes add to your shipping costs, but they can even be so high as to cost more than the carrier's price for some countries.

International Vehicle Delivery Costs Explained

The required documents are among the most critical aspects of hauling a car overseas. Not only can your vehicle be denied if you’re missing the proper paperwork, but it can also result in unexpected severe costs, not to mention delays in getting access to your car.

To further complicate things, the paperwork differs depending on which country you’re sending to, so it’s essential to understand this aspect. This resource has more information about the paperwork and requirements for shipping to a specific country.

Yet another potential cost factor in overseas shipping is the shipping required to get the vehicle to a shipping port. This isn't an issue if you’re sending from Los Angeles, San Diego, or Baltimore. However, if you’re not near a major seaport, it’s essential to factor in the cost of getting the car to a port where it can be loaded onto a ship.

Overland shipping rates are also based on distance, so the longer the trip to the port, the more it will likely cost.

Want to save money on the cost of sending a car overseas? Call us today at the number at the top of the page to learn about our services, or if you’d like a FREE price quote! Our staff are happy to answer your questions and explain any aspects of overseas shipping!