Ship Car To Mauritius | Import Car to Mauritius

Ship Your Car To Or From Mauritius

Mauritius may be best known for its coral‑rimmed lagoons and year‑round sunshine, yet its busy deep‑water port at Port Louis also makes the island a convenient hub for vehicles arriving from the United States. Whether you are moving for work, returning home after years abroad, or expanding a small tourism fleet, sending a personal car across 10,000 miles of ocean feels like a big step. Good news: the process is well‑mapped, and most owners reach the island in one piece and on budget when they rely on an experienced international carrier such as A‑1 Auto Transport. This page walks you through every major point—shipping modes, prices, paperwork, rules, and what our team actually does on your behalf—so you can decide with confidence and avoid costly surprises later on.

Shipping Methods to Port Louis

Roll‑on/Roll‑off (Ro‑Ro)

The vehicle is driven onto a specialized vessel, secured to the deck, and driven off in Port Louis. Ro‑Ro is the least costly option and works well for running cars, SUVs, and light trucks. Weekly departures leave from East‑Coast ports such as Baltimore, Jacksonville, and Galveston, with average transit times of 35‑45 days, including one stop for trans‑shipment in Europe or South Africa.

Shared or Sole‑Use Container

A 20‑foot container fits most sedans and small SUVs; a 40‑foot unit can hold large pickups or two mid‑size cars. Container auto shipping service costs more but shelters the vehicle from salt spray and allows you to pack spare parts or personal goods (subject to Mauritian rules). It is also the best solution for non‑running vehicles that cannot be driven on and off a Ro‑Ro ramp.

Typical Hauling Prices – How Much Does It Cost?

Prices from the U.S. mainland to Port Louis usually start near $3,500 for a compact car in Ro‑Ro service from an East‑Coast port. Large SUVs, West‑Coast departures, or sole‑use containers can push the figure toward $7,000. Final quotes depend on three variables: distance from your home to the nearest U.S. port, size and weight of the vehicle, and the insurance package you choose.

Door‑to‑port transit time averages five to seven weeks. A‑1 Auto Transport schedules the earliest possible sailing and provides live tracking so you always know where your shipment sits on the route.

Cost & Time Examples For Importing An Automobile

*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.

*Save ground transport costs by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.

*Allow an additional ten Mauritius days to process the documents.

*Prices are for one car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.

*The RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive, and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.

Those relocating to Mauritius from the United States often prefer to take their cars. Even when factoring in the cost of shipping, bringing a vehicle from the States is usually less expensive than purchasing one locally in this island nation. Fortunately, many ports in the US host regular departures for the warm waters of Mauritius, and reliable shipping services like A-1 Auto Transport are here to handle the formalities and minutia of the import process for you.

Import Rules You Must Know

Mauritius enforces clear standards to protect road safety and the environment. Breaking one of them can mean storage penalties or even re‑export at your cost, so read them closely:

• Right‑Hand Drive Only – Private imports must have the steering wheel on the right. Left‑hand‑drive cars are not permitted for everyday use.
• Age Window for Used Cars – A passenger vehicle must usually be at least 18 months old and no more than 48 months when it is loaded on the ship.
• Import Permit – Apply before the car leaves the U.S. through the Trade Division of the Mauritian Ministry of Commerce and Consumer Protection.
• Original Chassis and Clear Title – The VIN on the frame must match your U.S. title and bill of lading. Tampered chassis numbers are refused.
• Roadworthiness Inspection – Vehicles from Japan or the U.S. often come with a third‑party inspection (JUMVEA, JAAI, or similar) accepted by Mauritian customs.

Duties, Taxes, and Fees

Mauritius charges both excise duty and VAT. Rates vary with engine size and fuel type:

• Hybrid cars enjoy lower duty bands, and pure electric cars currently enter at 0 % excise. Always confirm the rate for your specific VIN before sailing because fiscal rules can shift with every annual budget.

Documents Checklist

• Original U.S. Title (or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin for new vehicles)
• Bill of Lading showing chassis number, weight, and port details
• Commercial Invoice stating Free‑on‑Board (FOB) value in USD
• Import Permit issued by the Mauritian Ministry of Commerce
• Passport Copy plus work or residence permit if applicable
• Pre‑Export Inspection Certificate (if the car is sourced from Japan)

A‑1 Auto Transport reviews each form for accuracy before submission. Missing numbers or spelling errors are the top reason cars get held in Port Louis.

Popular Hauling Destinations

• Beau Bassin
• Curepipe
• Goodlands
• Mahebourg
• Port Louis
• Vacoas
• Quatre Bornes
• Triolet

Step‑by‑Step Service with A‑1 Auto Transport

• Detailed Quote – You provide the make, model, U.S. zip code, and desired delivery window. We send a line‑item estimate that includes inland hauling, ocean transport, and insurance.
• Vehicle Pickup – A licensed carrier collects the car from your driveway or storage yard and delivers it to the sailing port.
• Customs Filing in the U.S. – We lodge the Automated Export System (AES) record, attach the ITN number to your documents, and pay port fees on your behalf.
• Secure Loading – In Ro‑Ro service, the car is driven onto the deck and tied down. In container service, it is lashed to wooden blocks and wheel chocks, then photographed for your records.
• Ocean Transit and Tracking – You get a tracking link that updates at every port call.
• Arrival and Clearance in Port Louis – Our Mauritian agent submits the MRA customs entry, pays duty and VAT (you reimburse at cost), and arranges quarantine wash if customs orders one.
• Delivery or Port Release – Choose door‑delivery within the island or pick up the vehicle yourself after it clears customs inspection.

Moving Of Heavy Equipment & Oversized Cargo

Our clients commonly have initial concerns over the costs and security of overseas shipping services for their heavy equipment or oversized cargo. Lucky for them, these concerns needn’t be a concern. At A1 Auto Transport, we have the best shipping equipment and technologies to guarantee a quick and safe delivery.

The types of heavy equipment and oversized cargo we can ship internationally are never-ending. In the decades we’ve been established as a transport company, we’ve successfully delivered an unlimited variety of freight, including the following types of equipment and oversized cargo…

• Tractors
• Backhoes
• Forklifts
• Trenchers
• Excavators
• Pavers
• Skidders
• Graders
• Loaders
• Cranes
• Large Yachts and Pontoon Boats
• RVs and Motorhomes
• Large Vehicles and Dump Trucks
• Haulers and More…

Why Vehicle Owners Pick A‑1 Auto Transport

We have shipped personal cars, rally trucks, food‑grade vans, and entire taxi fleets to Mauritius for more than 20 years. Our U.S. operations team speaks directly with Mauritian customs and port gate staff daily, so you never chase multiple middlemen. You get one invoice, one point of contact, and a single tracking link from door to island driveway. The result is lower stress and fewer hidden charges on arrival.

Get Started With Your Car Shipping Now

Moving a vehicle across the world does not have to be risky or confusing. When you understand the rules—right‑hand drive only, four‑year age cap, clear title, and the correct duty bands—most of the process becomes simple paperwork and well‑timed logistics. A‑1 Auto Transport handles the loading, filings, and on‑island clearance so you can focus on settling into life in Mauritius. Ready for an accurate quote or just want to double‑check a rule about engine size? Call our international desk today at 1-888-230-9116, and let’s get your shipment on the next vessel to Port Louis.

Relevant Statistics

• Approximately 1,200 cars are shipped to Mauritius every year.
• Shipping a car to Mauritius ranges from $2,500 to $4,000.
• More than 90% of cars shipped to Mauritius come from Europe and Asia.
• On average, it takes around 30 days for a car to be shipped from the United States to Mauritius.
• The import tax for car shipping to Mauritius is approximately 35% of the vehicle's value.