Ship Car To Puerto Rico | How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car to Puerto Rico?

Last updated Sep, 30 2026

Ship Car To Puerto Rico | How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car to Puerto Rico?

Shipping a vehicle to Puerto Rico typically costs between $1,700 and $3,500. Standard-sized cars that fit into a shipping container are generally more affordable to transport. Be sure to budget for these costs, as shipping fees can vary depending on the vehicle’s size and other factors.

Cost & Time Examples For Hauling a Car to the Island of Enchantment

Shipping a car to Puerto Rico typically costs $1,200–$3,000, with East Coast departures to San Juan or Ponce averaging 5–9 days of ocean transit time.
Total door-to-port delivery runs 7–14 days; hurricane season from June through November can affect vessel schedules and add delays on Caribbean routes.
No import duties apply since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, but DOT and EPA compliance is verified at port, and excise tax is assessed based on the vehicle's appraised value.

To/From	Ground	Ocean	Days
New York, NY to (New York port) to Ponce	$275	$3,700	5+8
Los Angeles to (California port) to San Juan	$350	$3,300	5+17
Las Vegas, NV to (California port) to Porto Nuevo	$460	$3,300	5+17
Portland, OR to (California port) to Porto Nuevo	$465	$3,300	6+17
Seattle, WA to (California port) to San Juan	$560	$3,300	6+17
Columbus, OH to (New York port) to San Juan	$550	$3,700	5+8
Charlotte, NC to (New York port) to Porto Nuevo	$575	$3,700	6+8
Atlanta, GA to (New York port) to Ponce	$700	$3,700	6+8
Denver, CO to (California port) to San Juan	$775	$3,300	7+17
Houston, TX to (New York port) to Ponce	$1,075	$3,700	7+8

*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 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.

Moving a car from the mainland U.S. to Puerto Rico is not without its logistical challenges, and we should know that we’ve been delivering vehicles to the Caribbean for more than 25 years. That doesn’t mean moving a car to Puerto Rico must be complicated or expensive. Regardless of the delivery timeframe or vehicle type, we have expert, affordable, and convenient auto-moving options available for anyone who needs a vehicle shipped.

Since Puerto Rico is an island or a collection of small islands, transporting a vehicle requires shipping by ocean liner or air freight. Transport by boat is far more common since it allows several cars to be moved simultaneously (and is more affordable!). In contrast, air freight is typically reserved for luxury, rare, antique, or high-value vehicles.

Unless you have easy access to a shipping port in the U.S., you will likely need a two-part auto move: from inland to a port and from a U.S. port to Puerto Rico, both of which we provide. Not only do we ship cars from the U.S. to Puerto Rico, but we also move cars to and from every state, so it’s no problem getting your vehicle from its current location to the closest available port and on to Puerto Rico!

Popular Shipping Destinations:

Bayamon	Caguas	Carolina	Guaynabo
Ponce	San Juan	Port of San Juan	Port of Ponce, Puerto Rico

Call us today at 1-800-518-8708 with any questions about the process, from pickup to documentation, taxes & delivery! For an instant price quote on shipping a car to Puerto Rico, fill out the easy online form at the top of the page!

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Professional Puerto Rican Auto Transport Services.

Transporting a vehicle to Puerto Rico requires the services of trained experts. Whether you are a dealer, rental agency, collector, or private owner, this is true. Auto imports and exports to and from Puerto Rico are subject to several limitations, and legislation is absent when transferring a vehicle within the United States.

For example, any cargo moving from the U.S. to Puerto Rico must travel by equipment and facilities that are U.S.-built, crewed, and owned. Duties do not apply since Puerto Rico is an unincorporated part of the U.S., but taxes are levied on auto imports (see the link below to calculate taxes).

Required Documents For Moving A Car To Puerto Rico.

Title—To ship a car from the mainland U.S. to Puerto Rico, you will need a copy of the title, front and back. A notarized letter from the lien holder (financial institution) is required if the vehicle is being leased.
Driver’s License—A copy of a valid driver’s license for the vehicle owner must be submitted before export. If the car is being delivered by someone else on the owner’s behalf, a notarized letter (in addition to the copy of the driver’s license) that authorizes transport must be included.
Vehicle Value - The import tax is based on the car's value, so an accurate appraisal is essential before an auto moves to Puerto Rico.
Bill of lading.
Purchase invoice.
EPA form.
Vehicle conformity proof.
Registration

To learn more about shipping a car to Puerto Rico, call us today at 1-800-518-8708 or get a free auto-moving quote using our online form at the top of the page!

Puerto Rico Auto Shipping Resources.

Ports in Puerto Rico - Listings and information about the major ports used for shipping goods and cargo in Puerto Rico, as well as information about each.

Vehicle Import Taxes—Find the excise tax on bringing a vehicle from the United States to Puerto Rico.

San Juan Travel Guide guides visitors and travelers in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It covers everything you need to know about the different neighborhoods, weather, and how to get around.

Other Services

Overseas Moving Services to Puerto Rico

cargo vessel sails from the port to the sea

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to ship a car to Puerto Rico?

As of September 30, 2026, shipping a standard running car from the mainland U.S. to Puerto Rico generally costs about $1,200-$2,500 before Puerto Rico excise tax. Current Jacksonville port rates sit near $1,140-$1,310, while door-to-port examples from Florida, the Northeast, and the West Coast run roughly $1,600-$2,500. Larger vehicles, inland pickup, and dedicated-container service can push the quote higher. A1's car shipping rates guide explains the main pricing inputs.

How long does it take to ship a car to Puerto Rico from the mainland U.S.?

Shipping a car from the mainland U.S. to Puerto Rico usually takes about 2-7 days on the ocean leg, while inland door-to-port moves commonly take 8-15 days. Direct Jacksonville sailings can be roughly 2-3 days, while Northeast schedules and mainland trucking add time. Terminal cutoffs, sailing day, and vehicle release can extend the calendar. Pickup scheduling happens before loaded transit, so compare estimates on the same basis.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car to Puerto Rico?

The cheapest way to ship a standard running car to Puerto Rico is usually port-to-port service, especially if you can deliver the vehicle to Jacksonville yourself. That removes the mainland pickup leg from the quote. RoRo is generally lower-cost than dedicated container service for an operable vehicle, while open transport is usually the lower-cost truck option if you need pickup to the port. A1's RoRo shipping cost guide explains the ocean method and its pricing factors.

What documents are required to ship a car to Puerto Rico?

To ship a car from the mainland U.S. to Puerto Rico, expect to provide photo ID, vehicle ownership paperwork, booking details, and keys, with current registration commonly required or requested by the carrier. If someone other than the owner handles drop-off, a notarized authorization may also be needed; financed or leased vehicles use lender authorization instead of a clear-title assumption. For Puerto Rico release, keep the bill of lading and title available because Hacienda's excise process uses shipment and vehicle documents. Review A1's vehicle shipping document guide before port delivery.

Can I ship a financed or leased car to Puerto Rico?

Yes, you can usually ship a financed or leased car to Puerto Rico, but written lienholder authorization is typically required before the vehicle is accepted. The letter should identify the vehicle and confirm that the lender permits shipment to Puerto Rico; some carriers require official letterhead or notarization. Request the authorization before your port date because the lender controls issuance. Bring it with your booking paperwork and identification so the terminal can verify permission before accepting the car.

Do I have to pay taxes when shipping a car to Puerto Rico?

Yes. Shipping a car from the mainland U.S. to Puerto Rico generally involves Puerto Rico vehicle excise tax, or arbitrios, even though the move is not an export under CBP's vehicle-export rule. CBP treats Puerto Rico as part of U.S. customs territory for this rule. Hacienda bases the excise tax on the vehicle's Puerto Rico taxable value, and SURI can estimate it from the VIN or make, model, and year. Complete the applicable tax and release steps before collecting the vehicle.