International Car Shipping Costs 2026
Real rates. No fluff. Every cost you need to know before shipping your vehicle overseas from the UK — including port freight, collection, duties, and what to watch out for.
Important: All prices are indicative port-to-port freight rates for a standard saloon car unless stated. 4x4 / SUV rates are typically £250–£350 more. Quotes are valid for 30 days. Duties, destination port fees, and UK collection are additional. Use our cost calculator for a tailored estimate or check live RORO sailing dates.
Estimate your car shipping cost in 30 seconds
Prefilled with our most-quoted route — a saloon car from Southampton to UAE / Dubai by RORO. Adjust any field to recalculate instantly, or open the full cost calculator.
What affects your shipping cost?
No two shipments cost the same. These are the main factors that move the price up or down.
Vehicle Size & Height
Saloon rates up to 1.6m height. 4x4 / SUV rates up to 2.0m. Anything taller costs more.
Destination & Route
Popular routes (Australia, USA, Europe) have more sailings and better rates than niche destinations.
Shipping Method
RORO is cheapest for running vehicles. Container protects classics, EVs, and non-runners.
Fuel Surcharges
Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) fluctuates with oil prices and can shift rates by 15–30%.
Currency
GBP/USD and GBP/EUR movements affect USD-denominated freight invoiced in sterling.
Seasonal Demand
Q1 and Q3 often see rate spikes. Book 2–4 weeks ahead of your preferred sailing date.
RORO vs Container pricing — Which is right for you?
Side-by-side comparison of the two main shipping methods, with typical 2026 starting prices for a standard saloon from UK ports.
- Vehicle driven directly onto the vessel
- Exposed deck — open to sea air and weather
- Cheapest option for working vehicles
- Must be roadworthy with 15% minimum fuel
- No personal belongings inside
- EVs cannot use RORO
- Transit: 11–22 days UK to USA East Coast
- Sealed steel container — full weather protection
- Best for classics, EVs, luxury, and non-runners
- Shared container (groupage) lowers cost
- Dedicated 20ft / 40ft for single vehicles
- Limited personal effects allowed (check destination)
- Typically 10–20% more than RORO
RORO vs Container at a glance — 2026 starting prices (saloon, port-to-port)
| Region | RORO from | Shared container from | Dedicated 20ft from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe (Spain, Italy, Cyprus) | £550 | £950 | £1,800 |
| Middle East (UAE, KSA, Qatar) | £950 | £1,650 | £2,400 |
| USA & Canada | £987 | £1,750 | £2,800 |
| Africa (Nigeria, Kenya, RSA) | £870 | £1,350 | £2,200 |
| Australia & New Zealand | £1,450 | £2,200 | £3,200 |
| Asia (Japan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) | £1,180 | £1,950 | £2,900 |
Container prices include shared 40ft groupage and sole-use 20ft. Use the cost calculator for an exact figure for your vehicle and route.
Typical transit time ranges — UK to worldwide
Port-to-port sailing times for vehicles loading at Southampton, Tilbury, Bristol or Felixstowe. Add 2–4 days for UK collection and 5–14 days for destination customs and onward delivery.
Europe (short-sea)
Spain, France, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland
Mediterranean
Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Turkey
Middle East
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain
West Africa
Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire
East Africa
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda (via Mombasa)
Southern Africa
South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique
USA & Canada — East
Baltimore, NY, Halifax, Jacksonville
USA & Canada — West
LA, Long Beach, Tacoma, Vancouver
Caribbean & Latin America
Jamaica, Dom Rep, Mexico, Brazil, Chile
Asia (South & East)
Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sri Lanka
Australia & NZ
Fremantle, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland
Pacific Islands
Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands (transhipped)
Live sailing dates are published on our RORO sailing schedule. For door-to-door planning see how long does car shipping take.
The 4 cost layers — don't miss any of them
Every international shipment has four distinct cost categories. Miss one and your budget will fall short.
Ocean freight
The core port-to-port shipping cost. Varies by vehicle size, route and method (RORO vs container).
UK-side costs
Collection from your door, port handling (THC), export documentation and shipping note. UK collection typically £95–£250.
Destination port fees & import duties
Terminal handling, port storage, customs broker fees and import duty/VAT. Paid locally on arrival.
Inland delivery (optional)
Transporting from arrival port to final address. US metro typically $200–$600; remote states cost more.
Car shipping costs from UK by destination — 2026 rates
Indicative starting prices for a standard saloon via RORO (port-to-port, ex UK). 4x4 / SUV add approx. £250–£350. Container shipping adds 10–20%.
| Destination | RORO from | Container from | Transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸USA — East Coast (Baltimore / Charleston / Jacksonville) | £987 – £1,182 | £1,195 – £1,400 | 11–22 days | +10% US import duty (UK quota rate 2026). EVs must use container. |
| 🇺🇸USA — New York / NJ | £1,327 | £1,500+ | 12–20 days | Popular route; regular sailings from Southampton. |
| 🇺🇸USA — Gulf Coast (Galveston) | £1,240 | £1,450+ | 15–39 days | Less frequent sailings than East Coast. |
| 🇺🇸USA — West Coast (Port Hueneme / Tacoma) | £1,477 – £1,818 | £1,700 – £2,100 | 22–36 days | Longer route; higher freight cost. |
| 🇨🇦Canada — Halifax | £1,195 | £1,350+ | 5–38 days | Also Montreal and Vancouver available. |
| 🇦🇺Australia — Melbourne / Brisbane / Fremantle | £1,495 | £1,450 | 28–42 days | Shared container can be cheaper than RORO. DAWR biosecurity inspection required on arrival. |
| 🇳🇿New Zealand — Auckland / Lyttelton / Tauranga | £1,495 | £1,550+ | 35–50 days | Biosecurity inspection required. Strict cleanliness standards. |
| 🇨🇾Cyprus — Limassol | £765 | £900+ | 13–20 days | SUV from £955. One of the most affordable European destinations. |
| 🇿🇦South Africa — Durban / Cape Town | £1,095 | £1,200+ | 25–32 days | Cape Town via shared container from £1,095. |
| 🇳🇬Nigeria — Lagos | £950 | £1,100+ | 18–25 days | Weekly service from Tilbury. High destination port fees. |
| 🌍West Africa — Tema / Cotonou / Abidjan | £870 | £1,000+ | 14–22 days | Weekly RORO from Tilbury. Closing every Friday 16:30. |
| 🌍East Africa — Mombasa / Dar Es Salaam | £1,195 | £1,350+ | 28–35 days | Via Walvis Bay. Personal effects NOT accepted on RORO to East Africa. |
| 🌍Cameroon — Douala | £950 | £1,100+ | 20–28 days | High destination clearance fees. |
| 🌍Kenya — Mombasa | £1,195 | £1,350+ | 28–35 days | Via Walvis Bay transhipment. |
| 🌍Mozambique — Maputo | Enquire | Enquire | — | RORO and container options available. Contact for rates. |
| 🇬🇷Greece — Piraeus | £750+ | £900+ | 17 days | EU re-import; UK origin under TCA. |
| 🇮🇹Italy — Savona / Civitavecchia / Livorno | £650+ | £800+ | 12–24 days | No import duty within EU for UK-origin goods (TCA). |
| 🇪🇸Spain — Valencia / Vigo / Sagunto | £550+ | £700+ | 6–11 days | Short transit; very frequent sailings. |
| 🇩🇪Germany — Bremerhaven | £500+ | £650+ | 4–7 days | Fastest European route. |
| 🇧🇪Belgium — Antwerp | £450+ | £600+ | 1–5 days | Closest major port to UK. |
| 🇲🇹Malta — Valletta | £1,110 | £1,250+ | 14–33 days | Weekly groupage container service. |
| 🇹🇷Turkey — Izmir / Izmit / Istanbul | £800+ | £950+ | 13–40 days | Turkish import duty varies — confirm with local agent. |
| 🇧🇷Brazil | £1,050 | £1,250+ | 18–28 days | Very high import taxes in Brazil. |
| 🌴Jamaica — Kingston | £1,220 | £1,400+ | 22–52 days | Shared container preferred for islands. |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | £1,220 | £1,400+ | 18–27 days | Veracruz or Manzanillo. Check import permit requirements. |
| 🇮🇳India | £1,345 | £1,550+ | 22–35 days | Very high import duties — typically 100%+ on CIF value. |
| 🇯🇵Japan | £1,195 | £1,400+ | 30–45 days | Strict homologation and compliance rules. |
UK to USA 2026 — port-to-port freight rates
Confirmed 2026 port-to-port RORO rates for a standard saloon from Southampton or Tilbury. UK vehicles benefit from the preferential 10% tariff under the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal (within the 100,000-vehicle annual quota). Destination port fees (THC, broker) typically add $200–$400.
| US destination port | RORO — saloon | Transit time |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | £986 | 11–16 days |
| Jacksonville, FL | £987 | 8–20 days |
| Charleston, SC | £1,182 | 11–22 days |
| Galveston, TX | £1,240 | 15–39 days |
| New York / NJ | £1,327 | 12–20 days |
| Port Hueneme, CA | £1,477 | 22–36 days |
| Tacoma, WA | £1,818 | 28–36 days |
Additional costs to budget for
UK vehicle collection
Trade plate driver or transporter. London → Southampton ~£145. North England ~£200–£300. 48hr turnaround typical.
Export documentation
Shipping note, V5C, proof of ownership. We handle all paperwork. Port access denied without a valid shipping note.
Marine insurance
Strongly recommended. Typically 1–2% of vehicle value. See our insurance guide for cover types.
Import duty & VAT
Varies by country. India 100%+, EU 6.5%, USA 10% (2026 quota), Australia 5%. Always check destination rules.
Terminal handling (THC)
Charged at both origin and destination ports. UK origin THC usually included; destination THC typically $200–$400 in the US.
Destination delivery
From arrival port to final address. US metro $200–$600; remote states significantly more.
4x4, SUV and larger vehicle rates
The key cost driver for larger vehicles is height. RORO freight is calculated on cubic metres (length × width × height) of the vehicle on the vessel deck.
| Vehicle type | Height bracket | Premium over saloon rate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Saloon / Hatchback | Up to 1.60m | Base rate |
| Estate / MPV | 1.60m – 1.80m | +£100 – £180 |
| SUV / 4x4 (standard) | 1.80m – 2.00m | +£250 – £350 |
| High-roof 4x4 / Lifted vehicles | 2.00m – 2.20m | +£350 – £500+ |
| Minibus / Large Van / Motorhome | 2.20m+ | Quote required |
Modified vehicles with roof racks, snorkels or lifted suspensions may fall into a higher bracket. Always measure before requesting a quote.
UK vehicle collection costs
We collect from anywhere in the UK via car transporter or fully insured trade plate driver. Trade plate is the more cost-effective option and can typically be arranged within 48 hours.
| Collection route (to port) | Approx. cost | Method |
|---|---|---|
| London to Southampton | ~£145 | Trade plate driver |
| Midlands (Birmingham / Coventry) to Southampton | ~£180 | Trade plate driver |
| North West (Manchester / Liverpool) to Tilbury / Southampton | ~£220 – £260 | Trade plate or transporter |
| Scotland to Teesport / Sheerness | ~£280 – £350 | Car transporter recommended |
| Self delivery to port | £0 (you drive) | Shipping note required in advance |
Drivers attending UK ports must wear hi-vis jackets and steel toe cap boots. Photo ID required. Ensure enough fuel in the vehicle.
Car shipping cost FAQs
How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK in 2026?+
Typical port-to-port RORO rates for a saloon range from £450 to Antwerp up to £1,818 to the US West Coast. Container shipping is usually 10–20% higher. UK collection, marine insurance, destination port fees and import duties are additional.
Is RORO or container shipping cheaper?+
RORO is cheaper for roadworthy saloons and SUVs. Container shipping costs 10–20% more but accepts non-runners, EVs, classics and personal effects.
Are these shipping rates fixed?+
Rates are indicative and valid for 30 days. Final price depends on vehicle dimensions, sailing date, fuel surcharge (BAF) and your UK collection postcode.
Do quotes include UK collection and import duty?+
No. Indicative rates are port-to-port freight only. Collection from your door, destination port handling, customs clearance and import duty are quoted separately.
Related guides, tools and services
Get your confirmed quote in 2 minutes
Indicative rates above. Your final cost depends on your vehicle dimensions, your chosen port and current carrier availability. Request an online quote and we will confirm your all-in price.
Disclaimer: All prices shown are indicative port-to-port freight rates for a standard saloon car, sourced from current carrier schedules as of June 2026. Rates are subject to change based on fuel surcharges, vessel availability, currency fluctuations and seasonal demand. Import duties, destination port fees, THC charges, insurance and UK collection costs are not included unless stated. Quotes are valid for 30 days from issue. Always confirm the final total cost with your shipping agent before booking. Red Sea / Yemen conflict may affect some routes and transit times.