Get a Quote
    The Ship Cars logoThe Ship CarsRoRo & Container Shipping

    Classic & Vintage Car Shipping from the UK

    White-glove international transport for your irreplaceable classic. Specialist handling, enclosed containers, and collector-grade care.

    Classic and vintage cars aren't just vehicles — they're irreplaceable pieces of automotive history. Ship Cars RoRo provides specialist classic car shipping services with the extra care, attention, and expertise that these special vehicles demand.

    We exclusively recommend enclosed container shipping for classic cars, with custom bracing, soft ties, and additional padding. Our team has shipped everything from pre-war Bentleys to 1960s Mustangs, Morris Minors to Ferrari Dinos — always with collector-grade care.

    Quick Answer

    Classic car shipping is the specialist international transport of pre-1990 and collector-grade vehicles by enclosed container, with custom bracing, soft no-mark ties, dehumidifier sachets, agreed-value insurance and a pre-shipment photographic condition report. Ship Cars RoRo ships pre-war Bentleys, 1960s Mustangs, E-Type Jaguars, Aston Martins, Ferraris, Porsche 911s and collector trucks to international shows, auctions, private collections and dealers in 150+ countries.

    We exclusively recommend enclosed sole-use or shared container shipping for classics. Open-deck RoRo exposes irreplaceable vehicles to salt spray, vibration and incidental contact with other cars; that risk is unacceptable for collector-grade machinery. Our Bristol warehouse loads classics on soft straps with chassis-only contact points, dehumidifier sachets for long-haul routes, and a sealed container for the entire voyage. For multi-car collections we book sole-use 40ft containers; for single classics we use shared container R-Rak with no-mark padding between vehicles.

    Pre-shipment we prepare a detailed photographic condition report covering every panel, wheel arch, interior detail and engine bay. Agreed-value marine insurance is arranged based on recent auction comparables, professional valuation or insured value. We coordinate destination clearance with collector-grade brokers in Pebble Beach, Scottsdale, Monterey, Goodwood, Villa d'Este and the Middle East classic-car circuit. The USA "25-year rule" exempts pre-2001 classics from DOT/EPA modification, making the UK to USA classic corridor one of our busiest routes.

    Indicative 2026 customer rates: Europe enclosed container from £2,200, USA from £3,200, Australia from £3,800, UAE from £2,800, worldwide from £2,500. Multi-car collection rates and dedicated event timings (Goodwood Revival, Monterey Car Week, Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este) are quoted bespoke. We have shipped over 4,000 classics since 2006 with damage rates below 0.2 percent.

    Why Choose Our Classic Car Shipping

    Enclosed Container Only

    We ship all classics in fully enclosed containers — never exposed on a RORO deck. Your car is sealed and protected for the entire journey.

    Custom Bracing & Soft Ties

    Purpose-built bracing with soft ties and wheel chocks prevent any movement without marking the vehicle.

    Agreed Value Insurance

    Classic car insurance based on agreed market value — not book value. Full coverage for your vehicle's true worth.

    Pre-Shipment Condition Report

    Detailed photographic condition report before shipping, documenting every mark and feature for your peace of mind.

    Climate Considerations

    We advise on dehumidifier sachets and moisture prevention for long-haul routes to protect interiors and chrome.

    Collector Network

    Trusted by collectors, auction houses, and classic car dealers worldwide for reliable, careful shipping.

    How It Works

    01

    Specialist Quote

    Tell us about your classic — make, model, year, value, and destination. We'll provide a tailored quote.

    02

    Condition Survey

    Full photographic condition report documenting your car's state before shipping.

    03

    Enclosed Loading

    Your classic is carefully loaded into a dedicated container with custom bracing and soft-tie securing.

    04

    Sealed & Shipped

    Container is sealed and shipped. Full tracking and agreed-value insurance for the entire journey.

    05

    White-Glove Delivery

    Professional unloading at destination with condition check against the pre-shipment report.

    Indicative Pricing

    Prices are estimates for a standard car. Get an exact quote for your vehicle.

    Europe (Enclosed Container)

    Dedicated container

    £2,200

    USA & Canada

    Includes custom bracing

    £3,200

    Australia & NZ

    Full agreed-value insurance

    £3,800

    Worldwide

    Any destination available

    £2,800

    Transit Times & Indicative Prices

    Sample routes for classic car shipping from UK ports. View full schedule.

    RouteMethodTransit (days)From
    Southampton → Long Beach (USA)Sole-Use 20ft Container21 to 28£3,200
    Tilbury → SydneySole-Use 40ft HC40 to 50£3,800
    Felixstowe → Jebel AliSole-Use 20ft Container18 to 28£2,800
    Bristol → Pebble Beach (Monterey)Enclosed Door-to-Door21 to 30£4,500
    Southampton → Hamburg (Villa d'Este)Enclosed Container7 to 10£2,200

    Documents Required

    Paperwork our team prepares or collects for every classic car shipping booking. See the full documents guide.

    V5C Logbook

    Original DVLA V5C registration document. We submit the V5C/4 export notification on your behalf.

    Passport or Photo ID

    A valid passport or UK photo driving licence is required for export customs and destination clearance.

    Proof of Purchase

    Invoice, bill of sale or auction receipt to support the customs declared value.

    Proof of Address

    Utility bill or bank statement dated within the last three months.

    Export Declaration

    We file the C88/CHIEF or CDS export entry with HMRC and supply the MUCR reference.

    Destination Import Documents

    Country-specific paperwork such as NOVA, GCC certificate, RAV/SEVS, RIV or EPA/DOT release, prepared by our agent network.

    Vehicle Types We Ship

    All vehicle classes accepted under classic car shipping.

    Pre-War CarsVintage CarsClassic CarsSports CarsMuscle CarsCollector TrucksConcours CarsRace Cars

    Popular Destinations

    Top corridors for classic car shipping from the UK. Browse all destinations.

    🇦🇪UAE / Dubai🇦🇺Australia🇺🇸USA🇨🇦Canada🇨🇾Cyprus🇳🇬Nigeria🇿🇦South Africa🇵🇰Pakistan🇯🇵Japan🇳🇿New Zealand

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why can't I ship my classic car via RORO?
    While technically possible, we strongly advise against RORO for classics. RORO decks expose vehicles to salt air, vibration, and potential contact with other vehicles. Enclosed container shipping eliminates these risks entirely.
    How do you determine insurance value for a classic?
    We use agreed value based on recent comparable sales, auction results, or a professional valuation. This ensures your classic is insured for its true market value, not depreciated book value.
    Can you ship a non-running classic?
    Absolutely. Container shipping is ideal for non-runners. We use forklifts or winches to carefully load the vehicle into the container without any stress on the drivetrain.
    Do you ship cars to classic car rallies and shows?
    Yes, we regularly ship cars to international shows, rallies, and auction events. We can coordinate timing with event schedules and arrange temporary import documentation.
    Why can't I ship my classic by RoRo?
    RoRo exposes the car to salt spray, vibration and potential contact with other vehicles on open decks. For irreplaceable classics enclosed container shipping is the only safe method.
    How much does classic car shipping cost?
    Europe from £2,200, UAE from £2,800, USA from £3,200, Australia from £3,800. Multi-car collection rates available.
    What is agreed value insurance?
    Coverage based on a pre-agreed value supported by recent comparables, professional valuation or auction results. It pays the full agreed sum on a total loss, unlike book-value cover.
    Do you ship to USA under the 25-year rule?
    Yes. Pre-2001 vehicles clear DOT and EPA without modification, making the UK to USA corridor one of our busiest classic lanes.
    Can you ship to international shows?
    Yes. We schedule shipments for Goodwood Revival, Monterey Car Week, Pebble Beach, Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, Salon Privé and Scottsdale Auctions.
    Do you provide a condition report?
    Yes. A detailed photographic condition report covering every panel, wheel arch, interior and engine bay is prepared before shipping and checked on arrival.
    Can you ship pre-war cars?
    Yes. Pre-war Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, Bugattis, Alfas and similar ship in custom-braced enclosed containers with collector-grade handling.
    How are classics secured inside the container?
    Soft no-mark straps to the chassis only, padded wheel chocks, dehumidifier sachets and corner-casting lashings. No straps touch the bodywork or wheels.
    Can I pack period spares with the car?
    Yes. Original spares, tool kits and documentation can travel inside the container. Liquid items must be drained or fully sealed.
    Do you ship project cars and barn finds?
    Yes. Non-running classics are winched into the container with soft straps. Restoration projects ship the same way.
    Can you collect from auction houses?
    Yes. We collect from H&H, Bonhams, RM Sotheby's, Silverstone Auctions, Historics, BCA and others by enclosed transporter.
    Do you ship to the Middle East classic scene?
    Yes. Regular shipments to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain for collector clients, including GCC-spec preparation where required.
    How long does classic car shipping take?
    Europe 10 to 14 days, USA 14 to 28 days, UAE 18 to 28 days, Australia 35 to 50 days. We schedule around event deadlines and auction calendars.
    Can you arrange enclosed door-to-door delivery?
    Yes. Enclosed transporter collection from your UK address and enclosed delivery to the destination address through our collector-network.
    Do you ship multiple classics together?
    Yes. Collector consolidations of two to four classics per dedicated 40ft container deliver lowest per-unit cost with private box use.
    Are classics inspected on arrival?
    Yes. Destination agent inspects against the pre-shipment condition report, photographs every panel and files any deviation immediately.

    Related Services

    Container Shipping

    Maximum protection for high-value, classic, and non-running vehicles. Dedicated or shared container options.

    Car Shipping

    Whether you're relocating, selling overseas, or buying an import — we'll get your car there safely.

    Related Articles

    Classic Cars

    Morris Minor: A Symbol of British Automotive History

    Explore the iconic Morris Minor, a beloved classic car that shaped British motoring culture and remains a favourite among collectors worldwide.

    Read more     Guides

    Car Shipping Methods Explained: RORO vs Container vs Air Freight

    A comprehensive guide to the different ways you can ship your vehicle internationally — comparing cost, speed, and protection.

    Read more     Guides

    UK Customs Clearance for Vehicle Imports and Exports Explained

    A comprehensive guide to UK customs procedures for vehicle imports and exports — covering duties, VAT, HMRC, and post-Brexit changes.

    Read more

    About this page

    Operated by Ship Cars RoRo, a UK-based international vehicle shipping specialist. BIFA-affiliated forwarder with weekly RoRo, container and shared container sailings from Southampton, Tilbury, London Gateway, Felixstowe and Bristol to 150+ countries.

    Entities & topics covered

    United KingdomHMRCDVLABIFAIMOPort of SouthamptonPort of TilburyLondon GatewayPort of FelixstowePort of BristolRoRo ShippingContainer ShippingCustoms ClearanceVehicle ExportMarine Cargo Insurance

    Ready to Ship?

    Get a free, no-obligation quote for classic car shipping from the UK. Browse our destinations or use the cost calculator for an estimate.

    Free Shipping Quote

    Get your free vehicle shipping quote

    Tell us where, when and what. We will email a tailored quote and our team will follow up.

    Get a Free Shipping Quote

    Answer 8 quick questions — our team replies within one working day.

    Vehicle Information
    Shipping Information
    Contact Information