| Tel: | 01495 320540 |
| Mob: | 07513 898320 |
| Email: | info@shipcars.co.uk |
Quick Answer Shipping an ultra-high-value or one-of-a-kind car internationally requires a dedicated sole-use sealed container — never RoRo. The vehicle is loaded at a specialist facility, the container is sealed and not opened until the destination port, and marine insurance is arranged on an agreed-value basis matching the car’s full worth. ShipCars handles the complete […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a Range Rover from the UK to Namibia via RoRo sea freight typically takes 18–22 days, departing from Tilbury Port, Essex, and arriving at Walvis Bay Port Namibia’s primary deep-water vehicle entry point. The recommended method is RoRo (roll-on/roll-off), which is cost-effective, widely available on West African routes, and fully suited to running […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to Kuwait starts from £1,048 via RoRo to the Port of Shuwaikh. Transit takes approximately 30 days, with one sailing per month. Kuwait charges a flat 5% import duty on the vehicle’s CIF value — one of the lowest rates in the Gulf. However, two hard eligibility rules apply […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to Morocco starts from £931 via RoRo to the Port of Casablanca. Transit takes approximately 4 to 8 days with sailings departing roughly twice per month. Morocco enforces a strict 5-year vehicle age limit and only permits left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles for permanent import. Moroccan import duty (approximately 25%) […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to Portugal starts from £863 via RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) to the Port of Setúbal, near Lisbon. Transit takes approximately 3 days from the UK departure port. As a non-EU exporter post-Brexit, your vehicle will also face Portuguese import duty (typically 10%) and IVA at 23%, calculated on its […] Read More...
Quick Answer: ShipCars shipped a 2026 BMW 3 Series from Southampton Port to Limassol, Cyprus using shared-container (LCL) sea freight. The customer delivered the car to the port himself and was quoted a transit time of about 10–14 days. Documents needed included the V5C, photo ID, proof of ownership and a DVLA permanent export notification. […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to Cyprus in 2026 starts from £765 via RoRo to Limassol Port. Cyprus is unique in this series for two reasons: it is one of the best EU destinations for UK RHD vehicles (Cyprus drives on the left), and it offers three distinct shipping methods — RoRo, shared container, […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to Greece in 2026 starts from £790 via RoRo to Piraeus Port — and thanks to the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, most UK-origin vehicles qualify for 0% customs duty. But that doesn’t mean shipping to Greece is tax-free. Greek VAT at 24% still applies, Greece’s CO2-based Special Consumption […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to Turkey in 2026 starts from £645 via RoRo to Autoport Izmit — the cheapest and fastest port. But Turkey’s import rules are unlike any other destination in this series. Most UK customers ship on a temporary basis using a Carnet de Passages en Douanes (CPD) — and that […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to Italy in 2026 starts from £734 via RoRo to Livorno — but which Italian port you choose, and whether you qualify for Transfer of Residence relief, makes a significant difference to the total cost. Post-Brexit, Italian IVA at 22% applies unless you qualify for ToR exemption — and […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to Spain in 2026 starts from £495 via RoRo — but which Spanish port you choose, whether you ship by sea or road, and your residency status all affect the total cost significantly. Post-Brexit, UK vehicles may be subject to Spanish IVA at 21% — but qualifying […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to Trinidad and Tobago in 2026 starts from £1,452 via RoRo to Port of Spain — but 2026 has brought two major regulatory changes that every UK shipper must know before booking. The vehicle age limit was raised from 3 years to 8 years from January 2026, […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to Jamaica in 2026 starts from £1,145 via RoRo to Kingston Port for a standard vehicle. But the sea freight cost is only the beginning. Jamaica’s strict 5-year vehicle age limit, mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC), significant import duties, and RHD-only rule are what really determine whether […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to the USA in 2026 starts from £986 via RoRo to Baltimore — the most affordable US East Coast port. New York/New Jersey costs from £1,195 for a standard car, and a dedicated 20ft container starts from £2,200. But the sea freight price is only part of […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to the Americas in 2026 starts from £1,029 for Mexico, £1,093 for Brazil, and £1,166 for Canada via RoRo — but sea freight is only part of the total cost. Each country has its own import rules, eligibility requirements, and duty structures that significantly affect what you […] Read More...
Quick answer: In 2026, shipping a car from the UK to Karachi by shared container starts from about £995 for a small car, and a dedicated 20ft container starts from about £1,595 for a large car. Transit takes 21–37 days. These prices cover sea freight only. Insurance, Pakistani duties and clearance are extra. How Much […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to Ghana in 2026 costs from £858 via RoRo to Tema Port — West Africa’s most advanced container terminal. But the sea freight price is only part of the total cost. Ghana’s mandatory pre-shipment inspection, LHD-only rule, 10-year vehicle age limit, and layered import duty structure all […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to Nigeria in 2026 costs from £795 by RoRo, from £995 in a shared container and from £1,285 in a dedicated 20ft container. Transit to Lagos takes about 24 days, with weekly sailings. Nigerian duty and port charges are paid separately on arrival. How Much Does It […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to New Zealand in 2026 costs from £1,577 by RoRo for a standard car, from £1,475 by shared container, and £2,017 for a large SUV by RoRo. Add 15% GST on the landed value; import duty is 0% on most cars. Transit takes 39–60 days How Much […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to Australia costs from £1,475 via shared container, £1,705 via dedicated 20ft container, and from £1,779 via RoRo for a standard saloon (UK port to Australian port, 2026 rates from Ship Cars Ltd). On top of sea freight, expect to pay Australian customs duty (5%), GST (10%), […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to Africa in 2026 costs from £947 via RoRo for standard saloon vehicles. The exact price depends on your destination country, vehicle size, and shipping method — RoRo or container. This guide covers current indicative prices for every major African region, what those prices include, what they […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Car shipping scams are more sophisticated in 2026 than ever before. Fraudsters clone legitimate company websites, create fake quotes, and vanish with deposits — leaving vehicle owners with no car, no money, and no recourse. This guide covers the eight most common warning signs of a fake shipping company, how the scams work, […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Yes but the rules changed significantly on 1 January 2026. Electric vehicles are now classified under UN 3556 for international sea freight, bringing them into the dangerous goods framework. Most carriers require the battery to be held at 30–50% state of charge, with a declared battery condition report and no active warning lights […] Read More...
Importing a car to the UK from abroad requires paying 10% customs duty and 20% VAT on arrival — a combined tax of approximately 30% of the vehicle’s value for most buyers. Qualifying returnees can eliminate both under Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief, saving up to £14,000+ on a high-value vehicle. Vehicles over 30 years […] Read More...
The £40,000 car tax rule — officially the Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) — is an additional Vehicle Excise Duty charge of £440 per year on any petrol, diesel, or hybrid car that had an original list price above £40,000 when new. It applies for five years, from the second to the sixth year of ownership, […] Read More...
There’s something undeniably iconic about a Land Rover Defender. Whether it’s a fully kitted-out expedition vehicle, a classic Defender 90 in Grasmere Green, or a brand-new Defender 130 destined for the wide-open spaces of upstate New York — shipping one overseas is a big decision. You want it handled properly, by people who know what […] Read More...
Getting the paperwork right is the single most important thing you can do to ensure your vehicle export goes smoothly. It sounds straightforward, but documentation is consistently the area where delays happen — not because the rules are complicated, but because people don’t always know what’s needed until it’s too late to act. At Ship […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to another country is more straightforward than most people expect — as long as you know what to prepare, what to expect at each stage, and who to trust with the job. Whether you’re relocating permanently, selling a vehicle to an overseas buyer, or moving a classic car to […] Read More...
Shipping a car overseas is something millions of people do every year — relocating families, overseas buyers, exporters, and collectors all rely on international car shipping to move vehicles safely across oceans. And the honest answer to the question “is car shipping safe?” is: yes, in the vast majority of cases, it is. But that […] Read More...
Cyprus is one of the most popular destinations for UK vehicle exports. Whether you’re relocating permanently, buying a right-hand-drive car to use on the island, or sending a vehicle ahead of a long-term move, shipping your car from the UK to Cyprus is far more straightforward than many people expect; especially when you’re working with […] Read More...
It’s the question that sits quietly at the back of every customer’s mind when they hand over the keys to their car before a long ocean voyage: what if something goes wrong? What if my vehicle gets lost? It’s a completely understandable concern. You’re trusting a vehicle sometimes a significant financial asset, sometimes something with […] Read More...
Cars are most commonly delayed at port due to one of five causes: incorrect or missing documents (the most frequent), unpaid or miscalculated import duties, undeclared items left inside the vehicle, VIN checks against stolen vehicle databases, or random customs inspections. Most delays are entirely avoidable with correct paperwork and a pre-shipment checklist. Storage charges […] Read More...
Shipping a car overseas is an exciting step — whether you’re relocating, selling a vehicle to a buyer abroad, or bringing a dream car home. But before your vehicle rolls onto the dock, there’s one thing every owner needs to get right: import duties and taxes. At Ship Cars Ltd we’ve helped hundreds of customers […] Read More...
Shipping your car overseas should feel like the start of something exciting — not the beginning of a headache. Whether you’re relocating to Australia, sending a classic car to the UAE, or moving your everyday driver to Nigeria, the journey from driveway to destination involves a lot more than loading a car onto a ship. […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to Pakistan means container shipping only; as ShipCars does not use RoRo on this lane. Shared containers start from £995 for a standard car; dedicated containers from £1595. Transit to Karachi takes 32 days. All UK vehicles are right-hand drive, which is a direct match for Pakistan’s road configuration. […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to the USA starts from £987 port-to-port via RoRo. All-in budget including UK collection, US import duty, and US port fees is typically £1,465–£3,600+ for most standard vehicles. UK vehicles imported within the 100,000-vehicle annual quota under Executive Order 14309 pay 10% total duty. Vehicles 25+ years old pay […] Read More...
For UK nationals moving to or residing in Australia, converting your full UK driving licence to an Australian one is a relatively straightforward process, but it varies by state or territory. This guide by Ship Cars Ltd outlines the general procedure and key requirements. The Process from Start to End The process to convert a […] Read More...
Importing a vehicle into the United States is governed by strict federal regulations designed to protect public safety, environmental standards, and market fairness. Not all vehicles are eligible for importation, and understanding these restrictions is crucial for a successful and legal import process. Why Are Some Cars Illegal to Import into the USA? A vehicle […] Read More...
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official, multi-language translation of your UK driving licence. It is a crucial document that allows you to legally drive a private motor vehicle in many foreign countries, facilitating communication with local authorities by presenting your driving credentials in several languages. As a global vehicle logistics provider, Ship Cars […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Ship Cars Ltd ships vehicles from the UK to South Africa via weekly RoRo to Durban and container services to Cape Town. RoRo to Durban starts from £1,048 for a standard small car with 28–42 days transit; container to Cape Town starts from £1,100 (shared) or £1,395 (exclusive) with 35–56 days transit. South […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to Turkey by RoRo sea freight takes approximately 15 days to Izmit (near Istanbul) or around 24 days to Izmir. Sea freight starts from £800 for a standard car. If you are visiting Turkey temporarily, you will also need a Carnet de Passages en Douanes (CPD) — an internationally […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to South Africa starts from £1042 via RoRo to Durban, Cape Town, or Port Elizabeth, with approximately 22 days ocean transit and 3 sailings per month. South Africa is an RHD country — UK cars are a natural match. The critical point most buyers miss: personal used car imports […] Read More...
Shipping a truck, 4×4, or commercial vehicle from the UK to Walvis Bay starts from £4357 via RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) for a standard small commercial vehicle. Ocean transit takes approximately 26 days with vessels sailing twice a month. Walvis Bay is Namibia’s primary deep-water port and the main gateway for Southern Africa ideal for onward transport […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to India via RORO starts from £1300 and via container from £1587, covering UK-side freight to Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) port with approximately 45 days sea transit. This is your UK-side cost only. Indian import duties on a used car can reach 125% of the vehicle’s CIF value, plus 28% IGST […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to Japan costs from £1,270 for a small car via RoRo and from £1,775 for a large car via dedicated container (UK port to Japanese port, sea freight only). Transit takes approximately 45 days with weekly sailings to Yokohama, Kobe, and Tokyo. Japanese import duty ranges from […] Read More...
Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief is HMRC’s mechanism for letting people genuinely relocating to the UK import their vehicle without paying UK import duty or VAT. The saving is substantial: on a £25,000 car, ToR relief eliminates approximately £7,000 in HMRC charges. On a £50,000 car, the saving is approximately £14,000. Without an approved ToR1 […] Read More...
If you are buying a used car in the UK to ship to another country, a vehicle history check is not optional — it is the foundation of a safe purchase. The checks themselves take less than 30 minutes and cost as little as £10–30 for a comprehensive report. Skipping them risks importing a car […] Read More...
If you have received a car shipping quote that is significantly cheaper than others, it is worth pausing before you book. A genuinely low quote occasionally reflects a good deal — off-peak sailings, a shared container, or a competitive rate on a high-frequency route. But in the majority of cases, a quote that looks too […] Read More...
Photographing your car thoroughly before it is collected for shipping — and again the moment it is delivered — is the single most effective way to protect yourself if damage is later discovered. A complete, timestamped photo record creates a clear baseline of your vehicle’s condition that resolves disputes quickly, supports insurance claims, and gives […] Read More...
Shipping a UK car to Australia costs £6,500–£12,000+ in total once freight, import duty, GST, and compliance modifications are factored in. Buying a similar car in Australia typically costs less overall for standard vehicles. Shipping makes financial sense for high-value, rare, or classic vehicles — or where the car holds irreplaceable sentimental value. UK cars […] Read More...
A Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) is a customs document that acts as a temporary passport for your vehicle, allowing it to cross international borders without paying import duty — on the condition it returns to the UK. UK drivers need a carnet for most destinations outside the EU including India, Pakistan, Australia, Egypt, […] Read More...
Contact your destination shipping agent before you book your shipment — ideally during the planning stage, before any money changes hands. The destination agent handles customs clearance, port release, and final delivery at the other end. Engaging them early means knowing your full landed cost, having your documents in order before the vessel sails, and […] Read More...
Quick Answer Yes — for almost every international car shipment, a destination shipping agent is essential. They handle customs clearance, port release, biosecurity inspections, and final delivery on your behalf, using local legal knowledge and established relationships with port and customs authorities. Without one, your vehicle can be held at port, incur daily demurrage charges, […] Read More...
Quick Answer Damaged vehicles can be shipped internationally from the UK — but the method depends on the vehicle’s condition. RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) is available only for vehicles that can be driven, steered, and braked without fluid leaks. Vehicles that cannot move under their own power, have structural damage, or are leaking fluids must travel in […] Read More...
Quick Answer: Demurrage is a daily fee charged by a port terminal when a vehicle or container is not collected within the allotted free time after a vessel arrives. Free time is typically 3–7 days and includes the time needed for customs clearance. Once free time expires, charges of £50–£200 per day accumulate — including […] Read More...
Shipping a caravan or motorhome internationally is governed by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. LPG gas cylinders must be completely emptied, disconnected from the gas system, and the entire system purged before a vessel will accept the vehicle. Lithium leisure battery banks must be installed and secured, with terminals insulated, and charged to […] Read More...
An ex-lease car is a vehicle returned at the end of a 2–4 year contract hire agreement and sold on the used market. Key advantages include full main-dealer service histories, modern low-mileage specification, and competitive pricing. Key risks include long-life servicing intervals, cost-led repair work, and limited model choice. In 2026, a large wave of […] Read More...
Permanently exporting your UK car to Europe requires four stages: notifying the DVLA using your V5C (marking it “PERMANENT EXPORT”), passing a local technical inspection in your destination country, obtaining a Certificate of Conformity from the manufacturer, and completing local vehicle registration. Most European countries allow 30–180 days to complete this process after arrival. Key […] Read More...
Quick Answer In the UK, a written-off car falls into one of four categories: Cat S (structural damage, repairable), Cat N (non-structural damage, repairable), Cat C (pre-2017 structural — equivalent to Cat S), or Cat D (pre-2017 non-structural — equivalent to Cat N). Cat S and Cat N vehicles can be legally exported from the […] Read More...
Importing a car to the UK requires customs clearance through HMRC, paying 10% import duty and 20% VAT on most vehicles from outside the EU, and meeting UK roadworthiness standards. The total tax on a £25,000 car is typically around £7,500. Qualifying returnees can eliminate duty and VAT under Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief. Customs […] Read More...
Exporting a car from the UK permanently involves four stages: notifying the DVLA using your V5C logbook, preparing your export documentation, choosing your shipping method (RoRo or container), and completing destination customs clearance at the arrival port. ShipCars manages the UK side of every export — DVLA notification, HMRC customs declaration, UK port handling, and […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to Dubai uses container shipping only to Jebel Ali Port, with ocean transit of approximately 3 to 4 weeks. UAE import duty is 5% of the vehicle’s customs value, plus 5% VAT on the duty-inclusive total. The critical point every UK buyer must understand before shipping: the UAE drives […] Read More...
Quick Answer For long distances, overseas moves, or high-value vehicles, professional car shipping is almost always the better choice — it adds zero mileage, comes with a fixed price, and removes every risk of the road. For short UK or European drives with a low-value car and flexible time, driving can work. The decision comes […] Read More...
Quick Answer Spring (March–May) and early autumn (September–October) are the best times to ship a car from the UK. Demand is moderate, vessel space is more available, and prices are typically lower than the summer peak. Summer (June–August) is the busiest and most expensive period. Winter can offer the lowest prices but carries higher risk […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK internationally takes between 2 days (Belgium via RoRo) and 67 days (Australia via RoRo) depending on the destination. The most popular routes take: USA East Coast 9–25 days, Australia 36–67 days, Pakistan 37 days, South Africa 20–21 days, Cyprus 17–21 days, Spain 2–13 days. These are ocean transit times […] Read More...
Shipping a car from the UK to Spain typically takes 2–5 days by sea freight (RoRo) or 5–10 days by road, with costs starting from around £495 depending on the method and vehicle size. Spain is one of the UK’s most popular car shipping destinations — whether you are relocating, buying a car in the […] Read More...
Quick answer: A RoRo ship (roll-on/roll-off) is a purpose-built vessel designed to carry wheeled vehicles that drive on and off under their own power via a stern or side ramp — no cranes, no containers, no lifting equipment. Cars, vans, SUVs, motorcycles, and light commercial vehicles are secured on multi-deck car decks for the voyage. […] Read More...
This blog will explain how to avoid any such damage from happening to your car, giving you peace of mind when shipping your vehicle to a foreign country. Read More...
What fridge or freezer is allowed to be shipped to Australia. There are strict rules when shipping refrigerant gases to Australia. Read More...
Avoid buying a stolen car. Purchasing a car to ship it overseas should be done carefully. See our tips and advice on what to avoid before you buy it. Read More...
Finding out what the Canada vehicle restrictions are prior to shipping a car will help to avoid any costly mistakes once it arrives in Canada. Read More...
Car shipping methods explained in our easy to follow guide. Ro-Ro, Dedicated container or shared container options using our newly designed R-Rack system. Read More...
Average car shipping rates will vary depending on the size of the vehicle shipped overseas. Our car shipping quotes are continually monitored to give better rates to all countries. Read More...
What to look out for once you have imported a car. Our check list will help to ensure that you car has arrived in tip top condition for you to explore you new country. Read More...
Getting the right documentation is key to a trouble-free car shipping experience. Get your paperwork in order before shipping a vehicle overseas. Read More...
When car shipping to the USA you MUST make sure that your vehicle complies with the Import Safety Standards and Import Regulations. Read More...
Understanding what the shipping note (SSN) is and the role that it plays in the shipping of your vehicle will help you to understand the chain of events. Read More...
In this article, we take a look at the shipping process and the things you will need in order to effectively ship your vehicle overseas. Read More...
We regularly receive questions from people wanting to know if they can ship their vehicle with belongings inside. Find out the process here. Read More...
Temporary or Permanent Imports come with different guidelines. Shipping your car temporarily may be cheaper with an ATA carnet at hand. Read More...
Car shipping tips and advice will make the vehicle shipping process easier to understand. Get it right the first time using our great guide. Read More...
What is a Bill of Lading? First Base Freight explain what the Bill of Lading is and the purpose for it. We explain the Telex Release process and why certain countries demand the OBL. Read More...
The contents of this website are subject to the intellectual property rights of Ship Cars Ltd and are copyright © Ship Cars Ltd ™
