Advice for shipping cars from the UK

International Vehicle Shipping Advice: Your Complete Guide

Shipping a vehicle overseas is a significant undertaking that involves complex logistics, strict regulations, and careful preparation. At Ship Cars Ltd, we have years of experience guiding customers through this process. This comprehensive advice guide is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge you need to make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure your vehicle arrives at its destination safely and efficiently.

Choosing Your Shipping Method: RORO vs. Container

The first and most crucial decision is selecting the right shipping method for your vehicle and circumstances. The two primary options are Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) and Container Shipping.

Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) Shipping

RORO is the most common method for shipping standard, operational vehicles.

• How it Works: Your car is driven onto a specialised car carrier vessel and secured in a large, multi-deck garage for the ocean voyage.
• Best For: Standard cars, SUVs, vans, and motorcycles that are in full working order.
• Key Advantages:
  • Cost-Effective: Typically the most affordable option for a single vehicle.
  • Lower Destination Charges: A significant benefit of RORO is that destination port fees are much lower than with container shipping, as no specialist equipment is needed to unload the vehicle.
  • Efficiency: The process is streamlined for wheeled cargo, making it very efficient.

What can be shipped with RORO? Operational cars, 4x4s, vans, motorcycles, and sometimes caravans or trailers. The vehicle must be able to drive on and off the ship under its own power.

Critical RORO Restrictions:

1. Personal Belongings: You must confirm with our team if loading the vehicle with goods is allowed. As a strict rule, personal effects are generally not permitted inside a vehicle on a RORO service due to safety and customs regulations.
2. Electric Vehicles: Electric vehicles are normally not allowed on RORO vessels due to the fire risk associated with their lithium-ion batteries. These must be shipped via container.
3. Vehicle Condition: The vehicle must be fully operational.

Container Shipping

This method offers greater flexibility and protection for your vehicle.

• How it Works: Your vehicle is loaded into a standard shipping container. We offer two types:
  • Shared Container: Your vehicle shares a container with one or two others, separated by wooden battens. This is a cost-effective way to get container-level protection.
  • Dedicated Container: Your vehicle has an entire 20ft or 40ft container to itself. This is the ultimate in security and is the only way to ship personal belongings with your car.
• Best For: Non-running vehicles, high-value or classic cars, electric vehicles, and customers who need to ship personal effects.
• Key Advantages:
  • Superior Protection: The container acts as a metal shield against the elements and handling.
  • Flexibility: Can accommodate non-running vehicles and a wider range of cargo.
  • Security: The container is sealed, and only you hold the seal number.

For a detailed comparison, visit our International Container Shipping page.

Essential Pre-Shipment Preparation

 

Proper preparation is not just recommended; it is mandatory for a smooth shipping process. Failure to prepare correctly can lead to your vehicle being refused for loading.

1. Vehicle Cleaning

• Why it’s Important: A clean vehicle, especially a clean undercarriage and engine bay, is vital. For countries with strict biosecurity laws like Australia and New Zealand, it is a non-negotiable requirement to prevent the import of soil and pests. A clean car also allows for an accurate pre-shipping condition report.
• Action: Have your vehicle professionally cleaned and detailed, including the undercarriage. Keep the receipt as proof.

2. Fuel Level

• The Rule: The fuel tank must be no more than 1/4 full. This is a critical international safety regulation to minimise fire risk aboard the vessel.

3. Personal Belongings

• The Rule: As stated, for RORO, personal goods are almost always prohibited. For shared containers, it is rarely allowed. For dedicated containers, it is permitted but all items must be declared on a full inventory for customs and must comply with the destination country’s import rules.
• Action: Always confirm with our team before attempting to ship any personal items.

4. Mechanical Checks

• Disable Alarms: Prevent battery drain and unnecessary activation by disabling all alarm systems.
• Battery: Ensure the battery is secured and fully charged. For long voyages, disconnecting it is advised.
• Fluids & Tyres: Check for leaks and inflate tyres to the correct pressure.
• Remove Valuables: Remove all personal documents, sat-navs, phones, and other valuables from the vehicle.

For a definitive, step-by-step checklist, we strongly recommend reading our guide: How to Prepare Your Car for Shipping.

Understanding Insurance & Risk Coverage

Marine insurance is separate from your domestic car insurance and is crucial for protecting your investment during its ocean voyage. We offer flexible coverage options:

• Total Loss Cover: Costs 1% of the vehicle’s value plus the shipping cost. This covers you only if the vehicle is a total loss due to major incidents like fire or sinking.
• Comprehensive Cover: Costs 1.5% of the vehicle’s value plus the shipping cost. This broader policy covers total loss, fire, water damage, and also cosmetic damage (e.g., dents, scratches).
• Important Conditions for Comprehensive Cover: The vehicle cannot be older than 10 years, and a pre-shipping condition report is mandatory.

The Condition Report: This is a professional inspection to document the vehicle’s state before shipping. It is provided free of charge if we collect your vehicle. If you deliver the vehicle to us, a fee of £35 applies.

Vehicle Collection & Delivery Options

We make it easy to get your vehicle to the port:

• You Deliver: You can drive your vehicle directly to our designated UK port.
• We Collect: We can collect your vehicle from your home or workplace using a transporter or a trade plate driver.
  • Requirements for Collection: The vehicle must have a valid MOT and be fully operational to be driven.

Documentation: Getting Your Paperwork in Order

Accurate documentation is the backbone of international shipping. While we handle the complex customs declarations, you are responsible for providing the correct original documents.

Key documents typically required include:

• Original Vehicle Registration Document (V5C Logbook).
• Copy of your passport.
• Proof of address.
• Any relevant import permits for the destination country.

For a focused guide on the administrative side, see our article: Preparing Your Car for Export.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

Learning from the errors of others can save you time, money, and significant stress. Based on our experience, here are the most common pitfalls:

1. Incorrect Fuel Levels: Arriving at the port with a full tank will result in your vehicle being refused for loading.
2. Shipping Personal Belongings in RORO: This is a major violation of shipping line rules and a common reason for delays and extra charges.
3. Poor Vehicle Preparation: A dirty vehicle, especially one with mud on the underside, can be rejected by biosecurity authorities at the destination.
4. Inadequate Insurance: Assuming your regular policy covers ocean transit or opting for no marine insurance can be a catastrophic financial mistake.
5. Last-Minute Bookings: Failing to book well in advance can mean missing the next available sailing, delaying your plans by weeks.

For a detailed breakdown of these and other critical errors, read our essential guide: Top 10 Mistakes People Make During International Car Shipping.

Proactive Steps to Prevent Damage

While professional handling is standard, you can take proactive measures to further protect your vehicle:

• Photographic Evidence: Take dated photos of your vehicle from all angles, including the interior and roof, before shipping.
• Pre-Existing Damage: Note any existing dents or scratches on the condition report.
• Retract Aerials & Mirrors: Fold in wing mirrors and retract any radio aerials.
• Protective Film: For high-value cars, consider applying a temporary protective film to vulnerable areas.

For more in-depth tips, please see our dedicated article: Avoiding Damage with International Car Shipping.

Your Next Steps

Shipping a vehicle internationally is a detailed process, but with the right knowledge and partner, it can be a smooth and stress-free experience. By understanding the different shipping methods, preparing your vehicle correctly, and being aware of common mistakes, you are well on your way to a successful shipment.

Ready to start your journey? Contact the expert team at Ship Cars Ltd today. We are here to provide you with a transparent quote, answer all your questions, and guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your vehicle is in the safest hands from collection to delivery.