Car Shipping Costs UK to Africa 2026 | RORO & Container

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 don’t, and how to get an accurate quote for your specific vehicle and route.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to Africa in 2026?

The table below shows current indicative RoRo sea freight costs for a standard saloon car. These are port-to-port costs only — they do not include destination import duty, port handling, customs clearance, or local delivery.

Important: Container shipping costs approximately 20–40% more than RoRo to the same destination. Cape Town, South Africa is container-only — no RoRo service operates to Cape Town. For a personalised price based on your vehicle type and collection postcode, use the free quote form at ShipCars.co.uk.

What Does the Shipping Cost Actually Include?

Understanding what is — and isn’t — covered in the quoted freight cost saves surprises at the other end.

Typically included in the sea freight price:

• Port-to-port ocean freight
• UK export customs declaration (handled by Ship Cars Ltd)
• Standard cargo marine insurance (confirm at booking)
• Vessel loading and securing at the UK departure port

Not included in the sea freight price:

• Destination import duty and taxes (varies significantly by country — see below)
• Destination port handling and terminal charges
• Customs clearance agent fees at the African port
• Local delivery from port to your address
• Pre-shipment inspection fees (mandatory for Kenya and Cameroon)
• Electric vehicle hazard surcharge (approximately £295 where applicable)

For a full cost picture, always request a destination-inclusive quotation that covers freight plus estimated destination costs for your specific country.

Which Shipping Method Is Cheaper — RoRo or Container?

RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) is the more affordable option for standard roadworthy vehicles and is available to most African destinations. Your car is driven directly onto the vessel and secured below deck.

Container shipping costs 20–40% more but is the right choice for:

• High-value, classic, or luxury vehicles
• Non-running vehicles
• Electric vehicles (RoRo carriers do not accept EVs due to maritime fire-safety regulations)
• Any shipment to Cape Town — container is the only option

A 20ft container typically holds one standard vehicle; a 40ft container can hold two to three cars and may allow limited personal effects, subject to accurate customs declaration at the destination port.

Read more: RoRo vs Container Car Shipping — Which Is Right for You?

How Long Does Shipping from the UK to Africa Take?

Transit times below are port-to-port estimates. Add 5–14 working days for customs clearance at the African arrival port, which varies by country and how quickly paperwork is submitted.

For more detail: How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car Internationally?

What Are the Import Duty Costs at the African Destination?

Import duty is separate from sea freight and can be a significant part of the total cost. Rules vary considerably across Africa’s three main shipping regions.

West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Senegal, Ivory Coast)

Most West African countries drive on the right and require left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles. Many enforce vehicle age restrictions — both Nigeria and Ghana limit used vehicle imports by age. Pre-shipment inspection is mandatory for some countries including Cameroon (CNCC inspection). Import duties vary by country and vehicle value; Nigeria, for example, applies duty rates that can exceed 35% of the vehicle’s customs value.

Confirm duty rates with your destination country’s customs authority before shipping. For Nigeria, refer to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia)

Southern African countries drive on the left and accept UK right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles. South Africa charges Ad Valorem Excise Duty in addition to standard customs duty, based on vehicle value. Namibia enforces a vehicle age restriction on used imports. For South Africa customs rules, refer to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania)

Both countries drive on the left and accept UK RHD vehicles. Kenya requires a mandatory QISJ pre-shipment inspection in the UK (at Tilbury or Manchester) before export. All import containers must clear through Embakasi ICD per Kenya’s SGR directive. Both countries enforce vehicle age restrictions — Kenya generally restricts imports to vehicles under 8 years old. For Kenya customs rules, refer to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

Full duty guide: Complete Guide to Import Duties and Taxes When Shipping a Car Overseas

What Documents Do You Need to Ship a Car to Africa from the UK?

Three documents are required for all UK-to-Africa vehicle exports:

1. V5C logbook — original document confirming UK registration and ownership
2. Passport copy — photo page of the consignee (the person receiving the vehicle at destination)
3. Purchase or sales invoice — confirming the vehicle’s value for customs declaration

Ship Cars Ltd handles the UK export customs declaration on your behalf. Destination import paperwork — including import permits, roadworthiness certificates, and pre-shipment inspection certificates — varies by country. Your appointed African clearing agent will guide you through country-specific requirements.

Full checklist: Documents Required for Exporting a Vehicle from the UK

How Does Ship Cars Ltd Help with UK-to-Africa Shipping?

Ship Cars Ltd operates weekly RoRo and container sailings to West, East, and Southern Africa from five UK departure ports: Tilbury, Sheerness, Immingham, Southampton, and Teesport.

Here is what they handle end to end:

• UK-wide vehicle collection — door-to-port collection from any UK postcode
• UK export customs declaration — filed on your behalf
• Pre-shipment inspection coordination — for Kenya (QISJ) and Cameroon (CNCC)
• Booking on established vessel routes — weekly sailings to Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, and more
• Guidance on RHD eligibility — critical for West African destinations
• Quote within 24 hours — based on your vehicle, destination, and collection postcode

Ship Cars Ltd serves West Africa (Lagos, Tema, Cotonou, Abidjan, Dakar, Banjul, Freetown, Pointe Noire), Southern Africa (Durban, Cape Town, Walvis Bay, Port Elizabeth), and East Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam).

Get a free car shipping quote | View the sailing schedule | Contact the team

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping Costs UK to Africa 2026

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from the UK to Africa?

RoRo shipping is the most cost-effective method for standard roadworthy vehicles. Prices start from £947 to Lagos, Nigeria and £1,045 to Durban, South Africa. Container shipping costs 20–40% more but is required for high-value, non-running, or electric vehicles, and is mandatory for Cape Town.

Does the quoted price include import duty?

No. Quoted sea freight prices are port-to-port costs only. Import duty, port handling charges, customs clearance fees, and local delivery at destination are additional. Always request a destination-inclusive cost estimate before booking.

Can I ship an electric vehicle to Africa?

Yes, but only via container — RoRo carriers do not accept electric vehicles due to maritime fire-safety regulations covering high-voltage batteries. An EV hazard surcharge of approximately £295 applies, and the battery must be charged below 50% at loading. Confirm EV import eligibility at your specific destination before booking.

Can I send personal belongings inside the car?

Personal effects can only be packed inside the vehicle on container shipments. RoRo vehicles must be completely empty. All items in a container must be accurately declared to customs at the destination port and must comply with that country’s import regulations.

Which UK ports does Ship Cars Ltd depart from?

Ship Cars Ltd operates from Tilbury (London), Sheerness (Kent), Immingham (Lincolnshire), Southampton, and Teesport (Middlesbrough). The departure port depends on your destination and available sailing schedule.

How do I get an accurate shipping quote for my vehicle?

Use the free online quote form at ShipCars.co.uk. Provide your vehicle type, make/model, destination country and city, and UK collection postcode. You will receive a personalised quotation within 24 hours.

All prices are indicative sea freight costs based on a standard saloon car and are subject to change. Import duty, customs fees, and destination charges are not included. Contact Ship Cars Ltd for a full destination-inclusive quotation. Last verified: October 2026.