Car Shipping Costs from UK to the Americas — Canada, Mexico & Brazil (2026 Prices)

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 actually pay. This guide covers all three destinations with verified prices, route details, and the critical rules every UK shipper must know before booking.

Quick Comparison — UK to Americas Shipping at a Glance

All prices are indicative sea freight costs only. Import duty, taxes, customs clearance, and local charges are payable separately at each destination. Prices are subject to change — get a precise quote for your vehicle.

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

Car shipping to Canada via RoRo to Halifax starts from £1,166 for a standard small car. Container shipping to Saint John, New Brunswick is also available for higher-value, electric, or non-running vehicles.

What additional costs apply in Canada?

• Federal customs duty: typically 6.1% of the vehicle’s customs value (verify UK-origin rate with a Canadian customs broker post-Brexit — the UK is no longer covered by CETA)
• GST: 5% federal tax on customs value plus duty, applied in all provinces
• Provincial Sales Tax: varies significantly by province — Ontario 13% HST, British Columbia 12% (GST + PST), Alberta 5% GST only, Quebec ~15% (GST + QST)
• RIV fee: CAD $295 plus applicable taxes — payable for all vehicles under 25 years old

Alberta advantage: With no provincial sales tax, Alberta is one of the most cost-effective Canadian provinces for vehicle importation.

What is the Canadian RIV programme?

The Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) programme is Canada’s mandatory compliance process for vehicles under 25 years old. After arrival in Canada, your vehicle must be presented at an RIV-authorised inspection centre to confirm it meets Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) and CEPA emissions requirements. The current fee is CAD $295 plus taxes.

Classic car exemption: Vehicles 25 years old or older are fully RIV-exempt and can be imported into Canada without modification or compliance inspection — making it one of the most attractive destinations in the world for UK classic car exports.

Which Canadian ports does Ship Cars Ltd use?

• Halifax, Nova Scotia — primary RoRo port, fortnightly sailings, 6–7 days transit from the UK
• Saint John, New Brunswick — container shipping alternative, similar transit
• Vancouver, British Columbia — available on request for West Coast Canada; 25–40 days via Panama Canal or Suez routing

→ Verify RIV compliance requirements for your specific vehicle at www.riv.ca → Full route details: Car Shipping from UK to Canada

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

Car shipping to Mexico via RoRo from Southampton starts from £1,029 for saloon cars and £1,532 for 4x4s and SUVs. Sailings operate monthly with a 19–29 day sea transit to Veracruz or Altamira on Mexico’s Gulf Coast.

What are Mexico’s import rules for UK vehicles?

Mexico’s vehicle import regulations distinguish between two scenarios — and the rules are very different:

Temporary import (tourists and short-term stays) A Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TIP), administered by Banjercito, is available for visitors staying temporarily. The TIP is tied to your visa period and must be cancelled when you depart with the vehicle.

Permanent/definitive import (residents and long-term use) This is where UK shippers need specialist advice. Mexico’s Definitive Importation Decree sets strict eligibility conditions:

• UK-origin vehicles are not automatically covered by the USMCA/T-MEC agreement — a certificate of origin confirming USMCA compliance is required for eligible vehicles
• Import duty for eligible used vehicles is typically around 10% of declared value, plus 16% IVA (Mexican VAT) and a customs processing fee
• Vehicle model year eligibility applies — broadly, vehicles 8–9 years old from the current year have been eligible under recent decree terms
• The decree has been extended and revised multiple times — confirm current eligibility with a licensed Mexican customs broker (agente aduanal) and with SAT (sat.gob.mx) before shipping

Mexico ports and departure

Ship Cars Ltd departs from Southampton to Veracruz (Mexico’s principal vehicle import port, Gulf Coast) and Altamira (a dedicated RoRo port in Tamaulipas). The specific port is confirmed at booking based on the sailing schedule.

→ Full route details: Car Shipping from UK to Mexico

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

Car shipping to Brazil via RoRo starts from £1,093 for a small car and £1,295 for a large car to Santos or Rio de Janeiro. Weekly sailings operate with a sea transit of approximately 22–49 days depending on the destination port.

Critical: Brazil’s used vehicle import restrictions

Brazil is the most restricted of these three destinations. Before booking, every UK shipper must understand:

• Brazil generally prohibits the importation of used vehicles for general purchase or resale
• The primary route for eligible importers is returning Brazilian residents who have lived abroad for at least one year and have owned and used the specific vehicle for at least one year prior to returning
• UK right-hand drive vehicles cannot be registered or legally driven in Brazil — Brazil drives on the right
• A mandatory Import License (LI) from the Brazilian Ministry of Economy must be obtained before the vehicle is shipped
• RADAR registration with Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue) is required before an LI can be applied for — this requires a valid CPF (Brazilian taxpayer number). Start this process at least 8–12 weeks before your intended shipping date

What are Brazil’s import duties and taxes?

Brazil imposes some of the highest vehicle import taxes in the world. Even for eligible imports, the combined tax burden is substantial:

The combined effect of these taxes means total import costs can easily exceed 60–80% of the vehicle’s declared value. This makes Brazil one of the most expensive destinations in the world for vehicle importation.

Brazil shipping ports and options

RoRo arrival ports:

• Santos (São Paulo state) — Latin America’s busiest port; approximately 23–49 days transit from UK
• Rio de Janeiro — approximately 22–32 days transit from UK

Container shipping: Available for non-running, electric, or high-value vehicles, arriving at Santos or Paranaguá (Brazil’s second-largest container port, serving São Paulo and southern states). 20ft container from approximately £1,295.

→ Full route and regulatory details: Car Shipping from UK to Brazil → Verify import eligibility at Receita Federal do Brasil

What Shipping Methods Are Available for All Three Destinations?

All three countries — Canada, Mexico, and Brazil — are served by both RoRo and container shipping. Here is when to choose each:

EV surcharge: An additional hazard surcharge of approximately £295 applies to all electric vehicle shipments via container, across all three routes. Battery charge must be below 40–50% at loading.

→ Compare methods in detail: RoRo vs Container Car Shipping

What Documents Do You Need — UK Side?

Ship Cars Ltd handles the UK export customs declaration for all three destinations. The standard documents required from you are:

• Original V5C logbook — do not leave inside the vehicle
• Passport copy — photo page of the vehicle owner
• Proof of address — utility bill or bank statement under 3 months old
• Purchase invoice — confirming the vehicle’s declared value
• Completed Ship Cars Ltd booking form

For DVLA permanent export notification (required for Mexico and Brazil), Ship Cars Ltd will guide you through the process.

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

What Marine Insurance Is Available?

Ship Cars Ltd offers two levels of marine transit cover for all routes:

A pre-shipment condition report is mandatory for comprehensive cover — provided free of charge when Ship Cars Ltd collects your vehicle, or at £35 if you self-deliver.

→ Full guide: Marine Insurance for Vehicle Shipping

How Does Ship Cars Ltd Handle Americas Shipments End to End?

Ship Cars Ltd manages the complete UK-side process for every Americas shipment:

• UK-wide vehicle collection — trade plate driver or transporter from any UK postcode
• Pre-shipment condition report — free with collection, £35 if self-delivered
• UK export customs declaration — filed on your behalf
• Bill of Lading and documentation pack — issued before sailing
• Booking on established vessel routes — fortnightly to Canada, monthly to Mexico, weekly to Brazil
• Marine insurance options — total loss or comprehensive cover
• Trusted destination agent network — recommended customs brokers at Halifax, Veracruz, Altamira, Santos, and Rio de Janeiro

Canada: Ship Cars Ltd recommends appointing a licensed Canadian customs broker to manage RIV compliance and CBSA declaration.

Mexico: Ship Cars Ltd works with trusted agente aduanal contacts at Veracruz and Altamira and can connect you at booking.

Brazil: Given the complexity of Brazil’s import regime, appointing a specialised Brazilian customs broker before booking is strongly recommended.

Is Your Vehicle Ready to Ship? Run Through This Checklist First

Before requesting a quote, confirm the following:

• Canada: Is your vehicle under 25 years old (RIV required) or over 25 (RIV-exempt)?
• Mexico: Is your vehicle eligible under the current Definitive Importation Decree? Have you consulted an agente aduanal?
• Brazil: Are you a qualifying returning Brazilian resident? Is your vehicle left-hand drive? Do you have a valid CPF for RADAR registration?
• All three: Has fuel been reduced to a quarter tank or less for RoRo?
• All three: Is your vehicle completely empty of personal belongings for RoRo?

Get your free Americas shipping quote now → Need to talk it through first? Contact Ship Cars Ltd → | Tel: 01495 320540

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping Costs UK to Americas 2026

What is the cheapest Americas destination to ship a car to from the UK?

Mexico is the lowest entry-point for sea freight, with RoRo starting from £1,029 for a standard saloon. Canada starts from £1,166 and also offers the shortest sea transit at just 6–7 days to Halifax. Brazil starts from £1,093 but carries the highest total cost once Brazil’s 60–80%+ import tax burden is factored in.

Can I ship a right-hand drive UK car to Mexico or Brazil?

Mexico: eligibility for permanent RHD registration should be confirmed with a licensed Mexican customs broker before shipping, as it depends on current SAT regulations and your specific vehicle. Brazil: RHD vehicles cannot be registered or legally driven in Brazil — Brazil drives on the right. Most UK vehicles are therefore impractical to ship to Brazil for long-term use.

Does Canada accept classic cars from the UK without RIV inspection?

Yes — vehicles 25 years old or older are fully exempt from the RIV programme and CMVSS compliance requirements. They can be imported into Canada without modification, making Canada an excellent destination for UK classic car owners and dealers.

How long does it take to ship a car from the UK to Canada?

Sea transit to Halifax is approximately 6–7 days via RoRo, with fortnightly sailings. Including UK collection, port-in processing, RIV inspection, and Canadian customs clearance, allow 4–6 weeks total from booking to having your vehicle available. Vancouver (West Coast) takes significantly longer — 25–40 days sea transit.

What is Brazil’s RADAR registration and why does it matter?

RADAR is Receita Federal’s (Brazilian Federal Revenue) registry for importers. Before a vehicle can be imported, the importer must be RADAR-registered using a valid CPF (Brazilian taxpayer number). RADAR registration must be completed before an Import License (LI) can be applied for — and the LI must be obtained before the vehicle is shipped. Start this process at least 8–12 weeks before your intended shipping date.

Can I ship an electric vehicle to Canada, Mexico, or Brazil?

Electric vehicles can be shipped to all three destinations, but only via dedicated container shipping — not RoRo. A hazard surcharge of approximately £295 applies, and the battery must be charged below 40–50% at loading. For Canada, EVs under 25 years old still require RIV compliance assessment.

All prices are indicative sea freight costs for standard vehicles and are subject to change. Import duties, taxes, and destination charges are not included. Verify current regulations with the relevant customs authority for each country before booking: CBSA (Canada), SAT (Mexico), Receita Federal (Brazil). Last verified: October 2026.

Related reading on ShipCars.co.uk:

• Car Shipping to Canada — Full Route Guide
• Car Shipping to Mexico — Veracruz & Altamira
• Car Shipping to Brazil — Santos & Rio de Janeiro
• Car Shipping to USA
• RoRo vs Container Car Shipping
• Complete Guide to Import Duties When Shipping a Car Overseas
• International Car Shipping Costs from the UK
• Marine Insurance for Vehicle Shipping