Car Shipping Costs from UK to USA — 2026 Prices by Port, New York & All US Destinations

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 the picture. US import regulations, the critical 25-year DOT/EPA rule, and customs clearance forms all determine whether your vehicle can legally enter the country at all. This guide covers every US port, every cost, and every rule — in plain English.

What Are the 2026 RoRo Shipping Prices from the UK to the USA?

Prices below are indicative port-to-port sea freight costs for a standard saloon car. 4x4s and SUVs attract an additional supplement of approximately £250–£350 on all routes.

What’s included: UK port handling, ocean freight to the US destination port, and Bill of Lading. Not included: US customs duty (currently 2.5% of vehicle customs value), CBP clearance fees, EPA Form 3520-1, DOT Form HS-7, US customs broker fees, and onward delivery within the USA.

Dedicated 20ft container (East Coast US ports): from £2,200. No shared (LCL) container service is available on the UK-to-USA route — container shipping is dedicated only.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car to New York from the UK?

Car shipping to New York arrives at the Port of New York and New Jersey — the largest port complex on the US East Coast and the primary gateway for vehicle imports serving the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut).

• Sea transit: approximately 12–20 days from UK departure port
• Sailing frequency: three times per month

New York/NJ is more expensive than Baltimore or Jacksonville but significantly better placed for buyers and collectors based in the north-east. For anyone delivering a vehicle to a buyer in New York City or shipping to a dealer in the tri-state area, New York/NJ eliminates expensive US domestic trucking costs from a southern port.

Which UK Ports Does Ship Cars Ltd Depart From?

Ship Cars Ltd operates UK-to-USA departures from two ports:

• Southampton — the UK’s primary RoRo export terminal for US-bound vehicles. Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Höegh Autoliners operate regular services from here to East Coast and Gulf Coast US ports
• Tilbury, London — the main container hub for US-bound shipments, well-positioned for customers in London and the South East

UK-wide vehicle collection to either departure port is available — see the Ship Cars Ltd service section below.

What Is the 25-Year Rule for Importing a Car to the USA?

This is the single most important rule for anyone shipping a UK car to the USA permanently — and getting it wrong before the vehicle sails can result in the car being held at a US port or refused entry.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prohibit the permanent importation of vehicles that do not conform to US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and EPA emissions regulations. The vast majority of UK-specification vehicles do not meet these standards.

The exemption: Vehicles that are 25 years old or older are fully exempt from both DOT FMVSS and EPA emissions compliance requirements. For vehicles manufactured before October 2001, permanent import to the USA is straightforward — no compliance modifications, no Registered Importer involvement.

For vehicles under 25 years old: Permanent import is extremely difficult unless the vehicle is already US-specification. The main route is via a Registered Importer (RI) who modifies and certifies the vehicle to meet FMVSS and EPA standards — a costly and time-consuming process that is not viable for most standard UK cars.

The Show or Display exemption exists for vehicles of genuine historical or technological significance, but this is limited to rare cases and not applicable to everyday UK cars.

Verify your vehicle’s import eligibility at the official NHTSA (DOT) importing a vehicle page and the EPA importing vehicles and engines page before booking.

What Are the US Import Duty and Customs Costs?

Every vehicle shipped to the USA must clear US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the arrival port. Here is a full breakdown of the costs and forms involved:

US import duty rate

The standard federal import duty on passenger vehicles from the UK is currently 2.5% of the vehicle’s customs value (USITC Harmonised Tariff Schedule 2026).

Important note: US-UK trade negotiations in 2025 included proposals around vehicle tariffs. Confirm the current applicable duty rate with Ship Cars Ltd at the point of booking.

Forms required at US customs

A licensed US customs broker must file these forms on your behalf. Ship Cars Ltd coordinates with trusted US customs partners at all major US arrival ports and can recommend brokers at the point of booking.

CBP clearance timeline: Under normal conditions, clearance takes 3–7 working days after the vessel arrives. Pre-filing before vessel arrival keeps clearance as fast as possible.

What Is the US Import Duty for Classic Cars?

For vehicles 25 years old or older:

• DOT FMVSS: Exempt — no safety standard compliance required
• EPA emissions: Vehicles 21 years or older are typically exempt from EPA regulations (the practical threshold for most importers remains 25 years)
• US import duty: 2.5% of customs value — applies regardless of vehicle age
• State DMV registration: Handled after CBP release at the destination state

The combination of the 25-year exemption and the USA’s no prohibition on right-hand drive vehicles makes America one of the most attractive export markets in the world for UK classic cars. RHD vehicles are legally permitted — some US states may impose additional requirements for RHD registration, so check with the DMV in the destination state before shipping.

RoRo or Container — Which Is Right for USA Shipping?

EV note: Electric vehicles can only be shipped via dedicated container. A hazard surcharge of approximately £295 applies and the battery must be charged below 40–50% at loading.

→ Compare both methods in full: RoRo vs Container Car Shipping

How Do You Prepare a Car for Shipping to the USA?

US CBP carries out agricultural and biosecurity inspections on arrival. Contamination — soil, plant material, or biological matter — results in quarantine or fumigation at the owner’s cost. These preparation steps apply to both RoRo and container:

• Fuel: Maximum one quarter tank
• Personal belongings: Vehicle must be completely empty for RoRo — CBP treats items left inside as a household move, requiring entirely different and more complex import procedures
• Cleanliness: Clean inside and out — US biosecurity inspections are strict
• Battery: Fully charged for RoRo shipments
• Alarm: Deactivated before loading
• Tyres: Inflated to correct pressure
• MOT: Valid and in place for trade plate collection

→ Full pre-shipment checklist: Preparing Your Car for Export

How Does Ship Cars Ltd Handle UK-to-USA Shipments?

Ship Cars Ltd manages the complete UK-side process and coordinates US customs clearance through established US partners:

• UK-wide vehicle collection — trade plate driven or transporter from any UK postcode
• Pre-shipment condition report — free with collection; £35 if self-delivered
• All UK export documentation — export declaration, Bill of Lading, and paperwork pack
• Carrier bookings — confirmed sailings with Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Höegh Autoliners (RoRo) and leading container lines
• US customs coordination — CBP entry, EPA Form 3520-1, DOT Form HS-7 — managed by Ship Cars Ltd’s US customs partners
• Marine insurance — total loss at 1% of vehicle value; comprehensive at 1.5% (vehicles under 10 years)
• Door-to-door US delivery — onward transport from US port to any US address via logistics partners
• 25-year rule guidance — honest, experience-based eligibility advice before you book

Ship Cars Ltd is direct about what your vehicle will and won’t qualify for under US import rules. No optimistic guesswork.

Get your free USA car shipping quote now → Prefer to talk it through? Contact Ship Cars Ltd → | Tel: 01495 320540

Pre-Booking Checklist — USA

Before requesting your quote, confirm the following:

• Is your vehicle 25 years old or older? (If not, permanent import is extremely restricted)
• Have you checked whether your destination US state has RHD registration rules?
• Have you budgeted for 2.5% US import duty plus CBP, EPA, and DOT filing fees?
• Have you reduced fuel to a quarter tank or less?
• Is the vehicle completely empty of personal belongings?
• Is the vehicle clean inside and out for US biosecurity inspection?

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping Costs UK to USA 2026

What is the cheapest US port to ship a car to from the UK?

Baltimore is the most affordable RoRo destination at from £986 for a standard saloon, followed closely by Jacksonville and Brunswick (both from £987). New York/New Jersey costs from £1,195 and West Coast ports (Port Hueneme, Tacoma) are significantly more expensive due to longer transit and routing. Choose your port based on where the vehicle is going after arrival — domestic US trucking costs from a cheaper southern port can exceed the port price difference.

Can I ship a UK right-hand drive car to the USA permanently?

Yes, provided the vehicle is 25 years old or older and qualifies for the DOT/EPA 25-year exemption. There is no US federal prohibition on RHD vehicles. Some US states may have additional registration requirements for RHD — verify with the DMV in the destination state before shipping. Vehicles under 25 years old face significant compliance hurdles for permanent import.

What forms are required by US customs when importing a car?

Three forms must be filed: EPA Form 3520-1 (emissions compliance or exemption declaration), DOT Form HS-7 (safety standard compliance or exemption declaration), and a CBP Entry Declaration. An ISF (Importer Security Filing) must also be submitted 24 hours before the vessel departs the UK. Your US customs broker handles all four. Ship Cars Ltd coordinates with trusted US brokers at all major arrival ports.

Is there a shared container option for UK to USA car shipping?

No. Ship Cars Ltd operates RoRo and dedicated container only on the UK-to-USA route. No shared (LCL) container service is available. If you choose container, your vehicle will be the only cargo in the box, or paired with one other vehicle in a 40ft container on request.

How long does US customs clearance take after the ship arrives?

Under normal conditions, CBP clearance takes 3–7 working days after the vessel arrives at the US port. Ship Cars Ltd’s US customs partners file the entry before vessel arrival to keep clearance as fast as possible.

What is the US import duty on a car shipped from the UK?

The standard US federal import duty on passenger vehicles from the UK is currently 2.5% of the vehicle’s customs value (USITC Harmonised Tariff Schedule 2026). This is separate from state taxes and DMV registration fees payable after CBP release. Confirm the current rate with Ship Cars Ltd at booking given ongoing US-UK trade discussions.

All RoRo prices are indicative port-to-port sea freight costs for standard saloon vehicles and are subject to change. US import duty, CBP fees, EPA/DOT filing costs, and onward delivery are not included. Official US import rules: NHTSA/DOT | EPA | CBP. Last verified: October 2026.

Related reading on ShipCars.co.uk:

• Car Shipping to USA — Full Route Guide
• Car Shipping to New York
• USA Import Guide
• Car Shipping to Canada
• Classic Car Shipping Services
• RoRo vs Container Car Shipping
• Documents Required for Exporting a Vehicle from the UK
• Marine Insurance for Vehicle Shipping
• International Car Shipping Costs from the UK