Weekly Sailings from the UK to Limassol  RoRo and LCL Container Services

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 a team that knows the route inside out.

At Ship cars ltd, we manage regular shipments from the UK to the Port of Limassol on both a Roll-On Roll-Off (RoRo) and a Less-than-Container Load (LCL) shared container basis. Both services run on a weekly sailing schedule, and both come with full export documentation support, marine insurance options, and a clear, honest quote from the start.

Two Ways to Ship Your Car to Cyprus

There’s no single “right” method for every customer. The best option for you depends on your vehicle type, your budget, and how much protection you need in transit. Here’s how both services work.

RoRo — Roll-on Roll-off Shipping to Cyprus

RoRo is the most widely used method for car shipping to Cyprus from the UK, and for good reason. It’s the most cost-effective option available, and it’s a proven method that handles hundreds of thousands of vehicle shipments globally every year.

Your car is driven onto a dedicated car-carrier vessel at the port of departure, secured to the ship’s deck using professional strapping, and then driven off again when it arrives at the Port of Limassol. No lifting, no craning — just a smooth, efficient drive-on, drive-off process that’s been the backbone of the international car shipping industry for decades.

RoRo sailings to Cyprus depart regularly from Southampton, with transit times to Limassol running at approximately 14 to 19 days port-to-port. The vessel sails via the Mediterranean, calling at various European ports before arriving at Limassol.

What to know before choosing RoRo:

• Your vehicle must be in running order and have a current MOT if being driven to the port by our trade plate driver
• The vehicle is stored on an open car deck — fully enclosed container shipping offers greater protection for high-value or classic vehicles
• RoRo is the faster and more affordable of the two options
• Personal items must not be left inside the vehicle during transit

A customer relocating from Leeds to Limassol shipped his Toyota Land Cruiser on our RoRo service from Southampton. It arrived at the port within 17 days and cleared customs the same week — he was driving it on temporary Cypriot plates within days of arrival.

LCL Shared Container Shipping to Cyprus

LCL stands for Less-than-Container Load, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Rather than booking an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container for a single vehicle, your car is loaded inside a shared container alongside other vehicles or cargo heading to the same destination. It’s a smart, cost-conscious alternative to full container shipping, while still giving your car significantly more physical protection than RoRo.

Inside the container, vehicles are loaded onto a racking system and secured at multiple points to prevent movement during transit. The container is then sealed and doesn’t open again until it arrives at the destination port.

For classic cars, prestige vehicles, or owners who simply want the extra peace of mind that comes with enclosed shipping, LCL is often the preferred choice. It also allows you to include personal effects and small additional items alongside the vehicle, which makes it especially popular with customers making a permanent move to Cyprus.

LCL container services to Cyprus depart weekly, with transit times of approximately 18 to 23 days to Limassol.

 A customer from London shipped a restored 1989 Mercedes 300CE to Limassol via our LCL shared container service. The vehicle arrived in exactly the condition it left — she described it as ‘the easiest part of the whole move’. 

UK Port Departures

We arrange regular car shipping to Cyprus from UK ports including Southampton, Bristol (Portbury), and London Gateway. Your nearest suitable port will depend on your location and the shipping method selected. Our team will advise you on the best departure point when you request a quote.

For customers based in the north of England — say, Newcastle, Manchester, or Leeds — we can arrange a UK collection service to bring the vehicle to the departure port. Our trade plate drivers and transporter network covers the whole of England, Scotland, and Wales.

Arrival at Limassol Port What to Expect

All UK vehicle shipments to Cyprus arrive at the Port of Limassol, which is Cyprus’s main commercial harbour and the primary entry point for imported vehicles. Once your vehicle arrives, you’ll need to go through the customs clearance process before you can take possession of it.

Standard port and agent fees at Limassol typically include terminal handling charges, a delivery order, and customs clearance fees. These are separate from the freight rate and are payable on the Cyprus side. We’ll make sure you’re aware of these in advance so there are no surprises.

Customs, Duty and VAT The Key Facts

Since Brexit, the UK is outside the EU, which means all UK-to-Cyprus vehicle shipments are subject to Cypriot customs entry. The documentation and duty position will depend on your individual circumstances.

Here’s a straightforward overview:

• Transferring residence to Cyprus? You may be eligible to import one vehicle exempt from duty and VAT, provided you’ve owned and used it in the UK for at least six months and import it within 12 months of your move
• Not transferring residence but vehicle is UK-origin? Import duty may be 0%, but Cypriot VAT at 19% will still apply
• Vehicle not of UK origin and no residence transfer? Standard import duty of 10% plus VAT at 19% will apply
• Vehicles over five years old generally cannot be permanently registered in Cyprus unless the residence transfer exemption applies — this is worth planning around early

The documents you’ll need on the Cyprus side include the original V5C logbook, a Bill of Lading (which we provide after shipment), and the Customs Form C1040, which your local agent will help you complete. Cypriot customs offices are located in Limassol and Paphos.

What We Need From You to Get Started

To arrange your UK export and prepare all shipping documentation, we’ll ask you for:

• A copy of your V5C vehicle registration document (retain the original — you’ll need it in Cyprus)
• A copy of the photo page of your passport
• A copy of a valid MOT certificate if you’d like us to arrange a trade plate driver collection
• An invoice or bill of sale if the V5C is not yet in your name

That’s it. Our team takes care of the customs export entry, the Bill of Lading, and the coordination with our Limassol port agents from there.

Why Choose Ship cars ltd for Cyprus?

We’re not a comparison site or a call centre. We’re a specialist vehicle shipping company with real hands-on experience managing UK-to-Cyprus shipments on a regular basis. We know the sailing schedules, we understand the Cypriot customs process, and we give you direct access to the people actually handling your booking.

• Weekly sailings via both RoRo and LCL shared container to Limassol
• Nationwide UK collection — we come to you, wherever you are
• Full export documentation handled by our team
• Marine insurance available on request
• Transparent pricing — no hidden port fees sprung on you at the last minute
• Post-shipment support — we stay in contact from UK departure through to Cyprus arrival

Whether you’re shipping a family saloon, a classic car, a 4×4, or a prestige vehicle, we’ll match you with the right service and make sure the journey from your driveway in the UK to the streets of Limassol is as smooth as possible.

Ship cars ltd Trusted car shipping from the UK to Cyprus, every week.