Car Shipping to Civitavecchia
- Fast Information
- Roll on/Roll off: Yes ✓
- Container Shipping: Yes ✓
Car Shipping to Civitavecchia, Italy | Reliable RORO & Container Shipping
Shipping your vehicle to Civitavecchia, Italy, connects you to the historic port known as the “Gateway to Rome.” As the primary seaport serving Italy’s capital and the wider Lazio region, Civitavecchia is a crucial entry point for vehicle imports, serving residents, returning nationals, and the vast local tourism and business sectors.
Why Ship Your Car to Civitavecchia?
Vehicles are shipped for a range of purposes, including commercial trade and resale of both classic and modern cars. UK expatriates and returning residents frequently ship their cars due to their sentimental importance. Tourists or individuals planning long-term holidays choose to ship their vehicles to explore their destination without the hassle of rental cars.
Car Shipping Methods: RORO vs. Container
At Ship Cars, we offer a range of vehicle shipping options, from Roll on Roll Off (RoRo) which is highly cost effective and container shipping that includes; Full Container Load (FCL) when shipping luxury, electric or hybrid cars.
Important: Shipping personal effects inside a vehicle to Italy is possible but must be declared correctly to Italian customs with a detailed inventory. We can provide guidance on the required procedures.
You may benefit from reading Car Shipping Method.
What Your Car Shipping Service Includes

When you book your Civitavecchia shipment with shipcars.co.uk, our comprehensive service covers:
- Origin port charges and handling fees in the UK.
- Ocean freight on reliable carrier lines directly to the Port of Civitavecchia.
- Essential documentation, including the Bill of Lading.
- Expert support and tracking from collection to departure.
Please Note: Italian import VAT (IVA), customs clearance fees, and all local port/agent charges are not included in our shipping quote. These are payable in Italy. The tax treatment depends significantly on whether you are becoming an Italian resident.
Read more about car shipping services in details.
Italy Import Rules: Key Regulations (Post-Brexit)
As the UK is now a non-EU country, vehicles imported into Italy are subject to customs formalities. Key rules include:
- Vehicle Standards: The vehicle must meet EU roadworthiness and emissions standards. Most modern UK cars already comply.
- Import VAT (IVA): This is the most significant cost. If you are importing the vehicle to become an Italian resident, you will likely be liable to pay Italian Import VAT (currently 22%) on the vehicle’s current market value. A major exemption exists if you are moving your primary residence to Italy and have owned and used the vehicle for more than 6 months.
- Duty: Customs Duty is typically 10%. However, under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, if you can prove the vehicle’s origin is the UK or EU (using the V5C logbook), no duty is payable.
- Registration: After customs clearance, you must register the vehicle with the Italian authorities (Motorizzazione Civile) in your local area and obtain Italian number plates.
- Headlights: You will likely need to adjust headlights or fit beam deflectors for driving on the right.
Essential Import Documents Checklist
You or your appointed agent in Italy will require these documents:
- Original Bill of Lading.
- Original Vehicle Registration Document (V5C). Critical for proving ownership and UK origin.
- Commercial Invoice or a declared value statement.
- Certificate of Marine Insurance.
- Copy of Your Passport and proof of new Italian residency (e.g., residency certificate, “codice fiscale”) if applicable.
- Proof of Ownership (e.g., sales invoice if recently purchased).
- Freight Certificate/Invoice.
Strong Recommendation: Using a licensed customs agent (spedizioniere) in Civitavecchia or Rome is highly advisable. They will handle the complex VAT/Duty declarations, liaise with customs, and guide you through the subsequent Italian registration process.
Get more information about car shipping documents.
Cost & Transit Summary
Here is a clear overview for shipping a standard small car to Civitavecchia.
| Shipping Cost (Example) | From £695 for a small car via RORO (all-inclusive of our listed services). |
| Insurance | Marine Insurance is a strategic necessity for vehicles during transit. Covering your vehicles against Total Loss due to fire and water damage and cosmetic damages. |
| Total Transit Time | Approximately 19 days from UK departure port to arrival in Civitavecchia. |
| Sailing Frequency | Regular sailings, with vessels departing 3 times per month. |
| Collection Service | Our flexible and secured collection services include Trade Plate-Insured driven service as well as transporter or recovery options. |
| Local Taxes & Duties | Not included. Import duty, GST, and agent fees are payable in Civitavecchia. |
Ship Your Car With Ship Cars Ltd Today
Ready for a Personalised Quote? Contact us today for further information or visit our sailing schedule and get an instant quote to schedule your car shipping with us with your vehicle’s details and your planned residency status in Italy. We’ll provide a clear shipping quotation and explain the crucial next steps for customs clearance when importing your car to Civitavecchia.
We also provide efficient and reliable car shipping services to: