Car Shipping to Savona, Italy from UK | From £793 | RORO & Container
- Fast Information
- Cost starts from: £793
- Roll on/Roll off: Yes ✓
- Container Shipping: Yes ✓
- Frequency of sailing: weekly
Ship Cars Ltd ships vehicles from the UK to Savona, Italy via RoRo and dedicated container to the Port of Savona on the Ligurian coast — gateway to the Italian Riviera and northwest Italy. RoRo starts from £793 for a standard small car; transit takes approximately 21-30 days weekly. Under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, most UK-origin vehicles qualify for 0% customs duty. Italian IVA at 22% applies unless you qualify for the Transfer of Residence exemption. UK right-hand drive cars are fully road-legal in Italy after Motorizzazione Civile registration.
Vehicle Shipping to Savona, Italy
Shipping your vehicle to Savona, Italy, connects you to a major port on the Ligurian Sea and a key gateway to the Italian Riviera and northwestern Italy. As one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean, Savona is a primary entry point for vehicle imports, serving residents, returning nationals, and the region’s significant tourism and industrial sectors.
UK Right-Hand Drive Cars Are Fully Road-Legal in Italy
Italy drives on the right — UK right-hand drive vehicles are fully eligible for registration with the Motorizzazione Civile. Headlights must be adjusted or beam deflectors fitted for right-hand driving. No steering conversion is required.
What Shipping Options Are Available from the UK to Savona?
At Ship Cars Ltd, 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.
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off):
Most cost-effective method for standard roadworthy vehicles. Your car is driven onto the vessel and secured below deck. The vehicle must be in running order and completely empty of personal belongings. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are not permitted on RoRo services. Starts from £795 for a standard small car.
Dedicated Container (FCL):
Your vehicle has sole use of a 20ft or 40ft container — maximum protection and suitable for non-running vehicles, classic cars, electric vehicles, and high-value vehicles. Personal effects may be included (declared). EV hazard surcharge of £295 applies. Bespoke pricing — contact us for a quote.
What Your Car Shipping Service Includes
When you book your Savona shipment with shipcars.co.uk, our comprehensive service covers:
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Origin port charges and handling fees in the UK.
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Ocean freight on reliable carrier lines directly to the Port of Savona.
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Essential documentation, including the Bill of Lading.
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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.
Will I Pay Italian IVA on My Car? Transfer of Residence (ToR) Explained
If you are permanently relocating to Italy from the UK, you may qualify for full exemption from Italian Import IVA (22%) under the Transfer of Residence (Trasferimento di Residenza) concession. Eligibility criteria:
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You must be permanently establishing your primary residence in Italy.
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The vehicle must have been registered in your name and used by you for at least 6 months before your departure from the UK.
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You must apply for Italian residency registration (iscrizione all’anagrafe) within 60 days of arrival.
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One vehicle per person qualifies.
On a £20,000 vehicle, 22% IVA represents a £4,400 liability. The ToR exemption eliminates this entirely for qualifying relocators. Verify current eligibility and apply through the Agenzia delle Dogane at dogane.gov.it before shipping. A licensed spedizioniere in Savona or Genoa can manage the application on your behalf.
What Are the Italian Import Rules for UK Vehicles Post-Brexit?
As the UK is now a non-EU country, vehicles imported into Italy are subject to customs formalities. Key rules include:
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Vehicle Standards: The vehicle must meet EU roadworthiness and emissions standards. Most modern UK cars already comply.
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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.
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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.
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Registration: After customs clearance, you must register the vehicle with the Italian authorities (Motorizzazione Civile) in your local area and obtain Italian number plates.
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Headlights: You will need to adjust headlights or fit beam deflectors for driving on the right.
What Documents Do I Need to Ship a Car from the UK to Savona?
You or your appointed agent in Italy will require these documents:
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Original Bill of Lading.
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Original Vehicle Registration Document (V5C). Critical for proving ownership and UK origin.
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Commercial Invoice or a declared value statement.
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Certificate of Marine Insurance.
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Copy of Your Passport and proof of new Italian residency (e.g., residency certificate, “codice fiscale”) if applicable.
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Proof of Ownership (e.g., sales invoice if recently purchased).
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Freight Certificate/Invoice.
Strong Recommendation: Using a licensed customs agent (spedizioniere) in Savona or Genoa is highly advisable. They will handle the complex VAT/Duty declarations, liaise with customs, and guide you through the subsequent Italian registration process.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to Savona?
Here is a clear overview for shipping a standard small car to Savona.
| Shipping Cost (Example) | From £793 for a small car via RORO (all-inclusive of our listed services). |
| Insurance | Total Loss cover at 1% of declared vehicle value; Comprehensive cover at 1.5% (vehicles under 10 years; pre-shipment condition report required — free if ShipCars collects; £35 if self-delivered). |
| Total Transit Time | Approximately 21-30 days from UK departure port to arrival in Savona. |
| Sailing Frequency | Regular sailings, with vessels departing weekly. |
| Collection Service | Our flexible and secured collection services include Trade Plate-Insured driven service as well as transporter or recovery options. |
| Local Taxes & Duties | Payable in Italy. This may include Import VAT (IVA) and customs clearance fees, depending on your residency status. |
What documents do I need to ship my car from the UK to Savona?
UK side: original V5C, passport copy, proof of address (under 3 months old), proof of ownership, ToR authorisation (if applicable), Ship Cars booking confirmation.
Savona customs: original Bill of Lading, V5C, commercial invoice, marine insurance certificate, passport, proof of Italian residency and codice fiscale (if claiming ToR).
Ship Cars manages the UK export declaration. A licensed spedizioniere in Savona or Genoa is recommended for Italian customs clearance and Motorizzazione Civile registration.
What is and isn’t allowed inside my vehicle?
RoRo: vehicle must be completely empty — no personal belongings, maximum quarter tank of fuel.
Container: limited personal effects permitted if fully declared and compliant with Italian customs rules. Hazardous materials, foodstuffs, plants, and illegal items are prohibited under all methods.
Ship Your Car To Savona, Italy With Ship Cars Ltd
Ready to Get a Precise Quote? Contact us today with your vehicle’s details and requirements for a straightforward, fixed-price quotation and personalized support for your shipment to Savona. Contact us today for further information or visit our sailing schedule and get an instant quote to schedule your car shipping with us.
We also provide efficient and reliable Car Shipping Services to:
Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping to Savona
How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Savona?
RoRo shipping starts from £793 for a standard small car (UK port to Savona port only). Italian IVA (22%), customs clearance fees, and local agent charges are payable separately in Italy. Container pricing is available on request — contact us for a dedicated FCL quote.
How long does it take to ship a car from the UK to Savona?
Transit takes approximately 12 days, with three sailings per month. Allow 4–6 weeks total from booking to vehicle clearance, including UK collection and Italian customs on arrival at the Port of Savona.
Do I pay import duty shipping a car from the UK to Italy?
No — most UK-origin vehicles qualify for 0% customs duty under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, provided UK origin is evidenced by the V5C logbook. The standard 10% rate applies only to vehicles that cannot prove UK or EU origin.
Will I pay Italian IVA on my car shipped to Savona?
Italian Import IVA is 22%, applied to the vehicle’s CIF value. A full exemption is available under the Transfer of Residence (Trasferimento di Residenza) concession if you are permanently relocating to Italy and meet the eligibility criteria. Verify at dogane.gov.it before shipping.
What is the Transfer of Residence (ToR) exemption for Italy?
ToR exempts qualifying relocators from Italian IVA (22%). To qualify: you must be permanently moving to Italy, have owned and used the vehicle for at least 6 months before departure, and register your Italian residency (anagrafe) within 60 days of arrival. One vehicle per person. Apply through the Agenzia delle Dogane at dogane.gov.it before the vehicle arrives in Italy.
Can I ship a right-hand drive UK car to Italy?
Yes. UK right-hand drive cars are fully road-legal in Italy. Headlights must be adjusted or beam deflectors fitted for right-hand driving. No steering conversion is required. After customs clearance at Savona, the vehicle must be registered with the Motorizzazione Civile and Italian plates obtained.
Can I ship an electric or hybrid car to Savona via RoRo?
No. Full electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles must travel by dedicated container due to battery safety regulations. An EV hazard surcharge of approximately £295 applies. Non-plug-in mild hybrids may be eligible for RoRo — confirm with Ship Cars before booking.
