Car Shipping to Valencia
- Fast Information
- Cost starts from: £795
- Roll on/Roll off: Yes ✓
- Container Shipping: Yes ✓
- Frequency of sailing: Weekly
Ship Cars Ltd ships vehicles from the UK to Valencia, Spain by RoRo and Container. RoRo starts from £795 for a standard car, with a transit time of approximately 16 days from UK departure port to the Port of Valencia. Post-Brexit, UK vehicles are subject to Spanish IVA (21%) and 10% customs duty, though duty may be waived under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement if UK origin is confirmed via the V5C logbook.
Car Shipping to Valencia | International Vehicle Shipping to Spain
Shipping your vehicle to Valencia, Spain, connects you to one of the largest and busiest ports on the Mediterranean. As a major hub for commerce and tourism, the Port of Valencia is a primary entry point for vehicle imports, serving residents, returning nationals, and the vast eastern region of Spain.
Why Ship to the Port of Valencia?
The Port of Valencia (Port de València) is Spain’s largest commercial port and one of the Mediterranean’s primary vehicle import hubs. It serves a natural catchment of greater Valencia (3.2 million residents), Alicante, Murcia, and the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza).
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Ship to Valencia if: your destination is the city of Valencia, Alicante, Murcia, Cartagena, or the Balearic Islands.
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Ship to Santander if: your destination is northern or central Spain — Cantabria, Bilbao, Burgos, or Madrid.
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Ship to Pasajes if: your destination is eastern Basque Country, Navarre, or La Rioja.
A licensed customs agent (agente de aduanas) in Valencia is strongly recommended for permanent vehicle imports. Ship Cars can advise on the best port for your specific delivery address within Spain.
Your Car Shipping Options: RORO vs. Container
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 | Container (FCL) | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting from | £795 (standard car) | Contact for pricing |
| Best for | Standard, driveable vehicles | Classic, luxury, electric, high-value, non-runners |
| Transit time | ~14 days | ~16–20 days (varies by container schedule) |
| Protection level | Open deck (weather-exposed) | Enclosed — sole-use container |
| Port availability | Yes ✓ | Yes ✓ |
Container shipping (FCL) prices vary by vehicle dimensions and booking schedule. Contact Ship Cars for a container quote to Valencia.
What Your Car Shipping Service Includes
When you book your Valencia 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 Valencia.
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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: Spanish import VAT (IVA), customs clearance fees, and all local port/agent charges are not included in our shipping quote. These are payable in Spain. The tax liability depends critically on whether you are becoming a Spanish resident.
Spain Import Rules: Key Regulations (Post-Brexit)
As the UK is a non-EU country, vehicles imported into Spain 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 comply.
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Import VAT (IVA): This is the major potential cost. If you are importing the vehicle to become a Spanish resident, you will likely be liable to pay Spanish Import VAT (currently 21%) on the vehicle’s current market value. A full exemption is available if you are moving your primary residence to Spain 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 Spanish authorities (Dirección General de Tráfico – DGT) and obtain Spanish number plates.
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Technical Inspection: The vehicle must pass the Spanish ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) test.
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Headlights: You will need to adjust headlights or fit beam deflectors for driving on the right.
Essential Import Documents Checklist
You or your appointed agent in Spain will require these documents:
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Original Bill of Lading.
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Original Vehicle Registration Document (V5C). This is vital 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 Spanish residency (e.g., “Certificado de Empadronamiento”, NIE number) 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 (agente de aduanas) in Valencia is highly advisable. They will handle the complex VAT/Duty declarations, liaise with Spanish customs, and guide you through the local registration and ITV process.
Cost & Transit Summary
Here is a clear overview for shipping a standard small car to Valencia.
Shipping Cost (Example) |
From £795 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 7 to 14 days from UK departure port to arrival in Valencia. |
Sailing Frequency |
Regular sailings, with vessels departing 4 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 |
Payable in Spain. This may include Import VAT (IVA) and customs clearance fees, depending on your residency status. |
Ready for a Personalised Quote? Contact us today with your vehicle’s details and your planned residency status in Spain. We’ll provide a clear shipping quotation and explain the crucial next steps for customs clearance when importing your car to Valencia.
Europe-Adjacent Destinations:
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Car Shipping to Pasajes, Spain
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Car Shipping to Santander
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Car Shipping to Portugal
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Car Shipping to Spain
Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping to Valencia
How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Valencia, Spain?
RoRo shipping from the UK to Valencia starts from £795 for a standard car (UK port to Port of Valencia only). Spanish IVA at 21% and customs clearance fees are payable separately in Spain. Container shipping for high-value, classic, or non-running vehicles is available — contact Ship Cars for pricing. Get a free personalised quote.
How long does it take to ship a car to Valencia from the UK?
RoRo transit from the UK to the Port of Valencia takes approximately 16 days from UK departure. Sailings operate approximately 3 times per month. Including UK collection and Spanish customs clearance, allow 3–4 weeks total from booking to your vehicle being cleared and available at Valencia port.
What Spanish import duty and VAT do I pay when shipping a car from the UK?
Under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, if your vehicle’s origin is the UK or EU (confirmed via the V5C logbook), customs duty (typically 10%) may not be payable. Spanish IVA at 21% applies to the vehicle’s current market value but is waivable for those relocating their primary residence to Spain who have owned and used the vehicle for more than 6 months. Verify current rates with the AEAT (aeat.es) before shipping.
What documents do I need to ship a car to Valencia?
UK side: original V5C logbook, copy of passport, purchase or sales invoice. Spanish customs: original Bill of Lading, V5C, commercial invoice, marine insurance certificate, copy of passport, and NIE number or proof of Spanish residency if applying for an IVA exemption. A licensed Spanish customs agent (agente de aduanas) in Valencia is strongly recommended for permanent imports.
Which part of Spain does the Port of Valencia serve?
The Port of Valencia is Spain’s largest commercial port. It is the natural entry point for greater Valencia, Alicante, Murcia, Cartagena, and the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza). For northern Spain or central Spain, the ports of Santander (Cantabria) or Pasajes (Basque Country) are typically more convenient — Ship Cars can advise on the best port for your specific delivery address.
Do I need to re-register my UK car in Spain after shipping it?
Yes, for permanent imports. After customs clearance at Valencia, the vehicle must pass the Spanish ITV test (MOT equivalent) and be registered with the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) to receive Spanish number plates. You must also notify the UK DVLA of the export by returning the V5C/2 section of your logbook.
Is RoRo or container shipping better for a car to Valencia?
RoRo is the standard, most cost-effective method for driveable vehicles — starting from £665. Container (FCL) shipping is recommended for classic, luxury, electric, non-running, or high-value vehicles requiring enclosed, sole-use transport. Both are available on the UK–Valencia route. Contact Ship Cars to discuss which suits your vehicle.
Do I need a customs agent in Valencia?
Using a licensed Spanish customs agent (agente de aduanas) in Valencia is strongly recommended for permanent vehicle imports. They will handle VAT and duty declarations, liaise with Spanish customs (AEAT), and guide you through the ITV and DGT registration process. Ship Cars can advise on local agents at Valencia port.
