How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car Overseas from the UK?
Quick Answer
Shipping a car overseas from the UK typically costs £800–£3,500 for RoRo and £1,200–£4,500 for a dedicated container, depending on destination. Air freight costs £3,000–£8,000+. These are indicative all-in estimates for a standard passenger car — including collection, documentation, and port handling, but excluding destination customs duty and local delivery. Get a tailored quote for your route →
What’s Actually Included in a Car Shipping Quote?
This is the most important question — and the one most online price guides deliberately avoid answering.
Most competitor price tables show port-to-port sea freight only. That figure is real, but it excludes several costs that every shipper pays. The gap between a port-to-port quote and your actual total cost can be £300–£800 or more.
Here is what a complete ShipCars quote includes, and what you need to budget separately:
Included in a Ship Cars quote
| Cost component | Included |
|---|---|
| UK port handling and loading | ✓ |
| Sea freight (vessel cost) | ✓ |
| UK export documentation | ✓ |
| Marine cargo insurance (if selected) | ✓ |
| UK collection from your address | ✓ (door-to-port service) |
Budget separately — not in the sea freight rate
| Cost component | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Destination port handling and release | £100–£350 |
| Destination customs clearance agent | £150–£400 |
| Import duty and taxes at destination | 0–30%+ of vehicle value (varies by country) |
| Local delivery from destination port | £150–£600 |
The honest summary: When a competitor shows “Australia from £1,163,” that is almost certainly port-to-port only. The total cost of getting your car from your UK driveway to an Australian address is materially higher. ShipCars provides all-in estimates at the quote stage so you can budget correctly before committing.
Get a full all-in quote for your route →
Car Shipping Cost by Route and Method — Top 10 UK Routes
All figures are indicative estimates for a standard passenger car (saloon/hatchback, running, standard dimensions). Prices are subject to change with fuel surcharges and shipping line rate adjustments — request a current quote for your specific vehicle and date.
Collection from your UK address is included. Prices are in GBP. Destination duty and local delivery are excluded.
| Destination | RoRo (port-to-port) | Sole-use container (20ft) | Air freight |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi) | £900–£1,600 | £1,600–£2,800 | £3,500–£6,000 |
| USA (East Coast) | £950–£1,600 | £1,800–£3,200 | £4,000–£7,000 |
| USA (West Coast) | £1,100–£1,900 | £2,200–£3,800 | £4,500–£8,000 |
| Canada | £1,000–£1,700 | £1,900–£3,400 | £4,000–£7,500 |
| Australia | £1,200–£2,200 | £2,000–£3,500 | £5,000–£9,000 |
| New Zealand | £1,300–£2,500 | £2,500–£4,500 | £5,500–£9,500 |
| South Africa | £900–£1,500 | £1,800–£3,000 | £3,500–£6,500 |
| Nigeria | £850–£1,400 | £1,700–£2,800 | £3,500–£6,000 |
| Kenya | £850–£1,400 | £1,700–£2,800 | £3,500–£6,000 |
| Cyprus | £600–£1,000 | £1,200–£2,000 | £2,500–£4,500 |
All figures are estimates only and exclude destination duty, destination port charges, and local delivery. Figures are for a standard running passenger car. Oversized vehicles, non-runners, and classic/luxury cars may attract different rates. Last updated October 2026.
Request a current quote for your route →
The Three Shipping Methods: What They Cost and When to Use Each
RoRo Car Shipping — The Most Affordable Option
RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) means the vehicle is driven onto a car carrier vessel, parked on an open deck with thousands of other vehicles, and driven off at the destination port. It is the standard method for most international car shipments.
When RoRo is the right choice:
- The vehicle is a standard running car with no exceptional sentimental or financial value
- Cost is the primary consideration
- The route has regular RoRo sailings (most major UK-to-global routes do)
When RoRo is not appropriate:
- The vehicle is non-running (most RoRo operators require the car to drive on and off under its own power — see exceptions)
- The vehicle is a classic, luxury, or high-value car where exposure to salt air and multiple handlers is unacceptable
- The destination does not have RoRo service (some African and Pacific Island routes are container-only)
→ Full method guide: RoRo Car Shipping from the UK
Container Car Shipping — More Protection, More Control
Container shipping places the vehicle inside a sealed steel shipping container. There are two container options:
Shared container (LCL — Less than Container Load) Your car shares space in a 20ft or 40ft container with other people’s vehicles or cargo. Less expensive than sole-use, but the container is opened at intermediate points to load/unload other items — slightly more handling exposure.
Typical cost addition vs RoRo: +£300–£700 depending on route
Sole-use container (FCL — Full Container Load) One container, your vehicle only. Loaded, sealed at ShipCars’ facility, and not opened until the destination port. This is the standard method for classic cars, luxury vehicles, non-runners, and any car where maximum protection matters.
Typical cost addition vs RoRo: +£600–£1,500 depending on route and container size
Container sizes:
- 20ft standard: accommodates 1 standard car comfortably; 2 small cars if space-optimised
- 40ft standard: accommodates 2–3 standard cars, or 1 large vehicle with full working space around it
→ Full method guide: Container Car Shipping from the UK
Air Freight — Fastest, Premium Price
Air freight ships the vehicle via cargo aircraft. Transit time is 3–10 business days door to destination airport, versus 12–60 days by sea depending on route. ShipCars works with British Airways World Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, and Lufthansa Cargo.
When air freight is the right choice:
- Hard deadline — a registration window, an event, a relocation that cannot wait for sea freight
- Vehicle value makes transit risk more important than cost
- The car is compact enough for standard air cargo configuration (not all full-size vehicles qualify — ShipCars assesses dimensions at quote stage)
Air freight pricing is calculated on actual or volumetric weight, whichever is greater. It is quoted individually.
→ Full method guide: Air Freight Car Shipping from the UK
What Factors Change Your Final Price?
1. Route and destination
The biggest variable. Short routes (Cyprus, Mediterranean) are significantly cheaper than long routes (Australia, New Zealand). The frequency of shipping-line sailings on a route affects both price and departure flexibility.
2. Vehicle size and weight
Standard pricing assumes a passenger car up to approximately 4.5m long and 2,000kg. Larger vehicles — large SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, motorhomes — use more container space or vessel deck space, attracting a size surcharge. Non-standard dimensions are quoted individually.
3. Shipping method
RoRo is cheapest; shared container adds cost; sole-use container adds more; air freight is premium. The right method depends on the vehicle’s value, condition, and the urgency of delivery.
4. Collection distance from UK port
ShipCars offers UK collection as part of the door-to-port service. Collection from addresses in the north of Scotland or Northern Ireland costs more than collection from the Midlands or south of England, which are closest to the main departure ports (Southampton, Tilbury, Grimsby).
5. Marine cargo insurance
Not included in the base freight rate — it must be selected and priced separately. ShipCars offers:
- Total Loss Cover: 1% of agreed vehicle value plus shipping cost — covers catastrophic loss (sinking, fire)
- Comprehensive Cover: 1.5% of agreed vehicle value plus shipping cost — adds cover for cosmetic transit damage; available for vehicles 10 years old or newer
Marine insurance is not optional for vehicles of any meaningful value. Standard carrier liability — calculated per kilogram of cargo weight — would cover only a small fraction of the value of almost any car.
→ Full details: Marine Insurance for Vehicle Shipping
6. Departure timing and booking lead time
Shipping-line rates fluctuate with global demand. Peak periods (before Christmas, around major relocation seasons) attract higher rates. Booking 4–6 weeks ahead of your preferred sailing gives better rate availability.
7. Destination duty and taxes
This is the cost most people forget to budget for — and it can be the largest single cost component on the route. Destination countries apply their own import duty and VAT (or equivalent) on the vehicle’s customs value.
Example duty rates (verify with destination customs authority before committing):
| Destination | Typical import duty | Local taxes |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | 5% | 5% VAT |
| Australia | 5% | 10% GST |
| USA | 2.5% (passenger cars) | State-level sales tax |
| Canada | 6.1% (from UK, post-CETA) | Provincial sales tax |
| South Africa | 25–36% | 15% VAT |
| Nigeria | 5–35% (varies by category) | 7.5% VAT |
| Kenya | 25% + other levies | 16% VAT |
| Cyprus | 0% (EU member; if importing as EU resident) | 19% VAT |
Duty rates are indicative only and subject to change. Always verify with the destination country’s customs authority before committing to a purchase or shipment. ShipCars can connect you with a destination customs broker for your specific route.
→ Full guide: Complete Guide to Import Duties and Taxes
RoRo vs Container vs Air — Quick Comparison
| RoRo | Shared container | Sole-use container | Air freight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lowest | Low–mid | Mid–high | Highest |
| Transit time | Standard | Standard | Standard | Fastest (3–10 days) |
| Protection | Open deck | Enclosed, shared | Enclosed, sole-use | Enclosed cargo hold |
| Non-runners | Usually not accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted (confirm) |
| Classic/luxury cars | Not recommended | Possible | Recommended | Recommended |
| Availability | Most major routes | Most routes | All routes | Major routes only |
→ Detailed comparison: RoRo vs Container Shipping — which is right for your vehicle?
A Real Cost Example — Shipping a Standard Car from the UK to Australia
To make these figures concrete, here is how the cost components stack for a standard shipment:
Vehicle: 2019 Toyota Corolla, running, standard saloon Route: UK (Midlands collection) → Melbourne, Australia Method: RoRo
| Cost component | Estimated range |
|---|---|
| UK collection (Midlands to Southampton) | £200–£300 |
| RoRo sea freight (Southampton → Melbourne) | £1,200–£1,800 |
| UK export documentation | Included |
| Marine cargo insurance (Comprehensive, £15,000 agreed value) | £225–£270 |
| Destination port handling (Melbourne) | £150–£250 |
| Australian customs clearance agent | £200–£350 |
| Australian import duty (5% of customs value ~£15,000) | ~£750 |
| Australian GST (10% of customs value + duty) | ~£1,575 |
| Local delivery (Melbourne port to address) | £150–£300 |
| Total estimated all-in | £4,650–£5,595 |
This is an illustrative example only. Actual costs depend on your vehicle’s value, your specific pickup/delivery addresses, current shipping rates, and the ATO’s assessed customs value. Get a current tailored quote →
This example shows why port-to-port quotes can be misleading: the sea freight (£1,200–£1,800) is only around a third of the total landed cost. Duty and GST alone account for over £2,000 in this example.
How to Get the Most Accurate Quote
The more information you provide, the more accurate the quote. ShipCars needs:
- Vehicle details: Make, model, year, fuel type (petrol/diesel/hybrid/EV), running or non-running
- Collection address in the UK (or confirm you can deliver to the port)
- Destination address or port
- Preferred departure window
- Insurance requirement: yes/no, and the vehicle’s current market value
Get your free personalised quote →
You will receive a response from a ShipCars advisor — not an automated price engine — with current rates for your specific route, vehicle, and timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car overseas from the UK?
Indicative all-in costs for a standard passenger car: RoRo ranges from £800–£3,500 depending on destination; a sole-use container ranges from £1,200–£4,500; air freight from £3,000–£8,000+. These include UK collection, sea freight, and documentation, but exclude destination customs duty and local delivery at the destination. Get a tailored quote for your specific route and vehicle.
Is RoRo or container shipping cheaper?
RoRo is consistently cheaper than container — typically by £400–£1,200 per shipment depending on the route. For vehicles where open-deck exposure is acceptable (standard running cars of moderate value), RoRo is the standard choice. For classic, luxury, non-running, or high-value vehicles, sole-use container is the appropriate method regardless of cost.
What’s included in the shipping cost?
A ShipCars quote includes UK collection from your address, port handling in the UK, sea freight, and UK export documentation. Marine cargo insurance is priced separately and should always be added. Destination port charges, destination customs clearance, import duty and taxes, and local delivery at the destination are not included in the sea freight rate and must be budgeted separately.
How long does it take to ship a car overseas?
Sea freight transit times from UK ports: UAE 18–28 days; USA East Coast 12–18 days; USA West Coast 22–28 days; Canada 15–25 days; Australia 55–60 days; New Zealand 55–60 days; South Africa 25–35 days; Cyprus 7–12 days. Add 3–7 days for UK port processing and 2–7 days for destination customs clearance. Total door-to-door is typically 4–10 weeks by sea. Air freight is 3–10 business days.
Do I need marine insurance?
Standard carrier liability is calculated per kilogram of cargo weight — for a 1,500 kg car, the carrier’s liability might be £3,000–£5,000 at most. For a vehicle worth £10,000 or more, that covers a small fraction of a total loss. Marine cargo insurance is not mandatory, but it is strongly advisable for any vehicle of meaningful value. ShipCars arranges it as part of the booking.
How much is import duty when shipping a car to another country?
Import duty varies significantly by destination. The UAE applies 5% duty; Australia 5% plus 10% GST; the USA 2.5% for passenger cars; South Africa 25–36% plus 15% VAT. In many cases, duty and taxes at the destination represent the single largest cost component in the total shipment. Always verify the current rate with the destination country’s customs authority before committing to the shipment.
Can I ship a non-running car overseas?
Yes. Non-running vehicles cannot use RoRo (which requires the car to drive on and off the vessel), but they can be shipped in a container — loaded via forklift or specialist low-loader equipment. ShipCars handles non-running, flood-damaged, and Cat S/N vehicle shipments. Declare the vehicle’s condition accurately at the quote stage.
Will my car be safe during shipping?
RoRo vessels carry millions of vehicles annually with a strong safety record. Container shipping provides additional physical protection. The main risk to any vehicle in transit is not the vessel — it is handling at loading and discharge. A sole-use sealed container eliminates most of that exposure. Marine cargo insurance covers you for losses that do occur. ShipCars completes a pre-shipment photographic condition report on every vehicle before it leaves our facility.
