Import and Export Guides

Import & Export Guides | International Vehicle Shipping Made Simple

Shipping a vehicle internationally — whether you’re sending one out of the UK or bringing one in — is one of those processes that looks complicated from the outside but becomes remarkably straightforward when you know what’s involved. At Ship cars ltd  , we’ve helped thousands of customers navigate every aspect of vehicle shipping: from choosing the right method and preparing your paperwork, to clearing customs and getting your vehicle on the road at its destination.

This guide is designed to give you a clear, honest overview of how vehicle import and export works, what to expect at each stage, and how we take the weight off your shoulders throughout the process.

Exporting a Vehicle from the UK

Whether you’re relocating abroad, selling to an overseas buyer, or shipping a classic car to a collector on the other side of the world, the UK is one of the best-connected countries in the world for international vehicle shipping. Regular departures from Southampton, Tilbury, Bristol, and Liverpool mean there’s nearly always a sailing lined up to match your schedule.

Choosing Between RORO and Container Shipping

The first decision you’ll face when arranging car shipping from the UK is how your vehicle travels. Both methods are reliable — the choice simply comes down to your vehicle type, budget, and destination.

RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) is the go-to option for most standard vehicle shipping. Your car is driven onto a purpose-built vessel, secured on deck, and driven off on arrival. It’s cost-effective, widely available, and well-suited to any vehicle that’s roadworthy and in running condition. RoRo services operate on most major routes from the UK, including destinations in Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada, the UAE, and beyond.

Container shipping is the preferred choice for high-value, non-running, or classic vehicles — and for customers who simply want total peace of mind. Your vehicle is loaded into either a 20ft or 40ft steel container, either as a sole load or within a shared groupage arrangement. Container shipping adds a physical layer of protection against the elements and port handling, making it the sensible option for prestige, vintage, or modified vehicles.

A customer from Manchester recently exported a fully restored 1974 MGB GT to a classic car dealer in Sydney. Given the vehicle’s condition and value, we arranged a dedicated 20ft container from Tilbury, ensuring the car arrived in Australia in exactly the same condition it left the UK.

Key Export Routes We Cover

Ship cars ltd handles vehicle shipping to destinations worldwide. Some of our most popular export routes from the UK include:

• UK to USA — Regular RoRo and container services from Southampton to Baltimore, New York, Houston, Los Angeles, and Savannah
• UK to Australia — Container shipping to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Fremantle, and Adelaide
• UK to UAE & Middle East — RoRo and container services to Dubai (Jebel Ali), Bahrain, and Kuwait
• UK to Turkey — Regular vehicle shipping services to Istanbul and Mersin
• UK to mainland Spain — RoRo services operating to Huelva and Cadiz, popular for vehicle relocations and classic car transfers
• UK to Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and across West Africa

No matter where your vehicle is headed, our team knows the route, the ports, and the paperwork required to get it there smoothly.

Exporting Motorcycles from the UK

Motorcycles are one of our most frequently shipped vehicle types — and they come with a few specific considerations worth knowing about.

For international destinations such as the USA, Australia, or the UAE, motorcycles are typically shipped inside a purpose-built wooden crate to protect them during ocean transit. Crating prevents movement, shields the bike from moisture and port handling, and is a requirement on most RoRo and container services for two-wheeled vehicles. At  Ship cars ltd , we arrange professional crating as part of the shipping package — you simply deliver the bike to us, and we handle the rest.

For European destinations, the picture is different. Road transport is a practical and popular alternative to ocean freight for bikes heading to countries like France, Germany, Spain, Italy, or Portugal. We can arrange enclosed road transport directly to your European destination, often at a faster turnaround and lower cost than sea freight — making it ideal for competition bikes, touring motorcycles, or bikes being shipped alongside a vehicle relocation.

A customer shipping a Triumph Tiger 900 from Birmingham to a rental company in Barcelona chose road transport over sea freight — the bike was collected, transported through France, and delivered to a Barcelona depot within five days, without the need for crating or port handling.

Importing a Vehicle into the UK

Importing a vehicle into the UK has become increasingly popular over the past decade — whether it’s a left-hand drive sports car from the USA, a Japanese import from Tokyo, or a vehicle returning with its owner following an overseas posting.

UK Customs and Import Duties

When importing a vehicle into the UK from outside the EU, you’ll typically be liable for:

• Import Duty: Standard rate of 10% of the vehicle’s customs value (purchase price plus shipping and insurance costs to the UK border)
• Import VAT: 20% applied to the customs value plus the import duty
• NOVA Declaration: You must notify HMRC within 14 days of your vehicle arriving in the UK — this is a legal requirement under the Notification of Vehicle Arrivals scheme

If you qualify for Transfer of Residence (ToR) Relief — for example, if you’re moving your primary residence to the UK and have owned and used the vehicle abroad for at least six months — you may be exempt from both import duty and VAT. Ship cars ltd works with experienced customs agents who can assess your eligibility and handle the declaration process on your behalf.

Vehicle Approval and Registration

Once your vehicle clears customs, it will need to meet UK roadworthiness and safety standards before it can be registered with the DVLA. Depending on the vehicle’s origin and specification, this may involve an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test conducted by the DVSA, conversion to right-hand drive if required, and compliance with UK lighting and emissions standards.

Our team can advise on the most straightforward route to registration and connect you with approved specialists where modifications are needed.

A customer returning to the UK from a three-year posting in Dubai brought back a Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series. We managed the container shipping from Jebel Ali to Southampton, coordinated customs clearance, and linked the customer with an IVA specialist in the Midlands — the whole process was completed within six weeks of departure.

Documentation: What You’ll Need

Regardless of whether you’re importing or exporting, getting your paperwork in order ahead of time prevents delays and keeps costs predictable. Here’s a general overview of what’s typically required:

For UK exports:

• Copy of your V5C (vehicle registration document)
• Copy of your passport (photo page)
• Vehicle valuation or purchase invoice
• Destination-specific customs forms (provided and guided by Ship cars ltd)

For UK imports:

• Bill of Lading (issued by the shipping line once the vehicle departs)
• Original title document or certificate of ownership from the country of origin
• Purchase invoice or valuation
• Passport copy and proof of UK address
• HMRC NOVA declaration (arranged within 14 days of arrival)
• Customs Declaration (C88 form) — handled by your customs agent

Ship cars ltd guides you through every document from the start. We tell you exactly what’s needed for your specific route and vehicle — no guesswork, no last-minute surprises.

Shipping Timelines: What to Expect

Transit times vary by route and shipping method. As a general guide:

These are estimated transit times from port of departure. Collection, pre-shipment preparation, port processing, and destination customs clearance will add time to the overall journey. Our team provides realistic timelines from the outset so you can plan accordingly.

Why Ship Cars Ltd ? 

We’re not a booking platform that hands you off to a third party after payment. We’re a hands-on vehicle shipping specialist with direct relationships with carriers, port agents, and customs brokers across the globe. Every shipment we handle is managed by a real team member who knows the route, understands the regulations, and keeps you updated from collection to delivery.

From a single classic car to a multi-vehicle export, we bring the same level of detail, care, and communication to every job.

Contact us for further details about shipping requirements or check our sailing schedule for upcoming shipping dates.

We also provide an efficient, seamless and smooth car shipping to worldwide ports including:

IZMIR

Autoport Izmit

Mersin

Istanbul