USA Import Guide

USA Import Guide | Shipping a Vehicle from the UK to America

Shipping a vehicle from the UK to the United States is one of the most popular international routes we handle at Ship cars ltd  and with good reason. Whether it’s a cherished classic British sports car making its way to a new home in California, a family relocating stateside and bringing their daily driver, or a collector chasing a rare right-hand drive find, we’ve seen it all. The good news? With the right team behind you, the process is far more straightforward than it looks on paper.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know: choosing the right shipping method, understanding US customs requirements, handling documentation, and what to expect once your vehicle arrives on American soil.

Choosing Your Shipping Method: RoRo or Container?

The first decision you’ll make when arranging vehicle shipping to the USA is how your car travels across the Atlantic. At Ship cars ltd  , we offer two main options and the right one depends on your vehicle, your budget, and how much protection you need in transit.

RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) is the most cost-effective method for car shipping to the USA. Your vehicle is simply driven on to a purpose-built vessel at the UK port, secured on deck, and driven off again at the American destination port. It’s fast, efficient, and ideal for standard road cars that are in running condition. RoRo services depart regularly from Southampton, with transit times to the US East Coast typically around 16 to 20 days.

Container shippingoffers an extra layer of security and is the preferred option for high-value, classic, or non-running vehicles. Your car is loaded into either a 20ft or 40ft steel container — either exclusively or as part of a shared groupage load — and shipped door-to-port or port-to-port. Container shipping is particularly popular for classic car exports, where peace of mind matters as much as price.

A customer recently shipped a 1997 Land Rover Defender 90 from Southampton to Baltimore via container. Because the vehicle was a cherished build with custom bodywork, they opted for an enclosed 20ft container rather than RoRo — the car arrived in perfect condition with zero handling marks.*

Key US Ports We Ship To

Ship cars ltd arranges vehicle shipping to all major US ports, including:

Baltimore (a popular gateway for UK-to-US RoRo services)

New York / New Jersey

Houston

Los Angeles / Long Beach

Savannah

Jacksonville

We depart from all major UK ports, with Southampton  being the primary hub for transatlantic car shipping due to its frequency, infrastructure, and competitive rates.

Understanding the 25-Year Rule

This is one of the most important things to get right before you ship   and it’s something our team walks every customer through before booking.

The US operates a 25-year rule for imported vehicles. If your car is 25 years old or older, it is exempt from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and EPA emissions regulations. This means it can be imported without requiring modification work, making the entire process significantly simpler and less expensive.

Vehicles under 25 years old must comply with US safety and emissions standards. If your car was not originally manufactured to US specification, you will need to work with a Registered Importer (RI) or Independent Commercial Importer (ICI) to bring it into compliance. This can involve modifications to lighting, emissions systems, speedometers, and safety equipment — costs that vary widely depending on the vehicle.

If your car qualifies under the 25-year rule, you’ll complete an  NHTSA Form HS-7  at the point of import, declaring the vehicle’s age. Ship cars ltd guides you through exactly what’s needed so nothing is missed.

A client from Bristol shipped a 1998 Jaguar XJ8 to Florida  the car qualified under the 25-year rule, meaning no EPA modifications were required and import duty was limited to the standard 2.5% of the vehicle’s declared value. The whole process ran seamlessly from Southampton to Port Everglades.*

 US Customs Duties and Tariffs

When importing a vehicle into the United States, customs duties apply based on the type of vehicle and its declared value:

Passenger cars: 2.5% import duty

Motorcycles: 0% to 2.4% depending on engine size

Trucks and commercial vehicles: 25% (the so-called “Chicken Tax”)

For UK-origin vehicles, a preferential tariff structure is currently in place under the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal. UK-origin passenger cars within the annual quota of 100,000 vehicles benefit from a total tariff rate of 10% (comprising the 2.5% base duty plus a reduced 7.5% Section 232 rate). Vehicles above the quota revert to the standard 27.5% combined rate. Classic vehicles qualifying under the 25-year rule are typically exempt from the Section 232 component and pay only the 2.5% base duty.

We always recommend confirming your vehicle’s tariff position with a licensed customs broker before shipping, as rates and quota availability can change. Ship cars ltd   works alongside experienced brokers to ensure your import costs are calculated accurately from the outset no surprises on arrival.

 Documentation You’ll Need

Getting your paperwork in order ahead of time saves delays at the US port. Here’s what you’ll typically need:

Copy of your V5C (vehicle registration document)

Copy of your passport (photo page)

Bill of Lading — provided by Ship cars ltd  once your vehicle departs

NHTSA Form HS-7 (safety compliance declaration)

EPA Form 3520-1 (required for non-conforming vehicles under 25 years)

DOT Conformance Bond (if using a Registered Importer)

Purchase invoice or proof of ownership

One thing that catches people out: the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) requires your vehicle to be thoroughly clean before arrival. Any soil, plant matter, or insects found on the vehicle   particularly in wheel arches, under the bonnet, or in the boot — can result in compulsory cleaning charges and delays at the border. We advise all customers to have their vehicle professionally valeted before drop-off.

 What Happens When Your Vehicle Arrives in the US?

Once your vehicle docks at the US port, Ship cars ltd destination agents take over. They’ll manage the port handling, customs clearance, and — if required — coordinate any onward domestic delivery to your home state.

For RoRo vehicle shipping, your car is released directly from the quayside after customs clearance, which keeps port charges lower. For container shipping, your vehicle is transported to a bonded warehouse where the container is stripped and the car released — slightly higher in port charges but often the right call for valuable vehicles.

After customs is cleared, you’ll need to register your vehicle at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pay any applicable state taxes, and organise a state inspection if required. Some states are more straightforward than others when it comes to right-hand drive registration — our team can advise on the states most commonly used for UK imports.

One of our customers relocated from London to Texas with a right-hand drive Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series. We managed the full export from Tilbury, the container shipping to Houston, and coordinated with a local customs broker for clearance. The vehicle was on the road in Texas within four weeks of leaving the UK.

Why Ship with Ship cars ltd ?

We’ve been arranging international vehicle shipping for customers across the UK for years, and the USA route is one we know inside out. From classic cars heading to East Coast collectors, to everyday vehicles moving with families on international relocations, we handle each shipment with the same level of care and attention.

Our team stays on top of evolving US tariff structures, port schedules, and customs requirements — so you don’t have to. We provide regular updates throughout your shipment, clear documentation guidance from the start, and responsive support when you need it most.

Whether you’re moving a single car or coordinating a multi-vehicle export, Ship cars ltd  delivers the expertise, the network, and the reliability to get your vehicle to America safely.Transit times, tariff rates, and port charges are subject to change. We recommend contacting our team for the most up-to-date quote and compliance guidance specific to your vehicle.

Get started today:

• For detailed information on secure container shipping options, please visit: International Container Shipping

• Learn how to properly prepare your vehicle: How to Prepare Your Car for Shipping

• Avoid common mistakes: Top 10 Mistakes People Make During International Car Shipping

• Understand export requirements: Preparing Your Car for Export

• Maximise protection during transit: How to Avoid Damage with International Shipping

Contact us today for a personalised consultation and quote for importing your vehicle into the USA. Our expertise ensures your vehicle arrives safely, legally, and with minimal complications.