International Motorhome Shipping from the UK

Shipping a motorhome or campervan internationally requires a different approach to shipping a standard car. The method is determined by your vehicle’s dimensions, not preference — most full-size motorhomes cannot travel by RoRo and require a sole-use 40ft High-Cube container or flat rack. ShipCars manages the entire process from UK collection to destination port, including preparation advice, export documentation, and customs coordination.

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Which Shipping Method Is Right for Your Motorhome?

The correct shipping method depends entirely on your motorhome’s height, width, and roof-mounted equipment. There is no single answer that applies to all vehicles — a standard campervan and a Class A motorhome with a satellite dish require completely different solutions.

RoRo — Suitable for Smaller Campervans Only

Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipping is suitable only for smaller campervans that fall within the strict height and width limits set by the shipping line. Most full-size motorhomes exceed RoRo dimensional limits and cannot use this method.

Where RoRo is eligible, the campervan is driven directly onto the car-carrying vessel and parked in the hold alongside other vehicles. The vehicle must be in full working order, the fuel tank no more than a quarter full, and the interior completely clear of all personal belongings — no personal effects are permitted on RoRo shipments under any circumstances. The vehicle is also exposed to salt air and weather conditions during the crossing, which is a consideration for older or high-value vehicles.

Sole-Use Container — The Recommended Method for Most Motorhomes

A dedicated 40ft High-Cube container is the most widely used method for international motorhome shipping and provides the highest level of protection. Your motorhome is the only cargo inside the container for the full voyage — fully enclosed, protected from the elements, and handled only at loading and unloading.

A 40ft High-Cube container provides an internal height of approximately 2.69 metres, which accommodates a wide range of motorhome profiles. For destinations with strict biosecurity requirements — including Australia and New Zealand — a sole-use container also simplifies the pre-shipment cleaning process and significantly reduces the risk of a failed biosecurity inspection on arrival.

A limited number of personal effects may be packed alongside the motorhome in a sole-use container. These must be listed on a packing list and will be subject to customs inspection and duty at the destination. Where possible, personal effects are better shipped separately.

Shared Container — Smaller Motorhomes, Budget-Conscious Moves

For smaller motorhomes where cost is the primary consideration, a shared container places your vehicle alongside another vehicle or cargo heading to the same destination port. You benefit from container-level protection at a lower cost than a sole-use arrangement. Sailing schedules may be influenced by other shipments sharing the container.

Flat Rack Container — Oversized Motorhomes and Roof-Mounted Accessories

Flat rack containers are the correct solution for large motorhomes, Class A motorhomes, and any vehicle with roof-mounted accessories — satellite dishes, elevated rooflines, or solar panel arrays — that exceed standard container dimensions.

A flat rack is a reinforced steel platform with collapsible end walls. Your motorhome is loaded onto the flat rack and secured with heavy-duty chains and straps; a tarpaulin provides partial weather protection, though the vehicle is more exposed to the marine environment than inside a closed container.

→ Not sure which method applies to your motorhome? [Get a quote and we’ll advise based on your vehicle’s dimensions.] /get-a-quote/

How to Prepare a Motorhome for International Shipping

Preparation is the single most important phase of international motorhome shipping. Incorrect or incomplete preparation causes biosecurity failures, customs delays, and avoidable additional costs at the destination.

Interior Preparation

All items that are not permanently fixed to the vehicle must be removed before collection. This includes:

• All crockery, cutlery, and glassware
• All food from the fridge, freezer, and storage cupboards
• Portable electronics and personal valuables
• Gas bottles — these are strictly prohibited for sea freight and must be removed
• All clothing, documents, and personal belongings

Fixed cupboard doors, fridge doors, and interior furniture must be securely closed and locked. All water and waste tanks — fresh water, grey water, and toilet tanks — must be completely drained and flushed. This is a strict biosecurity requirement for most international destinations, not a recommendation. Leisure batteries and the engine battery must be disconnected before handover to the carrier.

Exterior Preparation

• All awnings must be fully retracted and locked in the closed position
• Bike racks, magnetic satellite dishes, roof boxes, and removable external accessories must be taken off before shipping
• For destinations with mandatory biosecurity requirements — Australia, New Zealand, and the USA — the motorhome must be professionally steam-cleaned inside and out, with particular attention to the undercarriage, wheel arches, and engine bay. A dated professional cleaning receipt is mandatory at the UK departure port and on arrival at the destination
• Take date-stamped photographs and a video walkaround of the vehicle inside and out before handover — this is your pre-shipment condition record and your evidence in the event of any insurance claim

Mechanical Preparation

• Fuel tank must be no more than one quarter full — this is a non-negotiable safety requirement for both container and RoRo shipping
• The vehicle alarm must be disabled before loading
• Tyre pressures should be inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended level

What Documents Are Needed for International Motorhome Shipping?

UK Export Documents

• V5C Vehicle Registration Document — the original logbook, confirming ownership. Ensure the registered keeper details are current and correct before shipping
• Purchase invoice — required where the vehicle has been recently purchased, to confirm declared value for destination customs
• Bill of Lading — the contract of carriage issued at the UK port; this is the primary document for releasing the vehicle at the destination
• Commercial invoice — states the declared value of the motorhome for customs assessment abroad
• Packing list — required if personal effects are included in the container shipment
• Professional steam cleaning receipt — mandatory for Australia, New Zealand, and other biosecurity-strict destinations

For UK export requirements, refer to gov.uk: taking vehicles out of the UK.

Destination Import Documents

• Import permit — many countries require an import permit to be obtained before the motorhome is shipped. This process must begin well in advance — allow two to six weeks depending on the destination. Some countries require longer
• Customs entry forms — filed by the appointed customs broker at the destination port
• Biosecurity inspection documentation — required for Australia, New Zealand, and comparable destinations

Important: Customs rules, duty rates, and biosecurity requirements vary significantly by destination and are subject to change. All destination-specific regulatory information should be verified against the relevant country’s customs or biosecurity authority before shipping. ShipCars can advise on current requirements at quote stage.

How Far in Advance Should You Book Motorhome Shipping?

Book a minimum of six to eight weeks before your intended departure date. This allows time for:

• Import permit applications at the destination (some countries require four to six weeks)
• Vessel scheduling and container booking
• Professional biosecurity cleaning and receipt collection
• UK export documentation preparation

Some destinations require longer lead times. Confirm the timeline at enquiry stage.

Marine Insurance for Motorhome Shipping — Is It Necessary?

Yes — comprehensive marine cargo insurance is strongly recommended for all international motorhome shipments.

Standard carrier liability is calculated on a per-kilogram basis and will never cover the actual value of a motorhome in the event of loss or damage during transit. A motorhome insured on declared value terms under a marine cargo policy is protected from point of collection in the UK through to delivery at the destination port.

Arrange marine insurance before the vehicle is collected — cover cannot be added retrospectively. [PLACEHOLDER: link to ShipCars marine insurance page or service description]

Pre-Departure Checklist

Use this checklist before handing your motorhome over for international shipping.

Documentation:

• Original V5C confirmed correct and available
• Import permit obtained for the destination country
• Professional steam cleaning completed and receipt obtained (where required)
• Customs broker appointed at the destination
• Marine insurance arranged

Vehicle preparation:

• All personal belongings, food, and loose items removed
• All gas bottles removed
• Water, grey water, and toilet tanks fully drained
• Fuel tank reduced to one quarter or less
• Vehicle alarm disabled
• Leisure battery and engine battery disconnected
• All awnings retracted and locked
• Removable accessories (bike racks, satellite dishes, roof boxes) removed
•  Tyre pressures at recommended level
• Date-stamped photographs and video walkaround completed

Frequently Asked Questions: International Motorhome Shipping

Can I ship a motorhome via RoRo?

RoRo is available only for smaller campervans that fall within the shipping line’s dimensional limits. Most full-size motorhomes exceed RoRo height and width restrictions and must travel by sole-use container or flat rack. Confirm your vehicle’s dimensions before booking.

What is the most secure shipping method for a motorhome?

A sole-use 40ft High-Cube container provides the maximum protection — fully enclosed, no other cargo, no handling mid-voyage. For oversized motorhomes that exceed container dimensions, a flat rack is the most secure available alternative.

My motorhome is 3.5 metres tall — what are my options?

A vehicle of 3.5 metres height exceeds standard container internal height and is very likely to exceed RoRo restrictions. A flat rack container is the primary solution for vehicles of this height. Contact us with your dimensions and we will confirm the correct method.

Can I leave personal belongings in my motorhome?

On RoRo shipments, personal belongings are strictly forbidden. On container shipments, a limited number of declared personal effects may be included but must appear on the packing list and are subject to customs inspection and import duty at the destination. Personal effects are generally better shipped separately.

How much does it cost to ship a motorhome internationally?

Costs depend on the shipping method (RoRo, shared container, sole-use container, flat rack), the vehicle’s dimensions and weight, and the destination. [PLACEHOLDER: insert indicative price ranges from ShipCars’ own rate card if available, marked clearly as estimates.] Get a free, tailored quote based on your vehicle and destination. [Get a Free Quote] → /get-a-quote/

Do I need to clean the motorhome before shipping?

For most destinations, a thorough clean is best practice. For Australia, New Zealand, and the USA, a professional steam clean with a dated receipt is a mandatory biosecurity requirement — not optional. Failure to present this on arrival can result in a re-clean at your cost at the destination port or, in serious cases, refusal of entry.

Related Services

• Container Car Shipping — enclosed container shipping for standard vehicles
• RoRo Car Shipping — the cost-effective method for roadworthy cars and campervans within size limits
• Classic Car Shipping — enclosed, specialist shipping for high-value and vintage vehicles
• Car Shipping Insurance — marine cargo cover arranged as part of your shipment

Ready to Ship Your Motorhome?

Get a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your motorhome’s dimensions and destination. We’ll confirm the correct shipping method, advise on preparation and documentation requirements, and handle the booking from start to finish.

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