Shipping Your Car Overseas
Shipping a car internationally requires proper planning, documentation, and professional handling. Whether you are relocating for work, family, school, or a long-term move abroad, your vehicle must be prepared correctly before it is loaded for ocean freight.
What to Know Before Shipping a Car
Before shipping your vehicle, confirm the import rules of the destination country. Every country has different requirements for vehicle age, emissions, taxes, duties, inspection, and registration.
Confirm import rules first
Some countries restrict vehicle age, fuel type, or steering side. Check duties, taxes, and inspection requirements before booking.
Inspect and photograph the vehicle
Clean and empty the car. Take photos from all sides, interior, odometer, and any existing scratches or damage before loading.
Common Car Shipping Options
Three common ways your car can travel overseas. The right choice depends on the route, the vehicle, and your budget.
Container Shipping
Your car is loaded and secured inside a shipping container, giving extra protection.
Depending on the destination rules and shipping method, your vehicle may also be shipped together with household goods. Container shipping is preferred for higher-value vehicles, classic cars, and routes where added protection is needed.
RoRo Shipping
Roll-on / Roll-off — the vehicle is driven onto the vessel and secured on board.
Often used for cars, SUVs, and other vehicles. Personal belongings usually cannot be left inside the vehicle. RoRo is typically the most economical method on routes with regular RoRo vessel service.
Door-to-Port or Door-to-Door
Pickup, export clearance, ocean freight, and destination handling — combined into one service.
Depending on the destination country and available service, your vehicle may be picked up from your home, delivered to the export terminal, cleared through customs, shipped overseas, and released or delivered at destination.
How a Car Is Secured in a Container
When a car is loaded into a container, it must be professionally secured to prevent movement during ocean transit. The vehicle is positioned carefully inside the container and secured using straps, wheel chocks, blocking, bracing, and tie-down points. The goal is to keep the vehicle stable during handling, loading, vessel movement, and unloading — reducing the risk of damage while in transit.
- 1
Positioned inside the container
The vehicle is driven or winched into a 20 ft or 40 ft container and centred on the floor.
- 2
Wheel chocks and blocking
Wooden chocks and blocking pieces are placed at each wheel to prevent forward, rear, or lateral movement.
- 3
Straps and tie-downs
Heavy-duty ratchet straps connect the wheels and chassis points to the container's tie-down rings.
- 4
Bracing and final inspection
Additional bracing is added if needed, then the load is inspected and photographed before the doors are sealed.
Important Preparation Checklist
Before your vehicle is collected for shipping, run through this list with your moving coordinator.
- Remove personal belongings from the vehicle unless approved
- Clean the vehicle inside and outside
- Take photos of the vehicle before shipping (all sides, interior, odometer)
- Leave only a small amount of fuel in the tank
- Check for fluid leaks
- Disable alarms if required
- Provide keys, ownership documents, and ID
- Confirm destination import rules before booking
- Ask about duties, taxes, port fees, and destination charges
Important Note
Car shipping costs vary depending on the origin, destination, vehicle size, shipping method, container availability, port fees, customs rules, and destination charges. Always request a proper written quote and confirm what is included and excluded before booking.
Ready to ship your car overseas?
Tell us where you're moving and we'll help you understand the options, paperwork, and approximate costs for your route.