Vehicle Shipping Checklist for International Moves

Shipping a vehicle internationally is technically straightforward but legally narrow — many cars cannot legally be imported into the destination country without modification, and some cannot be imported at all. Before booking the shipping, the question to answer is whether your specific make, model, year and emissions standard is admissible at the destination. This checklist covers the admissibility question, the shipping methods, and the documents customs will ask for on both ends.

Step one — admissibility, before anything else

Many destination countries restrict which foreign-spec vehicles can be permanently imported. The USA enforces EPA emissions and DOT/FMVSS safety standards, with a 25-year exemption for older vehicles. Canada publishes a list of admissible US-market vehicles via Transport Canada and processes imports through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV). The UAE and Saudi Arabia restrict salvage-titled and certain damaged vehicles. The UK requires SVA/IVA testing for non-EU vehicles. Confirm admissibility with the destination authority before paying for shipping.

USA — EPA emissions + DOT/FMVSS safety; non-conforming cars under 25 years old generally cannot be imported.
Canada — Transport Canada admissibility list; RIV programme for US-market vehicles.
UK — IVA test required for vehicles not built to EU/UK type approval.
UAE — restrictions on salvage titles, modified vehicles and certain ages.
Australia & NZ — specific eligibility schemes (SEVS for AU); vehicles older than a defined age treated differently.

RoRo vs container — choosing the method

Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) is the standard method for shipping a single vehicle. The car is driven onto a vessel, secured on a deck, and driven off at destination. It is generally the most cost-effective option but the vehicle must be running, drivable and largely empty (most ports forbid personal effects inside RoRo cars).

Container shipping is more expensive but more flexible. The vehicle is loaded into a 20ft or 40ft container (sometimes shared with another car or with household goods, where customs allows), sealed, and shipped as cargo. This is the right choice for high-value, vintage, modified or non-running vehicles, and the only choice for most lanes that don't accept personal effects in RoRo.

Documents customs will want

Original title (or lien-holder authorisation if there's outstanding finance).
Bill of sale and registration.
Vehicle's VIN clearly photographed.
Origin country export filing (e.g. AES filing in the USA) — typically arranged by the shipping agent.
Destination customs declaration plus any compliance certificates (RIV, IVA, EPA/DOT statements).
Insurance covering the ocean transit (often a separate policy from your shipping quote).

Preparing the vehicle for shipping

Wash the exterior and clean the interior; biosecurity holds at destination often start with soil or plant matter on the vehicle.
Reduce fuel to roughly a quarter tank — many carriers cap fuel for safety.
Disable alarms or provide written deactivation instructions; loose alarm batteries drain in transit.
Remove all personal items unless container shipping with customs approval.
Photograph the vehicle from every angle, including any pre-existing damage, before handover.
Provide a spare set of keys and retain originals.

Arrival, clearance and registration

On arrival, the destination broker handles customs clearance and any required compliance inspections. For the USA, the EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 are typically filed at entry. For Canada, the RIV process kicks in within days of arrival. For the UK, the vehicle goes to a Vehicle Type Approval Centre. Until the local registration and any modifications are complete, the vehicle usually cannot be driven on public roads — plan rental or alternative transport for the first weeks.

Need a coordinator who handles the car alongside the move?

Tell us about your move and the vehicle, and a coordinator will check admissibility, recommend RoRo vs container and produce a written quote.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I ship any car to any country?

No. Many countries restrict imports based on age, emissions standard, safety standard, fuel type or salvage history. Always confirm admissibility with the destination authority before paying for shipping.

RoRo or container — which is better?

RoRo is usually cheaper and adequate for standard, running vehicles. Container is safer for high-value, modified, classic or non-running vehicles and is sometimes the only option on certain lanes. Your shipping coordinator should recommend based on the lane, the vehicle and your risk tolerance.

Can I pack things inside the car?

Usually no for RoRo. Some container shipments allow limited personal effects, but customs at the destination may treat the contents as a separate declaration. Confirm in writing before packing anything inside.

What about my outstanding car finance?

If there is a lien on the vehicle, the lien holder must authorise the international export in writing. Many lenders refuse. Resolve the financing before shipping or the title cannot be released for export.

How long until I can drive it at destination?

Once the vessel arrives, allow days to weeks for customs clearance, RIV/IVA/EPA-DOT compliance steps and local registration. Heavy modification work (e.g. headlights, mirrors, speedometer conversion) can extend that to months. Plan alternative transport for the gap.

Related guides

Customs, biosecurity and vehicle-import rules vary by country and change without notice. Confirm current requirements with the relevant national customs, agriculture and transport authorities, and engage a licensed customs broker or pet/vehicle relocation specialist before booking.