Are you moving overseas, or planning an extended visit? Would you like to bring your car? International car shipping (or pickup truck, motorcycle, powerboat or any other motorized vehicle) isn’t complicated, and it doesn’t have to be expensive, as long as you know what you’re doing.
Here are some important things to keep in mind about how to ship a car to another country.
If your car is two years old, you’ll probably have no trouble taking it abroad. But the car that has served you faithfully for a dozen years is another story.
Because they’re concerned about engine emissions, many countries won’t let you import a car above a certain age. The cutoff varies from country to country, and the rules may change over time. So, before you arrange for shipping your car overseas, check with the customs office in your destination country.
If you want to ship something like this head-turning 1963 split-window Corvette, though, you’re in luck: old cars are welcome if they qualify as antiques. For example, countries in the European Union allow you to bring in a car that’s 25 years old or more. Many other countries have similar rules.
The catch is, you must be able to prove that you have lived overseas for at least one year and that you’ve owned and registered your vehicle for at least six months (some countries require a full year). As long as you have documents to show the car has been registered in your name for the required period, you can bring it in duty free.
If you’ve been leasing your car, however, there’s an interesting wrinkle. Say you’ve leased for three years and then bought the car. Can you take it to Europe without paying duties and taxes? Well, as with many things, it depends. In some states, the title lists you as the owner throughout the leasing period. For customs purposes, that makes the car your personal property for more than six months. In other states, the title lists the leasing company as the owner. The car becomes yours only on the day you buy it. If you take it to Europe five months later, you’ll owe duties and taxes.
Also keep in mind: not all vehicles qualify for duty-free entry even if owned and registered long enough. Some countries restrict duty-free import to vehicles that meet their national emissions or safety standards. Others allow only one duty-free car per household. Be sure to check the latest rules for your destination before you ship.
What will shipping your car overseas run you? A rough average for the shipping cost is about $1,000 to send it to Europe from the East Coast of the U.S. in a shared 40-foot container, but it could be twice that much or more in its own container. Rates can also fluctuate based on fuel surcharges and seasonal demand.
The type of ocean freight you choose for international car shipping also impacts the cost. For instance, roll-on, roll-off vessels (RO-RO, more on that later) can be less expensive than container shipping. The distance from your home to the port of departure, and from there to the port of arrival, is another cost factor. Also, some ports are more expensive due to higher fees and handling charges.
Additional costs include customs clearance, import duties (if applicable; see above), taxes, and destination handling fees. Some countries also require vehicle inspections on arrival as well as any applicable equipment modifications for the vehicle to be compliant with local road regulations, which can add to the total.
You can choose a port-to-port option, but most prefer the convenience of having a freight forwarding company handle the entire door-to-door journey. This is especially the case when navigating unfamiliar import regulations and documentation requirements.
A thorough inspection of your car prior to its shipping date is a must to document its condition in case there are any damage claims. Here are the key steps:
Often, the safest, simplest and cheapest way to do international car shipping is in a shipping container. You can ship one or more motor vehicles in an ocean container with no other items, or you can include one or more vehicles together with miscellaneous personal effects. It’s less expensive to use a shared container vs. a single dedicated unit because the cost is spread among multiple shippers, but there could be a greater risk of damage in transit.
When shipping a car overseas with other personal items, load all your other property first, and then back the car in so the front windshield faces toward the doors. That way, when a customs officer inspects the container, it will be easy to reach the vehicle and examine the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through the windshield.
Goods shipped inside the car for container transport may not be covered by insurance, so the carrier would not be responsible for them. You also need to check the regulations of the destination country, as some have strict import rules for vehicles and their contents. Anything stowed inside the car must be secured to prevent damage during transit.
The vehicle itself has to be properly fastened inside the container with wheel chocks and ratchet straps. Since a container doesn’t come with a loading ramp, you may need a flatbed tow truck to help you load the car, or ramps to drive it in if you load the container yourself. But it’s generally recommended to use an experienced forwarder to arrange this for you. If you’re shipping just a vehicle, a freight forwarder that ships personal effects can arrange for a flatbed tow truck to pick up the car and drive it to their warehouse for loading into a container. The forwarder will make sure the car is correctly loaded and secured.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are treated as hazardous cargo by steamship lines due to the growth of battery fires in recent years. Even though the total number of incidents is not high, the fires burn hotter and can even reignite. So if you want to ship your EV abroad, it’s not as simple as driving the car into the container and securing it.
Shipping an EV now requires a Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) to be filled out and signed. This requires knowledge of DGD regulations. There are specialized logistics companies that can load the car and sign the DGD, which comes with an added cost, but this needs to be discussed on a case-by-case basis with your freight forwarder or NVOCC.
Likewise, many ocean lines also limit the age of an EV or hybrid vehicle they will accept to minimize the risk of fire on board. This also should be discussed with your logistics partner.
If you’re shipping just a vehicle, you might consider using roll-on, roll-off (RO-RO) service. A RO-RO ship is like a floating parking facility for cars, machinery, and other vehicles that can be driven or wheeled on and off the ship. You drive your car to the port, hand over the keys, meet it at the port overseas, and drive it to your new home.
While cheaper and generally faster than container shipping for cars, RO-RO car shipping does come with drawbacks. For one thing, RO-RO carriers only call on certain ports. If you’re moving to Poland, for example, you may have to travel to Germany or another major port to claim your car. Port availability is more limited compared to container shipping.
Unlike cars shipped in containers, a car on a RO-RO ship must travel empty; you can’t pack it full of extra items you want to move. Personal belongings left in the vehicle will typically be removed at port or may result in delays or additional fees.
Also, while RO-RO carriers shield their cargo from the elements inside the ship’s enclosed decks, your car won’t get the solid protection it would have within the steel walls of a sealed container. Cosmetic damage from port handling or exposure to salt air, though uncommon, poses a slight risk. Additionally, RO-RO ships often have fixed sailing schedules, which may offer less flexibility compared to container services.
Check out our article on RO-RO shipping from New Jersey.
Taking out marine cargo insurance to cover your vehicle while in transit is strongly recommended. While it adds to the international car shipping cost, the protection and peace of mind it offers far outweighs the expense. Of course, the premium for a classic or exotic car will be more expensive due to the higher value.
When shipping a car overseas, you can drive it for a limited amount of time with your U.S. license plates, but your U.S. insurance doesn’t apply. You’ll need to carry local coverage during your stay. Of course, if you’re moving permanently, you’ll need to register and insure your car in the new country.
Even seasoned shippers can run into trouble if they overlook the details. Here are some of the most common pitfalls:
Each country has its own rules about emissions, vehicle age, steering orientation, and paperwork. In the European Union, some countries restrict the importation of cars older than a certain age or impose higher taxes on older engines due to emission standards.
All EU member states must comply with regulations like the Euro 6/7 emissions standards, but individual countries can impose additional national requirements or taxes on top of that. For example, they can have stricter local emissions zones, limits on vehicle age for imports, or taxes on older engines.
Eastern European countries tend to have more aggressive restrictions on older, higher polluting vehicles, but the principle applies across the EU. For instance, Poland introduced enhanced technical inspections in 2022–23 requiring diesel cars to have functioning particulate filters (DPFs), and gasoline vehicles to meet modern pollution-controls. Older imports often fail and are classified as “serious defects. Serbia, under its Air Protection Program, has considered banning the import of used vehicles with Euro 3, Euro 4, and Euro 5 emission standards.
Missing or incorrect documents (like the original title or power of attorney) can delay clearance and result in storage fees. Always double check with the freight forwarder and destination customs agent.
Many customers wrongly assume the carrier provides full coverage. Carriers typically offer limited liability; full insurance must be purchased separately.
Not documenting the car’s pre-shipment condition can make it hard to prove damage claims. Conduct a full walkaround with photos and written notes.
In RO-RO shipments, personal belongings are generally not allowed and may be removed or cause delays. Even with container shipping, items must be documented, and customs may assess additional duties.
Low-cost carriers may lack reliable tracking, experienced customer service, or solid claims support. Decisions made solely on budget, without considering transit time, security, and handling quality, can backfire.
Shipping costs can vary due to fuel surcharges, port congestion, and seasonal demand (i.e., summer peak season in Europe). Booking early can lock in better rates and ensure space.
Along with having too much fuel in the tank, this can lead to a shipment being classified as hazardous if discovered by port personnel. Painful results include:
If you understand all the ins and outs, you can ship a motor vehicle overseas without trouble or excess expense. But if you’re not an expert – especially if you’ve never shipped a container – you could probably use some help.
If you’re shipping all your personal goods overseas, including your car, check out our full guide on shipping personal effects overseas.
Your most useful partner for an overseas move is an international shipping company that has helped many individuals and families ship property safely and securely. I.C.E. Transport is a family-owned business that understands the stress an international move can put on families and will work patiently to answer all your questions.
We take care of every logistical detail to ensure a smooth, door-to-door shipping experience. Get in touch today to learn more.