International car shipping costs

How much does it cost to ship a car internationally?

Kuttow, whose website caters to Lamborghini enthusiasts, explained that larger cars, like SUVs, are more expensive to ship due to the weight and space they occupy.

If you have a larger, heavier car, you can expect to spend more on shipping.

Other factors affecting pricing are the method of transportation (ground or air), distance and even the time of year.

There are some fees your shipping company can’t help you arrange. For example, unless you’re a government or military employee, you need a customs broker to help estimate and pay for the import taxes. Other costs vary by country. Contact the American Embassy in your destination country to learn what taxes and fees apply.

How international auto transport works

As one ConsumerAffairs reviewer from California reported, shipping your car internationally can be difficult: “I’ve shipped from overseas back to the States, and it was a terrible ordeal. I was reluctant to do it again.”

Ultimately, they said finding a shipping company that worked for their needs made all the difference: “I was perfectly satisfied with Montway.”

It’s all about being aware of your options so you can find the perfect fit for you.

Types of international car shipping

Some shippers do door-to-door service, transporting your car from your house to the carrier and to your new home, and other shippers require you to get your car to the port or its company warehouse yourself. Here are some important international shipping terms:

• Roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) shipping: This is the most common form of shipping. The car is driven onto and off the ship on its own (rather than, say, being lifted by a crane). These cargo ships contain many levels, storing most cars below deck, which keeps them safe from the elements.
• Container shipping: Cars get loaded into a container that’s put on a vessel. These containers are great for car owners who want the most protection. There are two types of container shipping: consolidated and sole.
  • Consolidated container shipping: Your car is in a large container with other cars.
  • Sole container shipping: Your car has its own 20- to 40-foot container, which can be used to store additional belongings.
• Air freight shipping: Shipping by plane is the fastest option, but it can also be very expensive.
• Land transportation options: Alex Ravich, the founder of Cross Country Moving Company, pointed out that land transportation is rarely an option. “That's because taxes and insurance don't allow land shipping across borders,” he told us. If you’re exporting your vehicle from the U.S., even if the destination is Canada or Mexico, it most likely will be shipped via air or sea.

Documentation

Your shipper will help you arrange the documentation to get your car to the destination and into your possession once you arrive. Since much of this paperwork will stay with the car, it’s not a bad idea to make copies for your records.

Most shippers will ask you for these documents:

• Keys to the vehicle
• Personal ID (usually a passport)
• Up-to-date title with VIN
• Notarized statement from the lender (for leased cars)
• Notarized bill of sale (required at some ports)

Be sure to clarify the due date of all required documentation — your shipper may need to have it before the date of transport. For example, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol needs your documentation 72 hours before shipping.

Picking up your car

Check with your shipping company to see if it has an agent placed at the destination port, which can make getting assistance easier. If you plan on having a spouse or someone other than the person listed on the title pick up the car, let your shipper know so it can help you arrange any additional paperwork.

Check with your embassy to make sure you’re legally able to drive the car from the destination port yourself. American licenses work in most of Europe, but other places may require additional licensing.

» MORE: Best car shipping companies of 2023

Before you decide to ship

A word of caution — older, large American vehicles are impractical to drive in some countries and not street-legal in others. Many countries don’t allow old vehicles to enter; for example, Argentina doesn’t allow cars more than 10 years old to be imported. Your shipping company should be able to help you determine if your car can be legally imported.

» MORE: 5 reasons to ship your car

Another consideration: Few mechanics are trained to work on American cars outside of the U.S., so parts may not be readily available — and many European parking areas are too small to accommodate large vehicles, like SUVs and Hummers.

For these reasons, it’s a good idea to research whether your car will be practical to drive at its destination. If you own a Ford or a GMC, for instance, try to find a mechanic before making a decision.