International Car Shipping Guide: Cost And Companies 2025

Pros

• Keep the car you love: the main advantage of shipping your car when you move abroad is that you won’t have to get used to driving an unfamiliar car. This can be reassuring when you’re getting used to new roads and a potentially different way of driving.
• Save time and money buying new: if you take your own car with you when you move overseas you’ll save the time and hassle of shopping for a new one.
• No requirement for a hire car: by using your own car abroad you won’t have to pay for long-term leasing or car hire, which could work out to be expensive over time.

Cons

• High cost: shipping your car from the United States overseas is likely to run into thousands of dollars, so you’ll need to be certain it is worthwhile.
• Repairs and maintenance: depending on the make and model of your car it may be difficult or more costly to repair and service overseas, particularly if it’s not a common car model that is driven in other countries (so it may be difficult to source the parts).
• Driving abroad: if you’re moving to a country where they drive on the left-hand side of the road, this could pose issues for your right-hand drive car. While you may not want to part with your current car, it is important to think about safety.

1. Find Out What Companies Are Offering

Spending time researching the different companies and providers in the market that offer international car shipping will usually pay off.

Fees and charges will vary widely between providers, and not all companies will offer shipping to the country you’re heading to.

By scouring the market you can rule out those who won’t be right for your needs and work towards creating a shortlist of suitable companies. From there, it should then be easier to narrow down your options.

2. Work Out Your Budget—And Stick To It

There’s no way around it, international car shipping isn’t cheap. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make cost savings.

For example, you could consider lower-cost shipping methods, shop around to compare different service levels and deals, and negotiate with providers to bring costs down.

Having a clear budget in your head from the start should help focus the mind so you don’t bust the budget at an already expensive time.

3. Consider Different Shipping Methods

The method of shipping you choose will have a major impact on the price you pay. If you have plenty of time and you don’t need your car shipping quickly (by air), you’ll save money by choosing shipping by sea.

For sea transport, you have further choices, such as whether your vehicle will be shipped in a closed container (which is more expensive) or a roll-on/roll-off option.

Your car will typically be shipped out in the open, but this method is much cheaper. We’ve rounded up more on the different shipping methods to choose from below.

4. Check Out Customer Reviews

The experiences of past customers and the comments in customer reviews are important when it comes to making your selection for a car shipping company.

A good company should have nothing to hide, so ask for contact details of previous customers who can give a reference. You may have to make a couple of phone calls or send emails, but this could be time well spent if you avoid a rogue operator, or find the perfect shipping firm.

Review websites can also be useful in building up a picture of the strengths and weaknesses of different companies. Make sure reviews are recent where possible.

5. Request Quotes

Seek quotes from your shortlisted companies, ideally about three or four. Make sure the quotes include all costs and that there won’t be any additional charges added later. This way you can be sure you’re comparing like-with-like when making your selection.

Be suspicious of any quotes that seem particularly low. Don’t be afraid to question the quote and ask about any supplementary—potentially hidden—charges.

6. Make Your Selection

Once you have all the information you need including the quote for the cost of shipping and a range of customer reviews and references, you can choose the company that best suits your needs.

7. Get Your Papers Ready

There will be a number of documents you’ll need to gather together in advance of shipping your car abroad. This will include a United States Customs and Border Protection Vehicle Export cover sheet, a Department of Transportation form showing safety compliance of your car, the car shipping bill of lading (which includes your car’s registration details, chassis number, a tracking number, as well as the shipping details), and also the notarized bill of sale. You’ll also be asked to show photo identification before you ship your vehicle.

8. Prepare Your Car

The next step is to get your car ready for the journey ahead. Empty anything out of the car that won’t be needed, including any external racks and anything in the trunk. If in doubt about what you can and cannot leave in your car during shipping ask your shipping company as it will have plenty of guidance available to share.

9. Collection Day

You’ll usually be able to specify the day you want to collect your car in the destination country or typically you’ll be offered a small range of dates for collection. Let your shipping company know your preferred date.

10. Your Car Arrives

Think about whether or not you’ll be confident collecting your car from the ship and driving through the port. If you don’t want to do this yourself, you’ll usually be able to pay an extra fee to have someone else drive it to a different (and less complicated) collection point, where you can pick up your car.

How much you’ll pay to ship your car overseas will depend on a broad range of factors. These will include:

How Far You Need to Ship Your Car

The distance you need to send your car will have a big impact on the cost with the longest journeys costing the most as they’ll use the most fuel. While with domestic car shipping there will typically be a charge per mile, this isn’t usually the case for international shipping.

That’s because there tends to be more variable factors, such as the method of transport and how quickly you need your car to arrive, so the cost you’re quoted will take all these things into account.

When You’ll Ship Your Car

The cost of car shipping by sea can vary widely depending on the time of year. This is usually because of weather risks, such as seasonal storms and hurricanes, which can cause delays or extend the time taken for shipping—all adding up to higher costs.

Your Chosen Shipping Method

How you want to send your car overseas will affect the bill. Shipping by sea will be cheaper than air freight (as air transport is quicker), but if you choose to ship by sea, you’ll also have choices about the specific method.

If you want your car locked in a sea container, for example, that will cost more than a simple roll-on roll-off service, where your car will be driven onto the boat and could be left on an open deck while in transit.

Which method you choose will depend on your budget and attitude to risk, and also how quickly you’ll need your car to arrive at its destination.

How And Where You’ll Drop and Pick Up Your Vehicle

Your chosen locations for dropoff and pickup of your car affect the cost. In most cases, you’ll pay a higher fee for added convenience, such as a pickup from your home address, which is likely to be the most expensive option. There will also be additional fees if you want someone else to pick your vehicle up from the airport or sea port and drive it through customs. This service could cost between $500 and $800 extra.

How Quickly You Need Your Car to Arrive

Bear in mind that shipping a car by sea could take 30 to 60 days. Sending a car by air freight will be faster, but expect to pay much more for this. Estimates suggest international air transportation of a car will cost around 20% to 40% more than transport by boat.

Cost of Insurance

You’ll need to factor in the cost of insurance when shipping your car. You’re likely to be offered marine insurance as part of the quote from your shipping company, which will cover all the common risks of damage or loss. But you may also want to consider getting your own standalone cover, including cover when your car is in transit to the sea port or airport, and at the other side.

International Duty and Taxes

When exporting your car overseas, you’ll usually be liable to pay customs duty. Your shipping company may be able to advise you on this, but you should also do your own research and enquire with the destination port about these charges.

The tax will be a percentage of the value of your car (up to 20% depending on the destination), so if you have an expensive vehicle, the bill could be quite high. Remember to factor in these additional charges and plan ahead of time.

The way you choose to transport your car overseas will dictate the cost, and speed, of the shipping. Here are the most popular methods for international car shipping:

Roll-on Roll-off

This is likely to be the lowest cost way to ship your car abroad. Your vehicle will be driven on to the ship and secured in place, but it could be left on an open deck so it will be exposed to the weather—whatever that may have in store. But while this poses risks to your car, it will be cheaper than other options, typically at around $1,000 to $3,200.

Don’t expect to be reunited with your car quickly though. Freight ships are likely to stop at many ports along the route so it could take upwards of 30 days for your car to reach its destination. In some cases it could even take much longer.

Shipping By Sea Container

As with roll-on roll-off shipping (RORO), your car will be transported by boat, but in this instance it will be secured within an enclosed shipping container.

This offers a greater degree of safety and protection for your car. But it costs more than RORO, at around $1,600 to $4,000, for example. It will also take in the region of 30 to 60 days, depending on the destination, for your car to arrive.

Air Freight

Sending a car overseas by air is the fastest option, but it is also expensive. However, if you need your car in a hurry this may be the only method that suits your needs. With air freight transport the process can be as quick as two weeks.

Your vehicle can be dispatched from your nearest cargo airport, and you’ll pick it up at a convenient airport at your destination. Expect to pay upwards of $5,000 for shipping by air. In some cases, you’ll pay tens of thousands of dollars, even up to $50,000.

How quickly you’ll get your car overseas to your destination country will depend on a range of factors, primarily whether you opt for transportation by surface (by sea) or air.

Shipping by sea is likely to take 30 to 60 days, depending on the distance the boat needs to travel and the number of port stops it has to make. Shipping by air freight will be much faster, albeit for a high fee, and could take less than two weeks.

We’ve narrowed down the search options to examine some of the major international shipping companies and their offerings.

Montway Auto Transport

This provider has car shipping completely covered, with a broad range of services from short, domestic transfers right up to sending your car half way around the world. One of the main benefits of Montway is its competitive pricing, and it doesn’t usually ask for a deposit in advance.

Look out for discounts and offers, including for first-time users, those in the military and veterans, for example. You’ll get a comprehensive insurance policy included for the overall price, with cover up to $250,000.

Among the drawbacks, Montway can’t ship RVs, campervans or leisure boats. The company also charges a cancellation fee of $200 if you change your mind after the carrier has been booked in.

Learn more: Montway Auto Transport review

Easy Auto Ship

Easy Auto Ship is worth considering for domestic and international shipping. The company is a broker, so it sources transportation for your vehicle from other providers. However, it conducts robust checks on all the carriers it uses and offers high levels of insurance to customers, up to $100,000.

Pricing tends to be fairly competitive, although the costs for enclosed shipping (within a sea container) tend to be slightly higher than some of the competition.

The company provides a free cash wash for all cars that have been out on a ship’s deck during shipping, which is a nice perk. It also compensates customers for the cost of a rental car if yours doesn’t arrive within 14 days of its expected arrival.

Learn more: Easy Auto Ship review

AmeriFrieght

This company is another specialist in domestic and international vehicle shipping. It can offer a broader range of services than some competitors, including shipping larger vehicles, such as RVs, campervans and even small boats. But scheduling your shipping has to be done over the phone.

You’ll be given 48 hours to inspect your vehicle after you collect it, to raise any issues in terms of its condition. AmeriFrieght offers discounts to students, military workers, veterans, seniors and those working in medical healthcare.

The company tends to rank well for customer experience. But it may have a more limited choice of international destinations it serves, so check first to ensure it can meet your shipping requirements.

Learn more: AmeriFrieght review

Shipping your car overseas is going to be expensive and potentially stressful, while you worry about your vehicle landing at its destination safely. It means you’ll want to feel reassured by the shipping company you use that the process will go smoothly.

Here are some questions to check off your list before going ahead:

1. What insurance is offered? Find out what marine insurance and any other types of insurance are offered as part of the standard shipping package. You’ll need to know the level of cover, any excess applied on claims, as well as the overall cost. Bear in mind you still may need to organise standalone cover for your vehicle during transit.
2. What licenses does the company have? Ask to see the provider’s relevant licenses. You’ll want to satisfy yourself that the company has the necessary experience and expertise to properly ship your car.
3. Who will carry out the physical shipping? Some companies will ship themselves, while others might be brokers. If you’re using a broker, ask how they source and vet the shipping providers they use. Get the names of the third parties to check they are reputable and will do a good job.
4. Is the quoted price guaranteed? You’ll want to know if the quote you’re given for shipping could change, either before the shipping goes ahead, or if something happens while your car is en route to its destination. If you don’t want this uncertainty look for providers who won’t change the quote once you’ve agreed to go ahead.
5. How can I pay? How and when you’ll need to pay is important, so find out what payment is expected and check your preferred payment method will be accepted. Is there a deposit to pay, and is this refundable if you don’t go ahead, for example? Ask about any additional fees, which may not be obvious from the outset.

Whether you’re on a tight budget or not you’ll want to be sure you’re not paying over the odds to ship your car. Here are some ways you may be able to save:

• Ship in bulk. If you can join up with others, such as colleagues who are also relocating, to send multiple vehicles in one shipment, then this could save you money as you may be able to drive a deal. Having multiple cars to put in one enclosed container, for example, will be cheaper than paying to put a single car into a container.
• Book well in advance. The earlier you can book your shipping the cheaper it is likely to be. Shipping companies often offer discounts to those who book well ahead of time. While it won’t always be possible to plan ahead, the more time you have to schedule the shipping, the more likely you’ll be able to avoid peak times and more expensive periods for shipping.
• Shop around. Compare a wide range of companies and services to find a deal that suits you at the right price. It will often be possible to get quotes online, which you can do quickly and conveniently. Don’t forget to negotiate on the price if you feel you might be able to get a deal.
• Opt for a cheaper shipping method. By choosing to ship via a roll-on roll-off service, rather than in an enclosed container, your shipping costs will be lower.