Quick Answer: Shipping a Copart auction vehicle to Latin America costs $1,150–$2,900 in ocean freight from Miami, with 5–18 day transit depending on the destination port. Price depends on the method (shared container, dedicated container, or RoRo), vehicle size, and structural damage surcharges. The embedded calculator delivers your rate in seconds.
- Ocean freight for a sedan from PortMiami runs $1,150–$1,750 in shared container and $2,300–$2,900 in dedicated 20' container.
- Total cost is not just freight: add ground transport from the Copart yard, port charges, insurance, and your country's import duties.
- Without the original Title (Certificate of Title or Salvage Title) you cannot export: CBP requires the physical document 72 hours before vessel departure.
- The embedded calculator on this page quotes your VIN, destination port, and vehicle type in seconds—no signup, no follow-up calls.
Every week we move auction vehicles from Copart and IAAI yards to ports across the Miami–Latin America corridor. This guide uses real 2026 rates and transit times, not internet averages.
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Use the calculator above →How does the Copart vehicle shipping calculator work?
Quick Answer: The Copart shipping calculator asks four inputs: origin yard, destination port, vehicle type, and whether the car runs. It returns ocean freight, ground transport, and port charges in under two minutes—no signup and no follow-up calls.
The Copart vehicle shipping calculator works with four variables. Each one moves your final price differently.
- Enter the lot number and Copart yard. Copart Orlando North, Copart Dallas, or Copart Miami North generate very different drayage costs to PortMiami.
- Choose your actual destination port: Cartagena (COCTG), Puerto Limón (CRLIO), Callao (PECLL), Manzanillo (MXZLO), or Santo Domingo (DOCAU).
- Select the vehicle category: sedan, SUV, pickup, motorcycle, or non-running vehicle. This checkbox shifts the rate 15%–30%.
- Pick your shipping method: shared container (vehicular LCL), dedicated 20'/40' container, or RoRo.
The tool is embedded on this same page. Enter your details in the quote block and compare all three methods side by side.
If you're weighing air against ocean for parts or components, check How to Calculate Air Freight Rates USA to Colombia: Per-Kilogram Formula 2026. The per-kilogram formula works differently than vehicle freight.
Operator's tip
Quote before you bid at auction, not after. A cheap lot in Copart California can cost you $1,400 just in drayage to Miami. That same model in Copart Orlando North runs $280 in drayage.
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Enter your lot and destination port. Real price in under two minutes.
Use the calculator above →How much does it cost to ship a Copart auction vehicle overseas?
Quick Answer: Shipping a Copart auction vehicle overseas costs $1,150–$2,900 in ocean freight from Miami. A sedan in shared container to Cartagena runs $1,150–$1,450. A dedicated 20' container to Callao reaches $2,600–$2,900. Add $250–$900 for ground transport from the yard.
These are the live 2026 rates for shipping a Copart auction vehicle overseas in shared container from PortMiami.
| Route from PortMiami | Ocean transit | Shared container | Dedicated 20' container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami → Santo Domingo (DOCAU) | 4–6 days | $1,050–$1,350 | $2,100–$2,500 |
| Miami → Puerto Limón (CRLIO) | 5–8 days | $1,250–$1,600 | $2,300–$2,700 |
| Miami → Cartagena (COCTG) | 7–10 days | $1,150–$1,450 | $2,200–$2,600 |
| Miami → Manzanillo (MXZLO) | 12–15 days | $1,700–$2,100 | $2,800–$3,300 |
| Miami → Callao (PECLL) | 14–18 days | $1,900–$2,400 | $2,600–$2,900 |
| Miami → Valparaíso (CLVAP) | 18–24 days | $2,200–$2,900 | $3,300–$3,900 |
Ground transport from the Copart yard
Moving the vehicle to our Miami warehouse is quoted separately. It depends on actual distance, not condition.
- Within Florida (Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville): $250–$450
- From Texas or Georgia: $600–$900
- From California or Arizona: $1,100–$1,600
Fixed charges almost nobody budgets for
These amounts show up on your final invoice. Many first-time buyers discover them late.
- Origin THC (Terminal Handling Charge): $85–$140 per unit
- ISPS (port security): $12–$25
- Bill of Lading documentation: $65–$95
- ISF (CBP's "10+2" rule): $45–$75
- Ocean cargo insurance: 1.5%–2.5% of declared value, typical minimum $150
- Non-running vehicle surcharge: $120–$300 (winch or forklift)
This is the real minimum for a sedan in shared container from PortMiami to Cartagena. With drayage from a Florida yard, insurance, and port charges, the honest total lands around $1,650–$1,900 delivered to Cartagena dock.
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All-in rate: freight, drayage, and port charges on one screen.
Use the calculator above →Shared container, dedicated container, or RoRo for a Copart vehicle?
Quick Answer: Shared container is the cheapest option for a single vehicle: $1,150–$1,750 per unit. Dedicated 40' makes sense from two vehicles on, because it splits $3,400–$4,200 across four cars. RoRo only works if the vehicle starts and drives under its own power.
Shared container
We fit two cars in a 20' or four in a 40' with steel racks. This is the method most individual Copart buyers use. Weekly departures from Miami to Cartagena, Puerto Limón, and Santo Domingo. Your car travels sealed, protected from salt spray, and almost never generates destination damage claims.
RoRo from PortMiami
Runs $950–$1,400 per sedan. Sounds cheap, but requires the vehicle to start, brake, and steer under its own motor. Most Copart salvage lots don't qualify. Plus, the carrier prohibits any loose cargo inside the vehicle.
When does dedicated container make sense?
A full 40' HC costs $3,400–$4,200 to Cartagena or Puerto Limón. From three vehicles on, the per-unit cost drops to $1,050–$1,400. That's where dedicated wins.
It also makes sense if you're shipping a car and motorcycle together. Check Motorcycle Shipping USA to Central America 2026: Rates and Container Options to see how we combine both units in the same container.
Loading loose parts inside the car is only legal in container. Each item must be declared on the commercial invoice and cargo manifest.
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Compare shared, dedicated, and RoRo side by side for your lot.
Use the calculator above →What documents does CBP require to export a Copart vehicle?
Quick Answer: CBP requires the original paper Title (Certificate of Title or Salvage Title) presented at the port 72 business hours before departure, plus the Copart Bill of Sale, the AES/ITN declaration, and the Bill of Lading. Without the physical endorsed title, the container does not leave the port.
The regulation is 19 CFR 192.2. CBP must have the original title in hand 72 business hours before export. Scanned copies are not accepted under any circumstance.
Copart delivers the title 7–21 days after payment. That timeline must fit into your shipping schedule from day one. You can review timelines and requirements on Copart's international shipping information.
- Certificate of Title or Salvage Title endorsed and in original paper form
- Bill of Sale issued by Copart
- Buyer's Member ID
- Buyer's passport or government ID
- ITN generated in the AES (Automated Export System)
- Bill of Lading issued by the NVOCC
If the title is in a third party's name, you need a notarized Power of Attorney. Without that power, you cannot export on their behalf.
The title rules the ship
AB Group Shipping acts as your export agent and files the AES/ITN for you. But the physical title is your responsibility. If the title arrives late, the vehicle misses the departure and waits for the next weekly sailing. That can add 7 extra days and additional storage fees.
What import duties do you pay when clearing the vehicle in your country?
Quick Answer: Import duties almost always exceed freight cost. In Costa Rica a used vehicle pays 52%–79% of customs value. In Colombia, DIAN charges 35% tariff plus 19% VAT. These amounts are NOT included in the freight calculator on this page.
| Country | Authority | Tariff | Consumption tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | Customs CR | 52%–79% by model year | |
| Colombia | DIAN | 35% | 19% VAT |
| Peru | SUNAT | 0%–6% | 18% IGV |
| Mexico | SAT | 20% | 16% VAT |
| Dominican Republic | DGA | 20% | 18% ITBIS |
Watch for age restrictions. Colombia and Peru heavily restrict used vehicle imports. Costa Rica does allow salvage vehicles, but requires RTV technical inspection before road use.
Another surprise for many buyers: most customs authorities calculate duty on the official reference value for the model, not what you paid at auction. A lot you won for $3,200 may be taxed on $9,000.
The tariff classifier sets the exact percentage. The most common codes are HS 8703.23 and HS 8703.32, depending on engine size and type.
We're not tax advisors
AB Group Shipping is an international freight forwarder, not a customs broker. Your final duty assessment comes from your licensed customs broker at destination. Confirm the tariff code and applicable rate with them before bidding on Copart.
How to buy from Costa Rica on Copart USA step by step?
Quick Answer: To buy from Costa Rica on Copart USA you need a Basic or Premier membership, a licensed broker if the lot is restricted, and a US receiving address. AB Group Shipping receives the vehicle in Miami, consolidates it, and dispatches it to Puerto Limón in 5–8 days.
This is the real workflow for buying from Costa Rica on Copart USA without losing money to storage.
- Open your Copart membership. Basic costs $59/year, Premier $199/year. Activate your deposit before bidding. The New Member Guide explains bid limits by tier.
- Check the lot's title type: Clean, Salvage, or Certificate of Destruction. The last one cannot be exported for road use.
- Pay for the vehicle within 48–72 hours. Copart charges $20–$40/day storage starting on day three.
- Coordinate pickup from the yard with us before storage fees kick in.
- Consolidate in our Miami warehouse and wait for the weekly departure to Puerto Limón, Cartagena, or Santo Domingo.
Colombian buyers have a dedicated guide on the auction site: Buy Used Cars in the USA from Colombia. The operational process is identical to Costa Rica's.
Shipping a car and household goods at the same time? Check International Relocation to Costa Rica 2026: Complete Costs, Documents, and Transit Times. Consolidating both in a 40' lowers the per-cubic-meter cost.
Scheduling trick
Schedule yard pickup the same day you pay, not when the title arrives. The vehicle can wait for the title in our Miami warehouse at no daily charge. At the Copart yard, every day costs up to $40.
Miami(USMIA)
Puerto Limón(CRLIO)
Miami(USMIA)
Cartagena(COCTG)
Miami(USMIA)
Santo Domingo(DOCAU)
How long does IAAI salvage vehicle freight take in export?
Quick Answer: IAAI or Copart salvage vehicle freight takes 21–45 days door-to-door. Real breakdown: 7–21 days to receive the title, 3–7 days ground transport, 4–24 days ocean transit, and 5–12 days customs clearance at destination.
The bottleneck is never the ship. It's the title. Copart and IAAI take 7–21 days to release it after payment. That fact appears confirmed in market analysis like Copart in 2026: 200,000+ Vehicles and How to Buy.
Real stages of IAAI salvage vehicle freight export
- Title release: 7–21 days from payment
- Ground transport to Miami warehouse: 3–7 days
- Ocean transit: 4–24 days by port
- Customs clearance at destination: 5–12 days for physical inspection, customs appraisal, and technical review
One operational detail that confuses many: the port's document cut-off falls 48–72 hours before the vessel's ETD. Departure date and document deadline are not the same.
If you need vehicle parts or components urgently, air freight solves it. See Emergency Air Freight to Latin America: Same-Day and Next-Day Options 2026 and How Long Does Air Freight to Costa Rica Take: 3–6 Days 2026.
Plan backward
If you want the car in Cartagena in 30 days, bid today. Count 14 days for title, 5 for drayage, 9 for transit, and 7 for customs. With thousands of shipments processed across the Miami–Latin America corridor, that's the timeline reality supports.
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Ocean freight, drayage from the yard, and port charges in one quote.
Use the calculator above →Quote your Copart vehicle right now
Quick Answer: The embedded calculator on this page quotes ocean freight, ground transport from the yard, and port charges in under two minutes. You only need the lot number, origin yard, destination port, and whether the vehicle runs.
Don't lose money quoting after you win the auction. The Copart vehicle shipping calculator on this page gives you the real number before you bid. No signup, no email, and no follow-up calls.
Use the embedded calculator above to compare shared container, dedicated container, and RoRo to Cartagena, Puerto Limón, Santo Domingo, Manzanillo, Callao, or Valparaíso. If your vehicle is non-running, oversized, or traveling with declared parts, the same block opens a custom quote form.
Yes, a vehicle with a Salvage Title can legally export from the United States if you present the original paper title to CBP 72 business hours before departure. What cannot export for road use is a lot with a Certificate of Destruction or Non-Repairable Title. Confirm the title type on the lot page before bidding.
Between $1,150 and $1,450 in shared container from PortMiami to Cartagena, with 7–10 day transit. Add ground transport from the Copart yard ($250–$900) and DIAN import duties, which run about 35% tariff plus 19% VAT on customs value.
No. The calculator on this page quotes international freight, ground transport, and origin port charges. Your country's customs authority (DIAN, SUNAT, SAT, Costa Rica Customs) and your licensed customs broker at destination calculate tariffs, VAT, and customs fees.
Yes, but only in container, never RoRo. A non-running vehicle loads with winch or forklift and carries a $120–$300 surcharge depending on the yard. The calculator has a specific checkbox for non-running vehicles that adjusts the rate automatically.
Yes, if the vehicle travels in container and you declare every item on the commercial invoice and cargo manifest. RoRo prohibits it per carrier and port rules. Undeclared items can trigger customs fines and container detention at destination.