Quick Answer: Car shipping to Colombia from the USA with AB Group Shipping costs from $1,920 for a vehicle alone in a 20 ft container, port to port to Cartagena or Buenaventura. Prices quoted September 28, 2026: Miami $1,920 (4 days of ocean transit), Houston $1,920 (10 days), New Jersey $1,980 (6 days) and Los Angeles $2,637 (14 days). From Miami, a shared 40 ft container runs approx. $1,350. On top of freight, as of October 2026 Colombia's DIAN charges a 40% tariff on gasoline and diesel cars (Decreto 1432 de 2025) and 19% VAT on CIF plus tariff.
- Ocean freight in an exclusive 20' container: from $1,920 (Miami or Houston) to $2,637 (Los Angeles), rates quoted September 28, 2026. From Miami, approx. $1,350 per vehicle in a shared container and approx. $1,150 by RoRo.
- Freight is only part of the total cost. As of October 2026, DIAN charges a 40% tariff on gasoline and diesel cars (0% for electric) plus 19% VAT on CIF plus tariff.
- A used car valued at $12,000 USD can end up costing $22,000–$24,000 delivered to Bogotá, adding freight, duties, customs broker fees, and inland transport.
- The embedded calculator on this page gives you real freight rates from your city by make, model, and destination port in seconds, no signup required.
This guide separates freight from duties, because they're two separate invoices with two different payers. Here you'll see real Miami-Colombia corridor pricing for 2026, transit times by port, and the documents CBP and DIAN require without exception.
Get an instant quote
Compare consolidated, exclusive container, and RoRo in seconds — no email, no calls.
Go to the calculator →Reference prices: shipping a vehicle from the USA to Colombia
| Departure port | Price | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| MiamiPort Everglades | $1,920 | 4 days |
| Houston | $1,920 | 10 days |
| New JerseyNew York | $1,980 | 6 days |
| Los AngelesLong Beach | $2,637 | 14 days |
Port to port to Cartagena or Buenaventura, in USD, quoted with our system on September 28, 2026. Includes freight and US export charges; excludes import taxes and destination charges. Each vehicle travels alone in a 20 ft container; two can share a 40 ft one. The calculator on this page gives your exact price, with pickup and delivery. What our customers are quoted for a sedan, often with pickup and delivery: typically $2,010, half of them between $1,950 and $2,010 depending on the origin city.
Shipping from another state? Which port to read
Each port in the table is the one that cargo from these states usually leaves through. Miami: Florida. Houston: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. New Jersey: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia and West Virginia. Los Angeles: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Hawaii. Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama ship through Savannah; Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota ship through Chicago (rail); Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska ship through Seattle / Tacoma: those ports are not in the table yet. We pick up in every state, and the calculator finds the best port from your city.
How much does it cost to ship a car from the USA to Colombia in 2026?
Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the USA to Colombia costs from $1,920 USD in ocean freight for its own 20' container, leaving from Miami or Houston (rates quoted September 28, 2026). From Miami, a shared container costs approx. $1,350 per vehicle and RoRo approx. $1,150. Transit runs from 4 days out of Miami to 14 out of Los Angeles.
Price depends on three variables: shipping method, vehicle size, and destination port. With thousands of shipments processed annually across the Miami-Latin America corridor, these are the current 2026 rates we handle.
| Shipping Method | Price Range | Transit | Destination Port |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated LCL (2–4 cars in 40'HC) | USD approx. $1,350 per vehicle | 4 days | Cartagena (COCTG) |
| Exclusive 20' FCL | USD $1,920 (September 2026) | 4 days | Cartagena / Buenaventura |
| 40'HC with 2 vehicles | USD approx. $2,900–$3,400 | 4 days | Cartagena / Buenaventura |
| RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) | USD approx. $1,150 | 9–14 days | Cartagena, subject to schedule |
Shipping from any US state, or from abroad
Your car can be anywhere in the USA: the price table at the top of this page shows which port each state ships from, and the calculator gives your exact price with pickup from your city. If the car is outside the USA, for example in Canada, Spain or Panama, type that city into the calculator; a route without an online price gets a quote by email.
What's included and what's not in that freight rate?
The quoted freight covers the international leg and basic port charges. It doesn't cover anything that happens after the vessel docks in Colombia.
- Included: Origin THC at PortMiami, Bill of Lading issuance, ISPS, BAF/CAF, cargo manifest, and consolidation at Miami CFS.
- Not included: Colombian tariff (40% for gasoline and diesel cars as of October 2026), 19% VAT, Colombian customs broker fees, port storage, or inland transport.
How does price change by destination port?
Cartagena (COCTG) is the most economical port with the most weekly sailings from Miami. Barranquilla (COBAQ) adds approx. $80–$150 to freight. Buenaventura (COBUN) adds approx. $350–$600 because it requires transshipment via Panama.
Bogotá is not a seaport. If you request delivery to the capital, add approx. $600–$900 in inland freight from Cartagena. Medellín and Cali work the same way: the inland leg is quoted separately.
MiamiUSMIA
CartagenaCOCTG
MiamiUSMIA
BarranquillaCOBAQ
MiamiUSMIA
BuenaventuraCOBUN
Vehicle size matters. A full-size pickup like a Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Suburban takes up a large share of the usable space in a 40'HC. In those cases, an exclusive container often makes more sense than fighting for space in a consolidated shipment.
Direct sailing PortMiami → Cartagena with weekly departures. It's the shortest and most stable transit on the Miami-Colombia corridor for vehicle cargo.
Get an instant quote
Enter make, model, and destination port. Get real freight rates in seconds.
Go to the calculator →How does the car shipping calculator work?
Quick Answer: The calculator asks four pieces of information: vehicle make and model, pickup city anywhere in the USA, destination port or city in Colombia, and whether the car runs. It returns real freight in seconds, no signup and no follow-up calls.
The car shipping calculator Miami to Colombia is not a lead-capture form. It returns a price on screen, not a promise that someone will call you.
- Select make and model. This automatically defines the vehicle's CBM and weight.
- Enter the origin: Miami, Doral, Hialeah, Orlando, or Jacksonville.
- Choose the destination: Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Buenaventura, Bogotá, Medellín, or Cali.
- Mark operational status. If the car doesn't run, add approx. $150–$300 for winch and special handling.
How does the calculator convert vehicle measurements?
The system multiplies length × width × height in meters to get CBM. A mid-size or large SUV occupies noticeably more CBM than an average sedan.
That CBM determines how many vehicles fit in the consolidated shipment and what portion of the total freight you pay. That's why a Honda Civic and a Tahoe never pay the same, even if they sail on the same vessel.
What does the result show?
- All-in freight origin-to-destination with itemized charges, not a single number.
- Estimated destination charges at the Colombian port.
- Date of the next weekly sailing from PortMiami.
Pro Tip
We use the same calculation logic on other corridor routes. You can see how price variables behave in FCL Miami to Panama 2026: Cost Calculator and Rate Factors, where we break down every surcharge line by line.
One important limit: the calculator quotes freight, not duties. DIAN tariffs depend on the customs valuation, which we explain below.
Consolidated, exclusive container, or RoRo? Method comparison
Quick Answer: Consolidated container is the most economical option for a single vehicle, approx. $1,350 from Miami. Exclusive 20' container makes sense for large pickups or when you're shipping spare parts and household goods with the car. RoRo is fast but has fewer direct sailings to Colombia.
Consolidated LCL
We load 2–4 vehicles in a 40'HC container. It's the cheapest option per unit. The trade-off: you wait for consolidation, which takes 3–7 days at Miami CFS before departure.
Exclusive 20' or 40' FCL
You control all the space. You can load boxes, spare parts, and household goods inside the vehicle, always under a declared packing list on the Bill of Lading. It's the required option if you're also doing an international household move.
RoRo (roll-on/roll-off)
The car drives onto the vessel under its own power. Rules on interior cargo, running condition and keys depend on the carrier and terminal, so confirm them before booking. RoRo availability to Colombia depends on carrier schedules; for comparison, see our analysis of shipping cars from the USA to Ecuador.
Enclosed container
Your car travels sealed and protected from weather and third-party handling. It allows declared interior cargo. It's the preferred option for high-value vehicles, classics, and collector cars. Cost goes up, but risk exposure drops significantly.
RoRo
Less crane handling and direct ramp loading. The vehicle doesn't get lifted into a container. Usually faster at port. In exchange, it travels on shared deck, no interior cargo, and port personnel have access to the vehicle interior.
Operating rule of thumb: if the vehicle exceeds 6 CBM or is worth more than $30,000 USD, the exclusive container almost always justifies the approx. $570 difference. If you're moving a full container, check the cost structure in FCL Miami to Cartagena: Pricing and Transit Guide 2026.
Get an instant quote
Compare consolidated, exclusive container, and RoRo for your specific vehicle.
Go to the calculator →How much do you pay in tariff and VAT when importing a used car to Colombia?
Quick Answer: As of October 2026, Colombia charges a 40% tariff on gasoline and diesel passenger cars (Decreto 1432 de 2025; electric vehicles 0%; treaty preferences such as the US-Colombia TPA may apply) and 19% VAT on CIF plus tariff. A car with $14,000 CIF value without treaty preference generates about $5,600 in tariff and $3,724 in VAT (19% of $19,600), plus customs broker fees.
The formula is cumulative, not parallel. VAT is calculated on the CIF plus the tariff already added.
- CIF Value = vehicle price + freight + insurance
- Tariff = CIF × 40% (gasoline and diesel cars, as of October 2026)
- VAT = (CIF + tariff) × 19%
| Vehicle FOB Value | Estimated CIF Value | Tariff 40% | VAT 19% | Total Landed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD $8,000 | USD $9,500 | USD $3,800 | USD $2,527 | USD $15,827 |
| USD $14,000 | USD $15,500 | USD $6,200 | USD $4,123 | USD $25,823 |
| USD $25,000 | USD $26,700 | USD $10,680 | USD $7,102 | USD $44,482 |
The figures don't include customs broker fees ($350–$700), port storage, or inland transport. With those items, a $12,000 car can end up at $22,000–$24,000 delivered to Bogotá.
What tariff classification applies?
Passenger automobiles fall under HS code 87.03. The correct classification changes the tariff. Electric vehicles stay at 0% under Decreto 1432 de 2025; for hybrids, confirm the rate for your exact tariff line with a licensed customs agent.
Does Colombia allow used vehicle imports?
Not as a general rule. Colombia restricts used vehicle imports. Exceptions are limited and verifiable.
- Antique and classic vehicles that meet the Ministerio de Transporte's requirements
- Vehicles of Colombian diplomats returning at the end of their mission
Vehicles are not part of menaje doméstico (household goods), and the Ley de Retorno does not cover vehicles, so returning Colombians cannot bring a used car as household goods (Decreto 1165 de 2019 art. 281). Confirm your case with a licensed customs agent before buying.
Specialized sources in the industry agree on this point. You can verify the current framework at Importing a Vehicle from the USA to Colombia in 2026 and Car Shipping to Colombia (updated 2026).
DIAN won't accept your invoice alone
DIAN values the vehicle using its own reference databases, not just your Bill of Sale. A declared value below market triggers reasonable doubt and holds the cargo at port. While it's resolved, storage and demurrage charges accrue. Declare the real purchase value from the start.
Customs valuation mechanics work the same for other capital goods. We explain the full procedure in Customs Duties: Importing Machinery from USA to Colombia — Complete Guide 2026.
Before you buy the vehicle, validate your case with a licensed customs broker in Colombia. AB Group Shipping is a freight forwarder, not legal or tax counsel.
What documents do you need to ship your car from the USA?
Quick Answer: You need the original Certificate of Title or a certified copy (plus two complete copies), the lienholder's written permission to export if there is a lien, bill of sale, passport or ID, and presentation of the title documents and VIN to CBP at least 72 hours before export by vessel. On the Colombian side, you need an import registration with the Ministry of Commerce and an import declaration with DIAN.
Documents on the US side
- Original Certificate of Title or a certified copy, plus two complete copies
- Bill of Sale with real purchase value
- If there is a recorded lien, a letter from the lienholder on its letterhead expressly allowing export, describing the vehicle with its VIN, signed and dated (notarization not required)
- Electronic Export Information (EEI) filed in AES at least 72 hours before shipment
CBP (19 CFR 192.2): title documents and VIN at least 72 hours before export by vessel
Per CBP regulation, the original Certificate of Title or a certified copy, plus two complete copies, and the VIN must be presented to CBP at the export port at least 72 hours before export by vessel. Presenting them late can mean missing the vessel and waiting for the next sailing.
Documents on the Colombian side
- Import Registration with VUCE (Single Window for Foreign Trade)
- Import Declaration with DIAN
- Certificate of Origin if you claim US-Colombia FTA preference
- RUT and NIT if you're a business, or ID if you're an individual
- Cargo Manifest and original Bill of Lading
If you're a returning Colombian, note that vehicles, motorcycles and boats cannot travel as menaje doméstico (household goods), and the Ley de Retorno does not cover vehicles (Decreto 1165 de 2019 art. 281).
Physical vehicle preparation
- Fuel tank low, at the level your carrier or terminal specifies
- No loose personal items if shipping RoRo
- Battery charged and in good condition
- Duplicate key handed to the terminal
- Alarm disabled and anti-theft system unlocked
How long does shipping from the USA to Cartagena or Buenaventura take?
Quick Answer: Port-to-port ocean transit for a full container takes 4 days from Miami to Cartagena; from New Jersey it's 6 days, from Houston 10 and from Los Angeles 14. Our shipments arrive at Cartagena or Buenaventura, not Barranquilla or Santa Marta. From Miami, Buenaventura requires transshipment via Panama and takes 14–21 days. Add 5–15 additional business days for customs clearance with DIAN.
| Destination Port | Code | Sailing Days | Sailing Frequency | Estimated Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartagena | COCTG | 4 days | Weekly | 5–15 business days |
| Buenaventura | COBUN | 14–21 days | Weekly via transshipment | 10–20 business days |
Cartagena has the best container infrastructure in the country. It is well served by ocean carriers from Miami. It's the destination we recommend by default.
Buenaventura only makes sense if your final destination is Cali or the Coffee Triangle. Transshipment goes through Manzanillo or Colón in Panama and adds 7–9 extra sailing days.
Documentary cut-off, yard cut-off, and ETD are not the same
Three different dates that people confuse all the time. Documentary cut-off closes first. Yard cut-off closes next. The vessel's ETD is last.
The title documents must reach CBP at least 72 hours before export by vessel, and your carrier's documentary cut-off may fall earlier, so confirm it and plan around whichever date comes first. Missing it is what makes first-time shippers miss the vessel.
Pro Tip
Free time (free days) in Cartagena is a commercial term set by the carrier and terminal. After it runs out, storage and demurrage charges accrue daily. Have your customs broker contracted before the vessel departs, not after it arrives. If you need to move spare parts urgently while the car is at sea, check How to Calculate Air Freight Rates USA to Colombia: Per-Kilogram Formula 2026.
How to lower the total cost of bringing your car to Colombia?
Quick Answer: You can cut $400–$1,200 from total cost by choosing Cartagena as your port, consolidating with another vehicle, delivering the car directly to the CFS at your departure port (Miami, for example), and buying cargo insurance separately instead of bundled with freight.
- Direct delivery to Miami warehouse: saves $150–$400 versus home pickup, depending on your Florida city.
- Share a 40'HC with another vehicle: cuts per-unit cost up to 30% versus exclusive 20' FCL.
- Choose Cartagena and hire local inland transport: a Colombian carrier to Bogotá or Medellín usually costs less than closed door-to-door service.
- Quote insurance separately: market range is 1.5%–2.5% of declared value. Never ship uninsured, but compare before accepting the bundled package.
If you're using an exclusive container, use the remaining space. You can move household goods, furniture, and valuables with the vehicle. For artwork and antiques, check the techniques in shipping antiques and artwork with custom packing from USA to South America.
The most expensive mistake
Buying the car before confirming it qualifies for import into Colombia. If DIAN rejects entry, freight is not recoverable and the vehicle ends up abandoned or must be re-exported. Validate the applicable regime with a licensed customs broker before you sign the Bill of Sale.
Other corridor operators use similar cost-optimization criteria, as documented in guides on importing cars to Latin America.
Get an instant quote
Real price by make, model, and destination port. No signup, no calls.
Go to the calculator →Next step: quote your vehicle now
Quick Answer: The next step is to quote freight with real vehicle data, then validate the import regime with a customs broker in Colombia. The calculator on this page gives you freight in seconds. DIAN eligibility is confirmed before you buy the car.
We ship from Miami to Cartagena and Buenaventura. We handle consolidated, exclusive container, and RoRo depending on sailing availability.
Use the car shipping calculator Miami to Colombia at the top of this page. Enter make, model, origin city, and destination port. Get all-in freight with the next sailing date in seconds. No mandatory email and no follow-up calls.
Ship your car with AB Group Shipping
AB Group Shipping is an NVOCC-licensed international car shipping company: RoRo, container or air to 140+ countries, with your rate in 60 seconds.
Ocean freight from Miami depends on the method; see the price table at the top of this page for current rates. On top of that, as of October 2026 DIAN charges a 40% tariff on gasoline and diesel cars (0% for electric; treaty preferences may apply) and 19% VAT on CIF plus tariff.
Not as a general rule. Colombia restricts used car imports and only allows it in specific cases, such as antique and classic vehicles that meet the Ministerio de Transporte's requirements and vehicles of Colombian diplomats returning at the end of their mission. Vehicles cannot travel as household goods of returning Colombians. Confirm your case with a licensed customs broker before you buy the car.
4 days of port-to-port ocean transit from Miami to Cartagena for a full container. After arrival, customs clearance with DIAN takes 5–15 additional business days, depending on whether the cargo is selected for physical inspection.
Yes, but only if you ship the vehicle in an exclusive container and declare all contents on the packing list and Bill of Lading. With RoRo, rules on items inside the vehicle depend on the carrier, so confirm before shipping. Undeclared items can cause holds in Cartagena.
No. The calculator on this page quotes international freight and origin and destination port charges. The tariff (40% for gasoline and diesel cars as of October 2026) and 19% VAT depend on the customs valuation DIAN assigns to your vehicle, and your customs broker in Colombia settles them.
Guides for shipping to Colombia
- Miami to Colombia Moving Cost 2026: Instant Quotes · Household move page (calculator + guide)
- Moving to Colombia Cost Calculator: Quotes from USA (2026) · Household move page (calculator + guide)
- FCL Miami to Cartagena: 2026 Pricing & Transit Time Guide · Container (FCL) calculator
- LCL Shipping to Colombia Calculator: Price per CBM 2026 · Consolidated cargo (LCL) calculator
- Shipping Calculator to Colombia: 2026 Per-Pound Rates · Boxes & packages calculator
- Air Freight USA to Colombia: 2026 Rates per Kg & Formula · Air freight calculator
- USA Machinery to Colombia: 2026 Customs Duties · Import used machinery
- Express Air Freight Miami to Colombia: Same-Day and Next-Day Service Options 2026
- Shipping Car Parts to Colombia Calculator: 2026 Rates
- Import Electronics USA to Colombia Calculator: 2026 Rates
- Jet Ski Shipping to Colombia Calculator: Rates 2026