Quick Answer: Shipping a car overseas from the USA costs $995-$1,900 by RoRo, $1,850-$3,600 in a shared container, and $3,200-$6,500 in a sole-use 20' container in 2026. Transit runs 12-45 days by lane. Import duty, VAT and clearance at destination add 15%-60% of the vehicle's CIF value.
- RoRo is the cheapest way to ship a running car overseas: $995-$1,900 port-to-port from US East or Gulf coast ports.
- An international car shipping cost calculator needs six inputs: origin ZIP or port, destination port, vehicle year/make/model, running condition, declared value, and service level.
- Ocean freight is usually under half your total cost — destination duty, VAT/GST, clearance and handling often add more than the freight itself.
- The calculator on this page quotes RoRo, shared container and sole-use container side by side. No email required.
Most first-time shippers compare only the ocean freight number and get surprised at the destination port. The real figure you should compare is landed cost: freight, handling, brokerage, duty and VAT on the same lane.
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Use the calculator above →How much does it cost to ship a car overseas in 2026?
Quick Answer: Shipping a car overseas from the USA costs $995-$1,900 by RoRo, $1,850-$3,600 in a shared container, and $3,200-$6,500 for a sole-use 20' container in 2026. Short Caribbean and Latin American lanes sit at the low end. Transpacific and Oceania lanes sit at the top.
Method drives the price more than distance does. A RoRo booking from Jacksonville to Santo Domingo can cost less than a container from Miami to Kingston.
| Shipping method | 2026 price range | Typical transit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) | USD $995–$1,900 | 5–38 days | Running standard cars and SUVs |
| Shared container (consolidated) | USD $1,850–$3,600 | 10–45 days | Cars plus limited personal effects |
| Sole-use 20' container | USD $3,200–$6,500 | 10–45 days | Classics, high value, non-runners |
| Air freight | USD $8,000–$18,000 | 2–6 days | Race cars, exotics, urgent moves |
What do prices look like by region?
Region sets the floor. These are 2026 RoRo port-to-port ranges from US East and Gulf coast load ports.
- Caribbean and Central America: $995–$1,750
- South America: $1,200–$2,400
- Europe: $1,150–$2,300
- Middle East: $1,600–$2,900
- Oceania: $2,900–$4,800
The lowest published RoRo rates out of PortMiami and Jacksonville sit near $995 for a standard sedan on short Caribbean lanes. SUVs and pickups price higher because RoRo bills by cubic meters, not by unit.
Two costs sit outside that quoted freight number. Inland trucking to the load port adds $250-$900 depending on distance from your ZIP code.
Destination duty and VAT are never included in an ocean freight quote. No carrier or forwarder can bill them — they are assessed by the destination customs authority after arrival. For a lane-specific worked example, see our Car Shipping Calculator: Miami to Colombia Rates & Costs 2026.
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Use the calculator above →What is an international car shipping cost calculator?
Quick Answer: An international car shipping cost calculator is an online tool that prices ocean or air transport of a vehicle from a US origin to a foreign port. It combines lane freight rates, terminal handling, documentation and filing fees, then returns a port-to-port or door-to-port estimate in seconds.
Behind the tool sit four data layers. Contracted carrier tariffs per lane, terminal handling charges at both ends, BAF and CAF adjustments, and fixed filing fees.
What inputs does the calculator need?
An international auto transport quote calculator needs six data points to return a usable number.
- Origin ZIP or load port — decides inland trucking cost and sailing options
- Destination port and country — sets the lane rate and clearance rules
- Vehicle year, make and model — pulls dimensions and curb weight
- Running or non-running — non-runners need winching or a container
- Declared value — feeds marine insurance and customs valuation
- Service level — port-to-port or door-to-port
Why do vehicle dimensions matter more than weight?
RoRo is priced on cubic meters, not tonnage. The carrier sells deck space: length × width × height.
A Honda Civic measures about 11 CBM. A Chevrolet Suburban measures about 22 CBM. On the same vessel, the Suburban costs roughly double — even though it is not twice the weight.
Pro Tip
Instant rates apply to published lanes with standard sedans and SUVs. Oversized trucks, non-running units, armored vehicles and EVs with battery restrictions need a manual quote. If the calculator routes you to a custom form, that is the system flagging a lane or unit that cannot be auto-priced safely.
The AB Group calculator at #quote-calc returns RoRo, shared container and sole-use container side by side. No email gate, no follow-up call queue.
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Use the calculator above →What does a full international car shipping quote include, line by line?
Quick Answer: A complete international car shipping quote has three cost blocks: origin charges, ocean freight, and destination charges. Origin covers inland trucking, terminal handling and AES/ITN filing. Ocean covers the base rate plus BAF, CAF and ISPS. Destination covers handling, brokerage, duty and VAT.
Here is a real line-item breakdown. A 2019 Toyota RAV4, PortMiami to Cartagena, RoRo service.
| Line item | Cost block | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Inland trucking to PortMiami | Origin | $0–$450 |
| Origin terminal handling (THC) | Origin | $185 |
| Documentation fee | Origin | $75 |
| AES / ITN filing | Origin | $45 |
| Ocean base freight | Ocean | $1,150 |
| BAF (bunker adjustment) | Ocean | $95 |
| ISPS security fee | Ocean | $12 |
| Destination THC (Cartagena) | Destination | $210 |
| Customs brokerage (DIAN entry) | Destination | $180 |
| Import duty + IVA | Destination | Assessed on CIF value |
How does a container quote differ?
A container move adds handling labor at origin. You will see loading and lashing $150-$300, blocking and bracing materials $60-$140, and a container drayage leg.
The sole-use container also carries free time terms. Miss them and demurrage starts at the destination port.
What are BAF and CAF in plain words?
BAF is the bunker adjustment factor — a fuel surcharge. When bunker fuel prices move, carriers adjust BAF quarterly instead of rewriting base tariffs.
CAF is the currency adjustment factor. It protects the carrier when the dollar moves against the currency of its cost base. Both are standard, both are legitimate, and both should appear as named lines.
The "all-in" quote trap
Broker quotes advertised as "all-in" frequently exclude destination THC, customs brokerage and duty. Those three are the biggest surprises for first-time shippers. Rule of thumb: if a quote shows fewer than six line items, ask in writing what was left out and get the answer by email.
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Use the calculator above →RoRo vs container vs air freight: which is cheapest?
Quick Answer: RoRo is the cheapest way to ship a running car overseas, typically 35%-50% less than a sole-use container. Shared container costs sit in between and allow personal items. Air freight costs five to eight times more than ocean and only makes sense for high-value or time-critical vehicles.
What is RoRo shipping?
In RoRo, the car is driven onto a dedicated vessel deck and secured with straps. No container, no crate, no loading labor. That is exactly why it is cheaper.
| Method | Cost per vehicle | Transit | Protection | Personal items | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RoRo | $995–$1,900 | 5–38 days | Open deck, weather-protected hold | No | Standard running vehicles |
| Shared container | $1,850–$3,600 | 10–45 days | Enclosed, shared with 2–3 cars | Limited, lane-dependent | Budget moves with boxes |
| Sole-use 20' | $3,200–$6,500 | 10–45 days | Enclosed, exclusive | Yes, if declared | Classics, non-runners, high value |
| Air freight | $8,000–$18,000 | 2–6 days | Highest | No | Race, exotic, urgent |
How does shared container math work?
A 40' high cube fits two to four cars depending on size and whether the loader uses racking. Cost splits by cubic meters occupied.
Carriers apply W/M rules — weight or measurement, whichever yields more revenue. For cars, measurement almost always wins, so your CBM footprint decides your share.
Choose RoRo when
Your car runs, drives and steers. You want the lowest price. You accept that no personal items travel with the vehicle. The destination port has an active RoRo terminal with regular calls.
Choose a container when
The vehicle does not run, sits low, carries high value, or you want it enclosed. Containers also work where RoRo service is thin — several Pacific and Amazonian ports only receive container vessels.
What does a non-running vehicle cost extra?
RoRo terminals charge $150-$400 for winching a non-runner onto the deck. Some lanes refuse non-runners outright and force a container booking.
For salvage and auction units, container loading is usually the only path. Our Copart Vehicle Shipping Calculator 2026: From $1,150 covers auction pickup, title timing and non-running loading in detail.
What are the 2026 rules for EVs and hybrids?
Carriers tightened EV handling after the Fremantle Highway fire. As of 2026, expect a state-of-charge cap of 30%-50% on most RoRo services.
- Lithium battery declaration required at booking
- Damaged or previously-flooded EVs refused by most RoRo operators
- Some carriers apply an EV surcharge of $100–$300 per unit
- Container shipping of damaged EVs often needs a dangerous goods review
Classic cars follow a different logic. Enclosed sole-use containers with soft tie-downs are standard practice — see our Classic Car Shipping Calculator: 2026 Rates from $1,850.
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Use the calculator above →What are the 2026 prices on real US export routes?
Quick Answer: Real 2026 lane pricing ranges from $995 RoRo on Miami to Santo Domingo up to $4,800 for a sole-use container from Long Beach to Sydney. Transit runs 5 days on short Caribbean lanes and up to 45 days on Oceania and Mediterranean services with transshipment.
| Origin port | Destination port | RoRo range | Container range | Transit days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (USLAX) | Rotterdam (NLRTM) | $1,150–$2,100 | $3,400–$5,200 | 28–35 |
| Newark (USEWR) | Southampton (GBSOU) | $1,050–$1,850 | $2,900–$4,400 | 14–18 |
| Houston (USHOU) | Jebel Ali (AEJEA) | $1,750–$2,900 | $3,900–$5,800 | 32–40 |
| Baltimore (USBAL) | Bremerhaven (DEBRV) | $1,050–$1,750 | $2,800–$4,200 | 12–16 |
| Long Beach (USLGB) | Sydney (AUSYD) | $2,900–$4,800 | $4,600–$6,500 | 30–38 |
What about the Miami–Latin America corridor?
This is the lane set AB Group runs weekly. Short transits, high vessel frequency, and competitive RoRo and container options on the same sailing.
| Lane | RoRo range | Container range | Transit days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (USMIA) → Cartagena (COCTG) | $995–$1,450 | $1,850–$2,900 | 7–10 |
| Miami → Santo Domingo (DOSDQ) | $995–$1,350 | $1,750–$2,650 | 5–7 |
| Miami → Manzanillo (MXZLO) | $1,250–$1,850 | $2,300–$3,400 | 9–12 |
| Jacksonville (USJAX) → Callao (PECLL) | $1,400–$2,200 | $2,600–$3,900 | 14–18 |
| Miami → Santos (BRSSZ) | $1,600–$2,400 | $2,900–$4,200 | 18–24 |
Miami(USMIA)
Cartagena(COCTG)
Miami(USMIA)
Santo Domingo(DOSDQ)
Jacksonville(USJAX)
Callao(PECLL)
Why does the port pair matter more than distance?
Three things decide the rate: vessel frequency, transshipment, and whether RoRo service calls at all. Miami to Cartagena is short and served weekly, so it prices low.
Lanes that transship at Caucedo or Cartagena add 7-14 days and a second handling charge. A shorter distance with a transshipment can cost more than a longer direct call.
For Central America detail, see our Car Shipping El Salvador Calculator: Rates 2026 and the Car Shipping to Costa Rica Calculator: 2026 Rates.
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Use the calculator above →Do I have to pay import duty and VAT when shipping my car abroad?
Quick Answer: Yes. Almost every country charges import duty plus VAT or GST on an imported vehicle, calculated on the CIF value — cost of the car, insurance and freight combined. Rates range from 5% in the UAE to over 60% total landed tax in parts of Latin America and Oceania.
What is CIF value?
CIF value is vehicle value + insurance + freight. Customs uses that combined figure as the tax base — not what you paid for the car alone.
This catches people out. A $25,000 car with $2,000 freight and $500 insurance is assessed on $27,500.
| Country | Duty | VAT / GST | Other fees | Est. tax on a $25,000 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 10% | 20% | NOVA + IVA/MOT | ~$8,400 |
| EU (Germany, Spain) | 10% | 19%–21% | TÜV / homologation | ~$8,000–$8,700 |
| Australia | 5% | 10% GST + LCT | Quarantine cleaning $350–$900 | ~$4,500+ (LCT adds more) |
| Canada | 6.1% (non-NAFTA origin) | 5% GST + provincial | RIV fee CAD $325 | ~$3,300–$4,200 |
| UAE | 5% | 5% VAT | RTA inspection | ~$2,800 |
| New Zealand | 0% | 15% GST | Biosecurity + entry cert. | ~$4,100 |
| Japan | 0% | 10% consumption tax | Shaken inspection | ~$2,750 |
What do Latin American countries charge?
| Country | Authority | Duty | VAT / local tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | DIAN | 35% | 19% IVA | Model-year restrictions apply |
| Peru | SUNAT | 0%–9% | 18% IGV | ISC on some categories |
| Mexico | SAT | Varies by origin | 16% IVA + ISAN | USMCA origin can reduce duty |
| Dominican Republic | DGA | Varies | 18% ITBIS + CO2 tax | Age limits on used units |
| Costa Rica | Hacienda | Age-based steps | Included in combined rate | Older cars taxed higher |
Can returning residents avoid duty?
Sometimes. Many countries offer a returning-resident or diplomatic exemption. Most require 12 months of documented ownership abroad plus proof of residence change.
A calculator cannot price your duty
Colombia restricts certain model years. Costa Rica applies age-based tax steps. Australia adds Luxury Car Tax above a threshold. No online tool can infer your residency status, exemption eligibility or HS classification. Confirm duty treatment with a licensed customs broker in the destination country before you book.
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Use the calculator above →What documents do I need to export a car from the United States?
Quick Answer: You need the original certificate of title, a notarized bill of sale, a lien release if financed, a copy of your passport, and an AES filing that produces an ITN number. CBP requires the title and export documents at the port 72 hours before vessel loading.
What is an ITN and why does it stop loading?
The ITN is the Internal Transaction Number issued by the Automated Export System after you file. No ITN, no loading — terminals will not release the unit to the vessel.
Under 19 CFR 192.2, CBP requires the original title and export documentation at the port of export 72 hours before lading. Late paperwork means the car rolls to the next sailing and storage begins accruing. Full guidance is published by CBP in Importing a Motor Vehicle.
Origin document checklist
- Original certificate of title — a photocopy is not accepted
- Notarized bill of sale showing buyer, seller and price
- Lien release letter on bank letterhead if the car was financed
- Power of attorney for the forwarder or customs broker
- Passport or driver's license copy
- EIN or SSN for the AES filing
What does the destination side require?
Latin American clearances run on a specific document set. Missing one item stalls the entry and starts port storage charges.
- Factura Comercial — commercial invoice with full vehicle details
- Certificado de Origen where a trade agreement applies
- Importer RUT or NIT for Colombia (DIAN registration)
- Manifiesto de Carga filed by the carrier
- Bill of Lading — original or express release
What if you are bringing a car back to the US?
Two forms cover the import side. EPA Form 3520-1 for emissions and DOT Form HS-7 for safety conformity.
If the vehicle travels with household goods, add CBP Form 3299. Non-conforming vehicles generally need to be 25 years old or older to enter the US freely.
Homologation costs abroad
Getting a US-spec car registered in the EU, UK or Australia often requires modification: headlight aim, rear fog lamp, speedometer units, emissions certification. Budget $600–$3,500 depending on country and model. This is separate from duty and is never included in a freight quote.
What hidden fees raise your car shipping overseas cost?
Quick Answer: The most common hidden fees are destination port storage and demurrage, quarantine steam cleaning, terminal handling at destination, customs brokerage, and inland delivery from the discharge port. Together these add $400-$2,200 to a quote that looked complete on paper.
| Hidden fee | Typical cost | When it hits |
|---|---|---|
| Destination storage / demurrage | $25–$80 per day | After 3–7 free days |
| Quarantine steam cleaning (AU/NZ) | $350–$900 | On arrival inspection |
| Destination THC | $150–$400 | At discharge |
| Customs brokerage | $150–$350 | At entry filing |
| Inland delivery from port | $200–$1,200 | After clearance |
| Fuel draining (overfilled tank) | $75–$200 | At origin terminal |
How does free time and demurrage work?
Free time is the grace period before storage charges start. Most destination ports give 3-7 free days after discharge.
The number one cause of storage charges is a missing power of attorney at destination. The broker cannot file the entry, the clock runs, and the importer pays daily.
What about fuel and personal items?
Most RoRo carriers require under a quarter tank of fuel. Terminals charge $75-$200 to drain an overfilled vehicle before loading.
RoRo prohibits personal items outright. CBP or destination customs can fine or seize the vehicle for undeclared goods in the trunk. Do not test this.
Inspection and detention holds
Customs can place a hold for physical inspection, VIN verification or valuation review. Holds typically run 3–10 days and storage keeps accruing during the hold. Destination charges quoted in local currency also move with the exchange rate between booking and arrival — budget a 3%–5% buffer.
How do Incoterms and marine insurance change your quote?
Quick Answer: Your Incoterm decides which charges the calculator includes. FOB covers origin only. CFR adds ocean freight. CIF adds marine insurance. DAP carries the car to the destination address before duty. DDP includes duty and VAT, and exposes the seller to import-side liability.
| Incoterm 2020 | Origin handling | Ocean freight | Insurance | Duty / VAT | Final delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer |
| FOB | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer |
| CFR | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer |
| CIF | Seller | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Buyer |
| DAP | Seller | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Seller |
| DDP | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
Most personal vehicle moves run CFR or CIF port-to-port. That gives you a clean freight number and leaves clearance to a local broker who knows the rules.
DDP rarely makes sense for a private individual. It requires the shipper to register as importer of record abroad and absorb duty risk on a valuation you do not control.
All-risk marine insurance
Costs 1.5%–2.5% of declared value, minimum $150–$250. Covers physical loss and damage in transit, including handling. This is the standard choice for vehicles above $15,000.
Total-loss-only cover
Cheaper, often under 1% of value. Pays only if the vessel sinks or the vehicle is completely destroyed. Scratches, dents and partial damage are not covered. Suitable for low-value units.
What does marine insurance never cover?
- Pre-existing damage noted on the condition report
- Personal items left inside the vehicle
- Mechanical or electrical failure not caused by an insured event
- RoRo scratch-and-dent below the policy deductible
Declared value feeds two numbers at once. It sets your insurance premium and it feeds destination customs valuation. Inflating the value raises both.
How do you estimate your own cost and spot a lowball quote?
Quick Answer: Estimate your cost with a four-step formula: base lane freight, plus origin and destination handling, plus inland trucking, plus duty and VAT on CIF value. Any quote that lands more than 20% under the market range is missing line items you will pay later.
Worked example: 2020 Honda CR-V, Atlanta to Cartagena
- Start with base RoRo lane freight, Miami–Cartagena: $1,150
- Add origin THC, documentation and AES filing: $185 + $75 + $45 = $305
- Add inland trucking Atlanta ZIP to PortMiami: $475
- Add BAF and ISPS: $95 + $12 = $107
- Add destination THC and brokerage in Cartagena: $210 + $180 = $390
- Total shipping cost before tax: $2,427
- Calculate duty and IVA on CIF value ($18,000 car + $2,427 freight + $360 insurance = $20,787): 35% duty + 19% IVA ≈ $11,000
Landed cost: roughly $13,400 on top of the vehicle price. The freight was only 18% of that.
How do you calculate shared-container CBM?
Measure length × width × height in meters. A CR-V at 4.62 × 1.86 × 1.68 equals about 14.4 CBM.
A 40' HC has 28-30 CBM of usable loading volume for vehicles. Your share is 14.4 ÷ 29 ≈ 50% of the container cost, plus a consolidation fee. Carriers applying W/M rules bill by revenue ton when weight exceeds measurement — rare for passenger cars, common for trucks and machinery.
Five red flags of a lowball quote
- No line items — a single lump sum with no breakdown
- No port pair named — "to Colombia" instead of Cartagena (COCTG)
- No free-time terms stated for the destination port
- No AES or documentation fee listed — someone will bill it later
- Price valid over 30 days — real lane rates move with BAF quarterly
Five ways to cut the bill
Choose RoRo over container when the car runs. Drive the vehicle to the load port yourself and save $250–$900. Book in the January–March soft season. Avoid transshipment lanes where a direct call exists. Consolidate with a second vehicle to split a 40' HC and cut per-unit cost by 30%–40%.
With thousands of vehicle shipments processed across the Miami–LatAm corridor, the pattern repeats: the cheapest quote on paper is rarely the cheapest at the destination gate. Compare all three methods on your actual lane using the international car shipping cost calculator on this page.
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Compare RoRo, shared container and sole-use container rates side by side — no email required.
Use the calculator above →Frequently asked questions
Shipping a car overseas from the USA costs $995-$1,900 by RoRo, $1,850-$3,600 in a shared container, and $3,200-$6,500 in a sole-use 20' container. Short Caribbean and Central American lanes sit at the low end, while Oceania and transpacific lanes reach the top. Destination duty and VAT are separate and can add 15%-60% of the vehicle's CIF value.
RoRo is the cheapest way to ship a running car internationally, typically 35%-50% less than a sole-use container. The car is driven onto a dedicated vessel deck and strapped down, so there is no container, loading labor, or blocking and bracing cost. The trade-off is that no personal items are allowed and the vehicle sits on an open deck.
Accurate within 5%-10% for standard sedans and SUVs on published lanes with a named origin and destination port. Accuracy drops on oversized, non-running, classic, or electric vehicles, and on lanes that require transshipment. No calculator can price destination duty and VAT precisely, because that depends on your customs valuation and residency status.
Container transit runs 5-7 days from Miami to Santo Domingo, 7-10 days to Cartagena, 12-16 days from Baltimore to Bremerhaven, and 30-38 days from Long Beach to Sydney. Add 3-7 days for port loading and cut-off, plus 3-10 days for customs clearance at destination before you can collect the vehicle.
You need the original certificate of title, a notarized bill of sale, a lien release if the car was financed, a copy of your passport, and an AES filing that generates an ITN number. CBP requires these at the export port 72 hours before the vessel loads. Missing paperwork means the car rolls to the next sailing and storage fees begin.
Stop comparing lump-sum broker prices. Use the international car shipping cost calculator above to price RoRo, shared container and sole-use container on your exact port pair — with line items visible, no email gate, and no follow-up call queue. Enter your origin ZIP, destination port and vehicle details, and you will have three real numbers in under a minute.