Quick Answer: RoRo car shipping from Miami to Latin America costs $950-$1,800 per vehicle, while a dedicated 20' container runs $2,300-$3,600 and shared container consolidation lands at $1,400-$2,200. RoRo wins on price for running vehicles; containers win on security, personal-effects allowance, and coverage for non-running or classic cars.
- RoRo from PortMiami runs $950-$1,800 per car; a 20' container runs $2,300-$3,600 and fits 1-2 vehicles plus household goods.
- RoRo requires a running, drivable vehicle with keys — non-runners, project cars, and classics must go in a container.
- Shared container consolidation (2-3 cars per 40' HC) costs $1,400-$2,200 per unit and beats RoRo on many low-volume lanes.
- The embedded calculator at #quote-calc prices RoRo, sole-use container, and consolidation side by side for the same VIN and destination port.
The gap between the two methods narrows fast once you add destination handling, deconsolidation, and marine insurance. A calculadora roro vs contenedor carro that prices all three modes together is the only way to see the real total.
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Use the calculator above →RoRo vs Container Car Shipping Calculator: How Does It Work?
Quick Answer: The calculator on this page prices three options at once: RoRo, sole-use container, and shared consolidation. Enter the year, make, model, running condition, origin ZIP, and destination port. It returns ocean freight, origin terminal handling, documentation, and estimated transit days in under 30 seconds.
Most online tools give you one number and hide the rest. This calculadora roro vs contenedor carro splits every line item so you can see where the money goes.
Which inputs actually change the price?
Five fields drive the quote. Everything else is secondary.
- Vehicle dimensions (L×W×H): RoRo carriers bill by cubic meter of vehicle footprint, not by weight.
- Curb weight: matters for container lashing and for heavy pickups over 3,000 kg.
- Running vs non-running: a non-runner removes RoRo from the results entirely.
- Origin ZIP: inland trucking to PortMiami adds $250-$600 depending on distance.
- Destination port: Cartagena, Callao, and Santos each carry different DTHC and free-time rules.
Why does the calculator ask for the VIN?
CBP requires the VIN on the AES/EEI filing. The agency also matches the VIN against the physical title copy submitted 72 hours before export. Enter it early and the booking moves faster.
What does the output include?
The quote breaks down into ocean freight, origin THC, documentation fee, and AES filing. Marine insurance is optional and prices at 1.5-2.5% of declared value.
Pro Tip
Some cargo cannot be auto-priced: oversized RVs, tracked machinery, dangerous goods, and vehicles with damaged lithium batteries. Those route to a custom quote form at the same anchor. Shipping two wheels instead of four? See our guide on Motorcycle Shipping from USA to Central America: 2026 Rates and Container Options for crate and consolidation pricing.
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Use the calculator above →How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car by Sea in 2026?
Quick Answer: Shipping a car by sea from Miami costs $950-$1,800 by RoRo, $1,400-$2,200 in a shared container, and $2,300-$3,600 for a sole-use 20' container. Add $250-$600 for inland trucking to PortMiami and $150-$400 in destination port charges before customs duties.
Owners asking cuanto sale transportar un auto en barco usually see one headline rate. The real number includes origin, ocean, and destination legs.
2026 lane-by-lane rates from Miami
| Route | RoRo (sedan) | 20' sole-use container | Transit days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami → Cartagena (COCTG) | $950–$1,300 | $2,300–$2,900 | 5–7 |
| Miami → Santo Domingo (DOHAI) | $1,050–$1,400 | $2,400–$3,000 | 8–10 |
| Miami → Manzanillo (MXZLO) | $1,300–$1,700 | $2,900–$3,500 | 10–14 |
| Miami → Callao (PEPCL) | $1,250–$1,650 | $2,800–$3,400 | 12–16 |
| Miami → Santos (BRSSZ) | $1,450–$1,800 | $3,100–$3,600 | 18–22 |
| Miami → Buenos Aires (ARBUE) | $1,500–$1,800 | $3,200–$3,600 | 18–22 |
Miami(USMIA)
Cartagena(COCTG)
Miami(USMIA)
Callao(PEPCL)
Miami(USMIA)
Santo Domingo(DOHAI)
Why does a pickup cost more than a sedan?
RoRo lines charge by the vehicle's footprint in cubic meters. A Ford F-250 occupies far more deck space than a Honda Civic. On the same sailing, expect the pickup to cost 35-50% more.
The shortest RoRo lane in the corridor. Weekly sailings from PortMiami make Cartagena the cheapest and fastest entry point into South America for vehicles.
Which line items do buyers miss?
- BAF (bunker adjustment factor) — fuel surcharge, $40-$120 per unit.
- ISPS security fee — $12-$35 per vehicle at both ends.
- Wharfage and terminal handling — billed at origin and again at destination.
- DTHC in local currency — $150-$400 at the destination port, invoiced in COP, PEN, or BRL.
Insurance is never bundled into the freight rate. Declared-value marine coverage runs 1.5-2.5% of the stated vehicle value. Skip it and you carry the risk yourself.
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Use the calculator above →RoRo or Container: Which One Is Right for Your Car?
Quick Answer: Choose RoRo when the vehicle runs, drives, and carries nothing inside. Choose a container when the car is non-running, high-value, classic, modified, or when you want to load personal effects, spare parts, or tools alongside it. Container also protects against port handling damage and weather exposure.
The question roro o contenedor cual conviene has one honest answer: it depends on the car, not the price alone.
What are the hard rules for RoRo?
RoRo terminals enforce these without exception. Stevedores drive your car onto the vessel deck.
- The vehicle must start, steer, and brake under its own power.
- Fuel tank at one quarter or less.
- No loose items in the cabin, trunk, or bed.
- Keys surrendered at the terminal gate.
- No alarms that immobilize the vehicle.
How are containers loaded?
Two methods dominate. Soft-strap lashing on a steel rack lifts one car above another inside a 40' HC. Wheel chocks with wood bracing sit the vehicle flat on the container floor. Insurers price these two methods differently — racked loads usually carry lower claim rates. Industry comparisons from RoRo vs Container Shipping: Which Is Better for Car Exports reach the same conclusion on handling risk.
The cost trade-off
You own an $18,000 used SUV headed to Cartagena. RoRo quotes $1,150. A sole-use 20' container quotes $2,600. That $1,450 gap is 8% of the vehicle's value. The SUV runs fine, has no aftermarket parts, and you have no household goods to send. RoRo is the rational call. Book insurance at 2% and accept the deck exposure.
The security trade-off
Same SUV, but you added a $4,000 sound system and want to ship four spare tires and a toolbox. RoRo bans everything loose in the cabin. A container seals and locks, and declared personal effects clear customs on the packing list. The extra $1,450 buys weather protection, theft protection, and cargo space you would otherwise ship separately at higher cost.
When does container win outright?
- Vehicles valued above $40,000 — classics, exotics, low-mileage collectibles.
- Non-running, salvage-title, or project cars.
- Lowered or modified vehicles that scrape RoRo ramps.
- Shipments that combine a car with household goods in one move.
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Price your exact vehicle in RoRo, container, and consolidation modes at once.
Use the calculator above →When Does a Shared Container Beat RoRo on Price?
Quick Answer: Shared container consolidation beats RoRo when two or three vehicles fill a 40' high cube, or when the destination port charges a RoRo surcharge above $300. Splitting a $4,200 container three ways lands near $1,400 per car — often below RoRo once destination handling and storage are counted.
Consolidation is the option most owners never price. It is the reason a full calculadora roro vs contenedor carro must show three columns, not two.
What does the consolidation math look like?
A 40' high cube holds two full-size SUVs on a rack, or three compact sedans. On Miami→Cartagena the container books at roughly $4,200 all-in. Split three ways, per-unit cost lands at $1,400-$2,200.
| Mode | Units per box | Per-car cost (Miami→Cartagena) | Loading time |
|---|---|---|---|
| RoRo | 1 | $950–$1,300 | Same-day drive-on |
| Shared 40' HC (3 sedans) | 3 | $1,400–$1,700 | 5–9 day CFS wait |
| Shared 40' HC (2 SUVs) | 2 | $1,900–$2,200 | 5–9 day CFS wait |
| Sole-use 20' | 1 | $2,300–$2,900 | 2–4 days |
What is the timing cost of consolidation?
Weekly Miami consolidation sailings mean a 5-9 day CFS cut-off wait while the box fills. Add that to your door-to-door plan. RoRo often departs faster because it does not wait for co-loaders.
Which ports favor containers over RoRo?
RoRo service is thin or expensive at Buenaventura, Puerto Cortés, and several Caribbean secondary ports. Container handling there is routine and cheaper. Deconsolidation at the bonded CFS adds $180-$350 per vehicle, and the calculator includes it on lanes where it applies.
Pro Tip
Most Latin American ports give only 5-7 days of free time. After that, demurrage on the container and per-diem detention start accruing at $60-$150 per day. Appoint your destination customs broker before the vessel arrives, not after.
What Documents Do You Need to Export a Vehicle from the USA?
Quick Answer: CBP requires the original title or a certified copy, a bill of sale, the shipper's ID, a power of attorney for the forwarder, and an AES/EEI filing with the VIN. Documents must reach the export port at least 72 hours before vessel loading under 19 CFR 192.
Paperwork sinks more vehicle bookings than freight rates do. Get it right and the car sails on the first available vessel.
- Original Certificate of Title or certified copy — presented physically to CBP.
- Bill of Sale showing the purchase price used for CIF valuation.
- Shipper photo ID and, for companies, the EIN.
- Power of Attorney authorizing AB Group to file the AES/EEI.
- Lienholder release letter — notarized, on bank letterhead, if a loan appears on the title.
Why does the 72-hour rule matter?
Per 19 CFR 192, CBP must inspect the title and physically verify the VIN before export. Miss the window and your car rolls to the next sailing — that can mean seven more days plus terminal storage.
What does the destination side require?
Expect a Factura Comercial, Certificado de Origen, and the Bill of Lading. Colombia adds the RUT or NIT; Mexico requires the RFC.
Check age limits before you book
Colombia bans most used-vehicle imports outright. Peru and Chile enforce model-year caps. The Dominican Republic taxes by age band, and older cars pay steeply more. Confirm eligibility with a licensed customs broker in the destination country before paying freight. The duty-calculation method in our Import Duties on Machinery from USA to Colombia: Complete 2026 Guide applies to vehicles as well.
How Do Import Duties Change the Real Cost of Your Car?
Quick Answer: Import duties often exceed the ocean freight. Most Latin American countries assess duty on CIF value, then add VAT on top of duty. Combined tax burden runs 25-90% of vehicle value depending on country, engine size, and model year — far more than the RoRo versus container difference.
Owners planning transporte maritimo de vehiculos usa latinoamerica often obsess over a $400 freight gap. The tax bill is the bigger number.
| Country | Authority | Typical duty | VAT / consumption tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | DIAN | 15–35% | 19% IVA |
| Peru | SUNAT | 0–11% | 18% IGV + ISC |
| Mexico | SAT | 10–50% | 16% IVA + ISAN |
| Dominican Republic | DGA | 10–20% | 18% ITBIS + CO₂ tax |
| Chile | Aduana / SII | 6% | 19% IVA |
| Argentina | AFIP | 35% | 21% IVA + internal taxes |
| Brazil | Receita Federal | 35% | ICMS + IPI + PIS/COFINS |
Rates shift with policy. Treat this table as a planning range, not a ruling.
How does CIF valuation work?
Customs values your car at cost + insurance + freight. A lower RoRo freight rate therefore shaves a little off the tax base too. On a 35% duty plus 19% VAT structure, saving $600 in freight saves roughly $340 in taxes.
Are there exemptions?
Yes, in specific cases. US Customs Form 3299 covers household goods and personal effects for returning residents. Several countries waive or reduce duty for citizens repatriating after two or more years abroad. Diplomatic shipments follow separate rules.
Confirm the HS code first
Engine displacement and hybrid/EV brackets change the rate in Mexico and Costa Rica. Vehicles classify under HS heading 8703.xx, and the subheading decides the percentage. AB Group Shipping is a freight forwarder, not legal counsel — duty and tax questions belong with a licensed customs broker in the destination country. For a full move including a car, see International Moving Costs from USA to Chile: 2026 Prices & Required Documents.
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Ocean freight, terminal handling, and transit days for your route in under 30 seconds.
Use the calculator above →How Do You Book and Track Your Vehicle Shipment?
Quick Answer: Booking takes four steps: run the calculator, lock the sailing, deliver the vehicle and title, then receive the Bill of Lading. AB Group files the AES/EEI, books the space, and sends the B/L within 48-72 hours of sailing. Track by container or booking number until arrival.
With thousands of shipments processed across the Miami-LatAm corridor, the sequence below rarely changes.
- Price all three modes at #quote-calc, then confirm the sailing date and the CFS or RoRo terminal cut-off. Cut-off and vessel ETD are not the same date.
- Deliver the car with a quarter tank, clean interior, and no personal items — unless it ships in a container with declared effects.
- Submit the title to CBP 72 hours before loading. The AES ITN comes back and prints on the Bill of Lading.
- Collect the original B/L, released against payment. Telex release speeds up pickup at destination.
Appoint your destination customs broker before the vessel arrives. Free time is short and storage adds up fast at Cartagena and Callao.
Shipping a car alongside furniture? Read Moving to Ecuador from USA: 2026 Complete Cost Guide & Required Documents. If a part fails after delivery, air freight moves faster — the math is in How to Calculate Air Freight Rates USA to Colombia: 2026 Per-Kilogram Formula Guide. For South Cone specifics, see our Car Shipping to Argentina: Complete 2026 Guide to Costs. A useful visual breakdown of both loading methods appears in this Car Shipping Guide: Container vs. RORO Shipping Explained, and the trade-offs mirror those documented in RoRo Vs Container Shipping From Europe: 2026 Comparison.
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RoRo, container, and consolidation — one calculator, one VIN, three real prices.
Use the calculator above →Frequently Asked Questions
RoRo is usually cheaper for a single running vehicle, at $950-$1,800 from Miami versus $2,300-$3,600 for a sole-use 20' container. However, shared container consolidation drops the per-car cost to $1,400-$2,200, which can beat RoRo once destination handling fees are counted. Run both options in the calculator on this page for your exact port.
No, not on a RoRo sailing. Carriers require an empty cabin and trunk, keys surrendered, and no more than a quarter tank of fuel. Container shipments do allow declared personal effects, but everything must appear on the packing list and the commercial invoice for customs clearance.
Transit runs 5-7 days to Cartagena, 8-12 days to Santo Domingo and Manzanillo, 12-16 days to Callao, and 18-22 days to Santos or Buenos Aires. Add 3-7 days for booking, title clearance with CBP, and terminal cut-off before the vessel actually sails.
Yes, but only inside a container. RoRo terminals require the vehicle to start, steer, and brake under its own power. Non-runners, salvage titles, and project cars load into a 20' or 40' container with winching and bracing, which adds $150-$400 in loading labor.
Yes. CBP requires the original certificate of title or a certified copy submitted at the export port at least 72 hours before loading, under 19 CFR 192. If a lienholder appears on the title, you also need a notarized release letter on bank letterhead.
Stop guessing between deck and box. Use the calculator above to price RoRo, sole-use container, and shared consolidation for your exact vehicle and destination port — real 2026 rates, transit days, and line-item breakdowns in under 30 seconds, with no email required and no follow-up calls.