Quick Answer: Shipping a car with household goods from Miami in one 20 ft container to Cartagena, Colombia, with AB Group Shipping it costs from $1,920 (September 2026 quote), with about 4 days of transit. The container fits one mid-size car plus roughly 450-600 cubic feet of furniture and boxes. The price excludes import taxes and destination charges.
- One 20ft container fits one sedan or SUV plus roughly 450-600 cubic feet of household goods — about 3-4 rooms of furniture.
- Combined shipping saves $900-$2,200 versus booking separate auto transport and a moving company, and cuts customs filings from two to one.
- RoRo is cheaper for the car alone but bans all personal effects — container is the only legal option for a combined move.
- The calculator on this page prices the car and your household goods volume together, with ocean freight, port charges and transit time included.
Most families discover the problem too late: the auto transport quote and the moving company quote never line up on dates, ports or paperwork. A single container solves both at once, and the ship car with household goods calculator on this page prices them as one shipment.
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Go to the calculator →Reference prices: shipping a vehicle from Miami
| Destination | One vehicle | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| El SalvadorAcajutla | $3,302 | 26 days |
| HondurasPuerto Cortes | $2,770 | 21 days |
| GuatemalaSanto Tomas de Castilla | $2,794 | 4 days |
| Dominican RepublicCaucedo | $2,545 | 12 days |
| ColombiaCartagena | $1,920 | 4 days |
| PanamaRodman | $2,220 | 21 days |
| PeruCallao | $2,220 | 19 days |
| EcuadorGuayaquil | $2,220 | 17 days |
Port-to-port rates in USD from Port Everglades, calculated with our quoting system (current since September 28, 2026). One vehicle: in its own 20 ft container. They include freight and US export charges; they do not include import taxes or local charges at destination. The calculator on this page gives your exact price, with pickup and delivery.
How much does it cost to ship a car with household goods?
Quick Answer: Shipping a car with household goods costs from $1,920 (Colombia) to $2,680 (Mexico) in one 20ft container from PortMiami to most Latin American ports in 2026. A 40ft container runs approx. $2,800 (Colombia) to $3,680 (Brazil) and fits two vehicles or one car plus 1,000+ cubic feet of goods. Door-to-door service adds approx. $700-$1,800.
Price depends on four things: the lane, the container size, your goods volume and the season. Vehicle value does not change the freight rate. It only changes your insurance premium and destination duty.
Real 2026 lane pricing from PortMiami
These are port-to-port ranges for a 20ft container carrying one car plus household goods. They reflect current market conditions across the Miami-LatAm corridor.
MiamiUSMIA
CartagenaCOCTG
MiamiUSMIA
CallaoPECLL
MiamiUSMIA
VeracruzMXVER
MiamiUSMIA
SantosBRSSZ
| Lane from Miami | 20ft (car + goods) | 40ft | 40ft HC | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartagena, Colombia | $1,920 | approx. $2,800 | $2,800 | 7–10 days |
| Callao, Peru | $2,220 | approx. $3,100 | $3,100 | 12–15 days |
| Veracruz, Mexico | $2,680 | approx. $3,580 | $3,580 | 9–12 days |
| Santos, Brazil | $2,670 | approx. $3,680 | $3,680 | 18–22 days |
| Santo Domingo, DR | $2,545 | approx. $3,500 | $3,500 | 5–7 days |
What the all-in number actually contains
An honest quote itemizes every line. A vague "all-in" number usually hides destination charges you pay later.
- Ocean freight — the base carrier rate for the box
- Origin THC — terminal handling at PortMiami
- BAF and CAF — bunker and currency adjustment factors
- ISPS — port security fee, usually $25-$45
- Documentation and B/L fee — $85-$150
- Destination DTHC — terminal handling at arrival, $280-$650
- Drayage — trucking from port to your address if door service applies
Duties and destination taxes stay out of the freight quote. They depend on the vehicle's CIF value, its age and your residency status. A licensed customs broker in the destination country confirms the exact figure.
Typical savings when a family ships one car plus three rooms of furniture in a single 20ft container instead of booking auto transport and an international mover separately.
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Go to the calculator →What is a combined car and household goods shipping calculator?
Quick Answer: A combined car and household goods shipping calculator is a pricing tool that takes your vehicle dimensions and your household goods volume, then returns one container rate covering both. It replaces the old process of getting an auto transport quote and a separate moving quote that never matched up.
The tool works backward from container capacity. It converts your car into occupied cubic feet, subtracts that from usable container volume, then checks whether your goods fit in what remains.
What the calculator asks for
- Vehicle year, make and model — this sets length, width and height
- Household goods volume in cubic feet or CBM
- Origin ZIP code or the Miami CFS warehouse
- Destination port or full door address
- Whether the vehicle runs under its own power
Enter a Toyota RAV4 and 500 cubic feet of goods, and the tool returns a 20ft rate. Enter a Chevy Suburban and 900 cubic feet, and it moves you to a 40ft high cube.
Shared containers for smaller loads
Families under 250 cubic feet do not need a full box. A consolidated LCL container shipment lets you share a 40ft container with other shippers. AB Group runs weekly Miami consolidations to Cartagena, Santo Domingo and Guatemala.
Shared loading suits a motorcycle or compact car plus boxes. It costs less per cubic foot, but transit adds 4-8 days for deconsolidation at destination.
Pro Tip
Generic per-mile auto transport calculators only price the truck leg. They ignore ocean freight, terminal handling, customs entry and destination drayage — which together make up 60-70% of an international move. Before you compare quotes, read Affordable International Moving 2026: 12 Ways to Save Money on Your Household Goods Shipment.
Can I put household goods inside my car when shipping it?
Quick Answer: Yes for container shipments, no for RoRo. Ocean carriers allow packed personal effects inside a vehicle only when the car travels inside a sealed container, and most cap loose weight at about 100 pounds. RoRo carriers prohibit all personal items because drivers board the vessel with the vehicle.
The 100 pound rule is not federal law. It is a carrier and NVOCC operating policy, and it is enforced at the loading dock with a scale.
Why the weight cap exists
Loose weight inside a car shifts during transit. Suspension load, tie-down calculations and container floor loading all assume a stated vehicle weight. Exceed it and the loading crew re-packs your car at your expense, usually $150-$400 in labor.
Items must sit in the trunk, below window level, out of sight. Nothing on seats. Nothing in the footwells blocking pedals.
Domestic trailers and insurance exclusions
Most US auto transport carriers exclude personal effects from cargo insurance entirely. FMCSA-registered carriers hold liability for the vehicle, not its contents. If your boxes disappear, the claim gets denied.
Marine cargo policies follow the same logic. Loose items packed in a vehicle are typically excluded unless professionally crated and listed on the valued inventory.
Undeclared goods trigger seizure
According to CBP regulations, every item leaving the US inside a vehicle must appear on the packing list and valued inventory. DIAN in Colombia, SUNAT in Peru and SAT in Mexico physically open vehicle doors and trunks during exam. Unlisted contents draw fines, storage charges and in some cases seizure of the whole shipment. Review the CBP guidance on Importing a Motor Vehicle before you pack anything inside the car.
Will a car and my furniture fit in a 20 foot container?
Quick Answer: Yes. A 20ft container offers about 1,170 usable cubic feet. A mid-size sedan occupies roughly 550-650 cubic feet, leaving 450-600 cubic feet for furniture and boxes — about three rooms. A full-size SUV or pickup leaves 250-400 cubic feet, which suits a one-bedroom household.
Volume decides the container size, not weight. A 20ft box carries 28,200 kg of payload. Your car and furniture together rarely pass 5,000 kg.
| Container | Internal dims (L×W×H) | Usable cu ft | Vehicles that fit | Goods space left | Miami→LatAm cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 19'4" × 7'8" × 7'10" | ~1,170 | 1 sedan or compact SUV | 450–600 cu ft | $1,920 (Colombia)–$2,680 (Mexico) |
| 40ft standard | 39'5" × 7'8" × 7'10" | ~2,390 | 1 large SUV or 2 sedans | 1,000–1,800 cu ft | approx. $2,800–$3,680 |
| 40ft high cube | 39'5" × 7'8" × 8'10" | ~2,694 | 2 sedans or 1 pickup + 1 compact | 1,200–2,000 cu ft | $2,800 (Colombia)–$3,680 (Brazil) |
Vehicle footprint examples
- Honda Civic — about 520 cu ft, leaves roughly 650 cubic feet in a 20ft
- Toyota RAV4 — about 610 cu ft, leaves roughly 560 cubic feet
- Ford F-150 crew cab — about 880 cu ft, leaves roughly 290 cubic feet
- Chevy Suburban — about 930 cu ft, 40ft container recommended
- Sprinter van — about 1,050 cu ft, needs a 40ft high cube for any goods
20ft: one car, three rooms
The car loads first, nose in, then gets blocked and braced with wood chocks and ratchet straps. A plywood bulkhead goes up behind the rear bumper. Furniture and cartons stack behind it, floor to ceiling. This setup handles a sedan plus a bedroom, living room and kitchen.
40ft HC: two cars or a full house
The high cube adds a foot of headroom, which matters for tall wardrobes and stacked mattresses. Families with four or more bedrooms need this size. It also fits two sedans loaded nose-to-tail with roughly 300 cubic feet left over for boxes above and around them.
Check your door height before booking
Container door openings run 7'6" on a standard box and 8'5" on a high cube. Lifted trucks, roof racks, light bars and cargo boxes push vehicles past that limit. Remove them before loading day, or the container gets rejected and you pay a dry run fee of $350-$550.
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Go to the calculator →Is it cheaper to ship your car and belongings together or separately?
Quick Answer: Together is cheaper in almost every international move. One combined container costs about $3,275-$5,065 all-in, with ocean freight from $1,920 (Colombia) to $2,680 (Mexico), while separate auto transport plus an international moving company typically totals approx. $6,180-$8,040 for the same volume. You also pay one set of port charges, one customs entry and one insurance policy instead of two.
| Item | Ship together (one 20ft) | Ship separately |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean freight | $1,920–$2,680 | approx. $1,600 (RoRo car) + from $1,869 (LCL goods) |
| Origin THC | $285 (once) | $285 × 2 = $570 |
| Destination DTHC | $320–$650 (once) | $640–$1,300 |
| Customs entry + broker | $350–$550 (one entry) | $700–$1,100 (two entries) |
| Drayage / delivery | $400–$900 | $800–$1,600 |
| Marine insurance | 1 policy, 1.5–2.5% of value | 2 policies, higher minimums |
| Typical total | $3,275–$5,065 | approx. $6,180–$8,040 |
| Paperwork sets | 1 B/L, 2 inventory annexes | 2 B/Ls, 2 entries, 2 exams possible |
| Timeline | Both clear the same day | 7–21 day gap, storage risk |
The duplicate charges you avoid
Separate shipments double every fixed fee. You pay two origin THCs, two DTHCs, two drayage moves and two customs entry fees. None of those scale down because the shipment is smaller.
Timing matters just as much. When the car clears on Tuesday and the furniture arrives three weeks later, you pay a second storage window and a second delivery truck.
When separate shipping actually wins
- Your goods volume sits under about 150 cubic feet — courier or air beats a container
- The destination only accepts RoRo for your vehicle class
- You ship heavy machinery that needs breakbulk handling
- The car must arrive weeks before the household goods for work reasons
For a vehicle-only comparison on the Colombia lane, check the Car Shipping to Colombia Calculator: Instant Rates. Run both numbers before you decide.
Average cost difference between one combined container and separate auto transport plus an international moving company on Miami-LatAm lanes in 2026.
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Go to the calculator →How do you calculate cubic feet of household goods for shipping?
Quick Answer: Multiply each item's length, width and height in inches, then divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet. Faster method: count rooms and use standard averages — a bedroom runs about 250-350 cubic feet, a living room 300-450. Add 10% for packing material and irregular shapes.
Ocean container pricing runs on volume, not weight. Getting the cubic feet right is the single most important input in the ship car with household goods calculator.
| Room | Cubic feet range | Typical items | Boxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master bedroom | 300–400 | Bed, dresser, nightstands, wardrobe | 12–18 |
| Secondary bedroom | 200–300 | Bed, dresser, desk | 8–14 |
| Living room | 300–450 | Sofa, armchairs, TV, tables, rug | 10–16 |
| Dining room | 150–250 | Table, 6 chairs, sideboard | 6–10 |
| Kitchen | 150–300 | Small appliances, cookware, dishes | 15–25 |
| Home office | 100–200 | Desk, chair, shelving, files | 8–12 |
| Garage / storage | 150–400 | Tools, bikes, seasonal items | 10–20 |
Conversions you will need
- 1 CBM = 35.3 cubic feet
- Small box (book carton) = 1.5 cu ft
- Medium box = 3.0 cu ft
- Large box = 4.5 cu ft
- Dish pack / wardrobe = 6.0 cu ft
Weight still matters at destination
Freight is volume-driven. Customs is not. DIAN, SUNAT and SAT all require declared gross weight on the Manifiesto de Carga. Underdeclaring weight delays release and triggers re-weighing at the terminal.
Pro Tip
Number every carton with a marker and photograph each one open before you seal it. Log the number, contents and declared value in a spreadsheet as you pack. That spreadsheet becomes your valued inventory, and it saves 4-6 hours of paperwork later. It also settles insurance claims fast when a customs exam disturbs your load.
Underestimating volume at the dock is expensive. If your goods overflow the booked container, the crew leaves items behind or upgrades you to a 40ft on the spot at spot-market pricing, usually 20-35% above the booked rate. Overestimate by 10% instead.
Container vs RoRo vs domestic trailer: which option allows personal goods?
Quick Answer: Container shipping is the only method that legally carries a car with household goods overseas. RoRo forbids all personal effects and only accepts running vehicles. Domestic auto transport trailers allow limited items in some states, but cargo insurance usually excludes them entirely, leaving you uncovered.
| Method | Cost (Miami→LatAm) | Personal goods allowed | Transit | Insurance | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FCL container (sole use) | $1,920–$2,680 | Yes, unlimited within volume | 7–22 days | Full marine cargo | Low |
| Shared / LCL container | approx. $1,869 (Colombia)–$2,472 (Guatemala) | Yes, listed inventory only | 12–28 days | Marine cargo, higher deductible | Medium |
| RoRo | approx. $1,150–$2,100 | No — prohibited | 6–18 days | Vehicle only, limited | Medium-high |
| Domestic trailer (US only) | $650–$1,900 | Up to ~100 lbs, uninsured | 3–10 days | Vehicle only, effects excluded | Medium |
Why RoRo bans personal effects
RoRo vessels work like floating parking garages. Longshoremen drive each vehicle aboard and leave it unlocked with the key in the ignition. Under the ISPS code, terminals cannot secure loose contents in an open deck environment.
RoRo also rejects non-running vehicles. Terminals either refuse them or charge $400-$900 in special handling. A container with winching is the practical answer for a project car or a dead battery.
Shared containers for smaller households
A consolidated container fits families with 150-350 cubic feet plus a motorcycle or compact car. AB Group loads weekly Miami sailings to Cartagena and Santo Domingo. You pay by the cubic meter, and your cargo shares the box with vetted co-loaders.
Collector and enclosed-transport vehicles follow different rules. See the Classic Car Shipping Calculator: 2026 Instant Quotes for sole-use container handling on high-value cars.
Never book RoRo for a loaded car
Terminals inspect vehicles at the gate. If they find boxes, suitcases or spare parts inside, they unload them onto the dock and charge storage. Your sailing gets missed. Some carriers issue a permanent booking ban after a second violation. If you have goods to move, book a container from the start.
What paperwork do I need to ship a car and household goods overseas?
Quick Answer: You need the original vehicle title, a bill of sale, EPA Form 3520-1, DOT Form HS-7, an AES filing with ITN, CBP Form 3299 for household goods, a valued inventory and a packing list. CBP requires the title at the port 72 business hours before vessel loading.
Vehicle documents
- Original Certificate of Title — no photocopies accepted by CBP
- Lien release letter — required if the car is financed
- Bill of sale — establishes declared value for duty
- Notarized power of attorney — authorizes the forwarder to export
- EPA Form 3520-1 — emissions declaration
- DOT Form HS-7 — safety standards declaration
- AES filing with ITN — mandatory for any vehicle export
Household goods documents
- CBP Form 3299 — declaration for free entry of unaccompanied articles
- Supplemental Declaration — accompanies Form 3299
- Valued inventory in English — numbered list, every carton, declared value
- Packing list — carton count, dimensions, gross weight
- Passport and visa copies — proof of residency change
A valued inventory is not a rough list. It numbers every carton and every loose item, with a US dollar value beside each line. CBP uses it on export. Destination customs uses it to assess exemption eligibility.
Destination-side documents
Colombia requires the RUT or NIT for the importer of record, plus the Manifiesto de Carga. Peru's SUNAT and Mexico's SAT want a Factura Comercial for any new items. A Certificado de Origen applies where trade-agreement rates matter.
One B/L, two inventory annexes
Mixed shipments travel on a single Bill of Lading, but the car and the household goods need separate inventory annexes. Destination brokers classify them under different HS codes and different exemption rules. Combining them into one list is the most common cause of a 5-10 day clearance delay across the Miami-LatAm corridor.
Duties, exemptions and Incoterms on a combined personal shipment
Quick Answer: Returning US residents, diplomats and military families on PCS orders often import household goods duty-free, but the vehicle is usually taxed on CIF value. Duty on cars runs 15%-35% plus VAT depending on the country. Ship personal moves on DAP, not DDP, to keep import liability clear.
| Country | Vehicle duty | VAT / sales tax | Household goods relief |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia (DIAN) | 15%–35% | 19% IVA | Duty-free with returning resident status |
| Peru (SUNAT) | 0%–11% | 18% IGV | Relief for used goods owned 6+ months |
| Mexico (SAT) | 10%–50% | 16% IVA | Menaje de casa exemption available |
| Costa Rica | 30%–79% (age-based) | 13% IVA | Partial relief for returning residents |
| Panama | 15%–18% | 7% ITBMS | Colon FTZ routing options |
| Dominican Republic | 20% | 18% ITBIS | Ley 168-67 relief for returnees |
| Chile | 6% | 19% IVA | Strict — quarantine wash required |
Exemption paths worth checking
- Returning resident — goods owned and used 12+ months often enter duty-free
- Military PCS — DD Form 1252 supports duty relief on orders
- Diplomatic franchise — full exemption with embassy endorsement
- Transfer of residence relief — requires proof of prior residence abroad
Military and government relocations also carry US tax implications on employer-paid moving costs. See Publication 15-B (2026), Employer's Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits for how reimbursements are treated.
DAP — the right call
Delivered At Place puts freight and delivery on the forwarder, while duty and taxes stay with you as the importer of record. You see the real duty assessment from DIAN or SUNAT. No markup is buried in the freight invoice. Nearly every personal move should ship DAP.
DDP — the trap
Delivered Duty Paid looks simple because one number covers everything. In practice the seller or forwarder becomes liable for import-side compliance, and brokers pad the duty estimate to protect themselves. On personal shipments with exemption claims, DDP also blocks you from filing the returning-resident relief in your own name.
Confirm your exemption eligibility with a licensed customs broker in the destination country before you book. AB Group Shipping is a freight forwarder, not legal counsel, and duty rulings vary by consulate and case.
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Go to the calculator →Step by step: from calculator quote to delivery at your new home
Quick Answer: The process runs in seven steps: get a combined quote, book and confirm the sailing, pack and build the inventory, load the container at origin, file AES and submit the title, sail and clear customs, then take delivery. Total door-to-door timelines run 21-45 days depending on lane.
- Quote your car and goods volume together in the calculator on this page.
- Book 10-14 days before your target ETD — port cut-off falls 3-5 days before the vessel sails.
- Pack and number every carton, building the valued inventory as you go.
- Load the container at your residence or at the Miami CFS warehouse.
- File the AES entry, submit the original title, receive the ITN.
- Sail and clear — the destination broker files entry on arrival.
- Deliver by drayage or door service after customs release.
Car prep checklist
- Fuel tank at one quarter or less — carriers reject fuller tanks
- Disable the alarm and provide two keys
- Remove roof racks, bike carriers and cargo boxes
- Wash the undercarriage for Chile and Australia quarantine rules
- Photograph all four sides and the odometer before loading
Hidden fees to budget for
Free time at destination runs 5-7 days on most LatAm terminals. Past that, demurrage starts at $85-$180 per day and per-diem on the chassis adds more. Clear fast.
- Customs exam — $250-$650 if selected
- Port storage — $40-$120 per day after free time
- Chassis split — $85-$150 at congested terminals
- Demurrage — $85-$180 per day after 5-7 free days
Pro Tip
Send scanned copies of the title, EPA 3520-1 and HS-7 to your forwarder the day you book, not the week you load. CBP requires the original title at the export port 72 business hours before loading. Missing that window rolls your car to the next sailing — typically 7-14 days later — while the container stays booked and accruing storage.
Lane-specific steps differ. Central America routes have their own documentation quirks — see the Car Shipping to Costa Rica Calculator: 2026 Rates and the Car Shipping El Salvador Calculator: Rates 2026 for port-level detail.
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Go to the calculator →Price your combined move now
Quick Answer: Enter your vehicle model and your household goods cubic feet in the calculator on this page. The tool returns one container rate covering ocean freight, terminal handling and transit time for your exact lane. No email required and no sales calls follow.
Families moving from the US to Latin America consistently save money by putting the car and the furniture in the same container. One booking, one Bill of Lading, one customs entry, one arrival date.
Use the ship car with household goods calculator above to compare 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube pricing for your route. Adjust the cubic feet and watch the container size change in real time.
Ship your car with AB Group Shipping
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For a 20ft container carrying one car plus 450-600 cubic feet of household goods from Miami to most Latin American ports, see the price table at the top of this page. A 40ft container doubles the usable space. Duties, destination taxes and door delivery are quoted separately because they depend on your residency status and vehicle value.
Yes, but only if the car ships inside a sealed container, and most carriers cap loose in-vehicle weight at about 100 pounds. Every item must appear on your valued inventory and packing list for CBP and destination customs. RoRo vessels prohibit personal effects completely, so container shipping is the only legal route for a combined move.
Yes. A 20ft container offers about 1,170 usable cubic feet, and a mid-size sedan uses roughly 550-650, leaving space for about three rooms of furniture and boxes. Large SUVs and pickups leave only 250-400 cubic feet, so families with more than two bedrooms usually move up to a 40ft high cube.
Together is cheaper for nearly every international move — compare the rates in the price table at the top of this page. You pay one ocean freight charge, one set of port handling fees, one customs entry and one insurance policy instead of two. Separate shipping only makes sense when your goods volume is under about 150 cubic feet or the destination accepts RoRo only.
You need the original vehicle title, bill of sale, EPA Form 3520-1, DOT Form HS-7, an AES filing with ITN number, CBP Form 3299 for household goods, and a numbered valued inventory. The original title must reach the export port at least 72 business hours before loading, or the vessel sails without your car.