Overseas & International Vehicle Shipping Guide

There are two primary methods for shipping a vehicle across the ocean: RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off) and container shipping. Understanding the difference -- and when to use each -- is the first major decision you'll make.

RORO is exactly what it sounds like: your vehicle is driven onto the cargo ship at the origin port, secured to the deck, and driven off at the destination port. RORO ships are purpose-built for wheeled cargo -- they have internal ramps and multiple vehicle decks designed to carry cars, trucks, buses, and heavy equipment. RORO is the most common and most affordable method for standard vehicles. It's typically 30-40% cheaper than container shipping. The tradeoff: your vehicle ships in a shared space with hundreds of other vehicles, and you can't include any personal items or cargo inside the car (strict port and customs regulations). RORO availability depends on shipping line schedules and port coverage -- not every port offers RORO service to every destination.

Container shipping places your vehicle inside a standard 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container, secured with wheel chocks, straps, and sometimes wooden bracing. The container is then loaded onto a standard container ship. Container shipping offers more protection than RORO (your vehicle is enclosed in a steel box), and you can often include personal belongings or small cargo items alongside the vehicle in the container (subject to customs regulations at the destination). A 20-foot container fits most sedans and small SUVs; larger vehicles require a 40-foot container. Container shipping costs more -- typically $500-$1,500 above RORO for the same route -- but provides dedicated, enclosed protection.

International vehicle shipping follows a port-to-port workflow. Here's the complete process, step by step.

Step 1: Domestic transport to the origin port. Unless you live near a major shipping port, you'll need to transport your vehicle to the port of departure. This is standard domestic auto transport -- we arrange a carrier to pick up your vehicle and deliver it to the port. Major U.S. export ports for vehicles include Newark/New York (for Europe and the Middle East), Savannah (for Europe and Africa), Houston and Galveston (for Central and South America), Los Angeles and Long Beach (for Asia and Oceania), and Tacoma/Seattle (for Asia).

Step 2: Port processing and documentation. Your vehicle arrives at the port's Vehicle Processing Center (VPC). Port staff inspect the vehicle, verify documentation, and prepare it for loading. This processing takes 3-7 business days, sometimes longer during peak shipping periods. Step 3: Ocean transit. Your vehicle is loaded onto the RORO ship or into a container and the ship departs. Transit times vary by destination: Europe (UK, Germany, Netherlands) is 14-21 days from the East Coast. Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia) is 25-35 days. Asia (Japan, South Korea) is 14-21 days from the West Coast. Australia/New Zealand is 21-35 days. Central/South America is 7-14 days from Gulf ports.

Step 4: Destination port arrival and customs. Your vehicle arrives at the foreign port and goes through customs clearance. This involves import duties and taxes (varying by country), vehicle inspection, compliance verification (emissions, safety standards), and documentation review. Step 5: Domestic delivery at destination. Once cleared through customs, you arrange local transport from the port to your final destination.

International vehicle shipping generates more paperwork than any other type of transport, and getting the documentation right is essential -- mistakes cause delays, additional fees, and in some cases, your vehicle being denied entry. Here's what you'll need:

Original vehicle title -- proving ownership. If there's a lien, you'll need the lienholder's written authorization to export. Bill of Sale -- documenting the vehicle's purchase price and transaction details. Customs requires this for duty assessment. EPA form 3520-1 (for imports to the U.S.) -- certifying the vehicle meets U.S. emissions standards. Vehicles less than 25 years old imported into the U.S. must comply with EPA requirements. DOT form HS-7 (for imports to the U.S.) -- certifying the vehicle meets U.S. safety standards (FMVSS). Passport and photo ID. Power of Attorney -- if a customs broker is handling clearance on your behalf (highly recommended for first-timers). Insurance certificate -- proof of marine transit insurance covering the ocean crossing.

Every destination country has its own import requirements. The EU requires vehicles to meet Euro emission standards. Japan requires a deregistration certificate (Export Certificate) for vehicles leaving the country. Australia requires RAWS (Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme) compliance for non-compliant imports. Some countries -- particularly in Africa and the Middle East -- restrict vehicle age (no vehicles older than 5-8 years). Research your specific destination's requirements thoroughly, or work with an international shipping specialist who handles the documentation for you.

International vehicle shipping costs vary widely based on the destination, vehicle size, shipping method, and port logistics. Here are realistic ranges for 2026:

RORO shipping from the U.S.: To the UK or Western Europe: $1,000-$2,500 from East Coast ports. To the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia): $1,500-$3,000. To Japan or South Korea: $1,200-$2,500 from West Coast ports. To Australia or New Zealand: $1,800-$3,500. To Central America: $800-$1,500 from Gulf ports. To South America: $1,000-$2,500. Container shipping adds $500-$1,500 on top of RORO pricing for the same route.

Beyond the ocean freight, you'll pay for domestic transport to the origin port ($300-$800 depending on distance), port processing fees ($150-$300), customs brokerage fees at the destination ($200-$500), import duties and taxes at the destination (varies enormously -- some countries charge 10-25% of vehicle value, others charge flat fees), destination port handling ($150-$350), and local delivery from the destination port to your address. All-in, a complete international vehicle shipment from door to door typically runs $2,500-$5,000+ for most destinations, with the final cost heavily dependent on the destination country's import duties. Some countries like Brazil and Thailand have import duties exceeding 80% of the vehicle's value, which can make international shipping prohibitively expensive.

Marine transit insurance is essential for international vehicle shipping -- the standard carrier liability that covers domestic transport is not sufficient for ocean crossings. Marine insurance covers your vehicle against damage or total loss during the ocean transit, including storm damage, saltwater exposure, collision, and sinking. Seriously -- ships do encounter severe weather, and while total loss is extremely rare, damage during rough seas is not.

Marine transit insurance typically costs 1.5-2.5% of the vehicle's declared value. For a vehicle valued at $30,000, expect to pay $450-$750 for full marine coverage. For a $75,000 vehicle, $1,125-$1,875. The policy covers the ocean transit from the loading port to the discharge port -- not the domestic transport legs on either end (those are covered by the domestic carrier's insurance).

We strongly recommend marine transit insurance for every international shipment, regardless of vehicle value. The ocean is unpredictable, transit times are long (2-5 weeks), and the cost of insurance is minor relative to the risk. Request a marine insurance quote when you book your international shipment -- our team can arrange coverage through established marine insurers. Keep detailed documentation of your vehicle's condition and value before shipping, including photos, the purchase receipt, and any recent appraisals.

International vehicle shipping is measured in weeks, not days. Here's a realistic timeline from booking to delivery at your overseas destination:

Week 1-2: Domestic transport from your location to the origin port. Standard auto transport timelines apply -- 1-5 days for pickup window plus transit time to the port. Week 2-3: Port processing and vessel loading. The VPC inspects and processes your vehicle, which takes 3-7 business days. Your vehicle may wait additional days for the next available vessel departure -- ships don't sail daily on every route. Weeks 3-7: Ocean transit. Duration depends on the destination: 7-14 days to Central America, 14-21 days to Europe, 14-21 days to Asia (from West Coast), 21-35 days to Australia. Week 7-9: Destination customs and local delivery. Customs clearance takes 3-10 business days depending on the country, the complexity of documentation, and whether any inspections or compliance modifications are required.

Total timeline from your door to the overseas destination: 4-9 weeks for most shipments. European destinations from the East Coast are on the faster end (4-6 weeks). Australia and remote destinations are on the longer end (6-9 weeks). Military OCONUS moves can take even longer due to government processing requirements. Build buffer time into your plans -- ocean shipping schedules are subject to port congestion, weather delays, and vessel rescheduling.

Military service members on OCONUS (Outside Continental United States) PCS orders have a specific vehicle shipping process. The government will typically ship one Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) at government expense through the Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) system. Here's how it works:

You deliver your vehicle to the nearest VPC (major VPCs include those in Norfolk, VA; Jacksonville, FL; San Diego, CA; and Tacoma, WA). The VPC inspects, processes, and loads your vehicle onto a government-contracted vessel. Transit to overseas duty stations takes 3-8 weeks depending on destination. At the overseas port, your vehicle goes through military customs processing and is available for pickup. Important requirements: the vehicle must meet the destination country's specifications (size, emissions, steering side), only one POV per service member is shipped at government expense, and strict documentation requirements apply (PCS orders, vehicle registration, insurance).

For the return trip (shipping your vehicle back to the U.S. from an overseas duty station), the process reverses through the VPC system. However, once your vehicle arrives at a U.S. port, the military's obligation ends -- you're responsible for domestic transport from the port to your next duty station or home of record. This is where private auto transport fills the gap. We handle port pickups from every major VPC and can coordinate timing with your vehicle's arrival date. Contact us with your PCS dates and the port where your vehicle will arrive, and we'll arrange the final leg.

Pro tip for military families: start the VPC process early. Processing through the VPC takes 2-4 weeks before your vehicle even gets on a ship. If you wait until the last minute, your vehicle may not arrive at your overseas duty station until well after you report.

If you're shipping a vehicle out of the United States, there are several export-specific considerations. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires an Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing through the Automated Export System (AES) for vehicles valued over $2,500. Your customs broker or shipping agent handles this filing, but you'll need to provide the vehicle title, VIN, and declared value.

Lien complications: if there's a loan on the vehicle, the lienholder technically owns it until the loan is paid off. You'll need the lienholder's written authorization to export. Some lenders require the loan to be paid in full before they'll release authorization. Start this process early -- getting lender authorization can take 2-4 weeks.

Some vehicles face export restrictions. Vehicles subject to theft alerts, court orders, or federal holds cannot be exported. The CBP checks the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database before clearing any vehicle for export. If there's an issue with your vehicle's title or legal status, the export will be blocked at the port.

Finally, understand that once you export a vehicle and it's titled or registered in another country, reimporting it to the U.S. later requires compliance with all EPA and DOT regulations as if it were a foreign vehicle -- even if it was originally built for the U.S. market. This is particularly important for people who plan to return to the U.S. after a temporary overseas assignment.

Importing a vehicle into the United States has strict regulatory requirements. Every imported vehicle must comply with EPA emissions standards (verified via EPA form 3520-1) and DOT safety standards (verified via DOT form HS-7). Vehicles manufactured to meet U.S. specifications can be imported relatively easily -- the forms confirm conformity. Vehicles not originally built for the U.S. market require modifications to meet FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) through a Registered Importer.

The 25-year rule is the most important exemption for enthusiasts: vehicles older than 25 years are exempt from both EPA and DOT compliance requirements. This is why importing a 1998 Nissan Skyline GT-R is legal in 2026 (it's 28 years old) but importing a 2010 model is not (without expensive compliance modifications). The 25-year clock runs from the month and year of manufacture.

Import duties on vehicles entering the U.S. are 2.5% of the vehicle's declared value for cars and 25% for trucks (the "chicken tax" on light trucks has been in effect since 1964). State-level requirements also apply: you'll need to register and title the vehicle in your state, which may require a state-level emissions inspection and VIN verification.

Working with an experienced customs broker is strongly recommended for vehicle imports. The documentation, compliance requirements, and regulatory nuances are complex enough that even small errors can result in your vehicle being held at the port for weeks. A good customs broker costs $200-$500 and saves you far more in avoided delays and penalties.

International vehicle shipping involves more moving parts, more documentation, and more risk than domestic transport. Choosing the right shipping partner matters more here than anywhere else in the auto transport world. Look for a company with specific international vehicle shipping experience -- not just a domestic auto transport broker who "also does international." Ask about their relationships with ocean carriers and shipping lines. Verify they have established processes for customs documentation and port logistics. Check reviews from other international shippers.

At American Auto Shipping, our marketplace connects you with verified carriers and international shipping specialists who handle vehicle transport to and from destinations worldwide. We coordinate the entire process: domestic pickup, port delivery, ocean freight booking, documentation preparation, and customs facilitation. For military OCONUS moves, we handle the domestic legs that the government doesn't cover -- getting your vehicle to the VPC before deployment and from the port to your new duty station when you return. Get an international shipping quote on our marketplace -- provide your vehicle details, origin, and overseas destination, and we'll walk you through the complete process.