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International car shipping can be expensive, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Learn more about the process and cost of international auto transport Sea Freight Cargo
Daniel is a MarketWatch Guides team writer and has written for numerous automotive news sites and marketing firms across the U.S., U.K., and Australia, specializing in auto finance and car care topics. Daniel is a MarketWatch Guides team authority on auto insurance, loans, warranty options, auto services and more.
Rashawn Mitchner is a MarketWatch Guides team editor with over 10 years of experience covering personal finance and insurance topics.
International auto transport is a major undertaking, but the process shouldn’t be particularly difficult. The best way to receive a safe and efficient overseas vehicle delivery is by taking time to research shipping providers and by following all necessary procedures.
We at the MarketWatch Guides Team have researched and ranked the best international car shipping companies to give you a full view of the vehicle transport industry. Keep reading to learn about overseas car shipping and to find out how to get seamless and speedy auto transport services around the world.
The MarketWatch Guides Team is committed to providing reliable information to help you make the best possible decision about shipping your vehicle. Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. We collected data on dozens of auto transport providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. After 200 hours of research, the end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines .
International transport is more complicated than domestic transport, with the main differences relating to carrier availability and car shipping costs . Since vehicles aren’t shipped abroad as often as within the U.S., you’ll likely pay higher rates and have fewer potential transport options.
Still, your international vehicle shipping needs can be met if you follow the steps below, which are very similar to our tips on how to ship a car within national borders.
For overseas car shipping, you typically must provide the following materials:
While these are the standard requirements for international car shipping providers, your hauler may ask for more. Do homework on your car transporter’s rules and on what’s required at the car’s final port of entry.
There are three main methods for shipping your car overseas, two of which involve loading your vehicle onto a freight ship. The other option for international car shipping involves transport via aircraft. Below are further details on each way that you can move your vehicle abroad:
This is typically the cheapest international car shipping method. With roll-on/roll-off (RORO) shipping, your vehicle is secured inside of a freight ship headed to your destination. As with traditional open auto transport, your car could be exposed to the elements if you use RORO shipping.
Using enclosed auto transport containers on freight ships is a great way to protect your vehicle during international moves. You can select a shared container as a way to lower rates, especially since enclosed shipping can be relatively pricey.
This is easily the most expensive international car transport method, but it’s also the fastest one. As you might expect, air freight is most often utilized when shipping rare, luxury or classic cars overseas. Expect to pay extremely steep rates if you plan to have your vehicle flown.
For standard RORO shipping, international vehicle shipments average between $1,500 and $5,000. Shipping via air freight can cost as much as $40,000 depending on the car’s journey. The cost of international car shipping depends on factors such as:
It’s likely that you’ll pay a higher rate to ship large vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks versus standard sedans. Rates may be lower if you’ve got a motorcycle, or higher with a specialized vehicle like a recreational vehicle (RV) or a form of heavy equipment.
There could be destination port charges depending on where you’re shipping your vehicle. You may also need to hire an agent to help get your car through customs, which could add as much as $500 to your total cost.
To get the best international car shipping rates, we recommend comparing car shipping quotes online and booking as far in advance as possible. You can also trim down your auto shipping expenses by using a popular departure port like New York City, Los Angeles or Miami. Shipping your car from a less popular port can be far more expensive than using these busy hubs.
Again, RORO shipping is the most affordable way to get a vehicle from your current home to a foreign port. Keep in mind that even the most cost-effective international auto transport service will be somewhat expensive. After all, it takes far more time and work to get a car to Europe, Australia or Asia versus to another spot in the U.S.
Transit times for international car shipments typically range from 30 to 60 days. The exact time frame depends on distance between ports, your chosen car transport method, the frequency of shipping routes and how long it takes to prepare and load your vehicle. Your car can also take a while to get through customs, as certain countries have strict inspection procedures.
Since long-distance car transport isn’t fast, it’s important that you factor the timeline for delivery into your overall relocation plan. After all, it might be difficult to get settled into your new country if there’s still a week or two before your vehicle arrives.
One of the major advantages of using air freight for international car shipping is that it’s much faster than transportation by ship. If you have the means and want a far faster delivery, air auto transport is the way to go.
Shipping a car to another country can be expensive and time-consuming, and it certainly requires more effort than car transport within the U.S. However, it’s possible to get a good deal on high-quality international car shipping services if you perform prior research and give yourself plenty of lead time.
It’s not always easy to find reputable companies that specialize in international car shipping. However, that’s exactly what you’ll get if you pick Montway Auto Transport or uShip. These providers are known to offer cheap car shipping services and can safely and quickly get your vehicle across the globe.
Montway Auto Transport has a strong reputation for customer satisfaction and offers competitive prices. We give it our Editor’s Choice award for these reasons and for its network of more than 15,000 vetted car carriers. Montway Auto Transport makes it easy to get free international car shipping quotes and offers a healthy discount for paying in cash.
Customers give Montway Auto Transport 4.6 out of 5.0 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. The company’s wide variety of shipping services and industry expertise are additional reasons why it’s considered a top international car shipping option.
Keep reading: Montway Auto Transport review
We consider uShip the leading online car shipping marketplace, as it enables bidding from a wide range of domestic and international haulers. Rather than acting as a broker that connects you with its top suggestions for auto transport, uShip lets you make that call on your own.
While the bidding process could lead to reasonable rates on the uShip marketplace, it’s worth noting that truckers and shippers on the site aren’t vetted. In other words, you’ll need to check the legitimacy of international movers and their shipping insurance limits before booking through the uShip marketplace.
On average, international car shipping via freight ship costs between $1,500 and $5,000. This price depends on the popularity of the shipping route, the type of vehicle you’re transporting and the distance of the move. Shipping a car overseas via air freight is much pricier and can cost anywhere from $5,000 up to $40,000.
Roll-on/roll-off (RORO) shipping is the most preferred international car shipping method. It’s somewhat similar to moving your vehicle via an open trailer within the U.S. Although RORO is the cheapest choice, shipping your car this way could leave it exposed to bad weather.
We consider Montway Auto Transport as the best car shipping company in the industry. It works with a wide network of vetted carriers, some of whom specialize in international auto shipping. Another strong option for international car shipping is the uShip marketplace.
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. We collected data on dozens of auto transport providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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