Shipping your Car Abroad:
Costs, Rules, and Transit Times
Okay, you’ve decided you want to move abroad, but you’d like to take your pride and joy with you! Shipping your car with you to your new destination allows you to bring that little slice of home with you on your journey, making the transition just that little bit easier. However, shipping a car can be an exciting and complex process, there are several costs, rules and different transit times that must be considered before shipping your car. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through all the costs, rules and transit times for shipping your car abroad in 2025.
1. Understanding the Costs of Shipping a Car Abroad.
The most common question we get asked is the all important, how much is it going to cost? Many people won’t even consider the other factors until they’ve processed and accepted the cost; that’s why we’re talking about it first! There are several factors that can affect the cost of shipping a car abroad, but the main ones we’ll be looking at are the shipping method, the distance and destination, and any other fees that may apply.
A. Shipping Method
Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRO): No, this isn’t your favourite deodorant, it’s the simplest and quickest way to transport a vehicle from one port to another. As the name suggests, you simply drive your vehicle onto a vessel and into a designated bay. Although this is a more affordable method, it offers limited protection against the elements.
• Average Cost: £550 to £1200.
• Best For: Standard vehicles under £30k.
Container Shipping: Where the car is loaded into a 20ft or 40ft shipping container. This offers additional protection from the weather and external factors. Although more expensive, it is ideal for expensive or luxury vehicles.
• Average cost is around £1200 to £4,000 (shared shipping container), or £2,500 to £8,000 (dedicated shipping container).
B. Distance and Destination
There are a lots of shipping routes that start or end in Scotland. The cost of shipping a vehicle from Scotland can vary depending on the distance and the destination itself. The further away the destination, the more it’s going to cost to ship your vehicle there.
• Scotland to Australia: £2,700 to £5,500
• Scotland to USA: £1,200 to £3,200
• Scotland to Europe: £400 to £1,600
C. Additional Fees
• Customs and Taxes: Depending on the destination, import duties can range from 10% to 30% of the car’s value.
• Insurance: Full insurance coverage shipping for a container is usually between 1% and 3% of the car’s declared value.
• Port Handling Fees: Expect to pay anything from £160 to £500 for the port to process your vehicle.
2. Rules and Regulations for Shipping Your Car Abroad
Each country has its own set of regulations regarding importing vehicles. From cars or classic vehicles, to boats or even Ferrari’s, by understanding the rules of your chosen country, you can save yourself valuable time, money, and headaches!
We’ve outlined below the 4 main rules and regulations that will affect the cost and time taken to ship your vehicle to it’s new home abroad.
A. Vehicle Eligibility
Many countries have different rules and standards for importing vehicles. So be sure to check whether your vehicles meets the requirements before even considering shipping your vehicle abroad.
• Age Restrictions: Countries like Australia, restrict the import of vehicles older than 25 years old.
• Emission Standards: With the advent of Low Emission Zones in Europe and the UK, if your car isn’t fitted with a modern DPF and catalytic convertor, you’re going to find it tricky to import your car into Europe.
• Safety Features: Again, with the introduction of modern safety standards, a car without airbags or seat belts will be ineligible to be imported due to the absence of such safety features.
B. Documentation
Ensure you have prepared digital and printed copies of the following documents to ensure a smooth customs clearance:
• Original Title and Registration (V5 in the UK)
• Bill of sale or proof of ownership
• Passport or Valid ID
• Shipping invoice and bill of lading
• Compliance Certificate (if applicable for your chosen country)
C. Custom Duties and Taxes
The amount you’ll pay in custom duties and tax will vary depending on the country, but here are the costs from our most common shipping routes from Scotland:
• Australia: 5% import duty plus 10% GST
• USA: 2.5% of vehicle’s value
• European Union: 10% duty plus VAT (rate varies by country)
D. Temporary versus Permanent Import
• Temporary Import: If you’re relocating for a short period of time, some countries (not all) allow vehicles to enter duty-free using a temporary import permit.
• Permanent Export: The majority of vehicle exports are permanent. These are subject to full duties and fees depending on the destination.
3. Transit Times for Shipping Cars Internationally
The time it takes to ship a car abroad depends on the shipping method, rates, and even the weather! Here’s what to expect in terms of transit time by region:
A. Typical Transit Times by Region
• Scotland to Europe: 5 to 14 days.
• Scotland to North America: 20 to 40 days.
• Scotland to Asia: 30 to 60 days.
• Scotland to Australia or New Zealand: 40 to 70 days.
B. Factors Influencing Transit Times
- Port Congestion: Potential delays due to high volumes of shipping traffic.
- Customs Processing: Delays in clearing documents or inspections.
- Weather: Adverse or unplanned weather can impact shipping schedules.
4. Preparing Your Care for Shipping
To avoid issues or delays to the transit of your vehicles, be sure to follow these preparation steps:
A. Clean and Inspect the Vehicle
• Wash the car and document its condition with photos.
• Note any existing scratches, dents or damage, and be sure to record these digitally.
B. Secure Loose Items
• Remove personal belongings from inside the vehicle, and accessories like roof-racks from the outside.
• Check for fluid leaks and secure the battery connections
C. Fuel and Keys
• Leave as little fuel in the tank as possible. Most cars have a reserve amount of fuel when the fuel light comes on, so we’d advise driving it until the fuel light comes on before loading the vehicle for shipping.
• Provide a spare set of keys to the shipping company
5. Tips for Choosing a Reliable Shipping Company
Shipping anything to a new country abroad can be a nervous and stressful experience. So be sure to consider the following when choosing your preferred shipper:
A. Experience and Reputation
• Choose a company that has experience in shipping cars and vehicles abroad.
• Check for reviews and ask for references.
B. Services Offered
• Look for Value Added Services like door-to-door delivery and assistance in clearing customs.
• Double check the insurance they’ve offered, what it covers, and if they offer any form of shipment tracking.
C. Pricing Transparency
• Get at least 3 quotes, and be sure they include any extra fees or customs duties.
• Request a detailed quote with a full cost breakdown
Conclusion: Is Shipping Your Car Abroad Worth It?
Shipping your car internationally can be an extremely complex process. However, with careful planning and research, it doesn’t need to be stressful. Budget out your costs by calculating what the import taxes and duties may be, but ultimately, choose a mover with experience in shipping vehicles abroad. Choose Euromovers and get a shipping quote today!
Ready to Ship your Car Abroad?
