Car Shipping Costs from the UK: Ro-Ro vs Container 2026

Last updated: 23 October 2026

Shipping a car overseas costs anywhere from a few hundred pounds to Europe to several thousand to Australia. The price depends on the destination, the method (ro-ro or container), your car’s size and the import taxes at the other end. Here are typical 2026 car shipping costs from the UK and how to keep them down.

Ro-ro vs container: which is cheaper?

Method	How it works	Pros	Cons
Ro-ro (roll-on roll-off)	Car is driven onto a specialist car carrier	Usually cheapest; frequent sailings	No personal items allowed in the car; exposed to the elements on deck in some cases
Shared container	Your car shares a 40ft container with 2–3 others	Protected; cheaper than sole use	Must wait for the container to fill
Sole-use container (20ft)	Your car alone in a container	Maximum protection; can add household goods	Most expensive

Port cranes at sunset — Container shipping protects your car inside a sealed box.

Typical car shipping costs from the UK (2026)

Destination	Ro-ro	Shared container	Sole 20ft container	Typical sea time
USA East Coast	£900–£1,500	£1,100–£1,800	£1,600–£2,600	10–16 days
USA West Coast	£1,500–£2,300	£1,700–£2,600	£2,500–£3,800	25–35 days
Canada (Halifax)	£1,000–£1,600	£1,200–£1,900	£1,800–£2,800	10–16 days
Australia	£1,400–£2,500	£1,800–£2,800	£2,600–£4,200	5–7 weeks
New Zealand	£1,800–£2,900	£2,000–£3,200	£3,000–£4,600	6–8 weeks
Dubai and the UAE	£900–£1,500	£1,100–£1,800	£1,600–£2,500	3–4 weeks
Spain, France, Germany (road transporter)	£500–£1,200	Not usually needed	Not usually needed	2–7 days

Indicative port-to-port or depot-to-depot prices for a standard family car. Large SUVs, vans and classics cost more. Destination port fees, customs and taxes are extra.

Hidden costs to budget for

Destination port and handling fees
Import duty and taxes (such as GST in Australia, VAT in the EU, VRT in Ireland)
Quarantine cleaning: Australia and New Zealand inspect cars for soil and seeds
Compliance and registration: modifications, inspections and new plates
Marine insurance: usually 1.5–3% of the car’s value

Some countries make it hard or expensive to import used cars. Australia and the USA have strict compliance rules, so check before you ship.

Fast cargo vessel near a seaport — Ro-ro ships carry cars driven aboard like a giant ferry.

How to cut car shipping costs

Choose ro-ro if your car is drivable and you don’t need to pack items inside.
Share a container with other cars if you want protection.
Be flexible on dates.
Clean the car thoroughly, especially for Australia and New Zealand.
Check import taxes first: sometimes selling and buying locally is cheaper.

Destination guides

Travel on the same ships

Some ro-ro and container ships take a few passengers. See freight ship types and cargo ship travel from the UK to the USA.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK?

From about £500 to Europe by road transporter, to £900–£1,500 to the US East Coast by ro-ro, and £1,400–£4,200 to Australia.

Is ro-ro or container shipping cheaper?

Ro-ro is usually cheapest. A shared container offers more protection for a little more.

Can I put belongings in my car when shipping?

Not on ro-ro. In a sole-use container you can usually pack household goods alongside the car.

How long does it take to ship a car to Australia?

About 5–7 weeks at sea, plus customs and quarantine clearance.

Are there import taxes when shipping a car?

Often, yes. Duty, GST or VAT and registration costs vary by country.

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Steve Joury

Cargo trip advisor at Cargoholidays

Passionate about slow trip travel and sea. Steve know most shipping route and procedure to discover our beautiful world from sea on a container ship. He have been at most trips from 7 days on cargo travel to 140 days on board.