{"id":99661,"date":"2026-10-22T16:45:52","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T16:45:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/shipping-a-car-to-australia-from-uk"},"modified":"2026-10-22T16:45:56","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T16:45:56","slug":"shipping-a-car-to-australia-from-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/shipping-a-car-to-australia-from-uk","title":{"rendered":"Env\u00edo de un coche a Australia desde el Reino Unido: costes, normas y c\u00f3mo funciona"},"content":{"rendered":"<head><style>\n.ch-post{font-family:inherit;line-height:1.7;color:#1f2937;max-width:820px;margin:0 auto}\n.ch-post h2{font-size:1.6em;margin:1.8em 0 .6em;color:#0b2545;border-bottom:3px solid #f5a623;padding-bottom:.25em}\n.ch-post h3{font-size:1.15em;margin:1.4em 0 .3em;color:#0b2545}\n.ch-post p{margin:0 0 1em}\n.ch-post ul,.ch-post ol{margin:0 0 1.2em 1.3em}\n.ch-post li{margin:.35em 0}\n.ch-post .ch-updated{font-size:.9em;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.2em}\n.ch-post .ch-table{overflow-x:auto;margin:1.2em 0 1.6em}\n.ch-post table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:.95em}\n.ch-post th{background:#0b2545;color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:.65em .8em}\n.ch-post td{padding:.6em .8em;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;vertical-align:top}\n.ch-post tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#f6f8fb}\n.ch-post .ch-faq{background:#f6f8fb;border-radius:12px;padding:1em 1.4em;margin:1em 0 2em}\n.ch-post .ch-faq h3{margin-top:1em}\n.ch-post .ch-cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0b2545,#13315c);color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:1.6em 1.8em;margin:2.2em 0;text-align:center}\n.ch-post .ch-cta strong{display:block;font-size:1.35em;margin-bottom:.4em;color:#fff}\n.ch-post .ch-cta p{color:#dbe4f0;margin:.2em 0 1.1em}\n.ch-post .ch-btn{display:inline-block;background:#f5a623;color:#0b2545 !important;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;padding:.8em 1.6em;border-radius:999px}\n.ch-post .ch-btn:hover{background:#ffbb45}\n.ch-post em{color:#4b5563}\n<\/style><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n            \"headline\": \"Shipping a Car to Australia from the UK: Costs, Rules and How It Works\",\n            \"description\": \"How to ship a car from the UK to Australia: vehicle import approval, ro-ro vs container shipping, biosecurity cleaning, asbestos rules, GST and duty, and transit times.\",\n            \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/shipping-a-car-to-australia-from-uk\",\n            \"image\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/AdobeStock_306854990-1024x682.jpeg\",\n            \"datePublished\": \"2026-10-22\",\n            \"dateModified\": \"2026-10-22\",\n            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n            \"author\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\"\n            },\n            \"publisher\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\",\n                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n            \"mainEntity\": [\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can I ship my car from the UK to Australia?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Yes, once you have Australian vehicle import approval, the car is asbestos-free and it is cleaned to biosecurity standards.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Do I need import approval before shipping?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Yes. Australian Border Force advises getting import approval before you arrange shipping, and importing without one is an offence.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How long does it take to ship a car to Australia?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Roughly 5&ndash;7 weeks at sea, plus clearance and inspection time on arrival.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Is ro-ro or container shipping better?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Ro-ro is often cheaper for standard cars; containers give more protection and suit classic or valuable cars.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"What taxes do I pay importing a car to Australia?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Possibly customs duty, GST of generally 10% and Luxury Car Tax above a threshold, depending on the vehicle and your circumstances.\"\n                    }\n                }\n            ]\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script><\/head><div class=\"ch-post\"><p class=\"ch-updated\">\u00daltima actualizaci\u00f3n: 22 de octubre de 2026<\/p><p><strong>You can ship a car from the UK to Australia, but you must get Australian import approval before it leaves, have it thoroughly cleaned, and make sure it contains no asbestos.<\/strong> Once those boxes are ticked, the car travels by ro-ro ship or in a container on a voyage of several weeks. Here is how the process works.<\/p><h2>Step 1: Get vehicle import approval first<\/h2><p>Australia requires an import approval for almost every road vehicle, issued by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Australian Border Force advises not to arrange shipping until you hold an approval, and it is an offence to import a road vehicle without one. A complete application is generally assessed within about 30 working days.<\/p><h2>Step 2: Check for asbestos<\/h2><p>Importing asbestos into Australia is prohibited. Some older cars contain asbestos in brake pads, gaskets or clutches. Make sure the vehicle is asbestos-free before shipping. If Border Force considers your car at risk, you may need to provide assurances or pay for it to be held, sampled and tested.<\/p><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_344566703-1024x483.jpeg\" alt=\"Crane loading a container onto a ship\" width=\"1024\" height=\"483\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Crane loading a container onto a ship\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Container shipping protects your car and lets you add personal belongings, subject to the rules.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Step 3: Clean it thoroughly for biosecurity<\/h2><p>Australia&rsquo;s biosecurity rules are strict. Your car must arrive clean and free of soil, plant material, seeds and insects, including underneath, in the wheel arches, engine bay and boot. Biosecurity officers inspect vehicles on arrival, and you pay the inspection charges. Many owners pay for a professional steam clean before shipping to avoid extra cleaning costs in Australia.<\/p><h2>Ro-ro or container shipping?<\/h2><div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th><\/th><th>Ro-ro (roll-on, roll-off)<\/th><th>Contenedor<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>How it works<\/td><td>Car is driven onto a vehicle-carrying ship<\/td><td>Car is loaded into a 20 ft or 40 ft container<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Personal items<\/td><td>Generally not allowed in the car<\/td><td>Possible, subject to the rules<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Protection<\/td><td>Inside the ship, but handled by port staff<\/td><td>Sealed in its own container<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Coste<\/td><td>Often cheaper<\/td><td>Usually more, unless sharing a container<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ideal para<\/td><td>Standard cars<\/td><td>Classic cars, valuable cars, moves with belongings<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cargo-Ship-Travel-Cargoholidays1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Container cargo ship in port\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Container cargo ship in port\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Allow several weeks at sea from the UK to Australia, plus time for clearance and inspection.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>\u00bfCu\u00e1nto tiempo se tarda?<\/h2><p>The voyage from the UK to Australia takes roughly 5 to 7 weeks depending on the route, ports and transhipment, plus time for customs clearance and biosecurity inspection on arrival.<\/p><h2>Duty, GST and Luxury Car Tax<\/h2><p>When the car arrives, Australian Border Force may charge customs duty, GST of generally 10% of the taxable value, and Luxury Car Tax on vehicles above a set threshold, at 33% on the amount above it. Border Force issues an outstanding payment advice when your import declaration is processed, and the car is not released until the approval is shown and charges are paid. Check current rules and any exemptions for your situation.<\/p><h2>Travel with your car?<\/h2><p>If you are emigrating, you may want to travel by sea too. Some cargo ships on the UK&ndash;Australia route carry passengers, so you can sail on a container ship while your car is shipped. Ask us about combining passage and vehicle shipping.<\/p><h2>Preguntas frecuentes<\/h2><div class=\"ch-faq\"><h3>Can I ship my car from the UK to Australia?<\/h3><p>Yes, once you have Australian vehicle import approval, the car is asbestos-free and it is cleaned to biosecurity standards.<\/p><h3>Do I need import approval before shipping?<\/h3><p>Yes. Australian Border Force advises getting import approval before you arrange shipping, and importing without one is an offence.<\/p><h3>How long does it take to ship a car to Australia?<\/h3><p>Roughly 5&ndash;7 weeks at sea, plus clearance and inspection time on arrival.<\/p><h3>Is ro-ro or container shipping better?<\/h3><p>Ro-ro is often cheaper for standard cars; containers give more protection and suit classic or valuable cars.<\/p><h3>What taxes do I pay importing a car to Australia?<\/h3><p>Possibly customs duty, GST of generally 10% and Luxury Car Tax above a threshold, depending on the vehicle and your circumstances.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"ch-cta\"><strong>Moving to Australia?<\/strong><p>Ask us about sailing to Australia yourself and shipping your car or belongings on the same route.<\/p><a class=\"ch-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/solicitar-un-crucero-de-carga\/\">Get a combined quote &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>C\u00f3mo enviar un coche desde el Reino Unido a Australia: autorizaci\u00f3n de importaci\u00f3n de veh\u00edculos, transporte ro-ro frente a transporte en contenedor, limpieza de bioseguridad, normativa sobre el amianto, GST y aranceles, y tiempos de tr\u00e1nsito.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":857,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single3.php","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[356,1031,1019],"tags":[862,1299,1100,1507,1508],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99661"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99661"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99661\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99662,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99661\/revisions\/99662"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/857"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99661"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=99661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}