Car Shipping Guide

A practical guide for anyone shipping a vehicle for the first time — or for a dealer who wants the figures right before bidding.

Step one: choose the method

RoRo is cheaper for a single vehicle that runs under its own power. A container gives the highest protection and suits luxury and non-running cars, and becomes cheaper if you ship two cars together.

Step two: work out the “landed unit”

The real cost is not the freight alone:

• The purchase price
• + inland transport to the port
• + sea freight
• + arrival port charges and clearance
• + transport to the delivery city

We work it out for you before you buy, not after — so you bid within your margin, not by guesswork.

Step three: prepare the papers

The registration, deregistration, the export certificate, the purchase contract, and an authorisation if you are not the owner. And prepare them before shipping — preparing them after the vehicle arrives means it waits at the port, with daily storage charges.

Step four: empty the cabin

Completely, apart from the original equipment. With no exception — extra contents hold up clearance of the whole shipment.

Mistakes that recur

1. Moving the vehicle after docking with a hired driver — it adds kilometres and scratches, and breaks the auction record.
2. Looking only at the freight and forgetting the arrival charges, then being surprised by the difference.
3. Not insuring a high-value vehicle.
4. Choosing RoRo for a destination where it does not operate — not every port is equipped for it.

A question worth asking

“Does the price stop at the quayside or reach my city?” — the difference is large, and many low quotes stop at the quay.