Shipping a Vehicle Overseas

Between 26th and 28th August 2020, we carried out a large survey among 398 people who’ve done a long, motorised trip. We asked them many questions about their vehicle and their way of travelling. We’ll refer to this throughout this article.

See the detailed survey results

Continents

This question mainly comes up if you’re thinking about travelling overland in America.

According to our survey, amongst European people who travelled overland in America:

• 47% bought their vehicle in Europe and transported it across the Atlantic on both the outward journey and the journey home.
• 43% bought their vehicle in America and sold it on in America.
• 10% bought their vehicle in Europe and transported it across the Atlantic on the outward journey and sold it on before returning to Europe, usually to other travellers.

Travellers who opted for shipping to America had much more costly vehicles ($25,000 / €25,000 / £22,000 on average) than those who bought their vehicle out there ($5,000 / €5,000 / £4,400 on average).

Almost all British overlanders in Asia travel with a vehicle that they bought in their home country.

This is also the case for overlanders in Africa. More often than not, they make their way to Europe and then cross the Mediterranean by ferry between Spain and Morocco. Some of them have their vehicles transported between the UK and South Africa.

Most overlanders in Australia or New Zealand buy their vehicle out there, because shipping to these countries is extremely expensive and the quarantine inspection is rigorous.

Advantages and disadvantages of shipping

Advantages of shipping

• You have time to compare different vehicles before buying one.
• You have time to test your vehicle before leaving.
• You have time to get it ready and do it up before leaving.
• You can start your trip as soon as you arrive without losing time looking for a vehicle.
• No administrative procedures related to purchasing a vehicle, that could all be in a foreign language.

Disadvantages of shipping

• Costly: $3,000 / €3,000 / £2,700 on average for the outward journey between Europe and North America and $4,100 / €4,100 / £3,600 on average for the outward journey between the Europe and South America.
• Risk of theft and / or damage to the vehicle.
• Slow shipping: two weeks on average between Europe and North America and at least a month on average between Europe and South America.
• CO2 emissions, nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide produced by maritime transport.

The shipping routes most used by overlanders are those connecting Europe to America as well as the crossing between Panama and Colombia (it’s impossible to go from North American to South America by road). These routes make up two-thirds of the crossings mentioned by our survey respondents.

In the UK, most travellers embark or disembark their vehicle in Tilbury, Liverpool or Southampton, three ports that provide both ro-ro and container services.

In Europe, almost all travellers embark or disembark their vehicles in Antwerp (Belgium). The ports of Zeebrugge (Belgium), Hamburg (Germany), Le Havre and Saint-Nazaire (France) are less used.

In North America, the most used port is Halifax (Canada). Some travellers choose to go through Baltimore (United States) or Veracruz (Mexico).

In South America, the busiest port is Montevideo (Uruguay). Some travellers choose to go through Zárate, the port near Buenos Aires (Argentina) or Cartagena (Colombia). Brazilian ports are known to be very complicated for administrative purposes.

In Asia, the most popular maritime routes are:

• the Caspian Sea ferry between Alat (Azerbaijan) and Aktau (Kazakhstan) which lets you avoid Russia and Iran.
• the ferry between Bandar Abbas (Iran) and Sharjah (Dubai), then a ship between Muscat (Oman) and Mumbai (India) which enables you to avoid Pakistan.
• the ferry between South Korea and Japan (unfortunately, they’re currently suspended).

Sea routes most used by our survey respondents

The first step in organising your shippings is figuring out how your vehicle is going to travel. The mode of transport you choose will mainly depend on the size of your vehicle. If size allows, pick a container to avoid the risk of theft and damage.

• If it’s less than 7’6” (2.28 m) tall (e.g. a van with a low / standard roof, H1), it can fit into a standard container.
• If it’s more than 7’6” (2.28 m), but less than 8’5” (2.58 m) tall (e.g. a van with a medium roof, H2), it can fit into a high-cube container.
• If it’s more than 8’5” (2.58 m) tall (e.g. a motorhome), you’ll have to have it shipped in a ro-ro or in an open top container (quite uncommon). On some maritime routes, these solutions aren’t available, so you’ll have to make do with a flat rack container.

Lots of travellers buy a specific-sized vehicle so that it fits exactly into a container. If you can’t fit it into the container but you’re only a few centimetres out, you can deflate the tyres a little bit.

Roll-On / Roll-Off – ro-ro

As its name suggests, in a ro-ro, vehicles board from an access ramp and are simply parked on the deck of a ship. Ferries which cross rivers or short distances at sea are often equipped with ramps, but the term ro-ro is usually reserved for large roll-on / roll-off ships that cross oceans.

All passenger vehicles, regardless of their size, can be transported by ro-ro. Unlike ferries, ro-ros don’t normally accept passengers on board.

This mode of transport has a higher risk of theft inside a vehicle during transportation. To cover their backs, transporters specify that the vehicle must be empty. You can leave personal items inside, but theft happens frequently and it’s not covered by maritime insurance.

Even though there are many ro-ro routes in the world, there aren’t as many as container ship routes. Some countries don’t have the option of international ro-ro transport.

Standard containers

These containers are very common. The vehicle is secure inside, as it’s inaccessible during transport.

20-foot container

• Inside length: 19’4” (5.87 m)
• Width (doors): 7’8” (2.33 m)
• Height (doors): 7’6” (2.28 m)

40-foot container

You can share it with other travellers to keep costs down.

• Length: 39’5” (12 m)
• Width (doors): 7’8” (2.33 m)
• Height (doors): 7’6” (2.28 m)

20-foot high-cube container

This container has the same measurements as the standard 20-footer, but is a foot taller.

• Length: 19’4” (5.87 m)
• Width (doors): 7’8” (2.33 m)
• Height (doors): 8’5” (2.58 m)

40-foot high-cube container

This container has the same measurements as the standard 40-footer, but is a foot taller. Again, you can share it with other travellers to keep costs down.

• Length: 39’5” (12 m)
• Width (doors): 7’8” (2.33 m)
• Height (doors): 8’5” (2.58 m)

Marie and Corentin’s Fiat Ducato in it’s container in Muscat

Open Top Container

The open top container is similar to standard containers, but its roof, instead of being solid, is made of canvas / tarpaulin. It’s loaded from the top. There are 20 or 40-foot open tops and high-cubes. In a high-cube open top container, you can fit a vehicle up to 10’8” (3.30 m) tall. It’s a little more secure than a ro-ro or a flat rack, but the vehicle is still accessible from the top and the roof lights.

The open top container is placed on top of other containers. Therefore, if there’s a problem, it’ll be the first to fall into the water, and it’s more exposed to sea-spray.

An open top container is usually fitted with roof bows which are not only there to support the tarpaulin, but also to stabilise the container. If you’re loading a vehicle over 8’7” (2.65m) tall, most of these bows will need to be removed, which isn’t recommended as this can compromise the structural integrity of the container.

Flat Rack Container

The flat rack container (also known as lift-on / lift-off or lo-lo) has neither side walls nor a roof, but it has fixed or removable ends as well as anchorage points to attach the cargo. It’s loaded on top of other containers using a crane.

A flat rack is usually more expensive than a ro-ro and it’s not as secure as a container, as your vehicle is still accessible during transport. If the flat rack doesn’t fit into the hold because of its height and is then placed on the deck, your vehicle will be exposed to wind and salty water. It can be protected by wrapping it in a tarpaulin or plastic film used for pallets.

You’ll need to use a flat rack if your vehicle doesn’t fit into a closed container and if there’s no ro-ro on the shipping route you wish to take.

Break Bulk Cargo

Break bulk cargo transports goods in individually packed units. Your vehicle is loaded directly into or onto the cargo ship, using dock cranes or those on the ship.

This type of transport is barely used by travellers any more, except in some small ports. It’s best to avoid this type of transport as much as possible.

Definitions

When using maritime transport, several companies are involved:

• Freight forwarder / shipping agent: this is the company or independent agent that you should contact at the port of departure. They’re the intermediary who handles the transport of your vehicle. They’re in contact with shipping companies and will advise you on the mode of transport to use. They collect your vehicle at the port of embarkation and can sometimes deliver it to you at the port of disembarkation as well. They take care of storage, logistics and commercial and administrative paperwork. They’ll give you, by email, a list of procedures to be done at the port (where to go, in what order…), but it’s usually down to you to do them.
• Shipping company: this is the company that owns the ships. They never act as an agent. They don’t handle logistics at the port. Therefore, there’s no need to ask them for a quote.
• Custom clearing agent: this is the certified customs service provider who takes care of the customs formalities to get your vehicle out at the port of arrival. The freight forwarders are also able to handle customs paperwork.

How can I find a freight forwarder or shipping agent?

Finding a shipping agent can take a lot of time. Large freight forwarders aren’t really interested in transporting a single vehicle. Therefore, they often don’t reply to your request or, if they do, it’s with an extortionate price. That’s why it’s important to limit your research to agents who’ve already been used by other overlanders. Request a quote for the shipment of your vehicle and settle on an agent who offers a competitive price, but who’s also accurate and responsive throughout your exchanges.

Our list of agents

To help you find a freight forwarder / shipping agent, we’ve established a list of those who’ve already been used by other travellers.

Most UK overlanders use International Vehicle Shipping Services (IVSS). This English freight forwarder is the benchmark for English-speaking overlanders. They offer ro-ro and container transport. They cover a large number of destinations around the world and can operate between Panama and Cartagena in Colombia.

Other freight forwarders / shipping agents used by travellers:

iOverlander

On the iOverlander app, zoom in on your departure port and in the filters, only check “Vehicle shipping”. You’ll find many agents with reviews from travellers who’ve used them.

Facebook groups

In Facebook groups, ask other travellers which freight forwarders they used for the maritime route you want to cross.

• Overland Sphere
• International Overland Families
• Overlanding South & Central America
• Overlanding South America
• Overlanding North America – Travel & Exploration
• Overlanding Asia
• Overlanding Africa
• Overlanding West Africa & Morocco
• PanAmerican Travelers Association

Via shipping companies

Individuals can’t negotiate directly with shipping companies. You have to go through a freight forwarder / shipping agent. However, you can look for a company which does the desired journey and contact them to ask them for the list of agents they normally work with at the departure and arrival port (some put them on their website).

We’ve listed ro-ro companies with a link to maps of their maritime routes. Travellers mostly use Grimaldi, particularly for trips between the UK and America, via IVSS.

• ACL
• ARRC Line
• CMA-CGM
• DFDS
• Eukor
• Grimaldi
• Hoegh Autoliners
• K- Line
• MOL
• NYK
• Siem Car Carriers
• Wallenius Wilhelmsen

Should I contact a custom clearing agent in the port of arrival?

On the busiest shipping routes (Southampton – Halifax for example), a big freight forwarder like IVSS charges you for a full service which includes marine insurance, arrival port charges, unloading, delivery and customs clearance. Therefore, they’ll be your only point of contact. You won’t need to contact a custom clearing agent at the port of arrival.

For quieter routes, you’ll need to get in touch with two intermediaries: a freight forwarder in the port of departure and a custom clearing agent in the port of arrival. Once you’ve found a freight forwarder in the port of departure, ask them which custom clearing agent they usually work with at the port of arrival and ask them for a quote.

The vocabulary can lead to confusion, as both “shipping agents” and “custom clearing agents” are often simply called “agents”.

Some travellers choose not to go through an intermediary in the port of arrival and instead handle the administrative procedures themselves to get their vehicle out. However, they’re few and far between, as the procedures are complex and the intermediaries are often difficult to find. What’s more, individuals aren’t always allowed to enter ports and documents sometimes have to be submitted through an IT system which isn’t always accessible to the public.

Can I travel on the same boat as my vehicle?

Transporting a vehicle from one continent to another is expensive. It’s one of the biggest expense items for overlanders.

Understanding sea freight rates

Freight rates

For many overlanders, a sea freight quote is so complex that it remains a mystery. To help you understand it better, we’ll give details of the most common items here.

The main item in your quote is freight: the shipping company’s cost to transport your vehicle. Freight is usually part of the freight forwarder’s invoice, but with small independant agents, sometimes it has to be paid to the shipping company directly.

In containers, there’s a rate for each type of container.

In ro-ros, the rate is usually calculated according to the number of cubic metres (CBM). For example, length 5.0 m x width 2.0 m x height 2.1 m = 21 CBM times the cost per CBM.

It can also sometimes be calculated like this:

• According to the length
• According to the weight or measurement / W/M): light cargo is then billed by volume and heavy cargo is billed by weight.

Glossary of shipping quotes

In addition to the freight rate, you’ll need to pay additional costs which may be included in the freight forwarder’s quote or may have to be paid separately. Here are the most common (non-exhaustive list):

• Bunker adjustment factor (BAF) or fuel adjustment charge (FAC): to compensate for fluctuations in the price of the ship’s fuel.
• Currency adjustment factor (CAF): to compensate for fluctuations in currency rates.
• Low sulphur surcharge (LSL): to compensate for the additional costs incurred by shipping companies to switch to more environmentally friendly fuels.
• Terminal handling charges (THC): charges billed by ports for handling goods during loading and unloading.
• Bill of lading (B/L): fees charged by shipping companies for processing the bill of lading: a legal maritime document constituting proof of the contract between you and the carrier.
• International ship and port facility security (ISPS): contribution to the financing of maritime and port security systems.
• Carrier port fees: fees charged by ports for the use of their facilities.
• Custom clearance fees: to cover the preparation and submission of customs documents.
• Clearing agent fees: fees charged by intermediaries who handle the transport of your vehicle from the port of departure to the port of arrival.
• Storage / parking fees: three days are usually included, but if your vehicle stays longer in the port, storage fees quickly add up. Cargo ships sometimes change their route and can arrive earlier than expected. If you’re not there to pick up your vehicle as soon as it’s released, you’ll have to pay these fees.
• Shipping insurance: covers your vehicle if it’s stolen / damaged during transport or if the ship sinks.

All of this may seem complicated, but in reality, you don’t need to understand each and every line of your quote. What matters to you is the total cost. Before signing, make sure your agents specify what’s included and what extra costs you’ll have to pay at ports to avoid any misunderstanding.

Factors that influence shipping price

Maritime transport prices are always fluctuating dramatically. Here are the main factors influencing the cost of shipping:

• Popularity of the maritime route: the busier the sea route, the cheaper the shipping, and vice versa.
• Vehicle measurements: the bigger the vehicle, the more expensive it is to transport.
• Transport type: ro-ro transport is usually cheaper than container transport, unless you find other travellers to share a 40-foot container with.
• Lenght of the maritime route: this has relatively little impact on the price. So, shipping on a short but less popular route like Colón (Panama) – Cartagena (Colombia) is often as expensive as shipping on a long and busy route, like Antwerp (Belgium) – Halifax (Canada).
• Supply and demand: the price of sea freight varies according to supply and demand. Prices therefore vary constantly and significantly. For example, from Asia to the UK or the US, the months in the run-up to Christmas are very expensive, as the containers are stuffed with Christmas goods.

How can I cut back on the cost of shipping?

• Lots of vehicles fit into a 20-foot container. Sharing a 40-foot container or a flat rack with other travellers can help you reduce the cost of shipping. ContainerBuddies automatically sends you an email as soon as another traveller submits a transport request that’s compatible with yours. You can also find container buddies by word of mouth on the road or on overlander Facebook groups.
• Ask your port of departure agent to give you an estimate of the fees you’ll have to pay at the port of arrival, preferably in writing, to reduce the risk of getting caught out (although it’s still possible). Their answer will probably be, “Oh, it won’t cost you much”, but having a rough figure will help you to negotiate at the port of arrival.
• Be flexible with your dates. Leaving one month earlier or later can save you hundreds of pounds.
• Be flexible about the ports of departure and arrival and be ready to adapt your itinerary accordingly.
• Take the time to compare prices, but don’t only make your decision based on the quotes. It’s important to have a good feeling when choosing an agent.

Average price by vehicle type

The average price doesn’t mean much, as each trip is different. But, to give you a vague idea, here’s the all-inclusive price for intercontinental sea transport for the following vehicles:

• 4×4: $2,400 (£1,750)
• Campervan: $2,000 (£1,800)
• Motorhome: $3,900 (£2,900)

Average price of the most popular journeys

Here, we detail you the average all-inclusive shipping prices reported by our survey respondents. We’ve excluded motorbikes as the transport price is much less than those of other vehicles.

Europe – North America

The most popular routes: Antwerp (Belgium) – Halifax (Canada) and Antwerp (Belgium) – Baltimore (United States), usually by ro-ro.

• Average one-way: $3,400 (£2,500)
  (average from 24 travellers)
• Minimum: $2,400 (£1,750)
• Maximum: $3,550 (£3,250)

Europe – South America

The most popular route: Antwerp (Belgium) – Montevideo (Uruguay).

• Average one-way: $4,600 (£3,450)
  (average from 16 travellers)
• Minimum: $2,800 (£2,100)
• Maximum: $10,100 (£7,550)

North America – South America

The most popular route: Colón (Panama) – Cartagena (Colombia).

• Average one-way: $2,800 (£2,100)
  (average from 9 travellers)
• Minimum: $900 (£650)
• Maximum: $4,500 (£3,350)

Vous pouvez réserver jusqu’à un an à l’avance, mais selon Seabridge, il est conseillé de réserver trois à quatre mois à l’avance. Il est généralement possible de réserver jusqu’à deux à trois semaines avant le départ. Pour les trajets entre l’Europe et l’Amérique, le printemps et début de l’été sont les plus périodes les plus demandées.

Pour réserver, vous devrez donner les informations détaillées de votre véhicule et envoyer les documents suivants :

• Copie de la carte grise du véhicule
• Copie de votre passeport
• Carnet de passage en douane pour certains pays

Pour un transport en conteneur, dans certains pays on vous demandera aussi une liste exhaustive de tous les effets personnels qui se trouvent à l’intérieur du véhicule. La liste doit être suffisamment détaillée pour indiquer à l’inspecteur des douanes que vous n’avez rien à cacher.

From two months to five days before departure (it varies a lot), the port freight forwarder confirms the date on which your vehicle must be dropped off at the port of departure.

It’s quite common for them to subsequently announce a delay of one to two weeks. You’ll usually need to drop your vehicle off between ten and one day before the ship’s departure (again, this varies a lot).

The drop-off may take place inside or outside the port. If your vehicle is travelling in a container, a carrier may even come to put it in a container at your home.

Our advice

• In ro-ros, most shipping companies specify that they don’t accept personal items in the vehicle. Others specify that they’re accepted, but that they’re not responsible for them. In practice, personal items are allowed as long as they’re secure and not visible. It’s therefore advisable to install a detachable wall between the cabin and the cell. The driving position must be completely empty. You must leave the front doors unlocked and the keys in the vehicle.
• In ro-ros, make sure that your vehicle doesn’t exceed the authorised laden weight indicated on your vehicle registration document.
• Empty the fuel tank as much as possible and only leave a small amount of fuel. Some travellers add a fuel additive to limit condensation and the formation of algae in the tank during the crossing.
• Also remove the gas bottle if your vehicle has one. In theory, sometimes they’re banned, even if they’re empty, but in practice, no traveller has had an issue for leaving it in their vehicle.
• Remove food from the fridge and any perishable food.
• Clean your vehicle, especially mud flaps and wheels, as the customs inspection in some countries is meticulous. They check for dirt and may charge you for a clean.
• Disconnect the auxiliary batteries and make sure that the engine battery is in good condition so that the vehicle isn’t towed during loading / unloading, as this can increase the risk of damage.
• Check that the interior light and the boot light are turned off and deactivate your vehicle’s alarm system. This will prevent unnecessary energy consumption and protect the battery’s lifespan.
• At the port, take photos of your vehicle from all angles so you can prove the damage in case any occurs during the crossing.
• Take photos of shipping documents and stickers stuck to the vehicle.

In a container

To prevent your vehicle from being damaged during the manoeuvre, ask to get it into the container yourself. Unfortunately, this isn’t always allowed. Your vehicle will be securely attached with straps to prevent it from moving during transport.

Once your vehicle’s inside the container, you can close it and keep the keys. After their final inspection, the customs officers will close the container doors with a special seal. Your vehicle will therefore be safe during the crossing.

However, zero risk doesn’t exist. The container may be hit during handling or, even though it’s extremely rare, it may fall in the water during the crossing. These risks are covered by marine insurance.

In a ro-ro

Reduce the risk of theft

• Don’t leave any valuables (GPS, camera, laptop…) inside. Take as many items as possible with you on the plane, even if it means paying for extra luggage.
• Install a solid wood or wire mesh partition between the cab and the cell.
• Install a reinforced lock on the side door and the back door.
• Keep your personal items out of sight. Hide them in a place that’s difficult to access. You can store them in the hold and secure it with plywood and battens. Or, build a cage in which you can lock your possessions.
• Secure openings, skylights and windows from the inside.

However, these precautions aren’t always enough to prevent theft. Therefore, some travellers try an alternative method. To prevent the vehicle from being damaged during breaking and entering, they deliberately leave the cell open with a few items inside.

Once your agent has picked up your vehicle, they take it through customs and have it loaded onto the ship. You can then follow the progress of the boat, live on the Marine Traffic website. The crossing can take several weeks on some routes.

Average lenght of transport for the main shipping routes

• UK – North America: 2 weeks
• UK – South America: 1 month
• North America – South America: 1 week
• UK to Southeast Asia: 1 month
• UK to South Africa: 1 month
• Asia – North America: 3 weeks
• Asia – South America: 1 month and a half
• Iran – Dubai: 1 day
• Oman – India: 1 week
• Azerbaijan – Kazakhstan: 2 days

When the departure date is set, ro-ros are usually fairly punctual. If your vehicle is travelling in a container, on the other hand, delays are more common due to itinerary changes, or even ship changes.

Unless you’re travelling on the same ship as your vehicle, you’ll arrive well ahead of it. Delays are common, especially in a container. Therefore, have a little patience whilst waiting for your vehicle to arrive.

Whilst waiting for its arrival at the port, get in touch with your agent. Confirm the documents you need to give them (bill of lading, vehicle registration document, passport, Carnet de Passages en Douane…) and make photocopies of them. Withdraw money so that you’ll be able to pay the fees.

Customs clearance often takes longer for containers than for ro-ros. If your vehicle’s container is right at the bottom of the pile, you’ll indeed have to wait for everything else to be handled before you can collect it.

Before leaving the port, carefully inspect your vehicle to check that nothing has been damaged or stolen. Once out, forget all about it and enjoy your trip!

This insurance isn’t compulsory, but highly recommended. It costs around 0.9% of the vehicle’s value. It will often be included in your freight forwarder’s quote.

Generally speaking, marine insurance covers the total loss of the vehicle (particularly if the boat sinks), but not theft during shipping. If your vehicle is damaged during transport, vehicle damage will only be refunded if the cost of repairs exceed the excess. Scratches and other minor damage aren’t covered.

ADEME data

According to ADEME’s Carbon Database (Agency for Ecological Transition), maritime transport generates 0.00847 kg of CO2 per tonne and per kilometre in containers and 0.0457 kg of CO2 per tonne and per kilometre in ro-ros.

For the same weight, transporting a vehicle in a ro-ro would therefore be five times more polluting than in a container. We don’t know why the gap is so large, but we can assume that container ships carry much more merchandise than ro-ros and therefore their CO2 emissions per tonne are lower.

Examples

A round trip from the UK to America (Liverpool – Halifax then Montevideo – Liverpool) with a Volkswagen California T4 campervan weighing 1.8 tonnes in a container emits 0.3 tonnes of CO2.

A round trip from the UK to America (Liverpool – Halifax then Montevideo – Liverpool) with a Ford Challenger motorhome weighing 3 tonnes in a ro-ro emits 2.2 tonnes of CO2.

The same trip by plane emits 3.8 tonnes of CO2 per passenger. Therefore, your flights contribute more to global warming than the transport of your vehicle.

Alternatives