Everything you need to know about international car shipping

International car shipping methods

First and foremost, you must decide on your preferred car shipping method. There are a few to choose from, based on your budget and specific needs.

Air freight

Air freight is by far the fastest method to get your vehicle from A to B, but it is also the least common choice. Air shipment is typically reserved for rare and high-value cars or unique situations requiring urgent delivery.

Ocean freight logistics

Ocean freight logistics, on the other hand, is the most practical option for most situations. Container and RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) are the two primary ocean shipping methods, each with its benefits and drawbacks.

Container shipping

Container shipping offers the opportunity to ship multiple motor vehicles or other personal items in the container. However, this typically comes at a higher cost, unless you opt for the much slower shared container method, which only leaves the port when the container reaches full capacity.

Container shipping is usually more expensive than RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) transportation at sea as you pay for shipping the entire container and not a “car equivalent unit” (CEU) like with RoRo shipping.

Container shipping often has size and weight limitations and is thus not always the best solution depending on the car being transported.

Roll on roll off car shipping

Roll on roll off car shipping is a convenient and cost-effective option for vehicles, such as cars, trucks, buses, and trailers as it allows them to be driven directly onto a specialized vessel.

The vessels function like mobile parking structures and are equipped with deck anchoring for increased security.

The vessels offer international transportation and can ship thousands of cars in one sailing. The cars are driven onto deck, making it more efficient to load and offload the vessels, thus saving time and cost.

Choosing an auto shipping company

Choosing a reputable shipping company is critical to ensuring the safe and timely arrival of your vehicle. Look for companies with extensive freight transport industry experience and positive customer reviews.

It's also beneficial to select a company that offers cargo tracking capabilities, allowing you to monitor your vehicle's journey throughout the shipping process.

Required Documentation

Preparing the required documentation far in advance will be key for a smooth car shipping experience.

This typically includes a completed shipping note (a.k.a. dock receipt), accurate cargo weight declaration, and any other requirements depending on the destination of your vehicle and other factors.

You can never be too safe when it comes to documentation, so make sure to consult with your chosen auto-shipping company for more information.

The costs of international car shipping

The costs of transporting your car across borders can vary greatly depending on the shipping method, the cargo type, and the distance to the destination.

In addition to the general transportation fees, the overall price can be affected by various other factors. For instance, additional taxes, port fees, customs duties, destination charges, and pricing fluctuations based on seasonal demand. All of these should be considered for a more accurate budget estimate.

To get a quote please complete the form here.

Transporting electric vehicles

With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, it’s important to note that their transportation involves slightly different procedures.

Please refer to our cargo acceptance policy here for more information.

Looking for RoRo car shipping services?

If roll on roll off car shipping is the method you would like to use for your vehicle transportation, we can assist you!

Höegh Autoliners are proud leaders of the automotive transport industry. With a modern fleet of specialized RoRo vessels and decades of experience under our belt, we are committed to handling your shipments with the highest care and efficiency.

Fill in our inquiry form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.