How long does it take to ship a car from the UK to USA?
Vessels sail from Southampton on a regular rotation; door-to-port transit is typically 12–16 days. Add 5–10 working days each end for UK collection and destination clearance.
Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to USA in 2026
Live 2026 prices to ship a car from the UK to USA. RORO and container rates, transit time, duty, VAT and the hidden costs that most quotes leave out.
Frequently asked questions
Is RORO available to USA?
Yes — RORO is the most cost-effective option for standard vehicles. We use Höegh Autoliners, Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Grimaldi for the USA rotation.
What duties will I pay in USA?
2.5% duty (25% for trucks); 25-year vehicles are EPA/DOT exempt. Duties are paid by the importer at the destination port.
Is insurance included?
All quotes include UK port handling and the Bill of Lading. Marine transit insurance at 1.5–2% of vehicle value is offered separately on every quote.
How much does it cost to ship a car from UK to USA in 2026?
RORO from Southampton to East Coast ports (Baltimore, New York, Jacksonville) is £1,450–£2,150 for a standard saloon. West Coast (Long Beach, Tacoma) is £2,150–£2,850. Add UK port handling £180–£260, marine insurance ~1.8% of vehicle value, and US destination charges USD 350–550. For 25-year-old vehicles total landed cost is typically £2,500–£3,500; under-25 vehicles add £4,500–£9,500 in EPA/DOT compliance.
Is it cheaper to ship to East Coast or West Coast USA?
East Coast is £500–£800 cheaper on freight and 2–3 weeks faster. Ship East Coast unless your final address is in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada or Arizona — in which case Long Beach or Tacoma saves on US inland trucking.
Which UK port should I ship from to the USA?
Southampton handles ~95% of UK to USA RORO with weekly Wallenius Wilhelmsen sailings. Felixstowe is used for container freight to Baltimore and New York. Liverpool occasionally runs ACL services to Halifax with US onward connection.
Can I ship a 10-year-old car to the USA?
Technically yes but rarely economic. Vehicles under 25 years old require EPA emissions conversion through an Independent Commercial Importer (£4,500–£8,000) and DOT safety compliance through a Registered Importer (£3,000–£6,000). For most under-25 cars this is more than the vehicle's US market value. The 25-year rule is the cleanest path.
How long does it take to ship a car from the UK to USA?
Southampton to Baltimore is 12–14 days, New York 11–13 days, Jacksonville 14–17 days. Long Beach and Tacoma via Panama Canal take 30–40 days. Add 3–7 working days for CBP clearance on 25-year vehicles, or 4–8 weeks for under-25 RI compliance.
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