How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car Overseas from the UK? (2026 Prices)

Shipping a car overseas from the UK in 2026 typically starts from around £535 for a saloon by RoRo to Spain and rises with distance, vehicle size and shipping method. Examples from our published port-to-port price list: Cyprus from £870, Malta from £1,085, Kenya from £1,340, Australia from £1,795 for a saloon and £2,525 for an SUV, and Thailand from £895.

These are port-to-port rates. Your total also includes UK collection if needed, marine insurance if chosen, and destination charges such as port handling, customs duty, taxes and registration, which are paid in the destination country.

Distance and route: short sea routes to Europe and the Mediterranean cost less than long-haul routes to Australia or East Asia. Vehicle size: SUVs, vans and 4x4s take more deck space and cost more than saloons. Shipping method: RoRo is usually the cheapest for running cars; sole-use 20ft or 40ft containers cost more but add protection and let you ship personal items where permitted. Shared containers split the cost between several cars. Season and demand: busy sailings fill quickly, especially in summer.

RoRo (roll-on roll-off) means your car is driven onto a vessel like a floating car park. It is simple and cost-effective, but the car must run and be empty of personal belongings. Container shipping places your car in a steel box, either on its own (sole use) or with other cars (shared). A 20ft container usually fits one car plus some goods; a 40ft can fit two or more cars, which is why many families share one when moving.

Our cost calculator shows both RoRo and container figures where published, so you can compare side by side.

A port-to-port rate normally covers UK port receiving, loading and sea freight to the destination port. It usually does not include UK inland collection, marine insurance, destination terminal handling, customs clearance, duties, taxes, inspections or delivery to your door. Always ask exactly what is included so you can compare quotes fairly — the cheapest headline figure is not always the cheapest total.

Every country has its own import rules. Common charges include customs duty (often a percentage of the car's value), VAT or GST, excise or luxury taxes, port and terminal fees, roadworthiness tests, and local registration. Some countries have age limits or ban certain vehicles altogether. For example, Australia requires a Vehicle Import Approval before shipping, and Pakistan applies duty by engine size.

Our destination and import guides explain the main rules for each country, and our local partners can help with clearance at many ports.

Book early, be flexible on sailing dates, choose RoRo for running cars, share a container if you have goods to send, and deliver the car to the port yourself if convenient. Check that your documents are ready before the car reaches the port, because storage charges add up quickly when paperwork is late. Finally, compare total landed cost, not just freight.

Spain from £535 (saloon, RoRo). Cyprus (Limassol) £870 saloon / £1,235 SUV. Malta £1,085 saloon / £1,240 SUV. Kenya (Mombasa) from £1,340. Australia £1,795 saloon / £2,525 SUV. Thailand from £895. Malaysia from £760. For all other destinations, see the car shipping costs page or use the cost calculator for your exact route, then request a free quote to confirm the next sailing.

A clear quote shows the route (loading port and destination port), the shipping method, the vehicle it is based on, what is included and what is excluded, the validity period and payment terms. Check the vehicle size used in the quote matches your car, because an SUV priced as a saloon will be corrected later. If insurance is optional, the quote should show its price separately. Keep the quote with your booking so you can refer back to it if anything changes.

Larger vehicles such as vans, pick-ups, camper vans and lifted 4x4s are usually priced by size, because they take more deck space. RoRo vessels can handle high and heavy vehicles that would never fit in a container, which often makes RoRo the only practical choice for motorhomes and tall vans. For an accurate price, send the length, width, height and weight with your quote request, and mention any roof boxes, bike racks or modifications, since these change the measured size.

Short sea and Mediterranean routes such as Spain, Cyprus and Malta usually take one to three weeks at sea depending on sailing schedules. West and East African routes such as Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania often take three to six weeks. Long-haul routes to Australia, New Zealand and East Asia commonly take six to eight weeks or more. Transit times are estimates only and vary with schedules, transhipment and port congestion, so always check the current sailing schedule.

Storage if paperwork is late, destination cleaning or biosecurity inspection (strict in Australia and New Zealand), roadworthiness modifications, currency exchange fees, local agent fees and temporary insurance. None of these appear in a freight rate, but each can add hundreds of pounds. Ask your destination agent for a written estimate before the car sails so you are not surprised on arrival.

For many people, the real question is whether shipping is cheaper than selling in the UK and buying at destination. Add freight, destination taxes and registration together and compare with the local price of an equivalent car. Right-hand drive cars going to left-drive countries often lose value, while cars going to countries with high local prices or strict supply, such as Australia, Kenya or the Caribbean, are more often worth shipping.