How to Collect Your Car from Port: A Step-by-Step Guide

Before travelling to collect your vehicle, confirm with your clearing agent that customs clearance is fully complete and any duty or VAT has been paid in full — arriving at the port with clearance still pending is one of the most common causes of wasted trips and additional storage charges. You should also confirm the port's collection hours, as many terminals only release vehicles during limited weekday windows and require advance notice or an appointment slot.

Use our guide on tracking your shipment to confirm the vessel has actually berthed and cargo has been discharged before setting off, since arrival dates can shift by a day or two due to port congestion or weather.

Bring original identification (passport or national ID), the bill of lading (original or a release letter from the shipping line, known as a telex release or express release), proof of customs clearance, and payment receipts for any duty, VAT or terminal handling charges. If someone is collecting on your behalf, they'll need a signed authorisation letter and a copy of your ID.

Most terminals also require a gate pass generated once all fees are settled — your clearing agent typically arranges this, but you should confirm it's ready before arriving to avoid being turned away at the gate.

At the terminal, you'll typically check in at a customer service or gate office, present your documents, and be directed to the vehicle storage yard. For RORO shipments, the vehicle is usually driven to a collection point by port staff; for container shipments, the container is opened (devanned) in your presence or by terminal staff, and the vehicle is driven or towed out.

Inspect the vehicle carefully before signing any release or condition form — check bodywork, glass, tyres, and the interior against the pre-shipment photographs and condition report. Note any damage immediately on the paperwork, as claims made after leaving the terminal are far harder to substantiate.

In most destination countries, you cannot legally drive the vehicle on public roads until it's been registered locally, which usually requires the cleared customs documents, a roadworthiness or emissions test, and payment of local registration fees. Requirements vary significantly by country — for example, importing a car to Kenya requires a KEBS inspection before registration, while other markets have their own equivalent checks.

Arrange transport (a low-loader or short-term insurance for driving) from the port to a registration centre or your home, since insurance and temporary plates are often needed even for this short journey.

The most frequent hiccups at collection are missing original bill of lading documents (resolve this by requesting a telex release from the shipping line in advance), unpaid demurrage or storage fees accrued during a slow clearance process, and discrepancies between the vehicle's declared value and the customs assessment. If a dispute arises over valuation, ask your clearing agent for the official customs valuation method used in that country, as most have published guidelines or reference value tables.

Before leaving the port, check that all fluids are topped up (many vehicles arrive with minimal fuel for shipping safety reasons), the battery holds charge, and tyre pressures are correct after weeks of sitting stationary. If the vehicle hasn't run in several weeks, allow the engine to idle for a few minutes and check for warning lights before driving any distance. Keep all your port paperwork safe, as it will be needed for final registration and may be requested at road checkpoints in the days following collection.