Why Ship Cars in Containers? 8 Reasons Container Shipping Wins

People ship cars in containers because the car is sealed inside a steel box, protected from weather, salt spray and handling, and nobody drives it during the voyage. Containers also let you ship non-running cars, personal items and spare parts, and they reach destinations that RoRo ships do not serve. RoRo is usually cheaper for a single running car, but containers win on protection and flexibility.

The car is strapped down inside a sealed container. It is protected from rain, sea spray, dust and minor knocks from other vehicles. That is why classic, prestige and high-value cars usually travel by container.

On RoRo, port staff drive the car on and off the ship. In a container, the car is loaded once at the depot and only unloaded at the destination, reducing the chance of scratches or wear.

RoRo cars must usually be empty. Containers can carry household goods, tools, spare wheels and parts, as long as they are declared and allowed by destination customs. For families relocating, this can replace a separate removals shipment.

RoRo requires cars to be driven on and off. Non-runners, project cars and salvage vehicles must go by container, loaded by winch or forklift.

Container ships serve far more ports than RoRo vessels. Many destinations in Asia, the Middle East and Africa are only practical by container. For example, our published rates for Thailand and Malaysia are container rates.

By sharing a 40ft container with other customers, you pay only for your share. This can bring container shipping close to RoRo prices, with the added protection.

The container is sealed with a numbered seal recorded on the shipping documents. Any tampering is obvious, and the seal is only broken by customs or at unloading.

Flat-rack and open-top containers take vehicles and boats that do not fit standard boxes, and high cube containers make room for racking and taller vehicles.

Customers who choose containers tell us three things matter most: knowing their car was not driven by strangers, being able to pack belongings they would otherwise have to ship separately, and receiving photos from loading and unloading. For classic owners, the sealed environment and moisture control give peace of mind on long voyages. For traders, the ability to ship several cars at once and include spare parts makes each shipment far more profitable.

1. Get a quote and choose sole or shared container.

2. We collect the car from your address or you deliver it to our loading depot.

3. The car is inspected, photographed and loaded with any personal items on your packing list.

4. It is chocked, strapped and braced, then the container is sealed and the seal number recorded.

5. The container is taken to the port, cleared for export and loaded onto the vessel.

6. On arrival, the container is cleared by customs and unpacked at the destination depot, where you or your agent collect the car.

The whole process is tracked, and you receive the bill of lading and loading photos for your records.

Choose a container if your car is a classic, high-value, modified or non-running vehicle, if you want to ship belongings with it, or if your destination is not served by RoRo. Choose RoRo if your car is a standard running vehicle, you are shipping to a major RoRo port and you want the lowest price and fastest sailing.

A sole container is yours alone. It is loaded when you are ready, sealed with only your belongings inside and sails on the next available vessel. It costs more but gives maximum control and protection, which is why it suits classic and high-value cars.

A shared container carries two to four cars from different customers. Each car is secured separately and the cost is split, making it much cheaper per car. The trade-off is timing: the container sails once it is full, which can add a few days or weeks. For many customers shipping a standard car with a few belongings, shared containers are the best value.

Our official price list shows container rates for many destinations. For example, a 20ft to Thailand starts from £895, and a shared 20ft to Malaysia starts from £760.

Container shipments are photographed at loading and unloading, and marine insurance is available on the car's full value. Because the car is sealed, claims for weather or handling damage are much rarer than on open-deck transport. Keep the loading photos until the car is safely registered at the destination.

Documents checklist: your V5C registration document (or proof of ownership), passport or photo ID, a commercial invoice or bill of sale showing the value, and the booking confirmation we send you. We prepare the UK export declaration on the Customs Declaration Service and give you the bill of lading once the vehicle has sailed. Keep digital copies of everything, because the destination customs broker will ask for the same documents again.

RoRo is usually the cheapest and fastest option for a standard running car going to a major RoRo port such as those in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus or West Africa. Published RoRo rates start from £535 (Spain) on our price list. If you do not need to ship belongings and the car is not especially valuable, RoRo is often the sensible choice.

Our RoRo vs container cost comparison guide sets out the options side by side. If you are unsure, send us your car details and destination and we will recommend the best method.

The Ship Cars works with Ascope Shipping Services LTD, our official vehicle shipping agent in Hull, rated 4.7/5 from 710 Trustpilot reviews. You get one point of contact for UK collection, export paperwork, RoRo or container freight and advice for arrival. Every quote is fixed and based on our published country rates where they apply, so there are no surprises on the port-to-port price. If you are unsure whether to choose RoRo or container, we will compare both for your car and destination.