How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to the USA in 2026?

The cost of shipping a car from the UK to the USA depends on several interacting factors: the shipping method chosen, the departure port in the UK, the arrival port in the USA, the size and value of the vehicle, and current fuel surcharges applied by the shipping line. Southampton remains the busiest UK departure point for transatlantic vehicle shipments, with regular sailings to East Coast hubs such as New York/Newark, Baltimore, and Brunswick, Georgia.

Because the transatlantic route is one of the most heavily serviced vehicle shipping corridors in the world, pricing is generally more competitive and predictable than routes to less frequently served destinations. That said, seasonal demand, especially around the summer months when private buyers and dealers move classic and performance cars for US auctions and shows, can push prices up by 10–20% compared with quieter winter months.

RORO is the most popular and cost-effective method for shipping a standard, running vehicle to the USA. For 2026, typical RORO costs from Southampton to East Coast ports range from £900 to £1,400 for a standard saloon or hatchback, and £1,300 to £1,900 for larger SUVs or trucks. West Coast destinations such as Los Angeles or Long Beach usually cost more, in the region of £1,300 to £1,900 for a standard car, reflecting the longer transit and different vessel rotations.

These figures typically include UK port handling and ocean freight but exclude UK export documentation fees (where applicable), marine insurance, and any US-side charges. Marine transit insurance is strongly recommended and generally costs 1–2% of the vehicle's declared value, which for a £20,000 car would add roughly £200–£400 to the total.

For higher-value, classic, or non-running vehicles, container shipping is the preferred option. A shared (groupage) 40-foot container, split between two to four vehicles, typically costs between £1,100 and £1,700 per car to the USA, while a dedicated container for a single vehicle runs from £2,200 to £3,200 depending on the port pair. Container shipping offers the benefit of full enclosure, protecting the car from weather and reducing handling exposure, which is particularly valuable for vehicles being sold at auction on arrival.

Owners shipping multiple vehicles, or moving house with a car alongside furniture, often find groupage shipping the most economical route, as costs can be shared proportionally across the container's contents.

Once your vehicle arrives in the USA, US Customs and Border Protection charges import duty of 2.5% of the vehicle's value for passenger cars, or 25% for trucks, though this can vary based on trade agreements and the vehicle's country of manufacture. On top of duty, expect port handling and terminal fees in the range of £150–£350, plus customs clearance broker fees, typically £150–£300.

A critical factor for cost planning is EPA and DOT compliance. Vehicles less than 25 years old generally must meet US emissions and safety standards unless imported under specific exemptions, which can add significant compliance costs or effectively bar import altogether unless the vehicle was originally sold in the US market. Vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from these requirements, which is one reason classic and vintage UK cars are so commonly exported to America.

As a worked example, shipping a 2015 family saloon worth around £15,000 from Southampton to Baltimore via RORO in 2026 might look like this: ocean freight and UK port handling £1,100, marine insurance £180, US customs duty at 2.5% of declared value £375, US port and terminal handling £250, and customs broker fee £200. This brings the realistic all-in cost to approximately £2,100–£2,300, before any inland trucking from the US port to the buyer's final address.

For a classic car over 25 years old shipped via a dedicated container, the total is often higher on the freight side but avoids compliance costs, since the vehicle qualifies for exemption from EPA and DOT testing. Getting an itemised quote from your shipping provider before committing is essential, since headline freight prices rarely reflect the true landed cost.

Booking six to eight weeks ahead of your intended sailing date generally secures better rates than last-minute bookings, particularly during busy summer months. Choosing a groupage container over a dedicated one, where your vehicle's value and timeline allow, can also meaningfully reduce cost. Finally, working with a shipping company that has established relationships with US customs brokers can streamline clearance and avoid unexpected storage fees for vehicles left sitting at the port awaiting paperwork.

At The Ship Cars, we provide transparent, itemised quotes covering the full journey from your UK address to final US delivery, so you can budget accurately from the outset.