The Ship Cars

    Container Car Shipping from the UK — Full & Shared Container Options

    Maximum protection for high-value, classic, and non-running vehicles. Dedicated or shared container options.

    Quick answer

    What is container shipping?

    Container shipping encloses and secures a vehicle inside a steel container for the sea journey. It suits valuable, classic and non-running vehicles, with sole-use and consolidation options depending on the route.

    The Ship Cars is the vehicle shipping agent division of Ascope Shipping Services LTD, registered in England.

    Car being secured inside a shipping container in the UK
    Container shipping keeps a vehicle enclosed throughout the sea journey.

    What Is Container Car Shipping and When Should You Use It?

    Maximum Protection

    Your vehicle is fully enclosed in a steel container, protected from weather, salt spray, and any external damage during transit.

    Ship Personal Items Too

    Unlike RORO, you can fill the remaining space in your container with personal belongings, boxes, or motorcycle parts.

    Ideal for Non-Running Vehicles

    Non-running cars can be loaded by forklift or winch into the container — no driving required.

    Shared Container Savings

    Share a container with other vehicles heading to the same destination to split costs — typically 20–30% cheaper than exclusive.

    Exclusive Container Option

    Book an entire 20ft or 40ft container for your vehicle. Maximum privacy and protection.

    Classic & Luxury Specialists

    Custom bracing, soft ties, and additional padding for high-value and classic vehicles.

    How Is a Car Loaded and Secured in a Shipping Container?

    01

    Get a Quote

    Tell us your vehicle details and we'll recommend shared or exclusive container options with fixed pricing.

    02

    Container Loading

    Your vehicle is professionally loaded into the container at a secure facility near your chosen UK port.

    03

    Sealing & Documentation

    The container is sealed with a unique security seal. We handle all export documentation and customs.

    04

    Shipping & Tracking

    Your container is loaded onto the vessel and shipped. Track your container's journey in real-time.

    05

    Destination Delivery

    Container arrives at destination port. We arrange customs clearance and can organise local delivery.

    Indicative Pricing

    Prices are estimates for a standard car. Get an exact quote for your vehicle.

    Shared Container (Europe)

    Share costs with other vehicles

    £1,600

    Shared Container (Worldwide)

    Most popular option

    £2,100

    Exclusive 20ft Container

    Fits 1 car + personal items

    £2,800

    Exclusive 40ft Container

    Fits 2–4 vehicles

    £4,200

    Which Destinations Are Available for Container Car Shipping from the UK?

    Quick answer

    Container car shipping from the UK is available to most global destinations including USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Jamaica, and more. Popular UK departure ports include Southampton, Tilbury, and Grimsby. Transit times vary from 2 to 8 weeks depending on destination.

    Container Shipping to Africa

    Container Shipping to Australasia

    Container Shipping to the Americas

    Transit Time by Destination

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is container shipping better than RoRo for car export?
    Container shipping offers enclosed protection and can accommodate non-running vehicles or declared personal effects. RORO often costs less for a running car; compare both methods for the same destination and vehicle.
    How much does it cost to ship a car in a container from the UK?
    Container prices depend on the destination, container size, loading arrangement and vehicle dimensions. Use the published destination rate where available, or request a quote; collection and destination charges are separate unless included explicitly.
    Can I use a shared container to ship my car to Australia?
    Ask for current shared-container availability to your Australian arrival port. Confirm the consolidation date, loading arrangements and import approval before booking rather than assuming every sailing offers this option.
    What is the maximum size car that fits in a 20ft container?
    The limiting measurements are the container door opening and usable interior, together with clearance for loading and securing the car. Supply exact vehicle dimensions, including mirrors and roof accessories, for a loading assessment.
    How long does container shipping from the UK to the USA take?
    Allow for loading and consolidation as well as the ocean journey. Transit varies by US port and whether the sailing is direct; the booking schedule provides the route-specific estimate.
    Is my car covered by insurance inside a shipping container?
    A sealed container is not insurance. Confirm the marine policy, insured value, excess and loading/unloading cover with your quote, especially for a classic or high-value vehicle.
    What's the difference between shared and exclusive containers?
    A shared container holds 2–4 vehicles from different customers heading to the same destination, splitting the cost. An exclusive container is booked solely for your vehicle(s), offering maximum privacy and space for personal items.
    Can I ship personal items in the container?
    Yes! This is one of the biggest advantages of container shipping. You can fill remaining space with boxes, furniture, or other personal effects.
    How are vehicles secured inside the container?
    Vehicles are secured using wheel chocks, ratchet straps, and custom bracing. For high-value vehicles, we use soft ties and additional padding to prevent any movement.

    Official government resources

    Always confirm current customs, duty and vehicle registration rules with the official authorities before you ship.

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    Roll-on Roll-off Shipping: Everything You Need to Know

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    Read Roll-on Roll-off Shipping: Everything You Need to Know     Guides

    UK Customs Clearance for Vehicle Imports and Exports Explained

    A comprehensive guide to UK customs procedures for vehicle imports and exports — covering duties, VAT, HMRC, and post-Brexit changes.

    Read UK Customs Clearance for Vehicle Imports and Exports Explained

    Ready to Ship?

    Get a free, no-obligation quote for container shipping from the UK. Browse our destinations or use the cost calculator for an estimate.