Shipping your car overseas in 2026 typically takes 2–10 weeks. Costs depend on vehicle size, route, shipping method (RoRo, container, R-Rak, or air), and whether you choose door-to-door or port-to-port service. The 10 best car shipping companies in 2026, including AmeriFreight, Maersk Line, CMA CGM, and CARS, run the gamut from budget movers to luxury specialists.

The main points

  • International car shipping typically takes 2–10 weeks depending on route and method.
  • RoRo is usually the cheapest sea option. Containers and R-Rak suit shared loads and high-value vehicles.
  • Expect import duties of 10–20%, rising to around 30% in markets that add VAT.
  • Always confirm marine plus on-land insurance covering total loss, theft, and damage.
  • The top car shipping companies for 2026 include AmeriFreight, Maersk Line, CMA CGM, Anglo Pacific, and CARS for classic vehicles.

How International Car Shipping Works

Moving a vehicle across borders is a logistics puzzle with several solutions. The right method depends on your budget, timeline, destination, and how precious the cargo is. Here are the four main options the leading car shipping companies offer in 2026.

Roll-on, Roll-off (RoRo) shipping

RoRo is the workhorse of international car shipping. Your car is simply driven onto a purpose-built vehicle deck, secured, and driven off at the destination port. It’s typically the fastest and cheapest sea option, but the vehicle has to be running and you can’t load personal belongings inside.

Container car shipping

Container shipping seals your vehicle inside a 20-foot or 40-foot container, either solo or shared with other cars and household goods. It costs more than RoRo and can take a little longer. The trade-off is better protection from weather, salt spray, and tampering, a clear win for higher-value cars.

R-Rak and air freight options

R-Rak is a clever middle ground. A steel rack fits up to four saloon cars safely inside a single container, sharing the cost while keeping each vehicle protected. Air freight is the fastest method by far, often only a few days door-to-door, but the price tag rules it out for anyone not shipping a race car or exotic.

Land transporters for same-continent moves

If you’re moving within the same continent (US to Canada, say, or across Europe), a land-based car transporter can be quicker than the sea. Open carriers are cheapest. Enclosed trailers cost more but protect against road grime and stone chips, and they’re the standard choice for luxury and classic vehicles.

What Car Shipping Costs in 2026

Pricing in 2026 is highly route- and vehicle-specific, so always get multiple written quotes from different car shipping companies. Below are the variables that have the biggest impact.

Factors that affect price

  • Vehicle size and weight. SUVs and pickups cost more than compact saloons.
  • Route and port pairing. Major lanes (e.g., Southampton to New York) are cheaper than less-trafficked routes.
  • Method. RoRo < shared container < sole-use container < air freight.
  • Season. Summer and end-of-year peaks push rates up.
  • Service level. Door-to-door adds inland trucking on both ends.

Import duties and taxes

Import duties typically land between 10–20%, but can climb to around 30% once VAT is layered on in destinations like the UK and EU. Some countries also charge environmental, luxury, or age-based surcharges, so check the destination’s customs schedule before you book.

Door-to-door vs. port-to-port

Port-to-port is cheaper but means arranging your own inland transport at both ends. Door-to-door folds collection, port handling, customs brokerage, and final delivery into one quote. Slightly pricier, but far less stressful, especially if you don’t yet know your way around the destination country.

Insurance and Documentation You’ll Need

Marine insurance essentials

Marine cover protects your car for the sea leg of the journey. At minimum, insist on total-loss, theft, and accidental damage protection, and check whether saltwater corrosion and on-deck weather damage are included for RoRo shipments.

On-land coverage

The moment your vehicle rolls off the ship, marine cover ends. You’ll need on-land insurance for inland transport, plus local registration and third-party cover before you can legally drive it on arrival.

Required vehicle paperwork

Typical paperwork includes:

  • Original vehicle title and registration
  • Bill of sale or purchase invoice
  • Government-issued photo ID and proof of residency
  • Shipper’s export declaration (where applicable)
  • Insurance certificate
  • Destination-country import permit and customs forms

Confirm the destination country’s specific import rules. Vehicle age limits, emissions standards, and steering-side restrictions catch a lot of shippers out.

The 11 Best Car Shipping Companies in 2026

RoadRunner Auto Transport

RoadRunner Auto Transport is a highly-regarded provider of nationwide vehicle logistics, backed by decades of industry expertise and a strong reputation for reliable service. Their expansive network facilitates dependable door-to-door transport across the United States and offshore locations like Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean, handling everything from standard family cars to high-end luxury vehicles and oversized cargo. By pairing versatile shipping options—including secure enclosed transport—with dedicated personal agents and real-time tracking, RoadRunner offers a professional, fully insured experience that simplifies the complexities of vehicle shipping for its customers.

AmeriFreight

US-based AmeriFreight is one of the top-rated auto shipping brokers, moving everything from family cars to luxury vehicles. With an A rating from the independent BBB, they’re known for competitive rates and strong customer service. Most of their business is within the continental US, but they can arrange international shipping to hundreds of destinations, with door-to-door inland transport, customs clearance, full insurance, and a dedicated freight agent.

Auto Shippers

UK-based Auto Shippers covers worldwide routes from the US to New Zealand. Alongside standard RoRo and container options, they offer R-Rak shipping, a rack system that fits up to four saloon cars in one standard container and is popular with manufacturers. R-Rak is available on shipments between the UK and the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Cyprus.

CMA CGM Group

French giant CMA CGM is one of the world’s largest shipping companies, with a fleet of over 700 vessels linking ports globally. They handle outsize cargo and a wide range of vehicles. Their dedicated RoRo vessels concentrate on France–Northern Africa lanes, so most other routes use containers.

Anglo Pacific

One of the UK’s largest car shipping companies, Anglo Pacific has shipped vehicles since 1978. They offer accredited transportation, full insurance, and payment protection, with a choice of RoRo or container and door-to-door or port-to-port delivery.

King of the Road Transport

Accredited with an A+ rating from the BBB, King of the Road brokers everything from door-to-door shipping to vehicle storage. Choose open transporters for budget moves or enclosed shipping for premium protection. International coordinators oversee each shipment, with online tracking included.

Select the size of your move to get free quotes

1 Bedroom

2 Bedroom

3+ Bedroom

Car Shipping Co.

UK-based Car Shipping Co. offers RoRo and container shipping plus vehicle storage, dismantling (which can reduce customs charges), inland transport, steam cleaning, and full insurance. They also offer rare air freight for cars and ship to most major global ports.

Classic Automotive Relocation Services (CARS)

Special cars need specialist service, which is exactly what CARS provides. Built for luxury and classic car owners, they keep skilled mechanics on hand and routinely service major car-racing events. With offices in the UK, US, Japan, and the Middle East, they offer door-to-door service and strong marine cover. As an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), they broker directly with customs for smooth transit.

eShip

For moves within the US and Canada, eShip transports over 1,000 vehicles a month and can broker door-to-door international moves via its global partner network. They’re known for 24/7 customer service and competitive rates.

Maersk Line

Danish heavyweight Maersk Line ships to 130 countries, backed by a fleet of over 700 vessels. Because car shipping is a core service line, prices are less prone to the seasonal spikes you’ll see with smaller carriers. Maersk offers an intermodal door-to-door service combining land and sea.

MoveCorp

MoveCorp is a strong pick if you want one company to manage your whole relocation, vehicle included. The UK-based provider covers China, Canada, Australia, the US, South Africa, the UAE, Russia, and more, and assigns each customer a personal Removal Coordinator.

How to Choose the Right Car Shipping Company

Match the method to your vehicle and budget

A 10-year-old daily driver going to a major port? RoRo is almost certainly your answer. A 1965 Mustang heading to a private collector? Enclosed container or a specialist carrier like CARS. Be honest about the vehicle’s value and your risk appetite.

Verify accreditations and insurance

Look for BBB ratings (US), AEO status (Europe), FMC licensing, and recognised industry bodies when vetting car shipping companies. Confirm marine and on-land cover limits, deductibles, and what events are excluded.

Compare door-to-door vs. port-to-port quotes

Get at least three written quotes from different car shipping companies for the same service tier so you’re comparing like with like. Make sure customs brokerage, port handling, and inland delivery are itemised. That’s where surprise costs hide.

Read recent customer reviews

Recent reviews matter more than long-standing reputations. Filter for the past 12 months and look for repeating themes around timelines, communication, and damage handling.

Preparing Your Car for Shipping

Cleaning and inspection

Wash the car thoroughly. Many destinations (Australia and New Zealand especially) require professional steam cleaning to remove all soil and organic matter. Take dated photos of every panel, the interior, and the odometer for your insurance file.

Reducing fuel and removing personal items

Run the tank down to roughly a quarter full to reduce weight and fire risk. Disable alarms, remove toll tags, and clear out personal belongings. Most carriers prohibit loose items inside, and customs may impound the vehicle if undeclared goods are found.

Final paperwork checklist

  • Original title, registration, and bill of sale
  • Photo ID and proof of address
  • Insurance certificate (marine and on-land)
  • Destination import permit and customs forms
  • Two sets of keys handed to the carrier
  • Signed inspection/condition report at handover

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to ship a car overseas?

Most international car shipments take 2–10 weeks door-to-door, depending on route, port schedules, customs clearance, and method. RoRo on a major lane (e.g., UK to US East Coast) can be at the faster end. Container shipments and less-served destinations sit at the slower end. Air freight can deliver in a matter of days.

How much does international car shipping cost in 2026?

Prices vary widely with vehicle size, route, method, and service level, so always get several itemised quotes from multiple car shipping companies. On top of the freight cost, budget for import duties of 10–20% (climbing to around 30% in destinations that add VAT), plus marine insurance, port handling, and any inland transport.

Is RoRo or container shipping better for cars?

RoRo is usually cheaper and faster, making it the default for standard road cars. Container shipping costs more but gives better protection from weather and tampering, and lets you ship household goods alongside the car. For classic, luxury, or non-running vehicles, container (or R-Rak for shared loads) is the safer choice.

Do I need special insurance to ship my car internationally?

Yes. You’ll need marine insurance covering total loss, theft, and damage for the sea leg, plus on-land cover for inland transport at both ends. Your standard auto policy almost never covers international shipping, so confirm the shipper’s policy details, or arrange independent marine cover, before the car leaves your driveway.

What documents do I need to ship a car abroad?

You’ll typically need the original vehicle title and registration, bill of sale, government-issued photo ID, an insurance certificate, and the destination country’s import paperwork (permits, customs forms, sometimes emissions or steam-cleaning certificates). Requirements vary by country, so check destination customs rules early.

Can I ship personal belongings inside my car?

Generally no. Most RoRo carriers prohibit it outright, and even container shippers restrict what’s allowed. Undeclared items can trigger customs penalties and may void your insurance. If you want to ship belongings alongside the car, book a sole-use container and declare every item.