Classic and collector cars · Updated October 2026
Classic Car Shipping: Sealed Containers, Insurance and Import Rules
We ship classic, vintage and collector cars in sealed sole-use or shared containers, or by RORO for driveable cars that do not need to travel sealed. A sole-use 20ft container costs from £2,450 from the UK to the USA and £1,995 from the UK to Australia, and RORO sea freight for a car from £987. Qualifying historic vehicles import to the UK with no duty and 5% VAT, and the USA exempts cars 25 years old or more from its safety rules.
- Quote by email
- Customs clearance support
- BIFA and FIATA member
Classic car, sole-use 20ft container, UK to the USA
from £2,450
RORO car from £987 · marine insurance on request
Get my quoteNo account needed. Your quote is emailed to you.
Usual method
Sole-use or shared container, sealed
Also
RORO for driveable classics
Non-runners
Winched into a container
Insurance
Single or multi-trip marine cover, high values on request
UK import
Historic vehicles: no duty, 5% VAT
USA import
25 years or older: exempt from safety standards
How much does it cost to ship a classic car?
From our current quotations, a sole-use 20ft container costs from £2,450 from the UK to the USA and £1,995 from the UK to Australia, plus costs at the destination port. Sharing a container splits the cost, from about €1,250 per vehicle on some routes. RORO sea freight for a standard car costs from £987 from the UK to the USA.
Duty and taxes at the destination, destination port charges and marine insurance are extra. Your quote is emailed to you with the exact price for your car and sailing.
Should a classic car go by container or RORO?
- Sole-use container
- The car travels alone, chocked and strapped in a sealed container that is opened only at the destination (or if customs inspects it). The usual choice for valuable classics, non-runners and cars travelling with spares.
- Shared container
- Your car shares a 40ft container with another vehicle, so the container cost is split. Still sealed, and popular for classics on our main routes.
- RORO
- Driven on and off the ship and lashed down in the enclosed hold. Cheapest for a driveable classic, but the car is driven by port and ship staff.
RORO, shared container, sole-use container or flat rack: how do they compare?
| RORO | Shared container | Sole-use container | Flat rack | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Driveable cars, motorhomes, trucks and machinery | Cars, low campers and motorcycles on a budget | Classic and high-value cars, and vehicles with belongings | Oversized or static machinery, boats and loads that cannot roll |
| Typical cost | Car from £987, UK to the USA (sea freight) | From about €1,250 per vehicle on some routes | 20ft from £2,450, UK to the USA | Quoted per load from its size and weight |
| Belongings | Cars empty; motorhomes can usually carry secured items | Yes, listed on an inventory | Yes, listed on an inventory | No |
| Non-runners | Roll trailer on some routes, at extra cost | Yes, winched in | Yes, winched in | Yes, lifted on |
| Height limit | Any height: high and heavy space in the hold | About 2.5 m (high-cube door 2.58 m) | About 2.5 m (high-cube door 2.58 m) | Over-height and over-width loads |
| Security | Enclosed hold; driven on and off by port staff | Sealed container, shared | Sealed container, yours alone | Open platform, lashed down |
| Book ahead | 4–8 weeks | Shares are usually confirmed 2–3 months ahead | 4–6 weeks | As early as possible; space is limited |
Do I pay duty importing a classic car to the UK?
Not if it qualifies as a historic vehicle: at least 30 years old, of a model or type no longer made, and in its original condition without substantial changes to the chassis, steering, brakes or engine. It then pays no import duty and an effective 5% import VAT, instead of 10% duty and 20% VAT. If you are moving to the UK and have owned and used the car abroad for at least 6 months, Transfer of Residence relief can remove duty and VAT altogether.
What rules apply when I export a classic car?
- USA
- Cars at least 25 years old are exempt from US federal safety standards, and at least 21 years old from EPA emissions rules. Duty is still due on the value; the rate depends on where the car was built.
- Canada
- Vehicles not built for the US or Canadian market must be at least 15 years old to be imported.
- Australia
- Vehicles over 30 years old pay no import duty; GST and import approval still apply.
- EU countries
- Rules differ by country. We confirm the duty, tax and registration rules for your car before you ship.
UK to the USA: prices and rules →
Is my classic car insured at sea?
Not by your road or classic car policy, which normally stops at the quayside. We arrange single-trip or multi-trip marine insurance through our partners, with cover for high-value cars on request. Marine insurance is not included in shipping prices unless stated.
How do I prepare a classic car for shipping?
- Photograph every side, the interior, the engine bay and the odometer before handover
- Keep the V5C or title, bills of sale and evidence of the build date and originality
- Run the fuel down to about a quarter of a tank
- Disconnect the battery if the car will stand for a long time
- List any spares travelling in the container on the inventory
- Tell us if the car does not run, so it can be winched in
How does classic car shipping work?
- Get your quote Fill in the 2-minute form; your quote is emailed to you.
- Book We book the container or RORO sailing, normally 4–6 weeks ahead.
- Collect or deliver Deliver the car to the loading facility, or we arrange enclosed collection.
- Load and seal The car is chocked, strapped and sealed in the container.
- Clear and collect Customs is cleared by our broker, a local agent we introduce or your own; then you collect.
Do you ship for dealers, auction houses and collectors?
Yes. We ship single cars and regular volumes for classic car dealers, auction buyers, collectors and restorers, including several cars per 40ft container. Send us the list of cars and routes for a price.
Questions about classic car shipping
How much does it cost to ship a classic car?
From our current quotations, a sole-use 20ft container costs from £2,450 from the UK to the USA and £1,995 from the UK to Australia, plus destination costs. RORO sea freight for a car starts from £987 from the UK to the USA. Duty, taxes and marine insurance are extra.
Is a container safer than RORO for a classic car?
A sealed container means the car is not driven by port staff and is not opened until it arrives, unless customs inspects it. That is why most owners of valuable classics choose a container.
Can a non-running classic be shipped?
Yes. It can be winched into a container. RORO needs a vehicle that can be driven, or a roll trailer at extra cost on some routes.
Do I pay import duty on a classic car in the UK?
Not if it qualifies as a historic vehicle: at least 30 years old, a model no longer made, and in original condition. It pays no duty and an effective 5% VAT.
Can I import a classic car into the USA?
Yes. Cars at least 25 years old are exempt from US federal safety standards, and at least 21 years old from EPA emissions rules. Duty is still due on the value.
Is my classic insured during shipping?
Not unless you take marine insurance. Road and classic car policies usually stop at the port. We arrange marine cover through our partners.
Can spares travel with the car?
Yes, in a container, if they are listed on the inventory and declared to customs.
Related services and guides
Member of
IVSS is a member of BIFA, the British International Freight Association, and FIATA, the international federation of freight forwarders.
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