Preparing Your Vehicle for Shipping: A Checklist for RORO and Container

What fuel level is allowed?

For RORO, less than a quarter of a tank. For a container, the fuel should be in the red so the vehicle ships as non-hazardous. Spare fuel cans are not allowed unless they are brand new, unused and labelled with the receipt attached, and you check with us first.

What can I leave inside the vehicle?

Cars, 4x4s and vans (RORO)

Only the manufacturer's standard equipment: toolkit, spare wheel and manuals. No personal effects

Motorhomes and campers (RORO)

Some carriers allow limited tourism items such as bedding, cutlery and camping gear, stowed out of sight so the vehicle looks empty. They travel at your own risk and are not insured

Container

Personal items can travel stowed inside the vehicle. A household move packed separately in the container is not accepted

Never leave liquids, oils, cleaning products, aerosols, toiletries in pressurised cans, food or any flammable item inside. Each carrier has its own guidelines, which we send with your booking.

Gas, batteries and electric vehicles

• Removable gas bottles must be taken out. Fixed gas tanks must be completely empty; from the EU a gas-free certificate (no more than 5 days old) is required and must be declared before booking
• Lithium leisure batteries are accepted by some carriers only if fully installed, isolated and declared with the battery data sheet before booking
• E-bikes, e-scooters and loose power banks are generally not accepted on RORO
• Electric and hybrid vehicles need the carrier's approval before booking, usually with a recent dealer report confirming the high-voltage battery is sound

Shipping electric and hybrid vehicles →

How clean does it need to be?

Free of oil, soil, dust, grease and seeds, inside and out. Australia and New Zealand are the strictest: the engine bay, wheel arches, underbody and interior must be spotless or you pay for cleaning on arrival. The USA and Canada also refuse soil and organic matter. Clean the vehicle before it goes to the port, not after.

Australia and New Zealand: cleaning and biosecurity →

Measure, photograph and secure

• Measure the longest length, widest width and highest height including mirrors, racks and accessories, and declare them on the booking
• Fold mirrors and retract or remove accessories before handover; you pay for the measured size if it is larger than declared
• Photograph every side, the roof, the interior and the odometer on the day you hand it over, and email the photos to us
• Remove or secure parts that are easy to take, such as aerials, wipers and number-plate screws
• Disable the alarm, or tell the port how to switch it off
• Leave one key with the vehicle; keep the spare

If something is damaged or missing when you collect, report it at the port before you leave: see how to make a claim, linked below.

Which documents do I need?

• The original registration document or title (for exports from the USA, the original title free of any lien)
• Your passport
• Addresses in the departure and arrival countries (a hotel is fine)
• A phone number
• A photo of the vehicle showing the VIN
• Any permit the destination needs, such as a carnet de passages or a temporary import permit

Get a shipping quote