Shipping a Motorhome to South America: Ports, Costs and Temporary Import

How much does it cost to ship a motorhome to South America?

Typical RORO sea freight from our customer quotes in the last 90 days (the lower and upper quartiles, so most quotes fall in this range):

UK and Europe to Montevideo or Zárate (incl. export fees)

Motorhome €3,470–4,000; 4x4 camper €2,740–3,750; expedition truck €3,890–4,640

UK and Europe to Cartagena, Colombia

Motorhome US$3,270–4,780; 4x4 camper US$2,370–4,080; expedition truck US$4,990–7,470

Darien Gap: Panama to Colombia

Motorhome US$1,300–1,940; 4x4 camper US$930–1,650; expedition truck US$2,020–3,090

Home from Zárate or Montevideo to Europe

Motorhome US$4,330–5,060; 4x4 camper US$2,600–4,730; expedition truck US$4,880–5,940

Home from Cartagena to Europe or the UK

Motorhome US$3,080–4,420; 4x4 camper US$2,280–3,800; expedition truck US$4,610–6,830

Import costs are paid at arrival: about US$850–990 in Montevideo, about US$650–1,080 in Zárate and about US$1,200 in Cartagena. Marine insurance is extra unless stated. Price is set by length, width, height and weight, so measure the vehicle with its roof boxes, racks and spare wheel carriers.

Which port should I ship to?

Montevideo, Uruguay

A clearing agent is optional and Uruguay gives tourist vehicles a year. Sailings: 3–4 a month, 28–35 days at sea, from Tilbury, Antwerp and Hamburg

Zárate, Argentina

Near Buenos Aires; a clearing agent is required, with 7 days of free storage

Cartagena, Colombia

The northern start for heading south through the Andes, or north into Central America. Sailing time: 22–28 days, about two sailings a month

Darien Gap

There is no road between Panama and Colombia, so vehicles cross by sea from Manzanillo, Panama to Cartagena in 1–2 days

Many travellers start in Montevideo or Zárate, drive north and finish in Cartagena, then ship home or across the Darien Gap to keep going north. Plan the end of the trip early: the port you leave from changes the price.

How long can my vehicle stay? Temporary import by country

Each country issues its own tourist vehicle permit when you arrive. The permit is free in the countries below, and the vehicle must leave before it ends:

Uruguay

1 year from entry, free online procedure; overstays fined US$20 a day

Argentina

Up to 8 months, extendable if immigration extends your stay

Chile

Free TITV permit for the length of your immigration stay; extensions online or at Aduana

Colombia

DIAN online permit: 6 months, extendable by up to 3

Peru

Free CIT for your immigration stay, or a carnet

Ecuador

Free sworn tourist declaration (DJT); we confirm the period for your trip

Brazil

We confirm the rules for your vehicle before you ship

In Argentina you need the title in your name or a power of attorney from the owner, and in Chile a person other than the owner needs notarised authorisation. You cannot sell the vehicle: Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Colombia and Brazil restrict or ban used vehicle imports.

Driving your own vehicle in South America: the rules country by country →

Do I need a carnet de passages?

Not in the main countries. Uruguay, Argentina and Chile use their own free permits, Colombia lists the carnet as optional, and Peru accepts either a carnet or its own temporary entry certificate. If your route continues to a country that does require one, apply before you leave home: carnets are issued in the vehicle's country of registration.

Insurance: at sea and on the road

• Marine cargo insurance for the sea crossing, through us: motorhomes from €300 single trip or €600 multi-trip, for values up to €50,000. Higher values are quoted
• Contents up to €15,000 can be covered for motorhomes and similar touring vehicles insured through us; anything else left inside is at your own risk
• Argentina and Uruguay require civil-liability insurance valid there when you enter
• Colombia requires SOAT, its compulsory third-party cover, before you drive
• For motor insurance we give you contacts and introductions to insurers; we do not sell it

Preparing a motorhome or expedition truck

• Gas bottles removed, or empty with a gas-free certificate
• Belongings: some carriers allow limited tourism items in motorhomes, stowed out of sight and at your own risk; one service to Zárate requires an empty vehicle
• Hand over keys for every locker and compartment: the carrier inspects travellers' vehicles
• Declare lithium leisure batteries before booking
• Motorbikes travel separately, never inside another vehicle, on the Darien Gap crossing
• Clean inside and out, with no soil or food

Preparing your vehicle for shipping: the checklist →

How it works

1. Get instant pricing in about 2 minutes, then book 2–3 months ahead, as tall-vehicle space goes first.
2. Deliver the vehicle to the port about a week before sailing and fly out.
3. The vehicle travels inside the ship's enclosed hold.
4. At arrival we give customs clearance support: we clear through our broker, introduce a local agent or work with your own broker.
5. Collect the vehicle and its temporary import permit, arrange local road insurance, and drive.
6. Ship home or onwards from Montevideo, Zárate or Cartagena before the permit runs out.

Get a shipping quote