Guide · Updated October 2026
Shipping Trucks, Plant and Machinery Overseas: RORO, Flat Rack or Container
Trucks, buses, tractors, excavators and other machinery that can be driven or towed usually ship by RORO as "high and heavy" cargo, priced by their measured size and weight. Machinery that cannot move under its own power goes on a mafi roll trailer by RORO or on a flat rack, and smaller items fit in a container. Accurate measurements and weights are what make the quote right.
Driven or towed
RORO high and heavy
Static or tracked
Mafi roll trailer or flat rack
Small items
Container
Priced by
Length × width × height, and weight
Needed
Dimensions, weight, lifting and lashing points
Customs
Our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own
Which method suits my machine?
- RORO, self-propelled
- Trucks, buses, tractors, wheeled loaders and plant that can be driven on. Usually the lowest cost
- RORO on a roll trailer
- Tracked or static machinery, loaded onto a mafi trailer that is towed aboard. Trailer days are charged
- Flat rack
- Out-of-gauge items lifted by crane on container ships, where RORO does not sail or cannot take the item
- Container
- Smaller machinery, attachments and spare parts, crated and lashed
What does it cost?
RORO freight is worked out from the cubic size and weight. As a guide, typical RORO prices for a large expedition truck from our customer quotes in the last 90 days:
- UK to the USA
- Expedition truck £3,440–5,140
- UK to Canada
- Expedition truck £3,660–5,290
- UK and Europe to Australia
- Expedition truck US$7,570–11,450
- Europe to South Africa
- Expedition truck US$5,280–7,950
- Europe to Kenya and Tanzania
- Expedition truck US$5,350–8,060
Plant and commercial machinery are quoted individually. Send us the dimensions, weight and photos for an exact price, emailed to you.
What information do you need?
- Make, model and year, and whether it runs
- Length, width and height in its shipping position (booms down, buckets curled, mirrors folded)
- Operating weight, and axle weights for heavy items
- Lifting points and lashing points, if it will be lifted
- Photos from each side
- Whether there are attachments or loose parts to ship with it
How should it be prepared?
- Clean it thoroughly: soil and plant material are refused by Australia, New Zealand and the USA, and machinery is inspected closely
- Fuel low, no leaks, battery secured
- Secure or remove loose parts, and lock cabs and toolboxes
- Deliver in the declared shipping position: you pay for the measured size at the port
Duty and paperwork
Machinery for business use pays the destination's import duty and taxes unless a relief applies, such as temporary admission for equipment used on a project and taken out again. For temporary use abroad, a carnet or a temporary import permit may avoid paying duty. We arrange customs clearance through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own.
Frequently asked questions
How do you ship heavy machinery overseas?
If it can be driven or towed, by RORO as high and heavy cargo. Otherwise on a mafi roll trailer by RORO, on a flat rack, or in a container for smaller items.
How is machinery shipping priced?
By the measured size (length, width and height) and the weight. Accurate dimensions in the shipping position give an accurate quote.
Can a tracked excavator go by RORO?
Yes, loaded on a mafi roll trailer that is towed aboard, or on a flat rack on a container ship.
Do I need to clean machinery before shipping?
Yes. It must be free of soil and plant material, especially for Australia, New Zealand and the USA, where it will be inspected.
Can you ship a truck with cargo inside?
Generally not by RORO: the vehicle is shipped empty apart from its standard equipment. Ask us about container or flat rack options for equipment.
Official sources
This guide summarises the rules as published in October 2026. Rules change; we confirm what applies to your vehicle when we quote.
Related routes 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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Questions about your import? Call +44 203 787 4201, Monday to Friday.