RORO and container · Updated October 2026

Shipping a Vehicle Across the Darien Gap: Colombia to Panama

There is no car ferry across the Darien Gap. Vehicles go by RORO ship or container from Cartagena, Colombia to Manzanillo (Colón), Panama: sea freight for a standard car is about US$1,050, or US$2,130–2,940 for a motorhome. Allow about US$760–1,070 in export costs in Colombia and about US$500–550 in import costs in Panama. The crossing takes 1–2 days.

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Standard car, RORO, Cartagena to Manzanillo

from US$1,050

Typical price about US$1,050 · 1–2 days at sea

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Car ferry?

No: RORO or container only

Car from

US$1,050 sea freight (RORO)

Route

Cartagena, Colombia to Manzanillo (Colón), Panama

Sailing time

1–2 days

Export costs in Colombia

About US$760–1,070, paid direct

Import costs in Panama

About US$500–550, paid direct

Narcotics inspection

In Cartagena, usually within 24 hours of sailing; you or your agent attend

Book ahead

2 months to 3 weeks

How much does RORO shipping cost?

Typical RORO sea freight Cartagena to Manzanillo, including BAF, LSL, bill of lading and an export clearing agent, based on IVSS quotes for this route in the last 90 days. Local costs in Colombia and Panama are extra (see below).

Vehicle	Typical sea freight	Action
Car (saloon/hatchback)	about US$1,050	Get a quote
4x4 / SUV	US$1,050 – 1,420	Get a quote
Van	US$1,050 – 2,290	Get a quote
Campervan / motorhome	US$2,130 – 2,940	Get a quote
4x4 camper / overlander	US$1,650 – 2,570	Get a quote
Expedition truck	US$3,050 – 4,380	Get a quote

How much does container shipping cost?

Container is the choice for classics, high-value vehicles and anything you want to pack with belongings.

Container from Cartagena to Panama

Container	Export (Colombia)	Import (Panama)
Shared, per vehicle	US$1,850	US$650
20ft, one vehicle	US$2,500	US$1,000
40ft, one vehicle	US$2,801	US$1,150
40ft, two vehicles	US$3,528	US$1,200

Export prices cover the export costs in Colombia. Import costs are estimates only; they are paid direct to the local agent in Panama and contracted with them. Extra bikes or vehicles cost more.

How the container share works

Step	What happens
Booking form	Complete our booking form and we place you on an open share or look for a partner for you.
Deposit	A deposit of US$200 is only taken once a partner has been found.
No partner found	If no partner is found, or you cancel before the booking is finalised, the deposit is refunded in full.
Booking	Container bookings are usually confirmed 4–6 weeks before sailing.

If you cancel after a container share has been allocated, the deposit is kept.

Not included: marine insurance, duty and taxes, or costs from a customs inspection. Lithium-ion batteries can go in a container but must be declared before booking, with the safety data sheet, a photo and the make and model. No gas cylinders. Container prices are confirmed for your sailing.

Why are you shipping your vehicle from Colombia to Panama?

Touring / Overlanding

Head north on the Pan-American

Finished South America? Ship from Cartagena to Panama and drive on through Central America.

Moving to Panama

Relocate with your vehicle

Permanent import follows different rules from a visit; we confirm them before you ship.

Classic and collector cars

Take a classic on tour

RORO or a sole-use container for older and valuable vehicles, with marine insurance available.

Trade and business

Trucks, plant and projects

RORO for oversized units, containers and flat rack between Colombia, Panama and the USA.

Entry rules

What are the rules for temporary entry, permanent import and transfer of residence in Panama?

Travellers' vehicles enter Panama on a temporary import permit from customs (Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas). Our local agent in Panama takes you through it on arrival.

Option	Who it is for	Duty and tax	What you need
Temporary entry (visitors and tourists)	Travellers continuing their trip through Central America.	No duty or tax while the permit runs. Panama grants 30 to 180 days for the tourist's own use, and you must hold local third-party insurance for the same period.	Passport, original registration or title, the Colombian temporary import permit and the bill of lading. Our local agent arranges the customs permit.
Permanent import	Anyone keeping a vehicle in Panama.	Import duty is set by the car's value and engine size, usually 15% to 20% for a used car, with 7% ITBMS (sales tax) on top.	Title or registration, purchase invoice and bill of lading. Customs clearance through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker.
Transfer of residence	People moving to Panama, mainly retirees on a pensionado visa.	Pensionado visa holders may import household goods up to B/.10,000 once, and one car every two years, free of import duty. Other movers pay normal duty.	Pensionado visa, title or registration, invoice and bill of lading. A duty-free car cannot be sold, rented or pledged until the duty is paid.

Panama customs list temporary import with re-export and household goods (menaje de casa) as customs procedures, but we could not find an official page with the time limits and duty for vehicles. We confirm these with our agent for your vehicle before you ship.

Official sources: Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas: customs operations (procedures list) · Gaceta Oficial: ANA Resolución 833 of 2020 (tourist vehicles) · DGI Panama: ITBMS · Ley 9 of 1987 (pensionados)

Customs clearance is through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker. Rules change; we confirm them for your vehicle before you ship.

Touring / Overlanding

How do I cross the Darien Gap northbound?

There is no road between Colombia and Panama. Your vehicle sails from Cartagena to Manzanillo (Colón) while you fly to Panama City.

RORO or container?

RORO: simplest, and takes any size of vehicle
Container: you can watch loading and sealing; delays are more common
Shared container: comparable in cost to RORO for smaller vehicles
Flat rack: for oversized cargo only, with more risk; always insure it

Before you ship

Be in Cartagena about a week before sailing
Deliver to the port by the cut-off, about 48 hours before sailing
Attend the customs and narcotics inspection, usually within 24 hours of sailing
Empty all gas bottles and declare any lithium batteries

Collection in Panama

Collection is normally 2–4 working days after arrival. Ships can run late, so book flights once the vehicle has sailed.

What to send us

Registration, passport, your Colombian temporary import permit, addresses in Colombia and Panama, a packing list and photos of the vehicle and any auxiliary batteries.

Going south instead?

We ship the other way too, from Panama to Cartagena.

Darien Gap: Panama to Colombia →

Timeline

How long does it take? Day by day

Plan to be in Cartagena about a week before your sailing. The crossing takes 1 to 2 days, and collection in Panama is normally 2 to 4 working days after the ship arrives.

Leaving Cartagena, step by step

When	What happens
About a week before sailing	Be in Cartagena: you or your agent must be present for the inspection.
About 48 hours before sailing	Drop-off cut-off; our local agent tells you the exact time.
Usually within about 24 hours of sailing	Customs and narcotics inspection of the vehicle.
Sailing day	The crossing to Manzanillo (Colón) takes 1 to 2 days.
2 to 4 working days after arrival	Collection in Panama.

Sailing dates are the carriers’ estimates and change often. If the sailing moves, the inspection and drop-off dates move with it. Public holidays and weekends add days. Do not book non-refundable travel until your vehicle has sailed.

Paperwork

What paperwork do I need in Colombia and Panama?

Most vehicles on this crossing are travelling. Local agents in Cartagena and Panama guide you through each step, and customs clearance is by our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker.

Leaving Colombia: Your Colombian temporary import permit is closed when the vehicle is exported. A customs and narcotics inspection takes place, usually within about 24 hours of sailing; you or your agent must be present.
Arriving in Panama: Panama customs issue the paperwork for the vehicle in Manzanillo, with our local agent. Collection takes 2–4 working days.
Costs in Colombia: About US$760–1,070 for port, terminal and the export agent, depending on carrier and size, paid direct.
Costs in Panama: About US$500–550 for THC, port charges and customs clearance, paid direct.
Colombian vehicles: A permanent export of a Colombian-registered vehicle takes one to three months and needs a specialist broker, at extra cost.

Trade and business

Do you ship for businesses and oversized cargo?

We ship vehicles, trucks and equipment from Colombia to Panama for businesses as well as travellers, by RORO, container or flat rack.

RORO

Cartagena to Manzanillo in 1–2 days, with RORO sailings about once a month. The best option for tall and long vehicles.

Containers

Shared, 20ft and 40ft from Cartagena. See container prices above.

Flat rack

For cargo too large for a container: about US$3,500 in gauge (under 2.44 m wide) or US$4,250 out of gauge, export only, with destination costs of about US$1,500.

Other routes

Colombia to Mexico, the USA and Europe, and Panama to Colombia.

Get a business quote

Why ship with IVSS?

Advice you can use

Temporary and permanent import, paperwork and insurance, explained before you book.

Trusted agents only

We only use agents we know, which avoids surprise costs.

Kept informed

We update you at every stage, from booking to collection.

We have done it ourselves

We have shipped our own vehicle around the world.

How does shipping from Colombia work?

Book 4–8 weeks ahead. We handle the booking and paperwork, and help with customs.

1
Get a quote
Fill in the 2-minute form for instant pricing.
2
Book your sailing
We confirm the carrier, date and port delivery instructions.
3
Prepare
Clean the vehicle, remove loose items, send your registration document and passport copy.
4
Drop off
At the terminal, normally 4–7 days before sailing.
5
Sea crossing
We track the vessel and keep you updated until arrival.
6
Clearance and collection
Customs is cleared by our broker, a local agent or your own; collection is normally 2–3 working days after arrival.

Do I need marine insurance for the crossing?

Your road insurance does not cover the sea crossing. We arrange All Risks marine insurance from the departure port to the arrival port, with or without a condition survey.

Motorhomes, expedition trucks and 4x4 campers: when insured through us, personal items inside the vehicle are covered up to €15,000, where your route allows belongings in the vehicle.

Insured value up to €25,000€200 single trip, €400 multi-trip
Insured value up to €50,000€300 single trip, €600 multi-trip
Insured value up to €100,000€425 single trip, €850 multi-trip
Higher values, up to €1,000,000In bands, shown on your quote; above that, ask us

Excess €500 per claim. Cover is subject to the insurer's policy wording, which we send with your booking confirmation. Damage, theft and claims

Questions about shipping from Colombia

Is there a car ferry from Colombia to Panama?

No. There is no road and no car ferry across the Darien Gap. Vehicles go by RORO ship or container from Cartagena to Manzanillo (Colón), and you fly separately.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Colombia to Panama?

RORO sea freight for a standard car is about US$1,050, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days. Add about US$760–1,070 in export costs in Colombia and about US$500–550 in import costs in Panama.

How long does it take?

The sailing takes 1–2 days. Be in Cartagena about a week before sailing; collection in Panama is normally 2–4 working days after arrival.

Do I have to be there for the inspection?

Yes. Vehicles leaving Cartagena go through a customs and narcotics inspection, usually within about 24 hours of the ship sailing, and you or your agent must be present. If the sailing moves, the inspection moves with it.

Can I share a container?

Yes, subject to availability. A US$200 deposit is only taken once a partner has been found, and it is refunded if no partner is found or you cancel before the booking is finalised.

Can I ship a Colombian-registered vehicle to Panama?

Yes, but exporting a Colombian vehicle permanently takes one to three months of paperwork, a specialist customs broker and extra costs. Ask us before you plan around it.

How often do ships sail from Colombia to Panama?

Containers sail every week. RORO ships sail about once a month, so book early so you do not miss one.

When is the drop-off cut-off?

About 48 hours before the ship sails; our local agent tells you the exact time.

When can I book my onward travel?

Once the ship has sailed. The sailing and the inspection can move, so do not book onward travel before then.

When are the next sailings?

Live schedules from the carriers we book with. Dates move; we confirm yours at booking.

Colombia to Manzanillo, Panama

RORO

Next sailing: Toledo from Cartagena on 12 Nov 2026, arriving Manzanillo (Panama) on 13 Nov 2026 (1 day). RORO sails about once a month; containers sail weekly. Updated 11 Nov 2026.

Calls at Manzanillo (Panama)

RORO sailings from Cartagena and Santa Marta to Manzanillo (Panama), Nov 2026 – Jan 2027
Vessel	From	Departs	Manzanillo (Panama)
Toledo	Cartagena	12 Nov 2026	13 Nov 2026
Viking Passero	Cartagena	16 Nov 2026	17 Nov 2026
Viking Brasilia	Cartagena	16 Nov 2026	17 Nov 2026
Toronto	Cartagena	21 Nov 2026	22 Nov 2026
Torrens	Cartagena	22 Nov 2026	23 Nov 2026
Höegh Pacific	Santa Marta	22 Nov 2026	23 Nov 2026
Tosca	Cartagena	6 Dec 2026	7 Dec 2026
Viking Passero	Cartagena	16 Dec 2026	17 Dec 2026
Glorious Leader	Cartagena	17 Dec 2026	18 Dec 2026
Morning Conductor	Cartagena	19 Dec 2026	20 Dec 2026
Polaris Leader	Cartagena	21 Dec 2026	22 Dec 2026
Höegh Pacific	Santa Marta	27 Dec 2026	29 Dec 2026
Höegh Pacific	Cartagena	28 Dec 2026	29 Dec 2026
Goliath Leader	Cartagena	8 Jan 2027	9 Jan 2027
Viking Brasilia	Cartagena	15 Jan 2027	16 Jan 2027
Höegh Pacific	Santa Marta	26 Jan 2027	28 Jan 2027
Höegh Pacific	Cartagena	27 Jan 2027	28 Jan 2027
Hamabo Leader	Cartagena	27 Jan 2027	28 Jan 2027