SHIPPING ACROSS THE DARIEN GAP PANAMA TO COLOMBIA

Shipping Across the Darien Gap Panama to Colombia

The biggest challenge for many travelers is their first shipping experience across the Darien Gap, shipping to and from Panama to Colombia. You can be assured with us, the process will be stress free, simple and plain sailing.

You have several different options for shipping your car, 4×4, Motorcycle, truck or motorhome across the Darien Gap (Note the is current no Passenger Ferry service this ceased several years back):

• RORO Shipping (All Vehicle Types)
• Container Shipping (Limited to 2.58m door opening for a 40ft HC Container)
  Flat Rack
• Private Sail Boat (Motorcycles only)

Shipping Routes Panama to Colombia

The main shipping route is between ports on the Caribbean side of Panama to Cartagena Colombia, some ships also call at Santa Marta & Barranquilla.

RORO Shipping from Panama to Colombia

RORO is the best and cheapest option for oversized vehicles that cannot fit into a container. The alternative is to go flat rack. For smaller vehicles the cost of RORO and sharing a container is comparable.

RORO shipping is less complicated than Container shipping as there is no requirement to stuff and truck the container to and from the port.

RORO Security

However, RORO does pose a greater security risk, as employees of the shipping line will have access to your vehicle. Most travellers nowadays ensure that their vehicle is secured in such a way that the rear portion is not accessible in any way, many do this by creating an internal barrier and ensuring any doors cannot be opened.

Carriers, Routes and Costs

There are several RORO carriers that go from Panama to Cartagena and Santa Marta in Colombia. The prices between each of these carriers can fluctuate quite significantly in addition to the transit time.

Transit times can be anywhere from a single day (fast ship) to 14 days (Slow Ship via the USA), depending on the carrier.

Container Shipping from  Panama to Colombia

Container shipping from Container Manzanillo Panama to Colombia is the most secure method, provided you are present during the loading, sealing and unloading of the container.  Our local agents will be present with you whilst your vehicle is been loaded into the container in Cartagena.

You have the option to ship in 20ft containers or 40ft High Cube (HC) containers. In a 20ft container you would normally only be able to fit one vehicle, 40ft HC you can fit 2 vehicles, or one vehicle and a number of motorbikes.

The cost of a single container for one vehicle surpasses the costs of RORO shipping, however, if sharing a container, the costs become comparable.

Container Dimensions
20ft – L5.9m W2.34 Door Height 2.28m (Useable L5.4m, W2.2)
40ft HC – L12.03m W2.34 Door Height 2.58m (Useable L11.5m, W2.2)

Estimated Costs (Just an example)

Container type                 Shared  20ft       40ft      
Export                                  $1,150  $1,650   $2,200
Import                                 $750     $950       $1,500

*Shared container, pricing is based on 1 x vehicle sharing a 40ft, 20ft pricing is based on 1 x vehicle, 40ft pricing is based on 2 x vehicle, additional bikes or vehicles are an additional cost

*Pricing covers all export and import costs, it excludes insurance, taxes and duties, or any costs in relation to additional customs inspections
*All costs are subject to change and require validation upon booking

Instant Shipping Quotation

We will Help you find a shipping Partner / Container Buddy

Container Share from Panama to Colombia 

Below are the current open container shares, if you would like us to paid you up, send us an email with the following:

1. Your quote ID
2. Shipping Date
3. Quote id from below that you would like to share with
4. We will then check the other shipper is ready to proceed and book you in!

Add your shipment to our container share list here

Services we offer

We offer an all-inclusive stress-free service that includes customs clearance and agents on the ground in both Panama and Colombia.

If you are looking for stress and hassle-free shipping from Panama to Colombia, we are the premier shipping agents to use to cross the Darien Gap.

Our pricing on this route is very competitive, and probably the cheapest you will find.

Instant Shipping Quotation

Other options

You can also ship to and from Cartagena, Colombia via Veracruz Mexico & Galveston Tx, Brunswick, Port Everglades and other East Coast ports in USA.

Please see the following pages:

• Shipping from USA to Colombia & South America
• Shipping Veracruz Mexico to Cartagena Colombia

RORO Schedules Panama to Colombia

RORO Schedules Panama to Ecuador, Peru & Chile

RORO Shipping rates Manzanillo Panama to Cartagena / Santa Marta Colombia

Please obtain the latest RORO pricing by completing a quotation request here: Instant Shipping Quotation

***Example pricing only – subject to change***

*Minimum Freight / BL charge of $500
*Motorhomes with Gas IMO Cert $150
*Rates do not include port fees, BAF, LSL,or Booking & Doc Fees, or an agent for customs clearance, subject to change

The cost will vary by route and vehicle. *Units that have any type of gas on board may be charged USD150.00 for an IMO Certificate – Some carriers will not allow any gas at all. All RORO shippers state that they do not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to personal effects or spare parts.

Read more about our Roll on Roll off service (RORO) or request a shipping quote.

Instant Shipping Quotation

Motorbikes

Motorbikes do not need to be crated on this route, however, a minimum BL fee applies which means for a single bike you are looking at close to $1000 inc port fees etc.

Shipping with more than one vehicle – Temporary Import (I,e Expedition Truck and Motorcycle)

Please note that customs in Mexico only one temporary import permit to be issued per person, therefore if you have more than one motorised vehicle, then the second vehicle must be imported under a second person’s name. It is advantageous to ensure that the paperwork for the second vehicle matches the name of the person intending to import it. If you are a married couple/partnership having a person’s name on at least one of the vehicle ownership documents is also advantageous generally travel in the Americas. If your documents do not include the second person’s name then you should ensure that you have notarised power of attorney in Spanish providing permission for the second person to import and use the vehicle.

Please ensure that you speak to us in advance if you are importing more than one vehicle, any loaded motorcycles / vehicles must be declared in advance.

Other Resources

If you are planning to travel independently in South America this Facebook Group is a valuable resource for information, road conditions, border crossings and much more

Overlanding South & Central America.