RORO · Updated November 2026
Vehicle Shipping from Colombia to Mexico
Shipping a car from Cartagena, Colombia to Veracruz, Mexico by RORO costs about US$1,130 in sea freight for a standard car, or US$2,340–3,340 for a motorhome. Ships take about 5–11 days at sea. Allow about US$760–1,070 in export costs in Colombia, about US$570 for customs clearance in Mexico and a refundable US$200–400 temporary import permit deposit. We do not offer containers on this route.
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Standard car, RORO, Cartagena to Veracruz
from US$1,130
Typical price about US$1,130 · About 5–11 days at sea
Get my quoteNo account needed. You get instant pricing.
Car from
US$1,130 sea freight (RORO)
Route
Cartagena, Colombia to Veracruz, Mexico
Method
RORO only (no containers northbound)
Export costs in Colombia
About US$760–1,070, paid direct
Customs clearance in Mexico
About US$570
Mexico TIP deposit
US$200–400, refundable
Narcotics inspection
In Cartagena on sailing day; you must attend
Book ahead
2 months to 3 weeks
How much does RORO shipping cost?
Typical RORO sea freight Cartagena to Veracruz, including BAF, LSL and bill of lading, based on IVSS quotes for this route in the last 90 days. Local costs in Colombia and Mexico are extra (see below).
| Vehicle | Typical sea freight | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Car (saloon/hatchback) | about US$1,130 | Get a quote |
| 4x4 / SUV | about US$1,130 | Get a quote |
| Van | US$1,130 – 2,590 | Get a quote |
| Campervan / motorhome | US$2,340 – 3,340 | Get a quote |
| 4x4 camper / overlander | US$1,750 – 2,810 | Get a quote |
| Expedition truck | US$3,550 – 5,070 | Get a quote |
Why are you shipping your vehicle from Colombia to Mexico?
Touring / Overlanding
Skip Central America
Ship straight from Cartagena to Veracruz and carry on north through Mexico.
Read moreMoving to Mexico
Relocate with your vehicle
Permanent import of a used vehicle depends on where it was built; we check the rules before you ship.
Read moreClassic and collector cars
Tour Mexico in a classic
RORO from Cartagena, with marine insurance for valuable vehicles.
Read moreTrade and business
Trucks, plant and projects
RORO for oversized units, priced by the cubic metre.
Read moreEntry rules
What are the rules for temporary entry, permanent import and transfer of residence in Mexico?
Visitors drive in Mexico on a temporary import permit (TIP) issued only by Banjercito. Used vehicles built in North America get preferential treatment under a decree that runs until 30 November 2026. Other used vehicles need a prior import permit and pay the 50% general duty plus 16% IVA.
| Option | Who it is for | Duty and tax | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary entry (visitors and tourists) | Foreign visitors and Mexicans living abroad, with one vehicle per person. | No import duty. A permit fee is paid, plus a refundable deposit of US$400 (2007 and later), US$300 (2001–2006) or US$200 (2000 and earlier). | Passport or immigration form, title or registration in your name, and a card in your name. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes need customs authorisation at a border office. |
| Permanent import | Residents importing a used vehicle for good. | The current decree gives preferential treatment to used vehicles built or assembled in Mexico, the USA or Canada, with a certificate of origin. It runs until 30 November 2026. | Vehicles built outside North America need a prior import permit from the Secretaría de Economía (not for vehicles 30+ years old up to 8,864 kg) and pay the 50% general duty plus 16% IVA. |
| Transfer of residence | Foreigners moving to Mexico as permanent residents, and returning Mexicans. | Household goods (menaje de casa) can come in tax-free for permanent residents, but vehicles are excluded from this relief. | No relief for vehicles; a vehicle follows the permanent import rules above. |
A tourist can keep the vehicle in Mexico for up to six months, with no extension. It may be driven by you, your spouse, parents, children or siblings, or another foreign visitor; anyone else may drive only with you on board. Cancel the permit at a Banjercito border office before it expires to get the deposit back; an expired permit can lead to a fine and seizure.
Official sources: Gobierno de México: what you need for a temporary import permit (Banjercito) · Consulate of Mexico, Leamington: travelling to Mexico by car (one vehicle per person, six months) · Diario Oficial (SIDOF): decree on definitive import of used vehicles, extended to 30 November 2026 · Embassy of Mexico in Brazil: menaje de casa (vehicles excluded) · DOF: decree on permanent import of used vehicles (2024) · LIGIE tariff (Cámara de Diputados)
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 ship my vehicle from Cartagena to Veracruz?
Shipping straight to Mexico avoids several border crossings in Central America. Your vehicle sails by RORO from Cartagena to Veracruz while you fly.
What to send us
- Copy of passport and vehicle registration
- Your Colombian temporary import permit
- Addresses in Colombia and Mexico
- A photo of the vehicle and its VIN
Before you ship
- Be in Cartagena about a week before sailing
- Deliver to the port 2–3 days before sailing
- Attend the narcotics inspection on sailing day
- Empty all gas bottles and isolate auxiliary batteries
More than one vehicle?
Tell us before booking. Each person can hold only one Mexican temporary import permit, so a second vehicle needs a second named person.
Flights
Ships can run late, so book flights once the vehicle has sailed.
Shipping home
When your trip ends we ship from Mexico to Europe, or from the USA and Canada.
Paperwork
What paperwork do I need in Colombia and Mexico?
Local agents in Cartagena and Veracruz handle the port steps. Customs clearance in Mexico 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 police narcotics inspection takes place on sailing day.
- Arriving in Mexico
- We put you in touch with an agent in Veracruz, who confirms the import costs and helps you get the Banjercito permit.
- Costs in Colombia
- About US$760–1,070 for port, terminal and the export agent, depending on carrier and size, paid direct.
- Costs in Mexico
- About US$570 for customs clearance, plus the refundable permit deposit.
- 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 dealers, importers and businesses?
We ship vehicles and equipment from Colombia to Mexico for businesses as well as travellers, on regular RORO sailings to Veracruz.
RORO
Cartagena to Veracruz on several carriers. Oversized units are charged by the cubic metre.
Containers
Not offered northbound to Mexico at present, because of customs delays in Veracruz.
Other routes
Colombia to Panama, the USA and Europe, and Mexico to Colombia.
Price match
We will try to match or beat any valid quotation.
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 3 weeks to 2 months 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 port, 2–3 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
How much does it cost to ship a car from Colombia to Mexico?
RORO sea freight for a standard car is about US$1,130, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days. Add about US$760–1,070 in export costs in Colombia and about US$570 for customs clearance in Mexico.
Can I ship a container from Colombia to Mexico?
Not at present. Because of continued customs delays in Veracruz we only offer RORO northbound from Colombia to Mexico.
Can I bring two vehicles into Mexico?
Mexico issues one temporary import permit per person. A second vehicle, such as a motorbike, must be imported in another person's name, ideally on its documents or with a notarised power of attorney in Spanish.
Do I have to be in Cartagena?
Yes. Be in Cartagena about a week before sailing; delivery is 2–3 days before sailing and you must attend the narcotics inspection within 24 hours of departure.
Can I take my motorhome's lithium batteries?
Only fully installed auxiliary batteries are accepted. They must be isolated or disconnected, with the terminals protected.
When are the next sailings?
Live schedules from the carriers we book with. Dates move; we confirm yours at booking.
Colombia to Mexico
RORO
Next sailing: Viking Passero from Cartagena on 16 Nov 2026, arriving Veracruz on 27 Nov 2026 (11 days). About 3 sailings a month. Updated 11 Nov 2026.
Calls at Altamira and Veracruz
| Vessel | From | Departs | Altamira | Veracruz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viking Passero | Cartagena | 16 Nov 2026 | – | 27 Nov 2026 |
| Viking Brasilia | Cartagena | 16 Nov 2026 | – | 24 Nov 2026 |
| Höegh Pacific | Santa Marta | 22 Nov 2026 | 30 Nov 2026 | 28 Nov 2026 |
| Höegh Pacific | Cartagena | 23 Nov 2026 | 30 Nov 2026 | 28 Nov 2026 |
| Viking Passero | Cartagena | 16 Dec 2026 | – | 27 Dec 2026 |
| Polaris Leader | Cartagena | 21 Dec 2026 | – | 1 Jan 2027 |
| Viking Brasilia | Cartagena | 15 Jan 2027 | – | 26 Jan 2027 |
- Viking PasseroFrom Cartagena 16 Nov → Veracruz 27 Nov · 11 days
- Viking BrasiliaFrom Cartagena 16 Nov → Veracruz 24 Nov · 8 days
- Höegh PacificFrom Santa Marta 22 Nov → Veracruz 28 Nov · 6 days
- Höegh PacificFrom Santa Marta 22 Nov → Altamira 30 Nov · 8 days
- Höegh PacificFrom Cartagena 23 Nov → Veracruz 28 Nov · 5 days
- Höegh PacificFrom Cartagena 23 Nov → Altamira 30 Nov · 7 days
- Viking PasseroFrom Cartagena 16 Dec → Veracruz 27 Dec · 11 days
- Polaris LeaderFrom Cartagena 21 Dec → Veracruz 1 Jan · 11 days
- Viking BrasiliaFrom Cartagena 15 Jan → Veracruz 26 Jan · 11 days
Schedule as at 11 Nov 2026. Dates are the carriers' estimates and can change; we confirm yours when you book.
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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