Vehicle shipping from South America (Zarate, Argentina | Montevideo, Uruguay) to the United States

We specialise in shipping cars, 4×4’s, Motorhomes, Campervans & Camping trucks to and from South America and the USA. We offer shipping services on fast, frequent Roll on Roll off (RORO) and container vessels from major South American ports including Zarate, Argentina, Montevideo, Uruguay.

Destination ports include Manzanillo Panama, Veracruz Mexico, Port Hueneme, Tacoma, Galveston, Jacksonville, Baltimore and New York in the USA.

Where to Ship from- Montevideo, Uruguay or Zarate, Argentina

We would advise shipping from Zarate, Argentina as currently, the freight prices are cheaper than from Montevideo, Uruguay. Zarate also has more frequent and regular vessels departing for North America.

Routes

There are several main routes between the East Coast of South America and the USA:

1. To Galveston without transhipment (22 Days 7 Port Calls)
2. To Baltimore via TS in Panama (37 Days 10 port Calls. Also stops at Savannah, Newport)
3. To Jacksonville & Baltimore (Seasonal) Stopping service Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico
4. To New York 2 x TS via Cartagena & Panama (49 Days 12 port Calls. Also stops at Savannah, Newport)
5. To Houston & Tampa (30 days 12 ports calls) via Brazil, Colombia and Mexico

Shipping Rates

Shipping from Montevideo, Uruguay & Zárate, Argentina 

The cheapest routes from South America to the US are currently Zarate to Houston and Jacksonville, they offer the best rates for units and oversized vehicles charged at a CBM.

Shipping to the West Coast of the USA is a lot more expensive.

Example Rates (rates from)

*Rates from Montevideo are generally a lot higher due to transiting via feeder service to Zarate.

*Note these are the freight rates and do not include BAF, LSL or local costs in the port of departure or arrival.

Port fees and customs charges in Zarate broken down as follows (estimates) :

• Port Fees $9 per cbm + Tax @ 21%
• Local Carrier Fees $240-$290

*Costs are set by the carrier’s agents, other carriers agents may charge different amounts.

Latest Schedules

Container Shipping from South America to USA, Panama & Mexico

We offer Container shipping from Container Uruguay or Argentina to USA, Panama & Mexico

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 2.27m (Useable L5.4m, W2.2)
40ft HC – L12.03m W2.34 Door Height 2.58m (Useable L11.25m, W2.2)

Instant Shipping Quotation

We will Help you find a shipping Partner / Container Buddy

Container Share from South America to USA, Panama & Mexico

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

View the FULL list of Container share here

Temporary Import Requirements – United States

Generally, temporary entry for tourists is straightforward. Tourists can enter the USA and Canada with their vehicle for up to twelve months without the need for permanent import.

A Carnet De Passage is not required for entry however, we do recommend that you apply for EPA approval/exemption before you ship your vehicle. We recommend obtaining EPA approval for vehicles shipping directly to the USA and those planning to enter the USA via a land border. (Note advance EPA approval is not required for USA & Canadian conforming vehicles).

Although EPA is only required for the USA, we recommend that you leave the NAFTA (Canada, Mexico & USA) area within 12 months as the EPA does not consider your vehicle exported from USA territory until it has left the trade zone.

Please note that for all shipments for North America cargo is to be presented for shipment in a condition free of any oil, soil, dust, grease or other contamination. This includes all surfaces both internal and external (e.g. machinery, cabs, hoses, ladders, tires, wheel arches etc.) It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure the vehicle meets any import regulations and requirements in the destination country.

SOLID WOOD PACKING MATERIALS(SWPM) – shipments arriving in the USA/Canada on or after 1st February 2006 which are found to be non-compliant with regulations may be refused entry and be returned to origin at shipper’s expense. SWPM also includes skids,dunnage and any other wood associated with transportation. Your obligations to the laws and further information may be found on the following or associated websites: (1) http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/wpm/index.shtml (2) http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/cwpc/wdpkge.shtml

Other references http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/forestry/imports/wood-packaging/questions-and-answers/eng/1361337692691/1361338425125

Travel Insurance

We would strongly recommend a Travel insurance policy for travel in North America. Read more about North America Travel Insurance.

Booking

We recommend booking North America bound services 2-3 months before departure due to the high volume of cargo on this route. To obtain a quote please complete our online quotation form.

The absolute minimum amount of time for bookings on this route is three weeks in advance of the vessel arriving in port generally, most ships depart full, and are normally full a month in advance, so please book early!

Other Routes

Colombia to Panama
South America to Africa
South America to Europe