RORO and container · Updated October 2026
Vehicle Shipping from Argentina and Uruguay to the USA
Shipping a car from Zárate (Argentina) or Montevideo (Uruguay) to the USA by RORO typically costs US$1,500–1,700 in sea freight for a standard car, or US$3,650–5,370 for a motorhome. Ships sail to Houston, Galveston, Jacksonville, Baltimore and Port Hueneme. Port fees in South America and US customs clearance are extra.
- Instant pricing in about 2 minutes
- Customs clearance support
- BIFA and FIATA member
Standard car, RORO, Zárate or Montevideo to the USA
from US$1,500
Typical range US$1,500–1,700 · 22–49 days at sea, by port
Get my quoteNo account needed. You get instant pricing.
Car from
US$1,500 sea freight (RORO)
Departures
Zárate, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay
US arrivals
Houston, Galveston, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Port Hueneme
Port fees at departure
About US$9 per m³ plus 21% local tax
Local carrier fees
About US$240–290
Methods
RORO, shared container, sole-use container
Container from
US$4,265 (20ft to Miami / Port Everglades)
Book ahead
4–8 weeks
RORO prices by vehicle
Typical RORO sea freight from Zárate or Montevideo to a US port, including BAF and bill of lading, based on IVSS quotes for this route in the last 90 days (rates October 2026). Port fees and US clearance are extra.
| Vehicle | Typical sea freight | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Car (saloon/hatchback) | US$1,500 – 1,700 | Get a quote |
| 4x4 / SUV | US$1,860 – 2,350 | Get a quote |
| Van | US$1,860 – 4,020 | Get a quote |
| Campervan / motorhome | US$3,650 – 5,370 | Get a quote |
| 4x4 camper / overlander | US$2,620 – 4,590 | Get a quote |
| Expedition truck | US$5,600 – 8,490 | Get a quote |
Container prices
Container is the choice for classics, high-value vehicles and anything you want to pack with belongings.
Sole-use container, export freight and loading
| US port | 20ft | 40ft HC |
|---|---|---|
| Miami / Port Everglades | US$4,265 | US$5,440 |
| New York / Baltimore | US$4,265 | US$5,440 |
| Houston | US$4,620 | US$5,875 |
| Long Beach / Los Angeles | US$5,620 | US$6,875 |
| Seattle / Oakland | US$6,920 | US$7,375 |
| Montreal, Canada | US$6,205 | US$6,585 |
Includes export customs clearance, stuffing, trucking, THC and port fees in Argentina or Uruguay, which are high on this route. US import costs are about US$1,800–3,000 per container depending on port and carrier, excluding destination terminal charges, bond fees, duty and tax.
Not included: marine insurance, duty and taxes, or costs from delay, detention or a customs inspection. Lithium-ion batteries must be declared before booking. Container prices are confirmed for your sailing.
Why are you shipping your vehicle to the USA?
Touring / Overlanding
Continue your trip north
Finished South America? Ship from Zárate or Montevideo and keep driving in North America.
Read moreMoving to the USA
Import your vehicle permanently
Permanent imports must meet US safety and emissions rules, or be at least 25 years old.
Read moreClassic and collector cars
Ship a classic to the USA
Vehicles 25 years and older are exempt from US safety standards.
Read moreTrade and business
Dealers, fleets and machinery
RORO for trucks, plant and oversized units, or containers to all main US ports.
Read moreEntry rules
Temporary entry, permanent import and transfer of residence in the USA
Vehicles shipped to the USA can enter under a one-year nonresident temporary import, as a full permanent import, or duty-free if a US resident is bringing back a car they took abroad. There is no UK-style transfer of residence relief for vehicles.
| Option | Who it is for | Duty and tax | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary entry (visitors and tourists) | Nonresidents, including US citizens living abroad, with a vehicle registered outside the US for personal use. | Free of duty for the nonresident's own transport (19 CFR 148.45). No EPA or safety conversion needed. | DOT form HS-7 (Box 5, with passport number) and EPA form 3520-1. The vehicle must leave within one year and this cannot be extended. |
| Permanent import | Anyone keeping the vehicle in the US, including people moving there. | Section 232 tariffs: 10% in total for UK-built cars within the UK quota, 15% in total for EU-built cars, and 25% on top of the 2.5% base duty for most others. | Cars under 25 years old must meet US safety standards (FMVSS) through a Registered Importer, and EPA emissions rules unless over 21 years old and unmodified. HS-7, 3520-1 and customs entry. |
| Transfer of residence | People moving to the US from abroad. | No duty relief for vehicles: a vehicle you bring when moving is entered as a normal import and pays the Section 232 rates above. | Same safety and emissions rules as a permanent import. Household goods relief does not cover the car. |
| Returning resident | US residents bringing back a vehicle they took abroad for personal use. | Free of duty if the vehicle is identified as the one that left (19 CFR 148.32). Repairs and accessories added abroad can be dutiable. | State registration card or CBP Form 4455 from departure. A vehicle still carrying its US certification label enters as conforming (HS-7 Box 2A). |
| Classic / historic vehicles | Vehicles at least 25 years old from the date of manufacture. | Normal duty and Section 232 rates apply. | Exempt from FMVSS (HS-7 Box 1). Proof of manufacture date such as the maker's label, a dated invoice or registration document. |
A temporarily imported vehicle cannot be sold in the US and must be exported within one year; NHTSA cannot extend this. Tariff rates have changed several times since 2025, so we confirm the rate on the day of entry. Customs clearance is handled by our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker.
Official sources: Federal Register 2025-12060: US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal (Section 232 autos) · Federal Register 2025-18660: US–EU framework (Section 232 autos at 15%) · NHTSA: Importation and certification FAQs · NHTSA: Guidelines for temporary importations · EPA: Learn about importing vehicles and engines · 19 CFR 12.73: Motor vehicle and engine compliance with EPA requirements · 19 CFR 148.45: Vehicles of nonresidents · 19 CFR 148.32: Vehicles taken abroad by returning residents
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
Bringing your foreign vehicle into the USA as a visitor
Travellers can usually bring a foreign-registered vehicle into the USA temporarily for personal use, for up to 12 months. Apply for the paperwork before the ship sails, not when it arrives.
What you need
- EPA non-resident exemption, applied for before shipping
- DOT form HS-7 declaring a temporary import by a non-resident
- Original registration document, passport and the bill of lading
- US and Canada motor insurance for foreign vehicles
Before you ship
- Clean the vehicle inside and out, including the underside
- Remove food, plants and soil
- Declare any lithium batteries and remove gas bottles
- Leave only items the carrier allows inside the vehicle
Which port?
Houston or Galveston for Texas, Jacksonville for Florida and the South East, Baltimore for the East Coast and Port Hueneme for California.
Zárate or Montevideo?
Zárate is usually cheaper and has more sailings; Montevideo can be simpler if your trip ends in Uruguay. We quote both.
Shipping home
When your trip ends we ship from the USA and Canada to the UK, Europe, Australia and Africa.
Importing to the USA
Importing a vehicle to the USA permanently
A permanent import must clear US Customs and Border Protection and meet EPA emissions and NHTSA safety rules. Our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker can handle the clearance.
- 25-year rule
- Vehicles at least 25 years old are exempt from US safety standards (FMVSS). Younger vehicles must be built to US standards or converted by a registered importer.
- Emissions
- Vehicles at least 21 years old are exempt from EPA emissions rules; younger vehicles must meet them.
- Import duty
- US duty on cars rose in 2025 under the Section 232 tariffs and varies by where the vehicle was built. We confirm the rate for your vehicle with the broker before you ship.
- Documents
- Original title or registration, bill of sale, passport, bill of lading, EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7.
Trade and business
For dealers, importers and businesses
We ship single vehicles and regular volumes from Argentina and Uruguay to the USA for dealers, importers and businesses, including trucks, buses and plant on RORO.
RORO
Regular sailings from Zárate and Montevideo to Houston, Galveston, Jacksonville, Baltimore and Port Hueneme. Oversized units are charged by the cubic metre.
Containers
Sole-use 20ft from US$4,265 to Miami, Port Everglades, New York or Baltimore. See container prices above.
Other destinations
We also ship from Argentina and Uruguay to Europe, South Africa, Panama and Australia.
Price match
Already have a valid quotation? We will do our best to match or beat it.
RORO sailing schedule from Zárate to the USA
Live schedules from the carriers we book with. Dates move; we confirm yours at booking.
Argentina and Uruguay to the USA
RORO
| Vessel | From | Departs | To | Arrives | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torrens | Zarate | 4 Nov 2026 | Galveston | 28 Nov 2026 | 24 |
| Morning Conductor | Zarate | 22 Nov 2026 | Galveston | 17 Dec 2026 | 25 |
Schedule as at 2 Nov 2026. Dates are the carriers' estimates and can change; we confirm yours when you book.
Why customers 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 shipping from Argentina and Uruguay works
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.
Questions about shipping from Argentina and Uruguay
How much does it cost to ship a car from Argentina or Uruguay to the USA?
RORO sea freight for a standard car typically costs US$1,500–1,700, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days. Add port fees of about US$9 per m³ plus tax and US$240–290 local carrier fees.
Which is better, Zárate or Montevideo?
Both have RORO sailings to the USA. Montevideo is often simpler for travellers ending a trip in Uruguay; Zárate suits vehicles already in Argentina. We quote both.
Can I bring my foreign-registered vehicle into the USA as a visitor?
Usually yes, temporarily. We recommend applying for an EPA non-resident exemption before shipping and keeping the vehicle in the USA, Canada and Mexico area for no more than 12 months.
Does the 25-year rule apply?
Vehicles at least 25 years old are exempt from US safety standards for permanent import. Younger vehicles must meet US standards to stay permanently.
Which US port should I choose?
Choose the port nearest where you want to start or finish: Houston or Galveston for Texas, Jacksonville for Florida and the South East, Baltimore for the East Coast, Port Hueneme for California.
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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Prefer to talk it through? Call +44 203 787 4201, Monday to Friday.