RORO and container · Updated October 2026

Vehicle Shipping from Europe to Colombia

Shipping a car from Europe to Cartagena, Colombia by RORO costs about US$1,560 in sea freight for a standard car, or typically US$3,270–4,780 for a motorhome, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days. Add about €250 or £250 export costs and about US$750–1,070 import costs paid in Colombia. Sailing time is 22–28 days.

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Standard car, RORO, Europe to Cartagena

from US$1,560

Typical price about US$1,560 · 22–28 days at sea

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Car from

US$1,560 sea freight (RORO)

Departures

Southampton, Le Havre, Antwerp, Bremerhaven

Arrival port

Cartagena, Colombia

Sailing time

22–28 days, about two sailings a month

Export costs

About €250 (EU) or £250 (UK)

Import costs in Colombia

About US$750–1,070, paid direct

Container from

€2,300 (20ft from EU ports)

Tourist vehicle permit

6 months, extendable by 3

How much does RORO shipping cost?

Typical RORO sea freight from Southampton, Le Havre, Antwerp or Bremerhaven to Cartagena, including BAF and LSL, based on IVSS quotes for this route in the last 90 days. Export costs and Colombian import costs are extra (see below).

VehicleTypical sea freightAction
Car (saloon/hatchback)about US$1,560Get a quote
4x4 / SUVUS$1,930 – 2,380Get a quote
VanUS$1,930 – 3,570Get a quote
Campervan / motorhomeUS$3,270 – 4,780Get a quote
4x4 camper / overlanderUS$2,370 – 4,080Get a quote
Expedition truckUS$4,990 – 7,470Get 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.

Sole-use container to Cartagena, export freight

Departure20ft40ft HC
EU ports (France, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands)€2,300€2,750
UK ports£2,000£2,700

Includes all export shipping, stuffing and customs clearance; some costs vary by departure port and are confirmed with your booking. Import costs in Colombia are about US$2,150 (20ft), US$2,260 (40ft HC, one vehicle) or US$2,770 (40ft HC, two vehicles), confirmed by the local agent, excluding an HBL fee of US$360 if required, IVA and bank charges.

Not included: marine insurance, duty and taxes, or costs from a customs inspection, scan, delay, demurrage or storage. Lithium-ion batteries must be declared before booking and ship as hazardous, normally US$700–1,000 or more extra. No gas cylinders. Prices are confirmed for your sailing.

Why are you shipping your vehicle to Colombia?

Touring / Overlanding

Start in South America

Ship to Cartagena and drive south, or north across the Darien Gap by ship.

Read more

Moving to Colombia

Relocate with your vehicle

Most used vehicles cannot be imported permanently; check before you ship.

Read more

Classic and collector cars

Antique and classic cars

Cars over 35 years old may be imported with a prior licence; ship them by container.

Read more

Trade and business

Dealers, projects and plant

RORO for trucks and oversized units, containers from UK and EU ports.

Read more

Entry rules

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

Colombia welcomes touring vehicles on a temporary permit but does not allow most used vehicles to be imported permanently. Check which applies before you ship.

OptionWho it is forDuty and taxWhat you need
Temporary entry (visitors and tourists)Visitors, and Colombians living abroad, touring in their own or a rented vehicle.No import duty while the permit is valid.A DIAN temporary import permit, applied for online: ID, proof of ownership and your immigration entry. Valid 6 months, extendable by 3 months.
Permanent importAnyone wanting to keep a used vehicle in Colombia.Not possible: Colombia does not allow imports of used vehicles.Only new vehicles of the current or next model year can be imported.
Classic / historic vehiclesAntique cars (35 years or older) or classic cars (50 years or older) in original condition.Import duty and tax are payable. We confirm the amount for your vehicle before you ship.A prior import licence from the Ministry of Commerce, a certificate from the Automóvil Club de Colombia, and Ministry of Transport registration rules.
Transfer of residenceColombians returning home under the Return Law (Ley 1565 de 2012).No relief for vehicles: they are excluded from the return-law tax benefits.Household goods and professional tools only.

A tourist vehicle must leave Colombia before the permit, and any extension, runs out. Apply for the 3-month extension before the first 6 months end.

Official sources: DIAN: temporary import of tourists' vehicles now fully online (2021) · DIAN Concepto 54 de 2007: used vehicles, antique and classic exception · DIAN: benefits of the Return Law

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

Can I tour Colombia in my own vehicle?

Cartagena is a common start for a South American trip. Your vehicle travels by RORO in the ship's enclosed hold, or in a container, and you fly to meet it.

What you need

  • Original registration document and passport
  • The bill of lading from us
  • SOAT, Colombia's compulsory third-party insurance, before you drive
  • An address in Colombia (a hotel is fine)

Before you ship

  • Clean the vehicle inside and out
  • Declare lithium batteries and remove gas bottles
  • Keep items inside within the carrier's rules
  • Book 2 months to 3 weeks before sailing

Collection in Cartagena

Import costs of about US$750–1,070 cover terminal handling, port fees and the clearing agent, and are paid direct in Colombia.

Going north?

We ship from Cartagena to Panama, Mexico and the USA.

Shipping home

When your trip ends we ship from Colombia back to the UK and Europe.

Overland vehicle shipping: the complete guide →

Importing to Colombia

How do I clear my vehicle in Cartagena?

Every vehicle arriving in Cartagena is cleared by a local agent. Our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker can handle it.

RORO import costs
About US$750–1,070 for terminal handling, port fees and the clearing agent, charged by the size and weight of the vehicle.
Container import costs
About US$2,150–2,770 depending on container size and number of vehicles.
Documents for booking
Copy of the registration, copy of your passport, and addresses in the departure and arrival countries.
Insurance
Marine cargo insurance for a single trip or your whole journey, with contents cover up to €15,000.

Trade and business

Do you ship for dealers, importers and businesses?

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

RORO

Two carriers from Southampton, Le Havre, Antwerp and Bremerhaven to Cartagena, 22–28 days. Larger units are charged by the cubic metre.

Containers

Sole-use 20ft from €2,300 (EU) or £2,000 (UK). See container prices above.

Other routes

Colombia to Panama, Mexico, the USA and Europe.

Price match

We will try to match or beat any valid quotation.

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 Europe work?

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

  1. 1

    Get a quote

    Fill in the 2-minute form for instant pricing.

  2. 2

    Book your sailing

    We confirm the carrier, date and port delivery instructions.

  3. 3

    Prepare

    Clean the vehicle, remove loose items, send your registration document and passport copy.

  4. 4

    Drop off

    At the terminal, normally 4–7 days before sailing.

  5. 5

    Sea crossing

    We track the vessel and keep you updated until arrival.

  6. 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 Europe

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

RORO sea freight for a standard car costs about US$1,560, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days. Add about €250 or £250 export costs and about US$750–1,070 import costs paid in Cartagena.

How long does shipping from Europe to Cartagena take?

Sailing time is 22–28 days, with about two sailings a month. Cut-off is normally 2–3 working days before sailing.

How long can a tourist keep a foreign vehicle in Colombia?

Colombian customs (DIAN) issue a temporary import permit for 6 months, which can be extended by 3 months if you apply for the extension. The application is made online.

Can I import a used car to Colombia permanently?

Generally no. Colombia does not allow imports of used vehicles, except antique or classic vehicles with a prior import licence.

Is a container better than RORO to Colombia?

A sole-use container costs more than RORO for one vehicle, but suits classics, high-value cars and vehicles with belongings. A 40ft HC can take two vehicles, so sharing brings the cost closer to RORO.

Can I ship a vehicle with lithium batteries in a container?

Only if you declare them before booking. Lithium-ion batteries mean the container ships as hazardous, which normally adds US$700–1,000 or more. Gas cylinders are not allowed.

When are the next sailings from Europe to Colombia?

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

UK and Europe to Colombia

RORO

Next sailing: Höegh Yokohama from Antwerp on 20 Nov 2026, arriving Cartagena on 11 Dec 2026 (21 days). About 12 sailings a month. Updated 11 Nov 2026.

Calls at Cartagena
RORO sailings from the UK and Europe to Cartagena, Nov 2026 – Dec 2026
VesselFromDepartsCartagena
Höegh YokohamaAntwerp20 Nov 202611 Dec 2026
Hoegh YokohamaAntwerp21 Nov 202612 Dec 2026
Höegh YokohamaBremerhaven22 Nov 202611 Dec 2026
Hoegh YokohamaBremerhaven23 Nov 202612 Dec 2026
Höegh YokohamaLe Havre25 Nov 202611 Dec 2026
Hoegh YokohamaLe Havre26 Nov 202612 Dec 2026
Höegh YokohamaVigo28 Nov 202611 Dec 2026
Hoegh YokohamaVigo29 Nov 202612 Dec 2026
Hoegh OsloAntwerp1 Dec 20265 Jan 2027
Hoegh OsloSouthampton3 Dec 20265 Jan 2027
Hoegh OsloLe Havre4 Dec 20265 Jan 2027
Hoegh OsloVigo7 Dec 20265 Jan 2027
  • Höegh YokohamaFrom Antwerp 20 Nov → Cartagena 11 Dec · 21 days
  • Hoegh YokohamaFrom Antwerp 21 Nov → Cartagena 12 Dec · 21 days
  • Höegh YokohamaFrom Bremerhaven 22 Nov → Cartagena 11 Dec · 19 days
  • Hoegh YokohamaFrom Bremerhaven 23 Nov → Cartagena 12 Dec · 19 days
  • Höegh YokohamaFrom Le Havre 25 Nov → Cartagena 11 Dec · 16 days
  • Hoegh YokohamaFrom Le Havre 26 Nov → Cartagena 12 Dec · 16 days
  • Höegh YokohamaFrom Vigo 28 Nov → Cartagena 11 Dec · 13 days
  • Hoegh YokohamaFrom Vigo 29 Nov → Cartagena 12 Dec · 13 days
  • Hoegh OsloFrom Antwerp 1 Dec → Cartagena 5 Jan · 35 days
  • Hoegh OsloFrom Southampton 3 Dec → Cartagena 5 Jan · 33 days
  • Hoegh OsloFrom Le Havre 4 Dec → Cartagena 5 Jan · 32 days
  • Hoegh OsloFrom Vigo 7 Dec → Cartagena 5 Jan · 29 days

Container

Next sailing: Maersk Labrea from Bremerhaven on 13 Nov 2026, arriving Cartagena on 10 Dec 2026 (27 days). About 21 sailings a month. Updated 11 Nov 2026.

Calls at Cartagena
Container sailings from the UK and Europe to Cartagena, Nov 2026 – Feb 2027
VesselFromDepartsCartagena
Maersk LabreaBremerhaven13 Nov 202610 Dec 2026
Maersk BaturSouthampton14 Nov 202610 Dec 2026
Maersk BintanRotterdam15 Nov 20263 Dec 2026
Maersk Monte LinzorBremerhaven17 Nov 20269 Dec 2026
ONE ResolutionLondon Gateway17 Nov 202617 Dec 2026
Maersk BaturRotterdam17 Nov 202610 Dec 2026
San Raphael MaerskBremerhaven20 Nov 202617 Dec 2026
Maersk BayeteSouthampton21 Nov 202617 Dec 2026
Maersk Monte RosaBremerhaven24 Nov 202616 Dec 2026
ONE ResilienceLondon Gateway24 Nov 202624 Dec 2026
Maersk BayeteRotterdam24 Nov 202617 Dec 2026
San FelixBremerhaven27 Nov 202624 Dec 2026
Maersk BatamSouthampton29 Nov 202624 Dec 2026
Maersk Monte PascoalBremerhaven1 Dec 202623 Dec 2026
MaipoLondon Gateway1 Dec 202631 Dec 2026
Maersk BatamRotterdam1 Dec 202624 Dec 2026
Maersk LagunaBremerhaven4 Dec 202631 Dec 2026
Fort DesaixSouthampton6 Dec 202631 Dec 2026
Monte TamaroBremerhaven8 Dec 202630 Dec 2026
Kalahari ExpressLondon Gateway8 Dec 20267 Jan 2027
Fort DesaixRotterdam8 Dec 202631 Dec 2026
Maersk LondrinaBremerhaven11 Dec 20267 Jan 2027
Maersk BogorSouthampton13 Dec 20267 Jan 2027
Maersk Monte AltoBremerhaven15 Dec 20266 Jan 2027
Maersk BogorRotterdam15 Dec 20267 Jan 2027
Maersk LaberintoBremerhaven18 Dec 202614 Jan 2027
Maersk BaliSouthampton20 Dec 202614 Jan 2027
Maersk Monte OliviaBremerhaven22 Dec 202613 Jan 2027
ONE ResponsibilityLondon Gateway22 Dec 202621 Jan 2027
Maersk BaliRotterdam22 Dec 202614 Jan 2027
Maersk LinsBremerhaven25 Dec 202621 Jan 2027
Maersk BulanSouthampton27 Dec 202621 Jan 2027
Maersk Monte VerdeBremerhaven29 Dec 202620 Jan 2027
Santa UrsulaLondon Gateway29 Dec 202628 Jan 2027
Maersk BulanRotterdam29 Dec 202621 Jan 2027
Maersk BenguelaSouthampton3 Jan 202728 Jan 2027
Maersk Monte LinzorBremerhaven5 Jan 202727 Jan 2027
Santa Cruz MaerskLondon Gateway5 Jan 20274 Feb 2027
Maersk BenguelaRotterdam5 Jan 202728 Jan 2027
Maersk La PazBremerhaven8 Jan 20274 Feb 2027
Maersk BintanSouthampton10 Jan 20274 Feb 2027
Maersk Monte RosaBremerhaven12 Jan 202710 Feb 2027
Santa Catarina MaerskLondon Gateway12 Jan 202711 Feb 2027
Maersk BintanRotterdam12 Jan 20274 Feb 2027
Maersk LabreaBremerhaven15 Jan 202711 Feb 2027
Maersk BaturSouthampton17 Jan 202711 Feb 2027
Santa Clara MaerskLondon Gateway19 Jan 202718 Feb 2027
Maersk BaturRotterdam19 Jan 202711 Feb 2027
San Raphael MaerskBremerhaven22 Jan 202718 Feb 2027
Maersk BayeteSouthampton24 Jan 202718 Feb 2027
Monte TamaroBremerhaven26 Jan 202717 Feb 2027
ONE ResolutionLondon Gateway26 Jan 202725 Feb 2027
Maersk BayeteRotterdam26 Jan 202718 Feb 2027
San FelixBremerhaven29 Jan 202725 Feb 2027
Maersk BatamSouthampton31 Jan 202725 Feb 2027
Maersk Monte AltoBremerhaven2 Feb 202724 Feb 2027
ONE ResilienceLondon Gateway2 Feb 20274 Mar 2027
Maersk BatamRotterdam2 Feb 202725 Feb 2027
Maersk LagunaBremerhaven5 Feb 20274 Mar 2027
Fort DesaixSouthampton7 Feb 20274 Mar 2027
  • Maersk LabreaFrom Bremerhaven 13 Nov → Cartagena 10 Dec · 27 days
  • Maersk BaturFrom Southampton 14 Nov → Cartagena 10 Dec · 26 days
  • Maersk BintanFrom Rotterdam 15 Nov → Cartagena 3 Dec · 18 days
  • Maersk Monte LinzorFrom Bremerhaven 17 Nov → Cartagena 9 Dec · 22 days
  • ONE ResolutionFrom London Gateway 17 Nov → Cartagena 17 Dec · 30 days
  • Maersk BaturFrom Rotterdam 17 Nov → Cartagena 10 Dec · 23 days
  • San Raphael MaerskFrom Bremerhaven 20 Nov → Cartagena 17 Dec · 27 days
  • Maersk BayeteFrom Southampton 21 Nov → Cartagena 17 Dec · 26 days
  • Maersk Monte RosaFrom Bremerhaven 24 Nov → Cartagena 16 Dec · 22 days
  • ONE ResilienceFrom London Gateway 24 Nov → Cartagena 24 Dec · 30 days
  • Maersk BayeteFrom Rotterdam 24 Nov → Cartagena 17 Dec · 23 days
  • San FelixFrom Bremerhaven 27 Nov → Cartagena 24 Dec · 27 days
  • Maersk BatamFrom Southampton 29 Nov → Cartagena 24 Dec · 25 days
  • Maersk Monte PascoalFrom Bremerhaven 1 Dec → Cartagena 23 Dec · 22 days
  • MaipoFrom London Gateway 1 Dec → Cartagena 31 Dec · 30 days
  • Maersk BatamFrom Rotterdam 1 Dec → Cartagena 24 Dec · 23 days
  • Maersk LagunaFrom Bremerhaven 4 Dec → Cartagena 31 Dec · 27 days
  • Fort DesaixFrom Southampton 6 Dec → Cartagena 31 Dec · 25 days
  • Monte TamaroFrom Bremerhaven 8 Dec → Cartagena 30 Dec · 22 days
  • Kalahari ExpressFrom London Gateway 8 Dec → Cartagena 7 Jan · 30 days
  • Fort DesaixFrom Rotterdam 8 Dec → Cartagena 31 Dec · 23 days
  • Maersk LondrinaFrom Bremerhaven 11 Dec → Cartagena 7 Jan · 27 days
  • Maersk BogorFrom Southampton 13 Dec → Cartagena 7 Jan · 25 days
  • Maersk Monte AltoFrom Bremerhaven 15 Dec → Cartagena 6 Jan · 22 days
  • Maersk BogorFrom Rotterdam 15 Dec → Cartagena 7 Jan · 23 days
  • Maersk LaberintoFrom Bremerhaven 18 Dec → Cartagena 14 Jan · 27 days
  • Maersk BaliFrom Southampton 20 Dec → Cartagena 14 Jan · 25 days
  • Maersk Monte OliviaFrom Bremerhaven 22 Dec → Cartagena 13 Jan · 22 days
  • ONE ResponsibilityFrom London Gateway 22 Dec → Cartagena 21 Jan · 30 days
  • Maersk BaliFrom Rotterdam 22 Dec → Cartagena 14 Jan · 23 days
  • Maersk LinsFrom Bremerhaven 25 Dec → Cartagena 21 Jan · 27 days
  • Maersk BulanFrom Southampton 27 Dec → Cartagena 21 Jan · 25 days
  • Maersk Monte VerdeFrom Bremerhaven 29 Dec → Cartagena 20 Jan · 22 days
  • Santa UrsulaFrom London Gateway 29 Dec → Cartagena 28 Jan · 30 days
  • Maersk BulanFrom Rotterdam 29 Dec → Cartagena 21 Jan · 23 days
  • Maersk BenguelaFrom Southampton 3 Jan → Cartagena 28 Jan · 25 days
  • Maersk Monte LinzorFrom Bremerhaven 5 Jan → Cartagena 27 Jan · 22 days
  • Santa Cruz MaerskFrom London Gateway 5 Jan → Cartagena 4 Feb · 30 days
  • Maersk BenguelaFrom Rotterdam 5 Jan → Cartagena 28 Jan · 23 days
  • Maersk La PazFrom Bremerhaven 8 Jan → Cartagena 4 Feb · 27 days
  • Maersk BintanFrom Southampton 10 Jan → Cartagena 4 Feb · 25 days
  • Maersk Monte RosaFrom Bremerhaven 12 Jan → Cartagena 10 Feb · 29 days
  • Santa Catarina MaerskFrom London Gateway 12 Jan → Cartagena 11 Feb · 30 days
  • Maersk BintanFrom Rotterdam 12 Jan → Cartagena 4 Feb · 23 days
  • Maersk LabreaFrom Bremerhaven 15 Jan → Cartagena 11 Feb · 27 days
  • Maersk BaturFrom Southampton 17 Jan → Cartagena 11 Feb · 25 days
  • Santa Clara MaerskFrom London Gateway 19 Jan → Cartagena 18 Feb · 30 days
  • Maersk BaturFrom Rotterdam 19 Jan → Cartagena 11 Feb · 23 days
  • San Raphael MaerskFrom Bremerhaven 22 Jan → Cartagena 18 Feb · 27 days
  • Maersk BayeteFrom Southampton 24 Jan → Cartagena 18 Feb · 25 days
  • Monte TamaroFrom Bremerhaven 26 Jan → Cartagena 17 Feb · 22 days
  • ONE ResolutionFrom London Gateway 26 Jan → Cartagena 25 Feb · 30 days
  • Maersk BayeteFrom Rotterdam 26 Jan → Cartagena 18 Feb · 23 days
  • San FelixFrom Bremerhaven 29 Jan → Cartagena 25 Feb · 27 days
  • Maersk BatamFrom Southampton 31 Jan → Cartagena 25 Feb · 25 days
  • Maersk Monte AltoFrom Bremerhaven 2 Feb → Cartagena 24 Feb · 22 days
  • ONE ResilienceFrom London Gateway 2 Feb → Cartagena 4 Mar · 30 days
  • Maersk BatamFrom Rotterdam 2 Feb → Cartagena 25 Feb · 23 days
  • Maersk LagunaFrom Bremerhaven 5 Feb → Cartagena 4 Mar · 27 days
  • Fort DesaixFrom Southampton 7 Feb → Cartagena 4 Mar · 25 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

Colombia to EuropeShip home from CartagenaDarien Gap: Colombia to PanamaShipping northColombia to the USACartagena to US portsEurope to PanamaStart in Central AmericaContainer shareOpen shares and how they workOverland vehicle shipping guideCarnets and temporary importGuide: temporary import in South AmericaRules country by countryGuide: touring South America in your motorhomePorts, costs and temporary importGuide: gas bottles in the AmericasFor overlanders and motorhomesGuide: what car shipping costsSea freight, port and import costsGuide: preparing your vehicleChecklist before you drop it off

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