RORO · Updated November 2026

Vehicle Shipping from Europe to Mexico

Shipping a car from Europe to Veracruz, Mexico by RORO costs about US$1,540 in sea freight for a standard car, or typically US$3,380–5,080 for a motorhome, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days. Add export costs of about €328 (EU) or £275 (UK) and about US$570 for customs clearance and terminal handling in Mexico. Ships take about 2–5 weeks.

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Standard car, RORO, Europe to Veracruz

from US$1,540

Typical price about US$1,540 · about 2–5 weeks at sea

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Car from

US$1,540 sea freight (RORO)

Departures

Southampton, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, Bremerhaven

Arrival port

Veracruz, Mexico

Export costs

About €328 (EU), £275 (UK)

Import costs in Mexico

About US$570 (clearance and THC)

Temporary import deposit

US$200–400, refunded when the vehicle leaves

Containers

RORO only at present

Carnet needed?

No: a Banjercito temporary import permit instead

Book ahead

4–8 weeks; 3–4 months for motorhomes

How much does RORO shipping cost?

Typical RORO sea freight from northern European and UK ports to Veracruz, based on IVSS quotes for this route in the last 90 days. Vehicles up to 14 m³ pay one flat rate and vehicles from 14 to 25 m³ pay a second, so larger 4x4s pay more than a standard car. Export costs and Mexican import costs are extra (see below).

Vehicle	Typical sea freight	Action
Car (saloon/hatchback)	about US$1,540	Get a quote
4x4 / SUV	about US$1,930	Get a quote
Van	US$1,930 – 3,810	Get a quote
Campervan / motorhome	US$3,380 – 5,080	Get a quote
4x4 camper / overlander	US$1,930 – 4,180	Get a quote
Expedition truck	US$5,430 – 7,990	Get a quote

Why are you shipping your vehicle to Mexico?

Touring / Overlanding

Start your Pan-American trip

Ship to Veracruz and drive north to the USA or south through Central America.

Moving to Mexico

Import your vehicle permanently

Used vehicles need an import permit and pay duty and taxes; we check before you ship.

Classic and collector cars

Ship a classic to Mexico

Enclosed RORO from European ports, with insurance for high-value vehicles.

Trade and business

Dealers, fleets and machinery

RORO for cars, trucks, plant and oversized units, charged by the cubic metre.

Importing

How do I import a car to Mexico?

Most vehicles shipped to Mexico enter temporarily on a Banjercito permit, which costs about US$51 plus VAT, with a refundable deposit of US$200–400. Keeping a used car in Mexico permanently is a separate process: an import permit from the Ministry of Economy, the 50% general import duty and 16% IVA. From Europe, RORO to Veracruz costs about US$1,540 for a standard car and takes about 2–5 weeks.

Temporary or permanent: Temporary: foreign visitors, one vehicle per person, for as long as their immigration stay lasts (motorhomes of owners living abroad for up to five years). Permanent: a used-vehicle import permit from the Ministry of Economy (Secretaría de Economía), then customs clearance.
Documents: Title or registration in your name (or a finance or lease letter), passport and immigration form, the bill of lading and, for a temporary import, the Banjercito permit.
Duty and tax: Temporary: no duty; a permit fee of about US$51 plus VAT and a refundable deposit by model year. Permanent: 50% general import duty plus 16% IVA, and ISAN on cars up to 10 model years old.
Carnet: No. Visitors use the Banjercito temporary import permit instead.
How long it takes: About 2–5 weeks at sea. Book 4–8 weeks ahead, or 3–4 months for motorhomes.
What it costs: About US$1,540 sea freight for a standard car, plus export costs of about €328 (EU) or £275 (UK) and about US$570 for customs clearance and terminal handling in Veracruz.

Official sources: Ley Aduanera, Article 106 (Cámara de Diputados) · Banjercito: what you need for a temporary import permit (gob.mx) · Permiso de importación para vehículos usados (gob.mx) · LIGIE tariff (Cámara de Diputados)

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Entry rules

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

Most vehicles shipped to Mexico enter temporarily with a Banjercito permit. Keeping a used vehicle in Mexico permanently is a separate process with its own permit and taxes.

Option	Who it is for	Duty and tax	What you need
Temporary entry (visitors and tourists)	Foreign visitors, for as long as their immigration stay lasts. One vehicle per person.	No import duty while the permit is valid. Permit fee about US$51 plus VAT, and a refundable deposit of US$200 (2000 and older), US$300 (2001–2006) or US$400 (2007 and newer).	Banjercito temporary import permit, passport and immigration form, title or registration in your name (or a finance or lease letter). Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes need customs authorisation at a border office.
Motorhomes (owners living abroad)	Motorhomes temporarily imported by people permanently resident abroad.	No import duty while the permit is valid.	Temporary import for up to five years under Article 106 of Mexico's Customs Law.
Permanent import	Anyone wanting to keep a used vehicle in Mexico.	Used cars pay the 50% general import duty plus 16% IVA. ISAN (new-car tax) can also apply to cars up to 10 model years old.	An import permit for used vehicles from the Ministry of Economy (Secretaría de Economía), then customs clearance through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker.
Transfer of residence	Mexicans returning home with household goods (menaje de casa).	No relief for vehicles: a vehicle cannot be imported duty-free as part of household goods.	A consular household goods certificate, for personal and household effects only.

A temporary import vehicle must leave Mexico before the permit expires, or the deposit is kept. 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.

Official sources: Ley Aduanera, Article 106 (Cámara de Diputados) · Banjercito: what you need for a temporary import permit (gob.mx) · Permiso de importación para vehículos usados (gob.mx) · Menaje de casa (Embassy of Mexico in Germany) · LIGIE tariff (Cámara de Diputados) · Ley Federal del ISAN

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 Mexico in my own vehicle?

Most travellers start their Pan-American trip in Veracruz. Ships carry the vehicle in the enclosed hold; you fly and meet it at the port.

What you need

Original registration document and passport
The bill of lading from us
A Banjercito temporary import permit, arranged on arrival
Mexican motor insurance: we give you contacts with your booking

Before you ship

Clean the vehicle inside and out, free of oil, soil, dust and grease
Declare any motorbike or second vehicle before booking
Declare electric or hybrid drive: extra checks apply
Leave only items the carrier allows inside the vehicle

Two vehicles?

Only one temporary import permit is issued per person, so a second vehicle must be in a second traveller's name. Talk to us before you book.

Heading south?

From Mexico we ship to Cartagena, Colombia, and from Panama across the Darien Gap.

Shipping home

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

Overland vehicle shipping: the complete guide →

Importing to Mexico

How do I clear my vehicle in Veracruz?

Every vehicle arriving in Veracruz needs customs clearance. Our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker can handle it.

Clearance and handling: About US$570 for customs clearance and terminal handling, paid in Mexico.
Temporary or permanent?: Decide before you ship: the paperwork and costs are very different, so tell us when you ask for a quote.
Classic and high-value cars: We can arrange single-trip or multi-trip marine insurance, priced by the insured value you declare: from €200 single trip (€400 multi-trip) up to €25,000, in bands up to €1,000,000; above that, ask us. Motorhomes, expedition trucks and 4x4 campers insured through us include personal items in the vehicle up to €15,000.
Documents: Original registration or title, passport, bill of lading and, for a temporary import, the Banjercito permit.

Trade and business

Do you ship for dealers, importers and businesses?

We ship single vehicles and regular volumes from Europe to Mexico for dealers, importers and businesses, including trucks and plant on RORO.

RORO

Sailings from Southampton, Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Bremerhaven to Veracruz. Units over 25 m³ are charged by the cubic metre.

Containers

Container services to Mexico are paused because of customs delays in Veracruz. RORO is available.

Other routes

We also ship from Mexico to Colombia and to 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; 3–4 months for motorhomes. 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.

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 Mexico?

RORO sea freight for a standard car costs about US$1,540, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days. Add about €328 (EU) or £275 (UK) export costs and about US$570 for clearance and terminal handling in Veracruz.

How long does shipping from Europe to Mexico take?

Usually about 2–5 weeks at sea, depending on the carrier and the port you sail from. We confirm the sailing and arrival dates with your quote.

Can I ship my vehicle to Mexico in a container?

Not at present. Because of continued delays with customs in Veracruz we only offer RORO to Mexico. Your vehicle travels inside the ship's enclosed hold.

How do I bring my vehicle into Mexico as a tourist?

You need a temporary import permit from Banjercito, Mexico's army bank. It costs about US$51 plus VAT, with a refundable deposit of US$200–400 depending on the vehicle's age. The vehicle must leave before the permit expires.

Can I bring a truck and a motorbike?

Mexican law allows one temporary import vehicle per person, so a second vehicle must be imported by a second person. Tell us before booking if a motorbike or second vehicle is travelling with you.

Can I import my European car to Mexico permanently?

A used vehicle needs an import permit from Mexico's Ministry of Economy and pays import duty and taxes. We confirm the rules for your vehicle before you ship.

Can you ship electric or hybrid vehicles to Mexico?

Yes, with conditions. Fully electric vehicles go on one carrier only, usually under 12 months old with a recent dealer battery report. Hybrids need a recent diagnostic report and photos before booking.

How do I import a car to Mexico?

Decide before you ship whether it is a temporary or a permanent import, because the paperwork and costs are very different. A visitor gets a Banjercito temporary import permit; a permanent import needs a used-vehicle import permit from the Ministry of Economy, then customs clearance through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker.

How much does the Mexican temporary import permit cost?

About US$51 plus VAT, plus a refundable deposit of US$200 for vehicles from 2000 and older, US$300 for 2001–2006 and US$400 for 2007 and newer. The deposit is returned when the vehicle leaves Mexico before the permit expires.

What documents do I need to bring a car into Mexico?

Your passport and immigration form, the title or registration in your name (or a finance or lease letter), the bill of lading and the Banjercito permit. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes need customs authorisation at a border office.

How much duty is there on a used car imported to Mexico?

Used cars imported permanently pay the 50% general import duty plus 16% IVA, and ISAN can also apply to cars up to 10 model years old. A temporary import pays no duty while the permit is valid.

When are the next sailings?

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

UK and Europe to Mexico

RORO

Next sailing: Drive Green Highway from Southampton on 15 Nov 2026, arriving Veracruz on 11 Dec 2026 (26 days). About 6 sailings a month. Updated 11 Nov 2026.

Calls at Veracruz and Altamira

RORO sailings from Southampton, Bremerhaven and Zeebrugge to Veracruz and Altamira, Nov 2026 – Jan 2027
Vessel	From	Departs	Veracruz	Altamira
Drive Green Highway	Southampton	15 Nov 2026	11 Dec 2026	13 Dec 2026
Drive Green Highway	Bremerhaven	18 Nov 2026	11 Dec 2026	13 Dec 2026
Drive Green Highway	Zeebrugge	21 Nov 2026	11 Dec 2026	13 Dec 2026
Donington	Southampton	30 Nov 2026	26 Dec 2026	28 Dec 2026
Donington	Bremerhaven	3 Dec 2026	26 Dec 2026	28 Dec 2026
Donington	Zeebrugge	6 Dec 2026	26 Dec 2026	28 Dec 2026
Brooklands	Southampton	19 Dec 2026	13 Jan 2027	15 Jan 2027
Brooklands	Bremerhaven	22 Dec 2026	13 Jan 2027	15 Jan 2027
Brooklands	Zeebrugge	25 Dec 2026	13 Jan 2027	15 Jan 2027
Drive Green Highway	Southampton	6 Jan 2027	31 Jan 2027	2 Feb 2027
Drive Green Highway	Bremerhaven	9 Jan 2027	31 Jan 2027	2 Feb 2027
Drive Green Highway	Zeebrugge	12 Jan 2027	31 Jan 2027	2 Feb 2027