RORO and container · Updated October 2026

Vehicle Shipping from Europe to Panama

Shipping a car from Europe to Manzanillo (Colón), Panama by RORO typically costs US$1,420–1,750 in sea freight for a standard car, or US$3,390–4,970 for a motorhome, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days. Add about €295 (EU) or £250 (UK) export costs and about US$400–500 in import fees paid in Panama. Sailing time is 22–28 days.

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Standard car, RORO, Europe to Manzanillo

from US$1,420

Typical range US$1,420–1,750 · 22–28 days at sea

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Car from

US$1,420 sea freight (RORO)

Departures

Southampton, Zeebrugge, Bremerhaven

Arrival port

Manzanillo (Colón), Panama

Sailing time

22–28 days

Sailings

About two a month

Export costs

About €295 (EU) or £250 (UK)

Import fees in Panama

About US$400–500, paid direct

Book ahead

2 months to 3 weeks before sailing

How much does RORO shipping cost?

Typical RORO sea freight from Southampton, Zeebrugge or Bremerhaven to Panama, including BAF, LSL and bill of lading, based on IVSS quotes for this route in the last 90 days. Export costs and Panama import fees are extra (see below).

VehicleTypical sea freightAction
Car (saloon/hatchback)US$1,420 – 1,750Get a quote
4x4 / SUVUS$1,830 – 2,450Get a quote
VanUS$2,040 – 3,700Get a quote
Campervan / motorhomeUS$3,390 – 4,970Get a quote
4x4 camper / overlanderUS$2,440 – 4,240Get a quote
Expedition truckUS$5,200 – 7,820Get a quote

Why are you shipping your vehicle to Panama?

Touring / Overlanding

Start the Pan-American Highway

Drive north through Central America, or ship across the Darien Gap to Colombia.

Read more

Moving to Panama

Relocate with your vehicle

Returning Panamanians and pensionado retirees have their own import rules.

Read more

Classic and collector cars

Ship a classic to Panama

Enclosed RORO from Southampton, Zeebrugge or Bremerhaven, with marine insurance.

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Trade and business

Dealers, fleets and plant

RORO for cars, trucks and machinery, charged by the cubic metre for larger units.

Read more

Entry rules

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

Travellers bring their vehicle into Panama temporarily; residents and returning Panamanians follow different rules. We check which applies before you ship.

OptionWho it is forDuty and taxWhat you need
Temporary entry (visitors and tourists)Visitors touring in a foreign-registered vehicle.No duty or tax while the permit runs. Panama grants 30 to 180 days for the tourist's own use, and no new permit until three months after the vehicle leaves.Passport, original registration or title, and Panamanian third-party insurance for the whole permit period. Our local agent arranges the customs permit.
Permanent importAnyone wanting to keep a vehicle in Panama.Import duty is set by the car's value and engine size, usually 15% to 20% for a used car, with 7% ITBMS (sales tax) on top.Customs clearance through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker.
Transfer of residencePanamanian citizens returning after at least two years abroad.Household goods and personal belongings up to US$25,000 free of import tax; tax is due above that.Proof of two years' residence abroad, proof of citizenship and a notarised list of goods in Spanish.
Retirees (pensionado visa)Retirees resident in Panama under the retired tourist (pensionado) visa.May import a vehicle for personal use free of import tax.Pensionado residence status. We confirm the conditions for your vehicle before you ship.

A temporary import vehicle must leave Panama before its permit ends, and the permit is cancelled by customs before the vehicle is loaded for onward shipping.

Official sources: Import of household goods (Embassy of Panama in the USA) · Gaceta Oficial: ANA Resolución 833 of 2020 (tourist vehicles) · DGI Panama: ITBMS

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 start my trip in Panama?

Panama is where many travellers start or finish the Americas. From Manzanillo you can drive north, or ship your vehicle on to Cartagena because there is no road across the Darien Gap.

What you need

  • Original registration document and passport
  • The bill of lading from us
  • An address in Panama (a hotel is fine)
  • Local motor insurance: we give you contacts with your booking

Before you ship

  • Clean the vehicle inside and out, free of soil, oil and grease
  • Empty any gas bottles completely
  • Remove personal effects unless the vehicle is a motorhome
  • Declare any lithium batteries before booking

Across the Darien Gap

We ship from Manzanillo to Cartagena by RORO or container; the fast ship takes 1–2 days.

Going north

We also ship from Panama to the USA, and from Mexico to Europe at the end of a trip.

Shipping home

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

Shipping across the Darien Gap: Panama to Colombia →

Importing to Panama

How do I clear my vehicle in Panama?

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

Local costs
About US$400–500 in total: terminal handling about US$150, port fees about US$100–150 and clearance about US$150–200.
Classic and high-value cars
We arrange single-trip or multi-trip marine insurance, with cover up to €500,000.
Documents for booking
Copy of the registration, copy of your passport, and addresses in the departure and arrival countries.
Collection
Bring the original registration, passport and bill of lading to collect the vehicle.

Trade and business

Do you ship for dealers, importers and businesses?

We ship cars, trucks and equipment from Europe to Panama for dealers, importers and businesses as well as travellers.

RORO

About two sailings a month from Southampton, Zeebrugge and Bremerhaven, 22–28 days at sea. Larger units are charged by the cubic metre.

Two carriers

We quote two carriers on this route, so you can compare price and the rules on items carried inside.

Other routes

Panama to Colombia, the USA and Europe, and Europe to Mexico and Colombia.

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 Panama?

RORO sea freight for a standard car typically costs US$1,420–1,750, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days. Add about €295 (EU) or £250 (UK) export costs and about US$400–500 in fees paid in Panama.

How long does shipping from Europe to Panama take?

Sailing time is 22–28 days. There are about two sailings a month, and cut-off is normally 2–3 working days before the ship sails.

Can I leave belongings in my vehicle?

Generally no, except in motorhomes and similar vehicles, within the carrier's guidelines. Gas bottles must be completely empty. We send the carrier's guidelines with your quote.

Can I drive from Panama to Colombia?

No. There is no road through the Darien Gap. Vehicles are shipped from Manzanillo to Cartagena by RORO or container, which takes 1–2 days at sea.

Do you offer containers from Europe to Panama?

This route is quoted as RORO. If you need a container, ask us and we will check what is available for your dates.

When should I book?

Bookings can be made from 2 months to 3 weeks before departure. Schedules are normally published about 2 months ahead.

When are the next sailings?

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

UK and Europe to Panama

RORO

Next sailing: Morning Laura from Southampton on 15 Nov 2026, arriving Manzanillo (Panama) on 29 Nov 2026 (14 days). About 15 sailings a month. Updated 12 Nov 2026.

Calls at Manzanillo (Panama)
RORO sailings from the UK and Europe to Manzanillo (Panama), Nov 2026 – Dec 2026
VesselFromDepartsManzanillo (Panama)
Morning LauraSouthampton15 Nov 202629 Nov 2026
ParsifalBremerhaven19 Nov 202618 Dec 2026
Morning ChampionZeebrugge21 Nov 202620 Dec 2026
ParsifalZeebrugge22 Nov 202618 Dec 2026
Morning ChampionGothenburg22 Nov 202620 Dec 2026
ParsifalSouthampton24 Nov 202618 Dec 2026
Morning ChampionBremerhaven25 Nov 202620 Dec 2026
TirrannaBremerhaven26 Nov 202622 Dec 2026
Morning ChampionSouthampton28 Nov 202620 Dec 2026
TirrannaGothenburg30 Nov 202622 Dec 2026
TirrannaZeebrugge3 Dec 202622 Dec 2026
TirrannaSouthampton4 Dec 202622 Dec 2026
AniaraBremerhaven10 Dec 20267 Jan 2027
AniaraZeebrugge13 Dec 20267 Jan 2027
AniaraSouthampton15 Dec 20267 Jan 2027
ThermopylaeZeebrugge22 Dec 202617 Jan 2027
ThemisaBremerhaven23 Dec 202613 Jan 2027
ThemisaGothenburg23 Dec 202613 Jan 2027
ThermopylaeBremerhaven24 Dec 202617 Jan 2027
ThemisaZeebrugge25 Dec 202613 Jan 2027
ThemisaSouthampton26 Dec 202613 Jan 2027
ThermopylaeSouthampton27 Dec 202617 Jan 2027
  • Morning LauraFrom Southampton 15 Nov → Manzanillo (Panama) 29 Nov · 14 days
  • ParsifalFrom Bremerhaven 19 Nov → Manzanillo (Panama) 18 Dec · 29 days
  • Morning ChampionFrom Zeebrugge 21 Nov → Manzanillo (Panama) 20 Dec · 29 days
  • ParsifalFrom Zeebrugge 22 Nov → Manzanillo (Panama) 18 Dec · 26 days
  • Morning ChampionFrom Gothenburg 22 Nov → Manzanillo (Panama) 20 Dec · 28 days
  • ParsifalFrom Southampton 24 Nov → Manzanillo (Panama) 18 Dec · 24 days
  • Morning ChampionFrom Bremerhaven 25 Nov → Manzanillo (Panama) 20 Dec · 25 days
  • TirrannaFrom Bremerhaven 26 Nov → Manzanillo (Panama) 22 Dec · 26 days
  • Morning ChampionFrom Southampton 28 Nov → Manzanillo (Panama) 20 Dec · 22 days
  • TirrannaFrom Gothenburg 30 Nov → Manzanillo (Panama) 22 Dec · 22 days
  • TirrannaFrom Zeebrugge 3 Dec → Manzanillo (Panama) 22 Dec · 19 days
  • TirrannaFrom Southampton 4 Dec → Manzanillo (Panama) 22 Dec · 18 days
  • AniaraFrom Bremerhaven 10 Dec → Manzanillo (Panama) 7 Jan · 28 days
  • AniaraFrom Zeebrugge 13 Dec → Manzanillo (Panama) 7 Jan · 25 days
  • AniaraFrom Southampton 15 Dec → Manzanillo (Panama) 7 Jan · 23 days
  • ThermopylaeFrom Zeebrugge 22 Dec → Manzanillo (Panama) 17 Jan · 26 days
  • ThemisaFrom Bremerhaven 23 Dec → Manzanillo (Panama) 13 Jan · 21 days
  • ThemisaFrom Gothenburg 23 Dec → Manzanillo (Panama) 13 Jan · 21 days
  • ThermopylaeFrom Bremerhaven 24 Dec → Manzanillo (Panama) 17 Jan · 24 days
  • ThemisaFrom Zeebrugge 25 Dec → Manzanillo (Panama) 13 Jan · 19 days
  • ThemisaFrom Southampton 26 Dec → Manzanillo (Panama) 13 Jan · 18 days
  • ThermopylaeFrom Southampton 27 Dec → Manzanillo (Panama) 17 Jan · 21 days

Schedule as at 12 Nov 2026. Dates are the carriers' estimates and can change; we confirm yours when you book.

Related routes and guides

Darien Gap: Panama to ColombiaManzanillo to CartagenaPanama to EuropeShip home from PanamaEurope to ColombiaShip straight to CartagenaEurope to MexicoStart further northOverland vehicle shipping guideCarnets and temporary importMotorhome shippingCampervans, motorhomes and trucksGuide: 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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IVSS is a member of BIFA, the British International Freight Association, and FIATA, the international federation of freight forwarders.

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