Container and RORO · Updated November 2026
Shipping a Car from the UK to Iceland
We ship cars, 4x4s, motorhomes and campervans from the UK to Reykjavik, Iceland, by container from Immingham, with weekly sailings that take about eight days at sea. From mainland Europe we ship by container from Rotterdam (about four days at sea) or RORO from Zeebrugge. Every shipment is quoted by hand: we work out the price for your vehicle and sailing and email it to you.
- Quoted by hand and emailed to you
- Customs clearance support
- BIFA and FIATA member
Car, 4x4 or motorhome, container, quoted by hand
Quoted by hand
We work out the price for your vehicle and sailing and email it to you. · About 8 days at sea from the UK, weekly
Get my quoteNo account needed.
Methods
Container from the UK; container or RORO from mainland Europe
Departures
Immingham (UK); Rotterdam and Zeebrugge (mainland Europe)
Arrival port
Reykjavik
Sailings
Weekly, about 8 days at sea from Immingham and 4 from Rotterdam
Visitors
Up to 12 months on a temporary import
Documents
Registration document, passport and Icelandic form E-9 before arrival
Marine insurance
Mandatory on this route
Customs
UK and Iceland clearance through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker
How is this route priced?
Prices for this route are worked out by hand for each shipment, because they depend on the method (container or RORO), your vehicle's size, the ports and the sailing date. Send us the make and model, the dimensions, the departure and arrival ports and a rough date, and we will work out the price by hand and email it to you.
Why are you shipping your vehicle to Iceland?
Travellers / Overlanders
Tour Iceland in your own vehicle
Up to 12 months on a temporary import, with customs clearance at both ends.
Read moreMoving to Iceland
Take your vehicle with you
Excise duty and 24% VAT are paid on arrival; there is no moving relief.
Read moreClassic and collector cars
Ship a classic in a container
A sole-use container keeps a valuable car sealed from loading to arrival.
Read moreBusiness and equipment
Vans, plant and project kit
Containers for business vehicles and equipment; ask us about larger units.
Read moreEntry rules
What are the rules for temporary entry, permanent import and moving to Iceland?
Iceland lets visitors who live abroad use their own vehicle for up to 12 months. A vehicle that stays pays excise duty set by CO2 emissions and 24% VAT, and there is no duty relief for people moving to Iceland.
| Option | Who it is for | Duty and tax | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary entry (visitors and tourists) | People permanently resident abroad, bringing a vehicle for their own use. | No duty while the conditions are met, but security for the estimated duties is required. A driving fee applies to vehicles under 10 tonnes. | Form E-9 before arrival, kept in the vehicle. Up to 12 months from arrival, brought in within a month of you. No commercial use; Green Card if from outside the EEA. |
| Permanent import | Anyone keeping the vehicle in Iceland. | Excise duty of 10–70% of customs value by CO2 emissions (0% for electric, hydrogen or methane), plus 24% VAT and a tyre and battery recycling fee. | Pre-registration with the Icelandic Transport Authority, then a customs declaration through a broker with the invoice and supporting documents. |
| Moving to Iceland (household goods) | People transferring their legal domicile to Iceland. | No relief: import charges are paid on the vehicle, though payment can be deferred for one month from arrival. | Form E-9 before arrival, purchase invoice, registration certificate and pre-registration. Register your legal domicile within one month of arrival. |
| Returning vehicle (Icelandic plates) | Owners bringing back a vehicle on Icelandic plates after driving abroad. | No excise duty, VAT or recycling fee, unless charges were refunded on export or the vehicle was improved, restored or re-equipped abroad. | Odometer readings on leaving and on return. A vehicle deregistered when it left must be registered again. |
Residents of Iceland cannot temporarily import a vehicle. If a visitor's vehicle is not exported within 12 months the relief ends and duties become payable, and Customs may remove the plates if the conditions are broken.
Official sources: Iceland Revenue and Customs: Temporary import of vehicles · island.is: Temporary import of a vehicle with foreign registration plates · Iceland Revenue and Customs: Importing vehicles · island.is: Calculation of excise duty on imported vehicles · island.is: Import of vehicle with household goods · island.is: Importing a vehicle with Icelandic registration plates
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.
Why ship with IVSS?
Advice you can use
Carnets, 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 the UK work?
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.
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 the UK
How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Iceland?
We quote this route by hand, because the price depends on the method, your vehicle's size, the departure port and the sailing. Send us the make, model, dimensions and rough date and we will email you a price.
How long does it take to ship a car to Iceland?
About eight days at sea from Immingham, with weekly sailings, and about four days from Rotterdam. Allow extra time for port handling; we confirm timings when we quote.
Can I take my own car to Iceland on holiday?
Yes. If you live abroad you can use your own vehicle in Iceland for up to 12 months from its arrival, for personal use only. Form E-9 goes to Icelandic Customs before arrival, and security for the estimated duties is required.
Is there a road fee for visiting vehicles in Iceland?
Yes. Visiting vehicles under 10 tonnes pay a driving fee: a fixed amount for stays of 30 days or less, and by distance driven for longer stays. The odometer reading is logged on arrival.
How much duty is there on importing a car to Iceland permanently?
Excise duty of 10–70% of the customs value, set by CO2 emissions, plus 24% VAT and a recycling fee on tyres and batteries. Vehicles powered only by electricity, hydrogen or methane pay no excise duty.
Is there duty relief if I move to Iceland?
No. Import charges are paid on a vehicle brought in with household goods when you move, although payment can be deferred for one month after arrival.
Do I need marine insurance?
Yes, marine cargo insurance is mandatory on this route. We can arrange it with your booking.
Do I need motor insurance to drive in Iceland?
Vehicles from outside the EEA need a Green Card or other valid liability insurance. Vehicles from a list of European countries are treated as already insured; we check yours before you ship.
When are the next sailings?
Live schedules from the carriers we book with. Dates move; we confirm yours at booking.
UK to Reykjavik
Container
Next sailing: Selfoss from Immingham on 16 Nov 2026, arriving Reykjavik on 24 Nov 2026 (8 days). About 4 sailings a month. Updated 11 Nov 2026.
Calls at Reykjavik
| Vessel | From | Departs | Reykjavik |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selfoss | Immingham | 16 Nov 2026 | 24 Nov 2026 |
| Perseus | Immingham | 23 Nov 2026 | 1 Dec 2026 |
| Selfoss | Immingham | 30 Nov 2026 | 8 Dec 2026 |
| Perseus | Immingham | 7 Dec 2026 | 15 Dec 2026 |
| Selfoss | Immingham | 14 Dec 2026 | 22 Dec 2026 |
| Perseus | Immingham | 21 Dec 2026 | 29 Dec 2026 |
| Selfoss | Immingham | 28 Dec 2026 | 5 Jan 2027 |
| Perseus | Immingham | 4 Jan 2027 | 12 Jan 2027 |
| Selfoss | Immingham | 11 Jan 2027 | 19 Jan 2027 |
| Perseus | Immingham | 18 Jan 2027 | 26 Jan 2027 |
| Selfoss | Immingham | 25 Jan 2027 | 2 Feb 2027 |
| Perseus | Immingham | 1 Feb 2027 | 9 Feb 2027 |
- SelfossFrom Immingham 16 Nov → Reykjavik 24 Nov · 8 days
- PerseusFrom Immingham 23 Nov → Reykjavik 1 Dec · 8 days
- SelfossFrom Immingham 30 Nov → Reykjavik 8 Dec · 8 days
- PerseusFrom Immingham 7 Dec → Reykjavik 15 Dec · 8 days
- SelfossFrom Immingham 14 Dec → Reykjavik 22 Dec · 8 days
- PerseusFrom Immingham 21 Dec → Reykjavik 29 Dec · 8 days
- SelfossFrom Immingham 28 Dec → Reykjavik 5 Jan · 8 days
- PerseusFrom Immingham 4 Jan → Reykjavik 12 Jan · 8 days
- SelfossFrom Immingham 11 Jan → Reykjavik 19 Jan · 8 days
- PerseusFrom Immingham 18 Jan → Reykjavik 26 Jan · 8 days
- SelfossFrom Immingham 25 Jan → Reykjavik 2 Feb · 8 days
- PerseusFrom Immingham 1 Feb → Reykjavik 9 Feb · 8 days
Schedule as at 11 Nov 2026. Dates are the carriers' estimates and can change; we confirm yours when you book.
Mainland Europe to Reykjavik
Container
Next sailing: Jonni Ritscher from Rotterdam on 18 Nov 2026, arriving Reykjavik on 22 Nov 2026 (4 days). About 4 sailings a month. Updated 11 Nov 2026.
Calls at Reykjavik
| Vessel | From | Departs | Reykjavik |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonni Ritscher | Rotterdam | 18 Nov 2026 | 22 Nov 2026 |
| Helle Ritscher | Rotterdam | 25 Nov 2026 | 29 Nov 2026 |
| Jonni Ritscher | Rotterdam | 2 Dec 2026 | 6 Dec 2026 |
| Helle Ritscher | Rotterdam | 9 Dec 2026 | 13 Dec 2026 |
| Jonni Ritscher | Rotterdam | 16 Dec 2026 | 20 Dec 2026 |
| Helle Ritscher | Rotterdam | 23 Dec 2026 | 27 Dec 2026 |
| Jonni Ritscher | Rotterdam | 6 Jan 2027 | 10 Jan 2027 |
| Helle Ritscher | Rotterdam | 13 Jan 2027 | 17 Jan 2027 |
| Jonni Ritscher | Rotterdam | 20 Jan 2027 | 24 Jan 2027 |
| Helle Ritscher | Rotterdam | 27 Jan 2027 | 31 Jan 2027 |
| Jonni Ritscher | Rotterdam | 3 Feb 2027 | 7 Feb 2027 |
- Jonni RitscherFrom Rotterdam 18 Nov → Reykjavik 22 Nov · 4 days
- Helle RitscherFrom Rotterdam 25 Nov → Reykjavik 29 Nov · 4 days
- Jonni RitscherFrom Rotterdam 2 Dec → Reykjavik 6 Dec · 4 days
- Helle RitscherFrom Rotterdam 9 Dec → Reykjavik 13 Dec · 4 days
- Jonni RitscherFrom Rotterdam 16 Dec → Reykjavik 20 Dec · 4 days
- Helle RitscherFrom Rotterdam 23 Dec → Reykjavik 27 Dec · 4 days
- Jonni RitscherFrom Rotterdam 6 Jan → Reykjavik 10 Jan · 4 days
- Helle RitscherFrom Rotterdam 13 Jan → Reykjavik 17 Jan · 4 days
- Jonni RitscherFrom Rotterdam 20 Jan → Reykjavik 24 Jan · 4 days
- Helle RitscherFrom Rotterdam 27 Jan → Reykjavik 31 Jan · 4 days
- Jonni RitscherFrom Rotterdam 3 Feb → Reykjavik 7 Feb · 4 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
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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