Frequently Asked Questions

Use the instant quote tool on our homepage. Enter origin postcode, destination, vehicle make/model and value — you'll see live RoRo, shared-container and sole-use container prices in under 60 seconds. No callback required.

Quotes hold for 7 days. After that we may need to re-issue if ocean freight, BAF or FX has moved. Booking with deposit within 7 days locks the price.

20% deposit to confirm booking. Balance is payable on bill-of-lading release, before the original B/L is couriered to you or your destination agent.

Bank transfer (UK and international), debit and credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), and Apple/Google Pay. Bank transfer is preferred for shipments above £3,000.

Yes — amendments are free up to UK port cut-off. Cancellation refunds depend on stage: full refund less £85 admin before UK collection; collection cost retained after pickup; carrier cancellation terms apply once loaded.

Yes — fleet discounts apply on 3+ vehicles to the same destination. Two cars usually fit a 40ft container which is significantly cheaper per car than two RoRo bookings.

Roll-on Roll-off — your car is driven onto a purpose-built RoRo vessel at the UK port, parked on a vehicle deck, secured for the voyage and driven off at destination. Cheapest and fastest for running standard vehicles.

Your car shares a 40ft container with other UK-origin vehicles bound for the same destination. The value sweet-spot for a single car under £40k. Slightly slower than RoRo but more secure.

You hire the entire 20ft or 40ft container. Right for classics, supercars, EVs, non-runners or shipments with personal effects. Maximum security and flexibility.

Yes — by sole-use or shared container with winch loading. RoRo requires a running, driveable vehicle with working brakes, ignition and fuel.

RoRo on most lanes for a single running car. Shared container often wins on UK–East Africa and UK–Middle East when capacity tightens. Our quote shows all three side-by-side.

Not in RoRo — strict no-effects rule enforced at port. In container shipping, yes — both inside the car and around it inside the container, with a packing list for customs.

Yes — every UK mainland postcode plus Northern Ireland (via Belfast ferry). See /uk-collection for per-city pricing and transit.

Standard 5–10 working days from booking. Express within 48 hours by arrangement (surcharge applies).

Yes — port drop-off at Southampton, Sheerness or Tilbury. We deduct the UK collection fee from the quote. Bring V5C and photo ID for handover.

We use winch loaders for non-runners and damaged vehicles. There's typically a £75–150 surcharge depending on condition.

Yes — full goods-in-transit insurance covers the vehicle from collection to port handover. Marine insurance covers the sea voyage separately.

V5C original (logbook), photo ID, proof of address, and (for trade exports) commercial invoice with HS code 8703. We handle the HMRC customs declaration via our broker.

Required for trade/commercial exports. Not required for a private export where we declare on your behalf. Apply free at gov.uk if you need one (10 working days).

We do, using the V5C section 2/4. You'll receive confirmation from DVLA within 4 weeks. Don't sell the V5C insurance write-off section — we need the full logbook.

Apply for a duplicate via DVLA (V62 form, £25, ~5 working days). Shipping cannot proceed without it — destination customs require proof of ownership.

You'll need a licensed customs broker at destination (we recommend one in every market we serve). DIY clearance is not realistic in most countries — paperwork is complex and physical presence often required.

Carrier liability under Hague-Visby is capped at roughly £100 per package — nowhere near vehicle value. We offer marine insurance at 1.5–2.5% of declared value (Institute Cargo Clauses A — all risks). Strongly recommended.

Physical loss or damage during sea transit, port handling, lashing and discharge. Excludes mechanical/electrical defects, pre-existing damage, war and strikes (war-risk endorsement available).

Survey the car at destination port immediately on discharge — photograph any damage with the bill of lading visible. Notify your coordinator within 7 days and the formal claim within 30 days with photos, condition reports and repair estimates.

Standard policy excludes war risks. We add the war-risk endorsement (~0.05% of value) to all Middle East, East Africa and Asia routes that transit the Red Sea / Gulf of Aden.

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, UAE (limited), Australia, NZ, Japan, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta. LHD-only includes USA, Canada (mostly), most of EU, Saudi Arabia, GCC mainland.

Yes, country by country: Nigeria no limit (penalty above 15y), Ghana 10y, Kenya 8y, Tanzania 10y, South Africa generally no used imports, UAE no limit, Australia 25y or SEVS, USA 25y unless EPA/DOT compliant.

Many destinations prohibit Cat A/B/S/N write-offs (UAE, Australia, Saudi). Allowed in Nigeria, Ghana, some African markets with declaration. We flag this on every quote.

Yes — most carriers accept EVs with state-of-charge capped at 30–50%, plus an EV surcharge of £150–400. Container shipping avoids RoRo carrier restrictions for high-value EVs. See /articles/electric-vehicles-shipping-restrictions.

Lane-dependent. UK–West Africa RoRo: 21–28 days port-to-port. UK–Middle East: 21–28 days. UK–Australia: 28–45 days. Add 5–10 days UK collection and 5–14 days destination clearance for door-to-door.

RoRo to major destinations sails weekly. Container shared service typically fortnightly; sole-use container weekly with most carriers.

Coordinator updates via WhatsApp/email at: collection scheduled, UK port arrival, B/L issued, vessel departed, mid-voyage check-in, destination arrival, customs cleared, out for delivery.

Yes — we send a MarineTraffic link with vessel name and IMO number after sailing. You can also track the container number on the carrier's website for container shipments.

UK port handling, ocean freight, BAF (fuel surcharge), carrier security and documentation fees. UK collection and destination charges itemised separately for transparency.

Destination port handling (THC), customs clearance fee, import duty, VAT, agent commission, onward delivery. We estimate all of these on the quote and confirm with the destination agent.

Ocean freight is VAT zero-rated as an international export service. UK collection and UK port handling carry standard 20% VAT — itemised on your invoice.

Bunker Adjustment Factor — the fuel cost component, reset monthly by most carriers based on VLSFO prices. Typically £40–90 per RoRo car on UK–Africa lanes; $200–400 per TEU on container.

Fleet bookings (3+ vehicles), repeat trade customers and combined RoRo+container shipments on the same booking attract negotiated rates. Just ask your coordinator.