Port of Tilbury (Tilbury, Essex, United Kingdom) — Car & Container Shipping

Port of Tilbury sits in Tilbury, Essex, United Kingdom and is operated by Forth Ports. Tilbury on the Thames is a major UK port for container, RoRo, bulk and project cargo, with strong West Africa connections (Grimaldi) and good rail/road links into London and the South East.

As a UK departure port, Port of Tilbury loads weekly RoRo sailings and regular container services to West Africa, East Africa, the Middle East, Australasia and the Americas. We deliver UK collections to the port-side compound or direct to vessel cut-off via our own transport and approved hauliers.

Major RoRo operators calling at Port of Tilbury include Grimaldi (Africa, Mediterranean, Americas), Höegh Autoliners (Middle East, Asia, Australia, Americas), Wallenius Wilhelmsen and NMT/Neptune Lines. Container services operate via Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE and others into the world's main commercial terminals. We book the next available sailing each week and bundle UK collection into the rate.

Sailing frequency varies by trade lane — RoRo to large hubs typically weekly, smaller trades fortnightly. We aim to deliver vehicles into the port compound 2–5 days before vessel cut-off to allow loading planning, customs validation and shipping-line acceptance.

Every vehicle leaving via Port of Tilbury must clear HMRC export formalities through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) before vessel cut-off. We submit the export declaration in-house under our own EORI, hold the original V5C log book to endorse and submit the V5C/4 export slip to DVLA on your behalf, and present the bill of lading to the shipping line. The vehicle is released to load once HMRC routes the declaration green.

We provide full export documentation pack — bill of lading, packing list (for container shipments), HMRC export entry copy and marine insurance certificate where insured through us — to your destination agent before vessel arrival, so clearance can start as soon as the vessel berths.

Plan delivery to the port 3–7 days before vessel cut-off. Vehicles arriving late typically miss the booked sailing and roll to the next available vessel, which can mean a 1–2 week delay. Vehicles arriving too early may incur port storage at standard daily rates — we manage timing carefully to avoid both extremes.

For RoRo loading at Port of Tilbury, the vehicle must arrive in driveable condition with at least quarter-tank of fuel, fully working brakes and ignition, and no loose items in the cabin or boot (RoRo only permits the spare wheel, jack and fixed-fitted accessories). Container shipments may include personal effects with a packing list declaration.

Whether you're shipping a private car, a trade consignment, a classic or a non-runner via Port of Tilbury, our instant quote tool returns live RoRo and container pricing inclusive of UK door collection, HMRC export clearance, ocean freight, destination handling and (if requested) marine insurance and door-to-door delivery. We also handle motorbikes, vans, pickups, motorhomes, plant, boats and household effects.

Call +44 7376 584421 or use the instant quote tool to book your next shipment through Port of Tilbury.