TheShipCars Worldwide ships cars from every UK address to over 200 ports worldwide using RoRo, shared container, sole-use container and air freight. Whether you are emigrating with a family car, sending a vehicle to family overseas, exporting trade stock or relocating a classic, we own the full chain from UK pickup through to destination port delivery under one Bill of Lading.
This page is the single starting point for everyone shipping a single car from the UK. It explains the four shipping methods, helps you choose between them, sets out realistic prices and timelines, lists the documents you need, and explains exactly what is and isn't included in a quote.
The four ways to ship a car from the UK
RoRo (driven onto a vessel) is cheapest and fastest for a running car to a major port. Shared container (one slot in a 40ft) costs slightly more and adds protection plus the ability to ship personal effects. Sole-use 20ft container is the gold standard for valuable, classic or non-running vehicles. Air freight is reserved for race-day spares, ultra-high-value cars or extreme deadlines — typically 5–10× the cost of sea freight.
- RoRo — from £950, running cars only, 21–45 day transit
- Shared container — from £700, single car + effects, 28–55 days
- Sole-use 20ft — from £1,650, max protection, 28–45 days
- Air freight — from £6,500, 1–7 days door-to-door
How to choose the right method
Choose RoRo if the car runs, drives, brakes and steers; the destination has direct RoRo calls; and price is the priority. Choose shared container if the car has value above £15k, you want personal effects inside, or RoRo to your destination is infrequent. Choose sole-use container for classics, supercars, non-runners, motorbikes with the car, or shipments with significant household goods. Choose air freight only for race cars, urgent commercial deliveries or destinations where sea is impractical.
Indicative prices to popular destinations
Prices below are guide rates for a Ford Focus / Toyota Corolla equivalent saloon from a UK mainland address. SUVs add 15–20%, pickups and vans 25–35%.
- UK to UAE (Jebel Ali/Hamriya): RoRo £1,250 · 20ft £2,150 · 35 days
- UK to Nigeria (Lagos): RoRo £950 · shared £1,150 · 20ft £1,650 · 25 days
- UK to Kenya (Mombasa): RoRo £1,150 · shared £1,350 · 20ft £1,950 · 35 days
- UK to South Africa (Durban): RoRo £1,250 · 20ft £2,250 · 40 days
- UK to Australia (Melbourne/Brisbane): RoRo £1,950 · 20ft £2,950 · 45 days
- UK to USA (NY/Baltimore): RoRo £1,150 · 20ft £1,950 · 18 days
UK collection and port handling
We arrange door-to-port collection from any UK mainland address — trade-plate driver for running vehicles, transporter for non-runners or high-value cars. Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Highlands & Islands are covered on a quoted basis. Port receival, security, lashing and stowage are bundled into the freight rate.
Documents required
Original V5C log book (we handle DVLA notification), photo ID for the registered keeper, proof of purchase if registered under 30 days, and any outstanding finance settled. For commercial exports we also need an EORI number and commercial invoice. We provide the rest — Bill of Lading, export entry, packing list.
Destination clearance and delivery
At every major destination port we have trusted clearing agents on hand to handle import declaration, duty and VAT calculation, port release and onward delivery. You can choose port-to-port (you appoint your own agent) or full door-to-door where we handle everything to the final address.
Frequently asked questions
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