Classic cars demand a different shipping standard. Original paint, period interiors and irreplaceable mechanical components mean RoRo's open decks and stevedore handling are out of the question. TheShipCars Worldwide ships classic cars from the UK in sealed sole-use containers, with custom wooden bracing, soft tie-down straps and climate-conscious packing to protect the vehicle through every leg of the journey.
We have shipped Jaguar E-Types to Pebble Beach, AC Cobras to Sydney, original Mini Coopers to Tokyo, Aston Martins to Dubai and pre-war Bentleys to Monterey. This page explains the dedicated classic-car shipping protocol we apply to every vintage, classic or collector vehicle leaving the UK.
Why classics ship by container, not RoRo
RoRo vessels move thousands of vehicles per voyage. Cars are driven by stevedores, parked tightly, lashed with industrial chains, and exposed to weather and salt air on open decks. For a modern daily driver that is fine. For a £75,000+ classic with original paint and chrome, the risk of door dings, lashing scuffs and salt exposure is unacceptable.
Container shipping seals the vehicle inside a steel box for the entire ocean voyage. We are the only person to touch the car between load and unload, and the vehicle is fully sheltered from the elements.
Our classic car loading protocol
Every classic shipped with us is loaded under our supervision at our consolidation warehouse. We use wheel-strap tie-downs (never axle chains), soft chocks, custom wooden frame bracing against the container walls, and protective padding at any contact point with the container floor or sides. Fuel is drained to under a quarter tank, battery disconnected, and the vehicle photographed comprehensively before sealing.
- Soft wheel straps — never chains over the body
- Custom wood and foam bracing
- Drained fluids, disconnected battery, secured loose parts
- Full pre-load HD photo report sent to owner
Crating for ultra-rare classics
For pre-war classics, concours cars or vehicles travelling to remote destinations, we offer enclosed wooden crating with internal frame mounts. The crate is built around the car at our warehouse, then loaded into a 20ft or 40ft High Cube container — adding a second physical barrier and dramatically reducing handling exposure at destination.
Agreed-value marine insurance
Standard marine insurance pays out at depreciated market value — not appropriate for appreciating classics. We arrange Agreed-Value cover through Lloyd's-backed underwriters specialising in collector vehicles, where the sum insured is fixed at the start of the voyage and paid in full in the event of total loss. Typical premium is 1.8%–2.8% of agreed value.
Documents — extra requirements for classics
In addition to the standard V5C and ID, classics shipping to the USA need a NHTSA HS-7 declaration (vehicles over 25 years are exempt from FMVSS), and EPA form 3520-1 (over 21 years exempt). For Japan, the 25-year rule simplifies homologation. For Australia, vehicles 30+ years can use the Concessional RAV pathway. We provide the right documents for every classic-friendly jurisdiction.
Costs and lead times
Sole-use 20ft container to USA East Coast £1,950, Australia £2,950, UAE £2,150, EU £1,250. Crating adds £450–£950 depending on vehicle size. Lead time 5–8 weeks door-to-door.
Frequently asked questions
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