Motorhomes, campervans and recreational vehicles are bulky, tall and often custom-built — shipping them requires careful method selection. TheShipCars Worldwide handles motorhome export from the UK by RoRo for standard A-Class and Coachbuilt motorhomes, and by 40ft High Cube container for low-profile VW T6, Mercedes Sprinter and self-built overland conversions.
We have shipped UK motorhomes to Australia for big-lap tours, to Canada for cross-country travel, to South Africa for safari trips and to North America for the Pan-American Highway. This page covers the routing options, prep requirements and customs paperwork for each.
RoRo vs container for motorhomes
Standard coachbuilts up to 3m high and 7.5m long ship by RoRo on dedicated high-clearance decks. A-Class and luxury motorhomes also ship RoRo subject to dimensional approval. Low-profile vans (under 2.6m) and overland Sprinter conversions ship in 40ft High Cube containers for full sealed protection.
- RoRo: vehicles up to 3m H × 2.5m W × 7.5m L, running condition
- 40ft HC container: vehicles up to 2.6m H × 2.35m W × 5.9m L
- Flat Rack or oversized handling for anything larger
Preparation for shipping
Empty fresh and waste water tanks completely. Disconnect leisure batteries and gas bottles (gas must be removed — shipping lines refuse loaded propane). Secure all internal cabinets, drawers and fridge doors with tape. Photograph the interior and exterior. Fuel tank quarter-full max.
Indicative motorhome prices
RoRo: UK to Australia £3,950, UK to USA £2,850, UK to UAE £2,650, UK to South Africa £3,150 for a standard 6m coachbuilt. 40ft HC container: UK to Australia £4,250, UK to USA £3,250.
Customs and import regulations
Many countries treat motorhomes as standard vehicles for duty but apply additional checks: Australia requires biosecurity wash and inspection at arrival (£450 typical), USA needs NHTSA/EPA compliance unless 25+ years old, New Zealand has strict mud/seed inspection. We provide country-specific prep guidance with every booking.
Carnet de Passage for round trips
If you intend to bring the motorhome back to the UK after a trip abroad (e.g. shipping out for a one-year tour), use a Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD) instead of formally importing. The AA issues UK Carnets — we coordinate with you on timing.
Insurance
All-risks marine cover for motorhomes is priced at 1.5%–2.2% of declared value, covering the vehicle, fixed contents and habitation equipment.
Frequently asked questions
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