East coast
Generally the quickest crossings to the UK. The natural route for vehicles bought anywhere from New England down through the south-east, and for most of the middle of the country.
Shipping
Getting it across the Atlantic
Two ways to ship a car from the USA, and the choice genuinely depends on the vehicle. Here is the honest comparison rather than a push towards the dearer one.
Container or roll-on roll-off?
RoRo is the cheaper option and perfectly sensible for a driveable, mainstream car. A container costs more but encloses the vehicle completely and is the only option if it does not run. If you are shipping something rare, freshly restored or heavily modified, the container is worth the difference.
| Container | RoRo | |
|---|---|---|
| How it travels | Sealed inside a steel container | Driven on and parked on an open vehicle deck |
| Weather and handling | Fully enclosed and protected | Exposed to the elements in transit |
| Non-running vehicles | Yes — can be winched in | No — must drive on and off under its own power |
| Typical cost | Higher | Lower |
| Sharing | Can share a 40ft container with another vehicle to cut the cost | Priced per vehicle |
| Best for | Valuable, classic, modified or non-running vehicles | Straightforward, driveable, mainstream vehicles |
Where we ship from
We arrange collection anywhere in the United States and route the vehicle to whichever export port makes the most sense for where it is. The inland leg is usually the part that varies most in cost, which is why the quote form asks for the ZIP code rather than just the state.
West coast
For vehicles bought in California and the Pacific north-west. Transit is longer, so we will sometimes compare it against trucking east if the numbers favour it.
Insurance and what it covers
Every vehicle we ship is covered by marine insurance for the crossing, quoted against the declared value. It covers loss and damage in transit — it is not a warranty on the vehicle's mechanical condition, and it does not cover pre-existing damage, which is why we photograph vehicles at collection.
Declaring an accurate value matters in both directions. Under-declaring to save on the premium leaves you short if the worst happens, and the same figure drives the duty and VAT calculation at the UK end.
Questions about shipping
How long does shipping a car from America take?
Ocean transit is typically 4 to 6 weeks depending on the departure port and the sailing schedule. East coast departures are generally quicker than west coast ones. Inland haulage to the port and customs clearance on arrival sit either side of that.
Is container or RoRo better?
Container is enclosed, so the vehicle is protected from weather and handling, and non-running vehicles can travel. RoRo is usually cheaper but the vehicle must be driveable and it travels on an open deck. For a valuable, modified or non-running vehicle we would recommend a container.
Can I ship personal belongings in the car?
Generally no. Customs treat goods inside a vehicle as a separate import, and loose items are a common cause of delays and inspections at both ends. Anything in the vehicle must be declared.
Not sure which shipping method suits your car?
Tell us the vehicle and where it is. We will quote both where both are sensible, and say which one we would pick and why.