Ship Car from UK to USA
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Shipping a Car From UK to the USA
If you are looking to engage in car shipment from the UK to the USA, it’s smart to let Ship Overseas handle the logistics for you. We make it simple and affordable to ship a vehicle of any kind from the UK to the USA. That’s why we have put together this helpful guide to show you what is involved in the process.
We can make the process go as smoothly and pain-free as possible. We have experience with all vehicle imports from the UK into the USA, thanks to competitive industry rates and an easy step-by-step process. Ship Overseas offers weekly sailings from two ports in the UK. We can get you a free, no-obligation quote when you provide us with the Year/Make/Model of your car, Pickup Zip Code or Departure Port in UK, and Destination Country, in this case, USA. Ship Overseas offers weekly sailings from one port in the UK to six in the USA.


What to Know When Shipping a Car to U.K.
Your vehicle must pass CBP, EPA, and DOT checks. In particular, the car has to pass the safety, bumper and smog check as required by the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, plus you will have to follow requirements set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On top of that, you must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Motor Vehicle Safety, Bumper and Theft Prevention Standards regarding vehicle imports into the USA.
NOTE: If the imported car wasn’t made in the USA, isn’t returning and is 25 years old or older, it can be registered in the USA. For vehicles that do not fulfill these criteria, it can be imported for one year only.
Departure and Arrival Ports
Your car will depart the Southampton port in the UK, bound for one of the following six ports in the USA:
- New York, NY
- Baltimore, MD
- Charleston, SC
- Brunswick, GA
- Galveston, TX
- Port Hueneme, Ventura County CA

How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car From UK to the USA?
- The cost to ship a car from UK to the U.S. is $1,498.
- The cost to ship an SUV or truck from UK to the U.S. is $1,627.
Your final price could vary by:
- Whether or not you want to ship a car or an SUV/truck (it’s more affordable to ship a car than a larger vehicle).
- Whether or not the car will be driven to the Bremerhaven port by you or one of our truck drivers. If you or the person shipping the car doesn’t live close to the Southampton port, it may not be feasible to spend money on gas, lodging, time off work, etc. The same goes on the other end when receiving the shipment in the U.S. (it costs you more money to have a truck driver bring it).
- Whether or not you plan to ship from the UK to the East Coast USA or the West Coast USA (it’s more affordable to ship a car to the East Coast).
How Long Does it Take?
Here is the on-water voyage time, listed in days:
NewYork | 12-19 |
Baltimore | 15-21 |
Charleston | 16-24 |
Brunswick | 16-25 |
Galveston | 18-25 |
Port Hueneme | 27-31 |
Documents Required to Ship a Car to UK
The passport of consignee is required when shipping a car from UK to the USA. The consignee is the recipient of the goods at the destination port.
Salvage Titles
No salvage titles are accepted.
Customs Broker Information
Your customs broker/agent is Paul Alpren and the charge for services is $280.
Destination Handling Charge
The destination handling charge (DHC), or Terminal Handling Charge (THC), for shipping a car from UK to the USA is $215 to $275.
Do Returning Citizens Have to Pay Import Fees (Terminal Handling Charges)?
Returning citizens pay THC+US Customs Entry (Duty only if applicable).
Duty is applicable only for vehicles entering the USA for the first time, not returning vehicles.
Vehicle Age Limits
For US Spec vehicles, there is no age limit. For non-US Spec vehicles, classic cars must be a minimum of 25+ years old.
How Much is Import Tax?
Import tax is 3% (this number includes 2.5% Duty + HMF & MPF fees). HMF is the Harbor Maintenance Fee, while the MPF is the Merchandise Processing Fee.
Weekly sailings from ports in the United Kingdom to USA

Shipping Method for Shipping a Car to UK
The only type of shipping we offer from UK to USA is RoRo shipping. We do not offer container shipping. Our shipping vessels depart weekly from the UK.

RoRo Shipping (Roll On/Roll Off)
When a vehicle can make it up the ramp and onto the ship on its own power, RoRo shipping is the most popular and cost-effective option. It’s efficient and reliable with departure and arrival dates that are set just like an airport. RoRo is used for wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles, cars, motorhomes, campers, trailers, buses, construction vehicles, and boats. Vehicles are secured to the deck with no exposure to the ocean water and air.
Do You Need Marine Insurance?
While we highly recommend you do purchase it, it’s not a requirement. We offer 1.75% of the value of the vehicle for FULL coverage of theft, vandalism, damage and total loss with a $500 deductible. Note: coverage starts once the vehicle is loaded onto the ship in UK and lasts until it is collected at the U.S. arrival port. Total Loss is 1.25% charge for the value of the vehicle.
If paying for 100% coverage is not something you’re comfortable with, you could choose to buy partial coverage of 50% to 75% of the value. Just remember that if damage or loss does occur (rare), you would have to pay for any damage that exceeds the covered amount.
When shipping a car from UK to the USA, the experts at Ship Overseas can make sure you have a hassle-free experience. Call us toll free at 888-805-4994 or 858-547-0840.
Should I get Marine Insurance?
It’s highly recommend you purchase the optional marine insurance. We offer FULL COVERAGE Marine Insurance against Loss or Damage from the time your car is loaded onto the ship. The cost is 1.75% of the value you wish to insure the car for.
Damage and loss are both rare occurrences but may present a problem at times of rough seas, such as during hurricane season, lasting from June till November. Learn more about Marine Insurance by clicking on the link below.
If you are ready to get started on shipping a car from the UK to the USA, call us toll free at 888-805-4994 or 858-547-0840.