International Shipping to Puerto Rico: Car Transport Services
Ship Overseas- Your Trusted Partner in International Car Shipping
Ship a Car to Puerto Rico
Planning to ship your car to Puerto Rico?
We’ve got you covered at Ship Overseas, Inc., with over 30 years of experience in car shipping to Puerto Rico.
No matter where your car is in the US, we can pick it up and transport it to Florida or Pennsylvania.
To provide you with a cost estimate, we only need three pieces of information:
- The year, make, and model of your car
- The pick-up ZIP code or the nearest port
- The destination (in this case, Puerto Rico).
We understand the importance of flexibility, and Puerto Rico stands out as it doesn’t impose any vehicle age restrictions. Whether your car is brand new or vintage, you can ship it without limitations.
Pick Up for International Shipping to Puerto Rico
For pick-up, we can collect your car from any location in the USA and take it to the shipping docks. Regular cars will be transported on an open carrier truck, while exotic cars like Bentley, Ferrari, and Lamborghini will be securely transported inside a closed transport truck.
While you can transport the vehicle, consider additional costs like gas, hotels, return airfare, and food.
Departure Shipping Ports for International Shipping to Puerto Rico
Our departure shipping ports are:
- Jacksonville, FL
- Eddystone, PA.
You can choose between door-to-port auto transport or other options based on your preferences.
Arrival at the Shipping Terminal in Spain for International Shipping to Puerto Rico
Upon arrival at the shipping terminal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the individual picking up your car must have a valid ID and cash to cover associated fees.
It’s important to note that Ship Overseas, Inc. is responsible for the transport from the USA to San Juan, while you’ll need to manage expenses such as destination fees and import/duty taxes.
Car Shipping from PR to USA (From San Juan to USA)
The following paperwork and supplies must be provided with the car before shipping:
- The Master Bill of Lading document, the vehicle’s current registration, and the title of ownership;
- A copy of the owner’s driver’s license
- The owner must present a Certificate of “No Fines” due, stamped with a $11.00 fee and accompanied by a $2.00 voucher code 842, suitable for three days, starting on the day it is completed. Public Works
- Internal Revenue (Hacienda) $10, code 5122, and $2.00 voucher code 842 for every vehicle; Certificate of Pressure Wash and Clean, covering the motor and underneath the vehicle. (acceptable in collections) (APPROVED for every car)
- From the owner, an original Power of Attorney by a lawyer in Puerto Rico authorizing shipment. Services to ship the vehicle. Also, when the owner is absent, they must approve the person delivering the unit.
- When the unit is a company-owned vehicle, a corporate letter must be authorizing the shipment submitted.
- Letter from the bank (original and notarized) authorizing the shipment if the unit has an active loan;
- All vehicles have to be pre-inspected by the Puerto Rico Police Stolen Department that corresponds to the customer’s residence. (Valid for five days);
- Original certificates of no debt with ACAA. Tel.: (787) 759-8989 (Valid for 20 days);
- All vehicles may have no more than 1/4 tank of fuel;
- No personal items inside of the vehicles will be accepted. Only the spare tire and a jack in the truck are allowed.
- An original Power of Attorney from the owner, signed by a Puerto Rican attorney, approving the shipment. Services for transporting the car. Additionally, the owner must permit the person delivering the unit if they are not present.
- A corporate letter authorizing the shipment must be submitted if the vehicle is a company vehicle.
- If the unit has an active loan, an original, notarized letter from the bank authorizing the shipment;
- Every vehicle must be pre-inspected by the Puerto Rico Police Stolen Department at the customer’s address. (Valid for five days);
- Original ACAA certificates of no debt faxed to (787) 759-8989 (Valid for twenty days);
- No more than 1/4 tank of fuel allowed in any vehicle
- Personal belongings left inside cars won’t be accepted. The truck’s spare tire and jack are the only permitted things.
Cost Considerations for International Shipping to Puerto Rico
- Car shipping from Jacksonville, Florida, to Puerto Rico starts at $1257.
- Vehicle shipping from Eddystone, Pennsylvania, to Puerto Rico starts at $1463.
These costs cover shipping from port to port. The size of your car, whether it is leaving from Florida or Pennsylvania, and whether you want us to pick it up at your front door will all affect the cost.
Departure & Arrival Ports, Starting Costs, & Shipping Duration
Departure and arrival ports, starting costs, and estimated shipping times are as follows:
- From Jacksonville, FL to San Juan, PR: $1257, transit time 5-7 days via RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off).
- From Eddystone, PA to San Juan, PR: $1463, transit time 5-7 days via shared container.
We offer weekly shipments from Jacksonville, FL, and Eddystone, PA.
Cars departing from Eddystone will be transported via a shared container, and it’s important to note that no personal belongings are allowed inside the car for either RoRo or container shipping.
The transit time is based on when the ship sets sail.
Meet the Spanish Speaking Team
Kendra
Shipping Agent
Call or Text (858) 289-4922
Handles incoming quotes and shipments to Latin America. Kendra also speaks Spanish
Ricardo
Shipping Agent
Call or Text (858) 877-9577
Handles incoming quotes in English and Spanish. He also handles a lot of Whatsapp & FB Messenger.
Vehicle Import Tax & Duty & Destination Handling Charge
To get the latest information on import duty, contact the Department of Hacienda. Please give the Department of Hacienda your VIN # or the year/make/model of your car and they will give you the price of import tax before you ship your car.
Department of Hacienda
Edificio Intendente RamÃrez
10 Paseo Covadonga
San Juan, 00901
Tel: (787) 622-0123 (general line) or 787-721-0338 (Office of Excise Taxes, better number)
P.O. Box 9024140
San Juan, P.R. 00902-4140
http://www.hacienda.gobierno.pr/contactenos
For destination charges, bring between $100-$150 in cash to have someone offload and release your car. Destination charges are not included in your quote.
Shipping a Car to Puerto Rico for Military & Gov’t Contractors
US Military PCS to Puerto Rico​
Any military personnel who has a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) can use our service. We are authorized shippers for the military.
POV Transfer Requirements for Military​
Letter of Authorization from the lien holder if there are any liens
The auto must be in working condition
For more information, read about military car shipping.
Storage Fees
Once your car arrives in San Juan, PR, you will have 5 calendar days to pick up car. Once those 5 days are over, then you’ll incur storage fees of approximately $8/day.
Optional Marine Insurance
Everyone in Puerto Rico knows that hurricane season is from June 1st and ends on November 30th. The cost of marine insurance is 1.75% of the value you wish to cover. We highly recommend purchasing marine insurance if you cannot afford to come out of pocket for repairs or loss.
You can learn more about Marine Insurance here.
Documents Required to Ship Car to Puerto Rico
- Copy of Title
- Copy of ID
- Letter of Authorization from lien holder if the car is not paid off
Vehicle Registration
Contact the PR DMV for information on vehicle registration.
Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works
Box 41269
Minillas Station
San Juan, PR 00940-1269
(787) 722-2929
https://dtop.pr.gov/
For people in the military, talk to your Officer in Charge and he/she will handle the registration for you. You’ll also be getting your military tags for your base.
Shipping Methods
Two Types of Shipping Methods
RoRo Shipping to San Juan, PR from Jacksonville, FL
RoRo (Roll on Roll off) ships are designed for the transportation of vehicles and heavy machinery. In essence, your car will be driven onto the ship instead of being placed inside a container and lifted onto the vessel. The most frequent shipments on RoRo ships are cars and motorcycles. If you intend to ship a motorcycle to Puerto Rico, it will be shipped from Jacksonville, FL, using a RoRo ship. Additionally, if you need to transport a boat to Puerto Rico, it must depart from Jacksonville, FL.
RoRo shipping typically offers more cost-effective rates in comparison to container shipping. When your car is transported via RoRo, you can count on reliable departure and arrival dates, unlike container shipping, which may have less predictable schedules.
Container Shipping to San Juan, PR from Eddystone, PA
All shipments between Eddystone and San Juan are via container shipping
Shared Container
With a shared container, your car will be shipped inside a container with 3 other cars. In other words, you will be sharing a container.
Nothing can be inside the trunk except for the jack and spare tire. No personal belongings can be shipped within the car or container. All cars must be in running condition.
Payment Methods
Payment needs to be made upfront, also known as pre-pay.
Credit Card & Zelle
A vast majority of people shipping cars to Puerto Rico pay via credit card or Zelle.
We don’t add any extra fees if you are paying by Zelle Pay. Basically, Zelle is bank-to-bank.
When making a payment by credit card, there is a 3% service fee, which amounts to approximately $40. Many people opt for Zelle to avoid this $40 fee.
Wire Transfer or Cashier’s Check
We also accommodate wire transfers as a payment method. Although wire transfers are commonly used by individuals in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for car shipments, most residents of Puerto Rico do not use this method, as they typically have American bank accounts.
Canceling Your Order
In the rare event that you need to cancel your order, please notify us via email. Typically, the payment will be refunded using the same payment method you selected, with a $300 cancellation fee applied.
Buying a Car in USA Online
Numerous online car buying websites offer a range of options, including used cars, new cars, and even salvage title cars. It’s worth noting that Puerto Rico accepts salvage title cars. To minimize transportation expenses, it’s advisable to purchase a car online in proximity to Jacksonville, FL, or Eddystone, PA, which are close to the departure ports. Buying as close as possible to these ports can significantly reduce your overall shipping costs.
Here are four websites where you can purchase cars online:
CarMax, a nationwide chain of auto dealerships, maintains fixed pricing for their vehicles.
Enterprise Car Sales operates dealerships throughout the USA, and they offer fixed pricing for their vehicles.
If you’re interested in purchasing a salvaged car online, Copart is a suitable auction website to explore. It’s important to note that if you plan to buy a salvaged car and ship it to Puerto Rico, the vehicle must be in working condition. We do not provide towing services onto the ship; the car should be operable and driven onto the vessel.
Auto Trader is a car marketplace where both dealerships and private sellers list their vehicles for sale.
If you purchase a car online, you can contact us to arrange pickup and shipping to Puerto Rico.
Additional Information
USA Customs Clearance
Ship Overseas, Inc. will clear US Customs for you.
Preparing Your Car for Shipment to Puerto Rico
Who Can Pick Up The Vehicle in Puerto Rico
You can have a friend or family member pick up the car in San Juan. Just inform us a few days before the ship sails so we can update the paperwork. The person picking up the car needs to provide a photo ID, a copy of the Title of Ownership, and a short notarized letter (2-3 sentences) granting permission to retrieve the vehicle. Please be aware that if you make changes after your cargo is loaded on the ship, there may be a fee imposed by the shipping line.