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Can Shipping Overseas from Australia

Your Ultimate Guide to Shipping a Car Overseas

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Are you looking to ship a car overseas from Australia? Auto shipping overseas is possible to most countries in the world, with slightly changing regulations and customs requirements. In this article, we cover everything about car shipping, how it works, costs, and requirements. Don’t forget to request your free removal quotes!

How Does Car Shipping Overseas Work?

You may be wondering; How do you ship a car overseas? It’s easier than you think. You can ship a car overseas in a shipping container or via the RoRo method. However, before you start the shipping process, you need to make sure you have your documentation in order:

  • Vehicle title/proof of ownership – you need to be the legal owner of the car
  • Passport/driver’s license
  • Bill of sale – required especially with recent car purchases
  • Vehicle export declaration (VED) – file this with the Australian Border Force (ABF)
  • Import approval from your destination – required in most EU nations, the UK, the US, and New Zealand
  • Packing list – required for container shipping options
  • Proof of compliance with biosecurity requirements – clean the vehicle well before shipping it

RoRo vs. Container Shipping for Cars

When you’re shipping a car overseas, you have 2 main shipping options to choose from. You can ship your vehicle via RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off), where it is driven onto the vessel’s deck and secured in place, or via container shipping, where it is loaded onto the vessel in a shipping container.

Below you can see the differences between the methods:

RoRo

 Car is exposed to open air
 Quick shipping
 Limited port options
 Possible for one vehicle at a time
 Less secure

Container Shipping

 Car is closed in a container
 Longer shipping times
 Available in most ports
 Possible for multiples with a big container
 More secure
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Costs of Car Shipping Overseas

The cost of shipping a car overseas can range from $1,000 to $6,000, depending on your destination and shipping method, and the process can take anywhere from 5 days to 9 weeks.
DestinationRoRo (AUD)Container (AUD)
New Zealand$1,000 – $1,800$1,800 – $2,500
United Kingdom$2,500 – $3,500$3,500 – $5,000
USA (West Coast)$2,000 – $3,200$3,200 – $4,500
USA (East Coast)$2,800 – $4,200$4,500 – $6,000
Singapore$1,200 – $1,800$2,000 – $2,800
UAE$2,500 – $3,800$3,800 – $5,500
Germany$2,800 – $4,000$4,000 – $5,800
South Africa$2,500 – $3,800$3,800 – $5,200

*Disclaimer: These costs are estimates and can change based on season and destination

The auto shipping costs vary a lot based on many things, including the chosen shipping method. see all below:

  • Destination
  • Shipping method
  • Insurance
  • Custom duties & import taxes
  • Port fees
  • Vehicle inspection & cleaning

Low-Cost Auto Transport

If you’re looking for low-cost auto transport or cheap car freight, we recommend you choose the Roll-on Roll-off method. As mentioned above, this method lowers costs by a lot, since the car is driven and attached to the outside of the vessel.

Get a Car Shipping Quote

The best way to ensure accurate cost estimates for your car transport is to request moving quotes directly from moving companies that specialize in car shipping. Fill in our quote form now and receive up to 5 free moving quotes.

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Choosing a Car Shipping Company

If you’re only moving a car, you should consider finding a moving company that specializes in vehicle shipping. Have a look at some of the best moving companies that offer car shipping in Australia.

How to Choose Car Shipping Overseas Companies

Choosing the right company can be tricky if you don’t know what to look for. Pay attention to the following when choosing your moving company and comparing quotes:

  • Customer reviews: See what customers who have moved with the company are saying
  • Insurance: Does the company provide insurance or not?
  • Licenses: Is the company accredited by associations like FIDI or IAM?

International car freight shipping, like all shipping, comes with certain risks. That is why having a good and reliable company and good insurance is important to keep your belongings in order.

Ready to Ship Your Car Overseas?

We hope this article has provided you with enough information on how to ship a car overseas from Australia and what you need to consider. If you have any questions left, take a look at our FAQs below and related articles.

Frequently asked questions

Can you ship cars overseas?

How are cars shipped overseas?

Cars are typically shipped using two main methods:

What is the cheapest way to ship a car internationally?