Shipping Cars Overseas from the UK: Costs and Options Explained | GVE London – Blog

The UK is no stranger to exporting cars across the world. Brands like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin, MacLaren and more call the UK their home. These cars are synonymous with absolute class and performance. So, if you’re looking to ship out a Jaguar or a McLaren, you might want to first understand the logistics and costs before taking up this task.

Cost of Exporting Cars from the UK

There was a time in human history when shipping a whole car across the ocean was unimaginable, but now it happens regularly. Human technology has come a long way, but exporting cars is still a somewhat complex procedure and is relatively expensive. The exact cost of shipping, though, depends on several factors such as:

• Destination: The further your car needs to travel, the higher the costs will be.
• Type of Car: Luxury cars and supercars are expensive possessions and often need extra security, specialised handling, insurance, as well as customised shipping containers in certain specific cases.
• Fees: The country you’re shipping to will have import duties, taxes, and customs that must be cleared—a cost that can often add up.
• Shipping Method: A major cost is the type of shipping method you choose. For example, RoRo shipping, or Roll-on/Roll-off, is the most affordable service, whereas container shipping and air freight are more expensive but offer better protection.

Take for example, on average, shipping a car from the UK can range from £500 for RoRo shipping to Europe, up to £5,000 or more for container shipping to distant locations like Australia.

Options Available for Shipping Cars Overseas

Essentially, you’ve got three options to pick from when exporting a car from the UK:

Roll on/Roll Off (RoRo) Shipping

RoRo shipping, aside from having the nicest name, is also the one that is most widely used. It is known for its affordability, not for its safety, however. Your vehicle isn’t particularly safe from the elements or other hazards on the ship, such as other vehicles. It is fine for regular vehicles but not particularly for cars that are valuable, emotionally or financially. 

Shipping Containers

This is the classic shipping container method which we think of when we imagine cargo ships. These huge metal containers protect cars from damage, the weather as well as any bad characters on the ship. Both regular and luxury car exports use it for how efficient it is. It isn’t outrageously expensive either like our next entry on this list.

Air Freight

Straight off the bat, we should address that Air Freight isn’t cheap. However, it is the fastest and most secure way to transport a car from one country to another. It is usually used for extremely rare, high-value cars, like hypercars or vintage legend cars.

Read Also: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Exporting a Car from the UK

How to Export a Car from the UK

• Step 1: Check the rules of the country your car is going to. Certain countries have specific regulations and compliance requirements that your car must meet. For example, if you’re shipping a car to New Zealand, it needs to be spotless, as their customs do not tolerate any foreign particles entering their land, which can cause damage to their local ecosystem.
• Step 2: You need to get all the paperwork in place, like the V5C, proof of ownership, and ID ready. Also, inform the UK’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that you’re exporting the car.
• Step 3: Arrange for the shipping method of your choice and pay all the required fees. If you’re shipping out a luxury or supercar, it’s recommended to get insurance and take photos and videos of the vehicle beforehand.
• Step 4: Wait for the car to arrive, clear it through customs, and register it in the new country.

Conclusion

Exporting cars from the UK can be a little tough, but with some planning and research, the entire ordeal can go by somewhat smoothly. However, if you don’t want the hassle, it’s best to tie up with a trade showroom that deals with luxury car exports, like GVE London. We have already done our homework. Our team of professionals can not only help you with exporting, but also help the car meet any specific requirements. Furthermore, we also perform supercar modifications, servicing, repairs, and detailing. Contact GVE London today!