What is the Right Shipping Method for Exporting Cars? | GVE London – Blog

It is no mystery that not all shipping methods are equal. Sure, they can move an item from one place to another all the same, but they vary immensely in how safely they transport those items. Certain shipping methods are designed for specific products. So, if you’re looking for the right shipping method for exporting cars from the UK, stick around—we’ll outline the different methods and what they’re good for.

Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) Shipping

RoRo shipping is one of the most popular and cost-effective ways to ship cars internationally, no matter which country you’re sending the car to. In this method, vehicles are driven onto the ship and secured in place. These ships are specialised for this type of transport.

Pros

• It is the most cost-effective way to take your car abroad.
• It doesn’t take as long—loading and unloading times are fairly low.
• Ideal for transporting large volumes of cars.

However, it isn’t the best option for luxury car export because it offers practically no protection from theft or the elements. It is also not available at all ports. So, if you’re looking to export luxury cars to Sri Lanka, you would first need to ensure that a RoRo ship actually operates on that route.

Container Shipping

A step above RoRo shipping and the preferred mode of exporting luxury cars is container shipping. In this method, cars are placed inside a container—typically 20ft or 40ft, depending on the vehicle’s size—and secured to prevent movement during the voyage. Some exporters even offer the option to share a container to reduce costs, but luxury car exporters tend to avoid this.

Being secured inside a metal container, cars are safe from weather and potential damage.

Pros

• Your car isn’t at the mercy of the weather and is safe from theft.
• You can ship multiple cars in a single container if you have several to export.

While it does take more time to prepare everything, from loading to unloading, and costs more than RoRo shipping, it is well worth the extra effort for the reassurance that your vehicle is safe.

Read Also: Maximising Profit: Strategies for Successfully Exporting Luxury Cars

Enclosed Transport

This is similar to container shipping but usually refers to a trailer instead. This method is commonly used by supercar showrooms to transport vehicles within the country or to another country accessible by road. While it is more expensive, it is typically faster and safer.

Air Freight for Urgent Shipments

While this method is the fastest, safest, and arguably the coolest, it also costs an arm and a leg. Air freight involves placing cars inside the cargo space of a plane.

This method is typically used by supercar showrooms when shipping collector cars, extremely high-value vehicles, or when time is a major factor. So, if time is your main concern, air freight is the quickest way to transport a car internationally.

Pros

• Fastest shipping method
• High security and handling standards
• Ideal for rare or exotic cars

Air freight is a premium option, but for urgent deliveries of rare or fragile vehicles, it’s worth the investment. Just be ready to shell out major cash for it.

How to Pick the Right Shipping Method

So, with that clear, which is the right shipping method for luxury car exports? You can determine the best option by asking the following questions:

• Which vehicle needs to be shipped, and how expensive is it?
• What is the timeframe within which the car needs to reach its destination?
• What is the destination and budget? If your plan is to export luxury cars to Sri Lanka, it would require different logistics compared to shipping within Europe.

RoRo shipping is the most affordable, air freight the most expensive (but fastest), and container shipping falls in the middle, making it the preferred method for exporting luxury cars.

Conclusion

Choosing the right shipping method for exporting cars from the UK depends on your car’s value, destination, and budget. For luxury car exports, container shipping or enclosed transport is often the best choice. However, for a more detailed option, it is best to contact a trade showroom like GVE London. We specialise in exporting luxury and supercars. Furthermore, being enthusiasts, we not only perform the usual repairs and service but can work on customisation, modifications and detailing as well. To know more, hop on a call with us today!