Specialist vehicle shipping agent — UK to 190+ destinations worldwide
As a leading UK shipping company, Ascope Shipping provides specialist tractor shipping services and other heavy machinery transport from the UK to overseas destinations. Shipping a tractor has never been so easy. We have spent over 15 years helping farmers, agricultural dealers, machinery exporters, and businesses move tractors safely to destinations across Africa, Australia, the USA, Europe, and beyond.
Whether you are shipping a compact Kubota, a powerful John Deere, or multiple Massey Ferguson tractors from the UK to Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, or anywhere overseas, we take care of the entire process with precision and care, from export documentation and customs clearance to secure loading and port delivery. Our experienced tractor shipping team is always available to guide you throughout the process, giving you reliable support and complete peace of mind from start to finish.
Tractor shipping involves the secure international transport of agricultural, construction, and industrial tractors from the UK to ports worldwide. Whether you are relocating farm machinery, exporting heavy equipment for resale, or moving tractors for commercial projects overseas, the process requires careful planning, accurate export documentation, and reliable freight handling.
We handle the entire process from collection and loading to customs clearance and international delivery, ensuring your tractor reaches its destination safely, efficiently, and without unnecessary delays.
Choosing the right method is critical. It affects your cost, transit time, and how well your tractor is protected during the voyage. We offer three proven tractor shipping methods:
RoRo is the most popular and cost-effective method for shipping tractors from the UK. Your tractor is driven directly onto a specialist vessel and secured below deck. RoRo is ideal for standard-sized running tractors heading to Africa, the Middle East, and other high-demand routes. See our RoRo shipping page for more detail.
Best for: Farm tractors, running tractors, cost-conscious shipments, Africa-bound routes.
Your tractor is loaded inside a 20ft or 40ft shipping container. This gives maximum weather protection and security. Smaller tractors can be loaded straight in; larger ones may need dismantling or a flat rack alternative.
Best for: Small tractor shipping, Kubota, compact models, high-value tractors needing extra protection.
A flat rack is an open container frame with no sides or roof. This method is specifically designed for oversized tractor shipping from the UK, including wide load tractors, large John Deere units, or tractors with attachments that cannot fit inside a standard container.
Best for: Wide load tractors, oversized agricultural tractor shipping, Fendt, Case IH, and large New Holland models.
Tractor shipping costs vary depending on the shipping method, destination, tractor size, and current freight rates.
| Tractor Type | Shipping Method | Estimated Cost |
| Small / Compact Tractor | Container (20ft shared) | £600 – £1,200 |
| Small / Compact Tractor | RoRo | £500 – £950 |
| Standard Farm Tractor | RoRo | £800 – £1,800 |
| Standard Farm Tractor | Container (20ft) | £1,000 – £2,200 |
| Large Agricultural Tractor | RoRo | £1,500 – £3,000 |
| Large / Oversized Tractor | Flat Rack | £2,000 – £4,500 |
| Tractor + Trailer | RoRo / Flat Rack | £2,500 – £5,500 |
| Non-Running Tractor | Flat Rack / Container | £1,200 – £3,500 |
Transit times are estimates only and may vary based on vessel schedules, port congestion, and seasonal demand. We operate weekly sailings from major UK ports.
| Destination | UK Departure Port | Shipping Method | Estimated Transit Time |
| Nigeria (Lagos / Apapa) | Southampton / Liverpool | RoRo | 14 – 21 days |
| Ghana (Tema) | Southampton | RoRo / Container | 16 – 22 days |
| Kenya (Mombasa) | Southampton / Tilbury | RoRo / Container | 20 – 28 days |
| Tanzania (Dar es Salaam) | Southampton | RoRo / Container | 22 – 30 days |
| Australia (Melbourne / Sydney) | Southampton | Container | 28 – 35 days |
| USA (Houston / Baltimore) | Southampton / Liverpool | RoRo / Container | 14 – 21 days |
| Europe (Various) | Hull / Tilbury | RoRo | 3 – 10 days |
| Ukraine | Tilbury / Southampton | Container | 10 – 18 days |
Proper preparation protects your tractor and avoids costly delays at the port. Here is exactly what you need to do before your tractor is loaded:
Most international ports and destination countries require that tractors be shipped with minimal or drained fluids. This means draining the fuel tank to below 25% capacity, draining hydraulic oils if required, and ensuring there are no fluid leaks. Our team will advise you on specific requirements based on your destination country.
Your tractor must be clean, free from soil, mud, plant material, and organic debris. This is especially critical for countries like Australia and New Zealand, which enforce strict biosecurity laws. A dirty tractor risks quarantine and significant fines at the destination port.
To prevent electrical faults during transit, disconnect the battery before handing the tractor over at the port. Leave a small charge in the battery so the tractor can be moved to the destination.
Where possible, remove large attachments such as front loaders, ploughs, or bale handlers. If attachments must travel with the tractor, they need to be properly secured and declared separately on shipping documentation.
Take dated photographs of every angle of your tractor before shipping. This protects you in the event of any insurance claim during transit.
Getting the paperwork right is essential. Several documents are required for shipping a Tractor:
Never ship a tractor without proper marine cargo insurance. Although we take every precaution during loading, securing, and transit, unforeseen events at sea can happen. Our tractor shipping insurance covers:
We arrange comprehensive marine insurance for every tractor we ship, giving you complete peace of mind from the moment it leaves the UK to the moment it arrives at the destination port.
Ascope Shipping operates from all major UK ports, giving you flexible collection options no matter where you are located in the UK:
Customs clearance at the destination country is your responsibility as the importer, but we make it simple. Our team provides complete guidance on what to expect:
Every country applies different import tax rates on used or new tractors arriving from the UK. For example, Nigeria applies import duties plus levies; Kenya charges import duty based on customs value and Australia requires biosecurity clearance in addition to customs processing.
We work with trusted customs agents at key destination ports worldwide. We can refer you to reliable clearing agents in Lagos, Tema, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Melbourne, and Houston, ensuring your tractor clears customs quickly and efficiently.
We ship all major agricultural and industrial tractor brands from the UK to worldwide destinations. Our team has direct experience handling:
With more than 15 years of hands-on experience in international vehicle and machinery shipping, Ascope Shipping has earned the trust of farms, machinery dealers, and exporters across the UK. We focus on reliable service, clear communication, and secure worldwide tractor transport at competitive prices.
Ready to ship your tractor from the UK? Whether you are exporting a compact tractor to Kenya or transporting multiple John Deere tractors to Nigeria, Ascope Shipping is ready to help.
Speak directly with our experienced shipping team on 01482 228366 or email sales@ascopeshipping.co.uk for expert advice and competitive rates. You can also use our fast online quote form for a quick response.
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