The cost to ship a car from the UK depends on three things: where it is going, which shipping method you choose, and the size of your vehicle. Prices range from around £400 for a small car on a RoRo vessel to West Africa, up to £3,000+ for a large SUV in a sole-use container to Australia. This guide breaks down every cost factor so you can budget accurately before requesting a quote.
⚡ Quick Answer: UK car shipping costs start from £400–£600 (RoRo to West Africa or Caribbean), £600–£900 (RoRo to USA or Canada), and £900–£1,600 (RoRo to Australia). Container shipping adds £300–£800 on top of RoRo prices. These are sea freight costs only — import duties, customs fees, and inland delivery are paid separately at destination. Get a free quote from Ascope Shipping in 24 hours.
UK Car Shipping Costs by Destination (2026)
| Destination | RoRo (est.) | Container (est.) | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | £400–£650 | £800–£1,200 | 3–4 weeks |
| Ghana | £420–£680 | £820–£1,250 | 3–4 weeks |
| South Africa | £550–£850 | £950–£1,400 | 4–5 weeks |
| Jamaica | £600–£900 | £900–£1,600 | 4–5 weeks |
| USA | £650–£950 | £1,000–£1,600 | 3–4 weeks |
| Canada | £550–£850 | £1,000–£1,400 | 2–3 weeks |
| Australia | £900–£1,600 | £1,500–£2,800 | 6–8 weeks |
| UAE / Dubai | £550–£800 | £900–£1,400 | 3–4 weeks |
| Cyprus | £450–£700 | £800–£1,200 | 2–3 weeks |
| New Zealand | £1,000–£1,800 | £1,600–£3,000 | 7–9 weeks |
All prices above are indicative sea freight estimates for a standard saloon or hatchback. Actual costs vary by vehicle dimensions, port of departure, and current vessel schedules. Use the table as a budgeting guide and request a firm quote from Ascope Shipping for your exact vehicle and route.
What Affects the Cost of Shipping a Car from the UK?
⚡ Quick Answer: The five main cost factors are: (1) destination country and port, (2) shipping method — RoRo or container, (3) vehicle size and weight, (4) whether you need UK collection or just port drop-off, and (5) whether marine insurance is included. Import duties and taxes at destination are separate and paid locally.
1. Destination
Distance is not the only factor — port infrastructure, vessel frequency, and local handling charges all affect price. West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana) has high sailing frequency from UK ports, which keeps prices competitive. Australia is the most expensive destination due to the long transit, biosecurity inspection requirements, and lower vessel frequency.
2. Shipping Method: RoRo vs Container
RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) shipping is always the cheapest option. Your vehicle is driven onto the vessel and secured in the car deck. There is no container to hire, load, or unload. Container shipping costs more because you are paying for the steel container, specialist loading, and lashing inside the box. However, container gives full enclosure and suits classic, high-value, or non-running vehicles. A groupage container (shared with other vehicles) sits in price between sole-use container and RoRo.
3. Vehicle Size and Weight
Shipping costs are based on the space your vehicle occupies — measured by length, width, height, and sometimes weight. A small hatchback (e.g. Ford Fiesta) will cost less to ship than a large SUV or pickup truck. Oversized vehicles — anything over 5.5 metres long or 2 metres wide — may attract a surcharge or require a flat-rack container. Always provide accurate vehicle dimensions when requesting a quote to avoid price revisions at the port.
4. UK Collection vs Port Drop-Off
If you deliver your vehicle to the UK departure port yourself, you save the collection fee — typically £80–£250 depending on your location. If you need Ascope Shipping to arrange collection from your home or business address, this is added to the overall quote. For most customers, the saving from self-delivery to port is worth arranging if you are within a reasonable drive of Southampton, Tilbury, Liverpool, or another departure port.
5. Marine Insurance
Marine cargo insurance is not included in the base shipping price by default but is strongly recommended. It covers your vehicle against loss or damage during transit. Premiums are typically 1–3% of the declared vehicle value. For a car worth £10,000, expect to pay £100–£300 for comprehensive marine cover. Ascope Shipping can arrange insurance as part of your booking.
What Is NOT Included in the Shipping Price?
🌐 Short Answer: The sea freight quote covers getting your vehicle onto the vessel and to the destination port. It does not include import duties, destination country taxes, customs broker fees, port storage charges if collection is delayed, or inland delivery from port to your final address. Always budget for these separately — they can add 10–50% on top of the shipping cost depending on destination.
- Import duty — varies by country: Nigeria 35% on vehicle value, Ghana 20%+, Canada 6.1%, USA varies, Australia 5%
- Destination VAT / GST / sales tax — payable on top of import duty in most countries
- Customs broker fee — typically £100–£300 or local equivalent
- Port handling and release fee — charged at the destination port
- Biosecurity inspection (Australia/New Zealand) — mandatory DAFF inspection, cost depends on vehicle cleanliness
- Inland delivery from port — if you need the vehicle delivered beyond the arrival port
RoRo vs Container: Cost Comparison
| Factor | RoRo | Sole-Use Container | Groupage Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost premium | Base price | +£400–£800 | +£150–£350 |
| Vehicle protection | Open car deck | Fully enclosed | Fully enclosed |
| Personal items allowed | No | Limited (boot only) | No |
| Non-running vehicles | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Standard running cars | Classic/high-value cars | Budget container option |
For most customers shipping a standard running vehicle, RoRo is the best value. If you are shipping a classic car, a non-runner, or a vehicle worth more than £15,000, the extra cost of container shipping is usually justified by the added protection. Read our full container vs RoRo comparison guide for a detailed breakdown.
How to Get the Best Price for Car Shipping from the UK
- Book early — last-minute bookings often cost more and limit your choice of sailing date
- Choose RoRo for standard vehicles — it is cheaper, faster to process at port, and just as reliable as container for running cars
- Deliver to port yourself — saves the UK collection fee (£80–£250)
- Get multiple quotes — prices vary by shipping line and sailing schedule; Ascope Shipping checks all available options for your route
- Declare accurate vehicle dimensions — oversized surprises at port can trigger surcharges
- Include insurance in your budget — it is cheaper to arrange upfront than to replace a vehicle lost at sea
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does RoRo car shipping cost from the UK?
RoRo car shipping from the UK starts from around £400–£600 to West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana), £550–£850 to Canada or South Africa, £650–£950 to the USA, and £900–£1,600 to Australia. Prices depend on vehicle size, departure port, and current vessel schedules.
Is container shipping much more expensive than RoRo?
A sole-use container typically adds £400–£800 to the RoRo price for the same route. A groupage container (shared) adds £150–£350. For most standard running vehicles, RoRo is the better value choice.
Are import duties included in the shipping quote?
No. The shipping quote covers sea freight only. Import duties, destination taxes, customs broker fees, and port release charges are paid separately at the destination. These vary significantly by country — always budget for them before shipping.
How much does it cost to ship a car to Nigeria from the UK?
RoRo shipping to Nigeria costs approximately £400–£650 for a standard car. Container shipping runs £800–£1,200. Nigerian import duty of around 35% plus levy charges apply on arrival. See our full car shipping to Nigeria guide for a complete cost breakdown.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from the UK?
RoRo shipping on a shared vessel is the cheapest method. To get the lowest price: choose RoRo over container, deliver your vehicle to the UK port yourself, book in advance, and compare sailing schedules. Contact Ascope Shipping for the most competitive rate on your route.
Related Guides & Services
- International Car Shipping — all destinations from the UK
- RoRo Shipping — the cheapest method explained
- Container Shipping — full enclosure for high-value vehicles
- Groupage Shipping — share a container and cut costs
- Shipping Prices — get a free quote in 24 hours
- Car Shipping to Nigeria
- Car Shipping to Ghana
- Car Shipping to South Africa
- Car Shipping to Jamaica
- Car Shipping to USA
- Car Shipping to Australia
- How Long Does Car Shipping Take? — transit times by destination
- What Is RoRo Shipping? — complete guide
- Container vs RoRo — method comparison
- How to Ship a Car to Canada
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