What is international car shipping?

International car shipping is the process of moving a vehicle from one country to another, typically by ocean via container or Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) vessel. From the US, the most common destinations are Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and Latin America.

Unlike domestic auto transport, international shipping involves port handling, customs clearance, and documentation (titles, bills of sale, EPA/DOT forms). At TS Fast Auto Logistics, we coordinate every step: inland pickup, port delivery, ocean freight, foreign port arrival, and final delivery to your door.

Container vs RoRo: which is right for you?

There are two main ways to ship a vehicle overseas:

RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off): your vehicle is driven onto the ship and secured below deck. It's the most affordable option and the standard for daily drivers and standard vehicles.
Container shipping: your vehicle is loaded into a 20ft or 40ft shipping container and sealed. More expensive, but safer for classic, luxury, or modified vehicles, and allows you to include spare parts or personal items inside the container.

Shared containers are also available for smaller vehicles or when you want to split the cost with another shipper.

Container shipping protects classic, luxury and modified vehicles on international moves.

How international shipping works

Get a quote: tell us the origin, destination country, and vehicle type. We provide a door-to-port or door-to-door quote.
Prepare documents: title, registration, bill of sale, EPA/DOT forms, and passport copy of the receiver.
Inland pickup and export: we transport the vehicle to the US port of departure and handle export customs.
Ocean transit: 2-6 weeks depending on the destination port and shipping method.
Import customs and delivery: the vehicle clears import customs at the destination, then is delivered to your door or picked up at port.

Pricing for international shipping

International rates depend on origin, destination, method (RoRo or container), vehicle size, and current ocean freight rates. Typical estimates from a US East or West Coast port:

US to Europe (RoRo): $1,200 to $2,500
US to Europe (container): $2,000 to $4,000
US to Australia/NZ (container): $2,500 to $4,500
US to Middle East (RoRo): $1,500 to $2,800

These are estimates only. International shipments require a manual quote. Final pricing is confirmed after we review your route and documents.

Why Ship Internationally

Benefits of our international service

End-to-end coordination, from your driveway in the US to the destination country.

Door-to-door coordination

Inland pickup in the US, ocean freight, and final delivery overseas, all managed by one broker.

Customs documentation

We handle export documentation and coordinate with import customs at the destination port.

Container option

Choose a sealed 20ft or 40ft container for maximum protection, ideal for classics and luxury vehicles.

Marine insurance

Full marine cargo insurance available. Protects your vehicle from port to port and beyond.

International Shipping FAQ

International shipping questions

How long does international car shipping take?

Ocean transit typically takes 2-6 weeks depending on the destination port and method. Add 1-2 weeks for inland transport to the US port and customs clearance at the destination.

What documents do I need to ship a car overseas?

You'll typically need: original title, current registration, bill of sale (if recently purchased), a copy of the receiver's passport, and EPA/DOT declarations for vehicles leaving the US. We'll walk you through each document.

Can I ship personal items inside the vehicle?

In RoRo shipments, no, the vehicle must be empty. With container shipping, you can pack the trunk and interior with personal items, subject to destination customs rules. Ask your advisor for country-specific guidance.

Is container shipping safer than RoRo?

Container shipping offers more protection. Your vehicle is sealed inside a steel container and never driven on or off the ship. RoRo is safe and much more affordable, but the vehicle is exposed briefly to salt air and dock traffic during loading.

International Car Shipping