Shipping a car to the Americas from the UK whether to the USA, Canada, Mexico, or South America is one of the most commonly requested international vehicle export routes ShipCars operates. Regular RoRo and container vessel services connect UK ports directly to East and West Coast US ports, Canadian gateways, and major South American ports, with established customs processes at every destination. Costs, transit times, and import rules vary significantly by country, so choosing the right method and understanding the documentation requirements before you ship is essential.
Which Countries in the Americas Can I Ship a Car to from the UK?
ShipCars ships vehicles from the UK to destinations across North, Central, and South America, including:
- USA — major ports: Baltimore, New York/Newark, Houston, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Jacksonville
- Canada — major ports: Halifax (Nova Scotia), Montreal, Vancouver
- Mexico — Port of Veracruz, Manzanillo
- Brazil — Port of Santos
- Argentina — Port of Buenos Aires
- Chile — Port of Valparaíso
- Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and other South American destinations — via container on request
Route availability, sailing frequency, and costs vary by destination. Contact ShipCars to confirm current services to your specific destination.
What Shipping Methods Are Available for Cars from the UK to the Americas?
Both RoRo and container shipping operate on UK-to-Americas routes, and the right choice depends on your vehicle, destination, and budget.
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) RoRo is the standard, most cost-effective method for shipping a running vehicle to major US and Canadian ports. Your car is driven onto a purpose-built ro-ro vessel in the UK and driven off at the destination port. No container is involved — the vehicle travels secured on the vessel’s car decks inside the ship’s hull.
RoRo is available to most major US East Coast and Gulf ports, Halifax and Montreal in Canada, and selected South American ports. It is the most frequently chosen method for standard saloons, SUVs, and 4x4s being exported to North America.
Container Shipping (Sole-Use or Shared) Container shipping encloses the vehicle in a sealed steel container for the voyage, offering maximum physical protection. It is the preferred method for:
- Classic, vintage, and concours-condition vehicles
- High-value and luxury cars (typically over £30,000–£40,000)
- Left-hand-drive vehicles being re-imported
- Non-running vehicles
- Shipments where the owner needs to include personal effects alongside the car
Sole-use container shipping is available to all major US, Canadian, and South American ports. Shared (groupage) container shipping is available on select routes — contact ShipCars to confirm.
| Feature | RoRo | Sole-Use Container |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Protection | Good (inside vessel hull) | Maximum (sealed container) |
| Personal effects | Not permitted | Permitted (subject to US/Canada customs rules) |
| Classic / luxury vehicles | Not recommended | Recommended |
| Standard vehicles | Ideal | Overkill for most |
| Non-running vehicles | Possible (extra handling fees) | Better suited |
What Are the Import Rules for Shipping a Car to the USA from the UK?
The USA has some of the most detailed vehicle import rules of any destination ShipCars serves. Understanding them before you ship avoids costly delays or vehicle rejection at the US port of entry.
25-year rule (Federal) Vehicles that are 25 years old or older (manufactured before the calendar year that is 25 years ago) can be imported into the USA without meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) or EPA emissions requirements — this is the primary route for UK-origin classic and vintage cars.
Vehicles under 25 years old Importing a vehicle under 25 years old that was not originally manufactured to US specification is significantly more complex. The vehicle must either:
- Conform to FMVSS and EPA standards as originally manufactured, or
- Be modified to meet those standards by a Registered Importer (RI) at the importer’s cost — which can run to thousands of pounds
Most modern UK-specification right-hand-drive vehicles are not readily importable to the USA under 25 years old without significant modification. Confirm your vehicle’s eligibility before booking.
NHTSA and EPA declarations On arrival, the importer must file declarations with both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirming the vehicle’s compliance status.
CBP (US Customs and Border Protection) A formal US customs entry must be filed for every imported vehicle, with import duty applicable (typically 2.5% for passenger cars, though this is subject to change). A licensed US customs broker handles this at the destination port — ShipCars works with established brokers at all major US ports.
What Are the Import Rules for Shipping a Car to Canada from the UK?
Canada’s vehicle import rules are administered by Transport Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
15-year rule Vehicles 15 years old or older can be imported into Canada without meeting Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS), making Canada a more accessible destination than the USA for slightly newer UK-specification vehicles.
Vehicles under 15 years old Must comply with CMVSS. Right-hand-drive vehicles under 15 years old face significant compliance challenges for permanent import into Canada.
Recall clearance Canada requires that all outstanding safety recalls on the vehicle must be cleared before it can be registered. Check the vehicle’s recall status via Transport Canada’s recall database before shipping.
Import duty Canada–UK trade is governed by the Canada–United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (CUKTCA). Vehicles of UK origin may qualify for preferential tariff treatment — verify eligibility before shipping.
What Documents Do You Need to Ship a Car to the Americas from the UK?
Shipping a car to the Americas from the UK Documentation requirements for UK-to-Americas car exports include both UK export paperwork and destination import paperwork.
UK export documents:
- V5C logbook — original, in your name
- Proof of identity — valid passport
- DVLA permanent export notification — submit online before the vehicle leaves the UK
- UK export customs declaration — filed with HMRC via the Customs Declaration Service; ShipCars handles this
Destination import documents (USA as example):
- Bill of lading — issued by the shipping line; required for customs entry
- NHTSA and EPA declarations — filed by the importer or licensed US customs broker
- CBP Form 7501 — customs entry summary
- Title or proof of ownership — the V5C serves this purpose for UK-origin vehicles
- Commercial invoice — if the vehicle has been purchased/sold
ShipCars provides a route-specific documentation checklist with every booking. Requirements differ between USA, Canada, and South American destinations.
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car from the UK to the Americas?
Transit times depend on the destination port and the vessel service. From a UK port:
- USA East Coast (Baltimore, New York): approximately 14–18 days sea transit
- USA Gulf Coast (Houston): approximately 16–20 days
- USA West Coast (Los Angeles): approximately 25–30 days
- Canada East (Halifax): approximately 10–14 days — the fastest North American route from the UK
- Canada West (Vancouver): approximately 25–30 days
- Brazil / Argentina: approximately 18–28 days depending on port
Add 3–7 days at each end for port handling, customs clearance, and inland delivery. Total door-to-door timelines for the USA typically run 4–8 weeks from UK collection to vehicle release at the US port.
Ready to Ship Your Car to the Americas?
ShipCars handles the full export from the UK — collection, port handling, UK customs declaration, sea freight booking, and coordination with destination customs brokers. Whether you are shipping a classic car to the USA, relocating to Canada, or exporting to South America, we manage every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions: Car Shipping to the Americas from the UK
Can I ship a right-hand-drive car to the USA permanently?
Modern right-hand-drive UK vehicles under 25 years old face significant compliance barriers for permanent US import. Vehicles 25 years or older are exempt from FMVSS and EPA compliance requirements, making them freely importable. If your vehicle is under 25 years old, consult a Registered Importer before booking — modification costs can be substantial.
Can I put personal belongings in my car when shipping to the USA?
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and most shipping lines prohibit personal effects inside a vehicle shipped on a RoRo service. On a sole-use container shipment, personal effects may be permitted inside the car or loose in the container, but they must be declared and are subject to US import duty separately from the vehicle. ShipCars will advise on what is permitted for your specific shipment.
Do I need a US customs broker to import my car to the USA?
Yes. A licensed US customs broker must file the formal customs entry with CBP. ShipCars works with established customs brokers at all major US ports of entry and will coordinate this on your behalf as part of the shipping arrangement.
Is it cheaper to ship a car to Canada than to the USA from the UK?
Halifax, Nova Scotia is one of the shortest deep-sea routes from the UK to North America, which makes shipping to Canada’s East Coast among the most cost-effective North American routes from the UK. Additionally, Canada’s 15-year rule (vs the USA’s 25-year rule) makes a wider range of vehicles eligible for straightforward import into Canada.
What is the best UK port to ship a car to the USA from?
Southampton and Tilbury are the primary UK departure ports for deep-sea ro-ro and container services to the USA. The best port depends on the specific vessel schedule and your destination US port. ShipCars will advise the optimal loading port for your booking.