International Car Shipping Costs: Quotes, RoRo and a Budget Worksheet

International car shipping costs depend on the exact vehicle, origin, destination and service included. The useful comparison is the total cost to the agreed handover point, rather than the ocean freight headline. Wigmore Trading can help scope vehicle sourcing and freight enquiries, including collection, shipping and delivery responsibilities. Obtain a written, route-specific quotation before paying a seller or reserving transport.

How to ship a car, step by step

First confirm ownership, the vehicle identification number and destination import eligibility. Next decide whether the movement is a permanent import, temporary visit or return of a previously exported vehicle. These choices affect documents and clearance. Only then compare transport options and agree the scope in writing.

Record the vehicle’s condition before collection, supply the agreed documents through the appropriate secure channel and follow the carrier’s preparation instructions. At arrival, customs release, terminal availability and final delivery remain separate milestones. Inspect the vehicle and record exceptions at handover.

RoRo or container shipping?

RoRo means roll-on/roll-off: accepted vehicles are driven or moved on and off a vehicle carrier. Running condition, battery condition, keys, fuel and loose-item rules are carrier-specific. A non-running or damaged car may require special acceptance or a different method.

Container shipping can suit particular handling or security requirements, but loading, lashing, unloading and destination access must be planned. A shared container can add consolidation and unpacking stages. Neither method automatically includes insurance, customs duty or home delivery.

A transparent cost calculator worksheet

Use this formula: collection + origin charges + freight + insurance + destination charges + applicable taxes + final delivery + contingency. Enter each amount in one chosen currency using an identified exchange rate and date. Keep taxes as a separate estimate until the responsible specialist confirms them.

For illustration only, five quoted service lines of 100, 200, 900, 150 and 250 units total 1,600 units before any excluded taxes or services. These figures are arithmetic examples, not Wigmore prices or a market rate. An online calculator cannot determine import eligibility or bind a customs assessment.

How to compare car shipping companies

Ask which entity contracts with you, who collects the vehicle and who provides destination support. Check that the payment beneficiary matches the contracting business. Request an itemised inclusions list, cancellation conditions, claims process and schedule assumptions. Avoid quotations that combine an unusually low freight figure with unspecified destination charges.

Marine transit cover is different from road-use insurance. Ask a qualified insurer about declared value, excess, exclusions, cover start and end points and the treatment of prior damage. A logistics quote does not itself create an insurance policy.

Request a usable quotation

Send the collection and delivery cities, make, model, year, dimensions, running condition, target window and required handover point. Mention electric propulsion, modifications or damage. Wigmore can review the brief and confirm available support; route acceptance, pricing and sailing space require confirmation.

Existing vehicle planning resources

• Car Delivery and RoRo Shipping to Nigeria: Quotes, Insurance and Handover
• First-car buying checklist for Nigeria