There are three ways to get a car to the UK from overseas: in a container, on a RoRo ship, or on a plane. Each has its place. We will recommend one in your quote, but it helps to know what you are choosing between.
Container
The car is driven into a steel container, strapped down, and the doors are sealed until it reaches us. It is out of the weather the whole way, nobody drives it on or off a ship, and the container comes to our site in Castle Donington, where our own team unloads it.
Most cars share a 40ft container with other customers' cars, which splits the cost. If you want a box to yourself, a dedicated 20ft container costs more but sails when you are ready and carries nothing but your car. Sole use is the most expensive option.
Best for: classics, high-value cars, modified cars and cars that do not run. It is our default for most long routes.
RoRo
Roll on, roll off. The car is driven onto a purpose-built car carrier, parked on one of its decks, lashed down and driven off at the other end. No container to load or unload, which takes cost out, and depending on sailings it is often a little quicker.
The car has to run and drive, and it should normally be empty inside. It is the usual route from Japan, and it works well from North America too.
Best for: everyday cars that run, on well-served routes.
Air freight
The quickest by a distance: days rather than weeks. It is also the most expensive, so it is reserved for tight deadlines and cars valuable enough to justify it. The route we handle most is the UAE to the UK. See air freight for more.
Container and RoRo side by side
| Container | RoRo | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower when shared | Often cheaper from some regions |
| Speed | Weeks | Weeks, often a little quicker |
| Car must run | No | Yes |
| Sealed in transit | Yes | No |
| Unloaded at our site | Yes | No |
Whichever you choose
Marine insurance is available on all of them and covers the car up to its full value. An excess applies to minor damage, so ask us about it when you get your quote. Your normal car insurance will not cover the car at sea.
Not sure? Leave it with us. Tell us about the car on the quote form and we will recommend the method that makes sense for it.
