What We Do at Ship Cars Ltd and How We Can Help You Ship Your Car Anywhere in the World
Let’s be honest: shipping a car overseas can feel like a maze. Between customs forms, port fees, shipping methods, and the sheer number of companies promising the world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you’ve even started.
That’s where Ship Cars Ltd comes in.
We’re not just a comparison site. We’re not a broker who hands your details to a random haulier and disappears. We’re a dedicated UK-based team that helps you ship your vehicle from A to B anywhere in the world without the stress, the hidden costs, or the guesswork.
In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly what we do and how we can help, whether you’re shipping a classic car to California, a family SUV to Sydney, or a non-runner to Turkey.
Who We Are
Shipcars.co.uk is built by people who’ve been in the trenches of international vehicle shipping. We know the industry from the inside out the good, the bad, and the “where did that charge come from?”
Our mission is simple: to make international car shipping transparent, affordable, and genuinely helpful.
We work with a carefully vetted network of shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and UK collection agents. But our real value isn’t just in who we work with it’s in how we guide you through every step.
What our customers say: “I’d never shipped a car abroad before. Shipcars.co.uk held my hand through every stage from quote to delivery. They even checked my paperwork before I sent it to avoid any delays at customs. Absolute lifesavers.” — Priya, Birmingham
What We Do: A Complete Breakdown
End-to-End Vehicle Shipping
We arrange the full journey of your vehicle from your home, garage, or dealership in the UK, to the destination port or door overseas. This includes:
- UK collection – We book a flatbed or recovery truck to collect your vehicle.
- Port handling – We ensure your car arrives at the right UK departure port (Southampton, Liverpool, Tilbury, etc.) on time.
- Ocean freight – We book your vehicle on a suitable vessel.
- Destination clearance – We connect you with trusted customs brokers at the arrival port.
- Final delivery – If needed, we arrange local transport to your final address.
RORO Shipping (Roll-on, Roll-off)
RORO is the most popular and cost-effective method for shipping standard vehicles. Your car is driven onto a specialised vessel and secured on deck.
Best for: Standard cars, SUVs, vans, and most everyday vehicles.
Real example: James needed to ship his 2018 Volkswagen Golf from London to his new job in Dubai. RORO was the obvious choice his car was standard, driveable, and he wanted to keep costs manageable. “Shipcars.co.uk got me a quote in under 10 minutes. The car arrived at Jebel Ali port in 18 days without a single issue. I couldn’t have asked for a smoother experience.” — James, London
Container Shipping (FCL & Shared)
Container shipping offers maximum protection. Your vehicle is loaded into a secure, sealed container either a full 20ft or 40ft container (FCL) or shared space in a groupage container.
Best for: Classic cars, high-value vehicles, non-runners, and cars with personal belongings inside.
Real example: “I was shipping my restored 1972 Mercedes 350SL to a buyer in New York. There was no way I was putting it on an open deck. Shipcars.co.uk recommended a dedicated 20ft container. The car arrived with the same showroom shine it left with. Worth every penny.” — Graham, Surrey
Non-Running Vehicle Shipping
Got a car that won’t start? No problem. Non-running cars (also called “dead” or “inoperable” vehicles) are shipped every single day. We handle:
- Winch loading into containers
- Forklift loading for severely disabled vehicles
- Towing surcharges for RORO ports that offer assistance
Ship Cars Ltd customer story: “I bought a barn-find Triumph TR6 from a farm in Yorkshire. It hadn’t moved in 15 years. Shipcars.co.uk arranged a flatbed with a winch, got it into a container, and shipped it to my home in Toronto. The car arrived looking exactly as it did when it left the barn which is exactly what I wanted.” — Mike, Toronto
How We Help: The Ship Cars Ltd Difference
You might be thinking: “I can book shipping myself. Why use Shipcars.co.uk?”
Fair question. Here’s what sets us apart.
1. We Save You Time (And Headaches)
International shipping involves paperwork. A lot of it. Bill of Lading, commercial invoices, customs declarations, import permits, vehicle title transfers… the list goes on.
We don’t just give you an International Car Shipping label and wish you luck. We walk you through every document, connect you with customs brokers who know your destination country, and check your paperwork before it goes anywhere.
Customer feedback: “The paperwork for shipping my car to Australia was terrifying. I’d read horror stories about cars being held at customs for months. Shipcars.co.uk gave me a checklist, reviewed my forms, and introduced me to a broker in Sydney. The car cleared customs in three days.” — Emma, Edinburgh
2. We Give You Honest, Transparent Pricing
No hidden fees. No “oh, that’s extra” surprises. We break down every cost upfront:
- UK collection
- Port handling fees
- Ocean freight
- Loading surcharges (if applicable)
- Destination port fees
- Import duty & tax estimates
If there’s a charge, you’ll see it before you book. End of story.
3. We Handle the Tricky Stuff
Some shipments are straightforward. Others are… not.
- Shipping a car that’s still in finance?
- Exporting a vehicle that’s never been registered?
- Sending a modified or non-standard vehicle?
- Shipping to a country with complex import rules?
We’ve handled it all. We know the loopholes, the exceptions, and the “get out of jail free” cards that can save you thousands.
Real example: “I was shipping my Land Rover Defender to Chile, but it had a custom roll cage and lifted suspension. I was worried it wouldn’t meet local regulations. Shipcars.co.uk put me in touch with a Chilean customs agent who advised on the exact modifications needed. The car passed inspection on the first try.” — Alex, Bristol
4. We’re Here When You Need Us
This might be the most important one. When you ship with Ship Cars Ltd, you’re not talking to a chatbot or an automated system. You get a real person who knows your shipment and can answer your questions sometimes at 10 PM on a Sunday.
Our team is UK-based, and we’re genuinely passionate about what we do. We celebrate when your car arrives safely, and we go the extra mile when something needs fixing.
A Closer Look at Import Duties and Taxes
One of the biggest concerns our customers have is import duties and vehicle tax. Let’s break it down by the most common destinations.
🇺🇸 Shipping to the USA
| Charge | Rate |
|---|---|
| Import duty | 2.5% of CIF value (car + shipping + insurance) |
| Customs processing | ~$85–$200 |
| MPF fee | ~0.3464% of value |
| State taxes | Varies (paid at registration) |
Total estimated tax bill for a £25,000 car: Approximately £650–£900
🇦🇺 Shipping to Australia
| Charge | Rate |
|---|---|
| Import duty | 5% of CIF value |
| GST | 10% on (CIF + duty + shipping + insurance) |
| Luxury Car Tax | 33% on value above ~AUD $89,332 |
| Quarantine fees | AUD $500–$1,500 |
Total estimated tax bill for a £25,000 car: Approximately £4,000–£5,500
Ship Cars Ltd advice: We always recommend checking personal import exemptions before shipping. If you’re relocating, many countries allow reduced or zero duty if you’ve owned the vehicle for a qualifying period.
RORO vs Container: Which One Is Right for You?
This is the question we get asked most often. Here’s a simple guide:
| Factor | RORO | Container |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £800–£2,000 | £1,800–£4,000 |
| Protection | Open deck, exposed | Fully enclosed |
| Non-runner friendly | Limited (tow surcharge) | Yes (winch/forklift) |
| Load personal items | No | Yes |
| Transit time | Similar | Similar |
| Best for | Standard cars on a budget | Classics, high-value, non-runners |
Still unsure? Just ask us. We’ll recommend the best method for your specific car, budget, and destination: no upsells, no pressure.
Customer Stories: Real People, Real Shipments
Diana shipped her Mini Cooper from London to New York: “I was so nervous about shipping my Mini. It’s not worth a fortune, but it’s my car. Shipcars.co.uk treated it like it was their own. RORO to New York, cleared customs in two days, and delivered to my apartment in Brooklyn. I’ve recommended them to everyone in my building who’s thinking of shipping.”
Helen shipped her family’s Volvo XC90 to Perth: “We were moving our whole family to Australia. The Volvo was essential for school runs, beach trips, everything. Shipcars.co.uk coordinated the container shipping alongside our household goods. One shipment, one point of contact, zero stress.”
Our Promise to You
When you choose Shipcars.co.uk, here’s what you get:
- A dedicated point of contact – One person who knows your shipment end-to-end.
- Transparent pricing – No surprises, no hidden fees.
- Expert guidance – From preparation through to destination clearance.
- Real support – Not a call centre. Real people who care.
- A global network – Trusted partners in every major destination.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re shipping a running car, a non-runner, a classic, or a commercial vehicle — we’ve got you covered.
Here’s how simple it is:
- Tell us about your vehicle – Make, model, condition, and destination.
- Get your free quote – We’ll send you a clear, itemised breakdown.
- We handle the rest – Collection, shipping, customs support, and delivery.
Get your free quote today at Ship Cars Ltd
Let’s get your car where it needs to go safely, affordably, and without the headache.
