How Much Does It Cost To Ship An Exotic Car Overseas?

Exotic Car: Overseas Shipping Cost

While the process is basically the same as shipping any other type of car, there is extra care needed when shipping exotic cars to another country. Since exotic cars tend to have a higher value, often have special modifications and nonstandard dimensions, they may require special handling to secure and protect the car during shipping.

When an exotic car is shipped within the continental U.S., it is usually shipped in an enclosed transport carrier. When shipping overseas, however, cars are moved on ships, usually in either a shipping container or while stored in the cargo area.

Container Shipping

Car shipped internationally are most often moved inside of a shipping container. That said, not all cars will fit inside of a shipping container, which can be more of a problem with exotic cars. An advantage of using a shipping container to transport a car overseas is that other items can be shipped inside the container, whereas other methods do not allow for additional items in the vehicle.

RORO Shipping

RORO transport, also called “roll on, roll off,” is a method of shipping a vehicle to another country that does not use a shipping container. Rather, the vehicle is secured underneath the deck of the ship where there is special equipment used to keep the car in place during shipping. One advantage of shipping RORO is that the unloading and retrieval process is usually easier.

Special Considerations For Exotic Transport Overseas

Taxes and insurance are important considerations when shipping a vehicle to any country, but they’re especially relevant when shipping an exotic car. Both factors should be taken into account when assessing the total cost you’re likely to pay. In the case of an exotic car, these can add up quickly to equal or exceed the cost of shipping.

• Taxes - Taxes can be rather high when shipping a car, exotic or otherwise, to a foreign country. In some cases, the import taxes on vehicles shipped to another country can meet or exceed to value of the car itself. The best resource for determining the taxation you’ll likely face is the U.S. Embassy for the country you’re shipping to. It is highly recommended that you look into the import costs before considering shipping since it can adds significantly to the cost.
• Insurance - Basic liability insurance is included on any type of marine shipment and that includes cars. However, it only covers damages sustained at the fault of the shipper. Since this is the case, it’s often a good idea to purchase supplemental insurance, especially if the car you’re shipping has a higher value than normal.