Car Shipping Laos
Ship Your Car To Or From Laos
Typical Prices – What's the Cost?
- Shipping costs for transporting a car to Laos from the U.S. are generally in the range of $2,100 to $5,500.
- The cost will vary based on the type (and size) of the vehicle being shipped, as well as the availability of carriers at the time.
Cost & Time For Shipments
To/From Laos | Ground | Ocean | Days |
---|---|---|---|
San Jose, CA to Vientiane | $200 | $3,500 | 5+33 |
Las Vegas, NV to Pakse | $450 | $4,600 | 5+31 |
Portland, OR to Pakse | $475 | $4,600 | 6+31 |
Seattle, WA to Vientiane | $550 | $3,500 | 6+33 |
Charlotte, NC to Vientiane | $575 | $3,600 | 6+44 |
Chicago, IL to Pakse | $675 | $5,100 | 6+44 |
Atlanta, GA to Vientiane | $700 | $3,600 | 6+44 |
Denver, CO to Vientiane | $775 | $3,500 | 7+33 |
Memphis, TN to Pakse | $800 | $5,100 | 6+44 |
Houston, TX to Vientiane | $1,075 | $3,600 | 7+44 |
*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of auto.
*Save the ground transport cost by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.
*Allow an additional 10 days to process the documents.
*Prices are for 1 car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to haul a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.
*Using the RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.
Moving a car to Laos can be difficult. The country is landlocked, so most shipments will arrive in Vietnam (Da Nang Port or the Port of Ho Chi Minh City) and proceed to Laos through a land route. In addition to this, cars shipped are subject to extensive import taxes unless you are a diplomat.
Popular Destinations
- Luang Prabang
- Muang Pakxan
- Muang Xay
- Pakse
- Phonsavan
- Savannakhet
- Thakhek
- Vang Vieng
- Vientiane
- Xam Nua
Expected Costs and Required Documents
If you are planning to import a vehicle, you can expect to pay a 40% import tax (as noted by ASEAN). Depending on whether or not your car is listed as a general good or a luxury good, there will be additional fees. The government of Laos prohibits the importation of right-driving vehicles. A 2005 US Embassy report estimated that a luxury auto would be subject to an additional 3,000,000 KIP (roughly USD 372) excise tax.
- General Goods: For general goods, you must pay an import duty + turnover tax.
- Luxury Goods: For luxury goods, you must pay an import duty + excise tax + turnover tax.
Vehicles can be temporarily imported, for project supervision, tourism, and business under the Temporary Imports regime if they are re-exported in the designated period.
The costs can quickly grow when shipping to Laos. The total cost of your customs is calculated based on the price of your import, the overall value of your vehicle's insurance, freight, age, type, engine size, and other potential incumbent costs. All of these factors are taken into account when calculating how much you will owe the Laotian government.
Required Documents
- An invoice detailing the purchase of the vehicle.
- The vehicle year.
- Make.
- Model.
- VIN.
- Registration.
- Title.
- Bill of lading.
- Letter of employment.
- Import permit.
Most of the paperwork will be taken care of by your company, such as import licenses, and other related documentation. Still, you should always be prepared with the necessary identification for your vehicle to ensure a smooth process. Duty-free imports into Laos can only be done by foreign diplomats.
Delivery Methods
We offer several methods that vary, depending on your personal needs.
- Roll on, Roll off (RoRo): The roll on, roll off method is one of the most popular. Your vehicle is driven onto the ship, securely held in place, delivered to the port of choice, and then driven off the ship. For this method to be viable, your car must be operable. If you elect to use this method, you cannot store personal items in your motorcar.
- Container Moving: If you are looking to ship personal belongings with your vehicle, this may be the best method for you. Your vehicle and personal belongings will be securely held in place and stored in a container.
Valuable Resources
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations Laos Trade Regulations
- International Movers Association Laos Information Page
Hauling Of Heavy Equipment & Oversized Cargo
To get heavy equipment or oversized cargo shipped, it is to your advantage to hire reputable international transporters. At A1 AT, we can guarantee your cargo is shipped safely overseas by using state-of-the-art hauling equipment and the latest technology. With all that we have access to, there is hardly any type of heavy or oversized equipment we can’t have delivered across the oceans.
If you are curious about what types of heavy equipment and oversized cargo we are capable of transporting, here is a brief list to give you a better idea...
- Large Vehicles
- Heavy Machinery
- Farm Equipment
- Mining Equipment
- Industrial Equipment
- Paving Equipment
- Hydraulic Machinery
- Forklifts
- Cranes
- Backhoes
- Tractors
- Engineering Equipment and more…
As you can see, we have barely any limitations and the list provided above isn’t even a full list of the types of cargo we can ship. No matter what type of cargo you intend to ship to Laos, we will add free insurance coverage. This coverage may not protect the full value of your cargo but we offer additional insurance options at minimal fees.
International Options
We have several different methods we offer for those who wish to ship large or heavy equipment overseas. All of these methods are completely safe methods of overseas hauling yet what is available to you will depend on the type of equipment you’re sending. Our trained representatives will assist you with your options. For more info regarding our methods, we decided to provide you with a list and some specifications for each one...
- Container hauling
- Flat Rack delivery
- Roll On/Roll Off method
- Lift On/Lift Off Shipping
You can use this service if your heavy machinery fits within a 40-foot container. Our most budget-friendly open-air option involves driving your vehicle or piece of equipment up a ramp and onto the ship. Lift-on/lift-off is suggested for crated cargo and inoperable automobiles, while a flat rack involves securing your cargo to a metal frame before it is loaded onto the boat.
Relevant Statistics
- Approximately 200 cars are shipped to Laos from overseas each month.
- More than 90% of the cars shipped are used vehicles.
- The average cost to ship is $2,500.
- Over 80% of the cars imported come from Japan.
- Laos has seen a 25% increase in car imports over the past five years.
General Facts
- Moving a car to Laos requires compliance with import regulations and documentation.
- The process involves hiring a reputable international company.
- The car must undergo customs clearance upon arrival.
- It is necessary to pay import taxes and duties for dispatching a car.
- Prior research on local driving laws and regulations in Laos is essential when shipping a car to the country.
Other Services
- Overseas Moving Services to Laos