Car Shipping to USA

There are a number of costs you need to consider when transporting your car to the USA – not just the shipping cost. Beware of quotes that are only port-to-port, where you have to organise the delivery and collection and take care of all the customs procedures.

Our price includes door-to-door pick and delivery as well as basic customs clearance costs. Costs for Scotland, Wales and Ireland can vary.

There are, however, a number of other costs you need to consider when importing into the USA. These include:

• Additional customs and quarantine costs including inspection fees, cleaning, port service fees etc.
• Taxes and duties – If you are moving to the USA, you are entitled to import one vehicle duty-free as long as you meet the criteria. Otherwise, your car may be subject to import duties an taxes.
• Compliance and modification costs – if necessary for your vehicle to meet U.S. standards and guidelines.
• Vehicle Registration – you will need to register your vehicle in the relevant state before you can drive on local roads.
• Marine Insurance or Shipment Protection Cover – Your standard motor insurance policy will not cover you for international shipping, so you will need to take out additional cover.

If you are shipping your vehicle as groupage in a shared container it will take about 7-10 weeks.

If you are shipping your vehicle with your belongings in a sole use container (FCL – Full Container Load) it will take around 2-6 weeks.

You will also need to allow additional time for customs clearance and quarantine inspection.

For example you are shipping if you are shipping in sole use container to popular destinations such as New York, it will be a lot quicker than shipping in a shared container to remoter destinations such as Los Angeles and Denver.

There are a number of steps to importing a car or other vehicle to USA, but they can be done quite simply with the guidance of a shipping company like PSS.

• Check the viability of importing your car to USA
• Organise your shipping company
• Get shipping insurance or shipment protection cover
• Complete shipping forms and gather necessary documentation
• On arrival arrange customs clearance and quarantine inspection
• Register your vehicle in USA
• Arrange delivery or collect your vehicle

It is imperative that you understand the requirements for car shipping to USA. You will need to check with the US government before shipment, to ensure you adhere to their strict import requirements. As with every country, you will need to make sure your vehicle meets the safety standards, emissions standards, and vehicle compliance checks relevant to USA.

You will need to ensure your car meets all the import approval guidelines. You may need to arrange for modifications to be made to your vehicle (should this be necessary to meet USA’s import requirements). Testing and evidence for compliance will also be obtained here, for approval by their respective authorities.

If you need any further advice regarding car shipping to USA, or moving to USA in general, then please contact one of our friendly moving consultants. 

Importing a Car from the UK to the USA – Key Requirements

1. Vehicle Compliance

• Vehicles must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.

• Non-conforming vehicles should not be shipped without prior broker approval.

• Exemptions:

  • Vehicles over 25 years old with the original drivetrain.

  • Non-U.S. diplomats, military personnel, trade show or racing vehicles (specific cases).

2. Required Documentation

• Proof of ownership: U.S. Title, Certificate of Origin, or Vehicle Registration.

• Manufacturer’s letter confirming the vehicle meets U.S. DOT/EPA standards.

• DOT Form HS-7 (tick box 2A if compliant).

• EPA Form 3520-1 (tick box B if compliant).

• Bill of Lading showing the vehicle owner as consignee.

• Photos of conformity labels (engine plate/door frame) confirming compliance.

• Bill of Sale or pro-forma invoice (depending on when purchased).

3. Import Duties

• Passenger cars: 2.5% of Customs appraised value.

• Trucks: 25%.

• Motorcycles: 0–2.4%, depending on engine size.

• Vehicles returning to the U.S. with a stamped U.S. title are generally duty-free.

4. Condition & Cleanliness

• Vehicles must be completely clean and free of dirt, soil, or debris, including the engine compartment.

5. Key Notes

• Always confirm with your customs broker before shipping.

• Do not ship vehicles without confirming compliance and documentation.

• Vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from DOT/EPA standards but must still complete the required forms (with exemption boxes checked).

PSS offers a range of car shipping to USA options. See below our options, and choose whichever is best for you and your needs. If you are unsure our vehicle shipping experts will be able to advise you.

Option A: Car Shipping and household items

It could be a good idea to combine your car shipment and household items together in one load. Our team can bring a shipping container to your home, then carefully secure your vehicle inside for car shipping to USA. Any remaining space can then be put to use for your household goods and homewares. If you’re moving to USA and you need to send over a number of items, then this is a great shipment option for you.

We will expertly pack and wrap your items using industry-approved materials and expert handling. They will then be placed in the container alongside the secured vehicle. At your door, we will seal the container with a customs seal before taking it to the UK port terminal for placement on the vessel. From there, the process of household and car transport to USA will take place.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch for a car shipping quote or any advice on this option (or other options and their car shipping rates).

Option B: Car Shipping only

On the other hand, you may need to only send your car abroad. In this case, you can make use of our car-only auto transport option. You will have your very own sole-use container that holds your car (or other vehicle) securely inside for shipment to USA.

This can be arranged at your place of residence, at a PSS warehouse, or a shipping line container depot – to suit you and your preferences. Then, the car will be loaded onto a vessel for UK to USA car transport.

Again, if you need a car shipping quote, or further details about our services and moving to USA, simply give us a call on 0800 988 3711.

Option C: Roll On/ Roll Off (RORO) or Lift On/ Lift Off (LOLO)

This last option is only available at selected ports.

Speak to our team today to see if this is an option for you. It will involve driving your vehicle onto the vessel to then be secured for auto transport to USA. Then, it is driven off again once it arrives in USA.

There some disadvantages to this option as your car or vehicle does not receive the same protection it would do if sealed in its own container.

However, this option is useful for larger vehicles such as vans, motorhomes and caravans which may be too wide to fit into a standard shipping container.

Please call us on 0800 988 3711 if you wish to discuss whether this is an option for you.

It may be possible to ship your car with a few boxes of personal belongings inside. However, it is best to seek advice from one of our international removal consultants first as there are some restrictions.

Remember that all your belongings will be subject to the usual customs requirements and quarantine inspections so don’t think you can cram your car fall.

We do offer very cost effective options for shipping your belongings with your car so please ask us for more details.

It is important that your vehicle is thoroughly cleaned to ensure all organic material, including mud and dirt, is removed including from the engine. This is to avoid potential problems with customs in America.

We recommend that your car including engine and undercarriage is professionally steam cleaned.

However, we do not recommend that the interior is valeted as this can result in mould and mildew during the voyage.

It is also advisable that your vehicle has a full service and check over before it is shipped.

The shipping of motorhomes and vans to USA is very similar to cars. You will need to check that your vehicle meets American requirements and obtain Vehicle Import Approval before you begin shipping.

Also, if your vehicle is too wide or tall to fit into a shipping container, then it will need to travel as roll-on / roll-off or lift-on / lift-off.

Motorhomes and vans may also be subject to different rates of tax and duty.

All types of vehicles can be shipped to USA including caravans, boats, trailers, quad bikes, jet skis and anything else you can think of!

For small vehicles, the best method is to ship them in a container with your other possessions or we can arrange a shared container.

The door sizes of standard shipping containers are about 7’8” (2.28m) wide or 7’5” (2.26m) high. These sizes can vary between shipping companies, but if your vehicle is larger you may need to use RORO or LOLO shipping services.

A lot of people choose to import an older or classic car to the USA. For example, enthusiast, classic or historic motor vehicles that are destined for restoration and hobby use in car clubs.

Shipping a classic car to the USA is a straightforward process, as vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from U.S. DOT and EPA regulations. However, the car must retain its original drivetrain and still meet standard import requirements, including proof of ownership, a Bill of Lading, and completed customs forms. Classic cars should be thoroughly cleaned before shipping and correctly declared with your customs broker. While exempt from compliance testing, they may still be subject to import duties based on value, so it’s essential to confirm all documentation and conditions before shipment.

To ship a motorbike to USA you will need to follow a similar Import Approval process as for cars.

Shipping a motorbike or motorcycle to the USA requires proof of ownership and evidence that it meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. You’ll need to complete DOT Form HS-7 and EPA Form 3520-1, with photos of the compliance labels on the bike. Motorcycles are typically subject to import duty between 0% and 2.4% of their appraised value. Bikes over 25 years old with their original engine are exempt from DOT and EPA requirements, but must still be declared with the correct paperwork before shipping.

For actual shipping, your bike will be secured in a shipping container, often within a wooden crate, to ensure it is fully protected during transportation.

Your motorcycle or quad bike can be sent in a sole use container with your other possessions or in a shared container with other people’s belongings.

When importing a car to the USA, customs duties and taxes depend on the vehicle type and value. Passenger cars are typically charged 2.5%, trucks 25%, and motorcycles between 0% and 2.4% of the vehicle’s Customs appraised value. Duty is based on the purchase price or a pro-forma invoice if owned for more than a year. U.S. vehicles returning with a previously stamped title are usually duty-free. It’s important to have accurate documentation to ensure correct valuation and avoid delays or additional fees during customs clearance.

Once your car arrives after international car transport to USA, you will be contacted by our team. We will then handle all the customs paperwork with you or on your behalf. Since USA has such strict guidelines for customs clearance and import requirements, though, we do recommend that you be at hand to ensure the process runs smoothly. Re-read the guidelines that we listed above about customs clearance and registration, as they are incredibly important and should be firmly followed.

Once all is done, we will make reservations with you to give your car back safely.

We offer car shipping services from all parts of the UK to every state and major city across the USA. Whether you’re sending a vehicle from London, Manchester, Birmingham, or anywhere else in the UK, we can arrange safe and efficient delivery to destinations such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Chicago, or Seattle. Our services cover all U.S. states, including California, Florida, Texas, New York, and beyond, ensuring your car arrives securely wherever you need it – from the East Coast to the West Coast and everywhere in between.

We try to do everything we can to protect your vehicle before, during and after car transport to USA. As industry professionals, we’re proud to say that there are never any major issues. However, it is always a good idea to be protected in case anything does happen.

Your usual motor insurance policy will not cover you for international vehicle transportation. This is why we have a carefully designed Shipment Protection cover to protect your vehicle in case of loss or damage.

Our Shipment Protection cover is backed by Basil Fry and Company and is based on the conditions recommended by the British Association of Removers. This means your car is in safe hands during the whole process. Rest assured that your protection starts as soon as your car is with our team.

For this reason, you can trust PSS with your car shipping to USA and support throughout the entire process. So, the process is made easy when you opt to ship your car to USA with us.

We can also arrange for your car or other vehicle to be transported from USA to the UK. Similar shipping options apply and it can be cost effective to ship your vehicle with your other possessions.

Contact us at our UK office and we’ll put you in contact with our team in USA who will be able to advise you on the whole process and give you a cost effective quote.