Classic and Collector Car Shipping
For collectors, dealers, auction houses and museums. Enclosed collection anywhere in the US, receipt at our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey, and delivery door to door by ocean or air, with a condition report at every change of custody, for imports and exports.
Need an indicative figure first? Our instant calculator prices most routes.
- A condition report at every change of custodyPhotographed at collection, at loading and on delivery.
- One specialist, start to finishThe person you speak to at booking stays with the car until it is delivered.
- No condition report, no loadingA car is not loaded until its condition report is signed.
How a classic moves with us
One route for every collector car we ship, written down step by step in our Handling Standard.
- 01Enclosed pickup, any stateOur own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey, plus a partner facility in Texas, cover the whole US. A licensed, insured enclosed carrier we book collects the car, running or not.
- 02Our warehouse, our peopleThe car checks in at a warehouse we own, handled by people we employ, and is checked against the pickup photos.
- 03Soft straps, wheel netsOur own team loads it. Battery disconnected, second photo report made before the container is closed.
- 04Paperwork firstOur team prepares the export paperwork and checks the title before the car ships, not after it lands.
- 05DeliveryOur agents clear the car at the destination and deliver it. The third photo report is made before you sign.
Our warehouses
Every collector car we ship is received, inspected and loaded in a warehouse we own, by people we employ. Covered, secured and staffed in California, New Jersey and Florida.
Ocean or air, chosen for the car
Every method below runs through the same warehouse, the same team and the same paperwork. Your specialist recommends the one that fits the car, the destination and your dates.
Shared container
Your car travels with up to three others, each secured independently with soft straps and wheel nets. Most classics heading to a major port travel this way.
Running or notExclusive-use container
A 20ft or 40ft container for your cars alone, loaded and sealed by our team. For high-value cars, several cars from one collection, or a car travelling with its parts.
Up to four cars, yours onlyAir freight
On a cargo flight when there's a concours, rally or sale date to hit. Your specialist completes the documents before the car reaches the airport, so the time saved in the air is not lost on the ground.
For a fixed dateConsiderations for older cars
Each of these is settled before collection, not discovered at the port.
- Titles. Several states, including Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, don't issue titles for older cars. US Customs still wants proof of ownership before export, so we research the paper trail first.
- Non-running and project cars. A car that doesn't start can still ship. It goes in a container, winched in by our loading team.
- Value. Ocean carrier liability is capped at $500 per car under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act. Cargo Damage Protection covers the car from our warehouse to delivery overseas.
- Auction release windows. We schedule collection against the release date so storage charges don't start.
- Events. A car going to a concours or rally usually comes home again. We book both legs together. See event transport.
“All I had to do was fill out their shipping form. They did everything else except pay for the car!”
John Bell · 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona, California to England“Excellent communication and genuine interest in our vehicles’ well-being throughout the whole process.”
Alexander · 1953 Chevrolet Corvette“They sent me photos, a detailed report and kept me informed through each leg of the journey.”
Pete · 1963 Porsche 356 Speedster, California to BerlinBuying or consigning at auction
Send us the lot number and the release date. Bidding from abroad? Ask for a door-to-door quotation before the sale, so transport is accounted for in your bid.
Importing a classic into the US
Bought at Rétromobile, in Japan or from a dealer in Germany? The same team runs it in reverse: collection overseas, ocean or air to California, Florida or New Jersey, US customs clearance through a licensed broker, and enclosed delivery to your garage.
Recently in our care
Photographed on receipt at our warehouses, as part of the condition report every car receives.
Your specialists
Felix Cater leads our collector and auction department, with Monica Mena and Dan Burkandt alongside him, so a specialist who knows your car is always available. Every enquiry is handled in confidence. Or telephone +1 (510) 236-3008.
Questions from collectors
How much does it cost to ship a classic car overseas?
Every quotation is prepared for the car and the route: enclosed collection, the ocean or air leg and destination charges, confirmed in writing by your specialist. For an indicative figure on standard routes, our instant calculator prices most routes.
Do you ship classic cars by RoRo?
We recommend a container or air, where the car is strapped down and no one drives it on or off a vessel. RoRo is available on request for running cars on routes that offer it.
Can you ship a non-running classic?
Yes. Non-running cars go in a container and are winched into place by our loading team.
Will my classic pay less import duty abroad?
Often, yes. The UK charges no duty and 5% import VAT on qualifying historic vehicles over 30 years old, and several EU countries reduce rates for original cars of historical interest. Into the US, cars 25 years and older can be imported without federal safety and emissions conversion. See our EU vs UK classic car duty guide.
I bought a car at auction. How fast can you collect it?
Send us the lot number and release date. We book enclosed pickup against the auction's deadline so storage charges don't start.
Can you ship a car to a concours or rally and back?
Yes. We book both legs together and plan back from the event date, using air freight when ocean transit won't make it.
Discuss a shipment with a specialist
Tell us about the car, where it is and where it needs to be. Your specialist will prepare a door-to-door quotation in writing.
It’s your dream car. Let’s bring her home.