RoRo Vs Container Shipping From Europe: 2025 Comparison & Best Choice

Choosing between Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and container shipping is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when importing a vehicle from Europe to the United States. In 2025, advances in consolidation, security, and reliability make containerized shipping the natural choice for most cars and motorcycles, while RoRo is largely reserved for oversized industrial vehicles and heavy equipment. Below, we break down what each method offers, who should choose what, and why container remains the gold standard for today’s car importers.

For a full breakdown on costs and logistics, visit our complete Europe-to-U.S. import cost and strategy guide.

What is RoRo Shipping?

RoRo shipping involves loading vehicles by driving them directly onto a specialized ocean vessel’s deck. After sailing, they’re driven off at the U.S. port.

• Best Use: 

  Oversized vehicles, trucks, buses, campers, tractors, or heavy machinery that exceed the dimensions or weight limits of standard containers.

• Limitations:

  Strictly for running/drivable units—no personal items or spare parts inside, no non-running vehicles, and limited protection from weather or port exposure.

• Availability:

  Fewer sailings and departure/arrival points; often requires an extra leg of overland trucking if your origin/destination is not near a major RoRo port.

What is Container Shipping?

In this method, your car is loaded (via forklift, winch, or drive-in) into a metal shipping container—shared (consolidated) with other vehicles or single-use for higher-end cars or motorcycles.

• Best Use:

  Standard passenger cars, motorcycles, non-running classics or projects, vehicles shipping with parts or extra cargo, and most “door-to-door” moves.

• Advantages:

  Maximum protection, added security, full enclosure against theft, weather, or exposure, and flexibility—your car does not need to run, and you can ship parts, paperwork, or even a couple of bikes together.

• Cost:

  With consolidation, costs are highly competitive—even lower than RoRo on some routes. For most standard-size cars or motorcycles, container is the safer, more cost-effective choice.

• Port Options:

  Frequent weekly departures from top European ports directly to WCS-supported U.S. destinations—New York, Florida, California, and Texas.

Comparing Cost and Value: It’s Not Always About the Base Rate

Is RoRo always less expensive?

Not necessarily. While a solo RoRo shipment can sometimes show a slightly lower base rate for running cars, actual landing costs can quickly even out or tip in favor of containers once you add inland transport, potential auxiliary fees, shipping accessories or parts, and risk-mitigation.

Is container overkill for everyday cars?

Not anymore. With modern consolidation and weekly sailings, containerized shipping provides unmatched protection and flexibility—often at equivalent or lower all-in costs than RoRo for standard cars and motorcycles, especially for non-runners or buyers wanting to ship more than just the car itself.

When Should You Use RoRo?

• Your vehicle is too large for a container: RoRo is ideal for mobile cranes, RVs, buses, or commercial equipment.

• You are shipping fleets of operational, uniform vehicles: Certain large commercial shippers may prefer RoRo by volume.

• Your only concern is the lowest base price and the vehicle can tolerate weather exposure.

Why Container is Better for Most Car Imports

• Unmatched protection: Cars are never exposed to salt air, dock dust, or unauthorized handling. Perfect for modern cars, classics, motorcycles, and collector vehicles.

• Loads of flexibility: Ship non-running projects, spare parts, racing accessories, even a second vehicle or bike—none of which are allowed on RoRo.

• Dedicated and safe routing: Weekly departures from prime European ports, direct to WCS’s U.S. entry points.

• Better resale value: Your car arrives in the U.S. as clean and undamaged as it left the origin port—critical for enthusiasts and investors.

Get a full side-by-side break down and cost preview in our Europe-to-U.S. guide.

Calculate Your Best Shipping Option

Don’t just default to the apparent cheapest method! Use real data on route, size, season, and your vehicle’s actual needs with West Coast Shipping’s car import calculator to compare container and RoRo rates for your unique shipment.