RoRo Vs. Container Shipping: Best Method For Your Car In 2025

Moving a vehicle across oceans means answering one big question first: Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) or container? Both options deliver your car to the destination port, but the differences in cost, protection, timelines, and paperwork can make or break your project budget.

1. What Exactly Is RoRo Shipping?

RoRo vessels are massive floating parking garages. Your car is driven under its own power onto the ship, secured to a deck, and driven off at the destination port. Think of it as a nonstop ferry for vehicles.

Pros

• Typically lower base ocean rate than container space

• Faster loading and unloading—ideal for high-volume ports

• No crating or container packing fees

Cons

• Vehicle must start, steer, and brake on its own

• Limited to ports with RoRo terminals

• Exposes the vehicle to sea air and human contact during the voyage

2. How Container Shipping Works

With container service, your vehicle is loaded—by forklift, winch truck, or drive-on ramps—into a sealed 20-ft or 40-ft steel box. Once the doors are closed, nobody touches your car until it arrives at the destination yard.

Pros

• Full steel enclosure protects against salt spray, prying eyes, and port handling mishaps

• Perfect for non-running classics, salvage projects, and high-value exotics

• Allows you to add spare parts, household items, or motorcycles (when declared properly)

Cons

• Higher ocean rate per vehicle unless you share a container

• Loading requires more labor and equipment

• Slightly longer port dwell time for stuffing and devanning

3. Cost Comparison: 2025 Average Rates

4. Protection Level

For collectors shipping million-dollar exotics, the enclosed steel wall wins every time. Budget-minded importers moving daily drivers often pick RoRo to save cash.

5. Timing and Flexibility

• RoRo sails on fixed liner schedules; missing a cut-off can mean waiting a week or more for the next departure.

• Containers depart weekly from our Oakland, Fort Lauderdale, and New Jersey yards, giving you flexible loading dates and the option to reroute if one port is congested.

6. Vehicle Condition Requirements

If your project car is a non-runner or a heavily modified track build with limited ground clearance, container service is the clear choice.

7. Biosecurity and Cleaning

Australia, New Zealand, and Japan maintain the toughest cleanliness rules on the planet. Biosecurity regulations are strict—something as small as a leaf in a door jamb can trigger costly port fumigation. A sealed container reduces that risk, but every vehicle is steam-cleaned regardless of the shipping method.

8. Documentation Differences

Both methods require:

• Original title or export certificate

• Bill of sale / commercial invoice

• EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 for U.S. entries

• Power of attorney so we can file Automated Export System (AES) paperwork

RoRo files a simple ocean bill of lading. Container shipments need a packing list and container loading photos—stored in your online portal for customs review.

9. Choosing the Right Fit

Pick RoRo If:

• Your car is a running daily driver or low-value project

• You’re shipping on a busy lane with frequent departures

• You need the lowest upfront freight cost

Pick Container If:

• You have a classic, exotic, or non-runner that needs extra protection

• You want to ship spare parts or personal items with the vehicle

• You need routing flexibility or plan to split costs with friends

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I load parts in a RoRo vehicle?
No. Port security prohibits loose items. Choose container if you need to ship parts.

How do I share a container with another buyer?
Book through our shared program—details in the bulk export playbook linked above.

Does container shipping take longer?
Port handling adds one to three days on each end, but actual sea transit time is similar.

Are electric vehicles okay on RoRo?
Yes, but battery SOC must be under 30%. Many EV owners still choose container for added protection.

Why West Coast Shipping Handles Both Methods Better

• Three company-owned yards for rapid turn-in and flexible routing

• Weekly consolidations so containers leave on reliable schedules

• Direct RoRo contracts with major ocean carriers for best rates

• Photo-verified loading stored in your portal for claims defense

Whether you need fast, budget-friendly RoRo or white-glove container service, our team guides you through every document, crane lift, and customs gate until your keys are back in hand.

Get Your Personalized Shipping Quote

Ready to see which option fits your timeline and budget? Click below for an instant, all-inclusive quote, and let West Coast Shipping handle every mile, manifest, and port stop on your car’s journey overseas.