CAR SHIPPING FROM USA TO UK WITH WEST COAST SHIPPING

Ship a Car from the USA to the UK: Get Instant Shipping Rates

Ship your car from the USA to the United Kingdom with a specialist exporter in classic and performance vehicles. Since 2007, West Coast Shipping has safely transported thousands of cars to the UK from every US state, handling purchases from auctions, private sellers, and dealerships for both retail and trade importers.

Choose between shared and dedicated containers, RoRo sailings, and air freight to major UK ports such as Southampton, London, and Liverpool. Use our car shipping calculator to see how much it costs to ship a car to the UK, compare options, and lock in an instant quote for your shipment.

Frequent importer? Request wholesale container shipping rates below.

West Coast Shipping

Why Choose Us to Ship Your Car from the USA to the UK?

With nearly 20 years of experience in USA-to-UK car shipping, we’ve helped thousands of customers move classic, performance, and everyday vehicles into the UK. Our team handles the full car import process so you can ship a car from the USA to the UK without worrying about paperwork, inspections, or port logistics.

International car shipping via shared and dedicated container shipping to UK ports
Premium air freight shipping available for urgent UK deliveries
Weekly consolidated container service to Felixstowe, Southampton, and Liverpool ports
Save up to 50% with our shared container shipping options to UK
Complete US export documentation and UK customs clearance handling
Reliable UK import agents and DVLA-approved inspection services

Calculate your USA-to-UK car import costs instantly with our international car shipping calculator, including duties, VAT, shipping, and port fees.

We collect your vehicle from anywhere in the US using open or enclosed car transporters. The car is then transported to our nearest export warehouse in California, Florida or New Jersey.

You always have the option to deliver/drop off the vehicle yourself.

With nearly 2 decades of experience in loading containers, we make sure that your cars are safely secured for their journey overseas.

Our team works closely with US Customs to clear cars for export.

For a seamless car import experience, we work with reliable partners worldwide to ensure your cars arrive safely and are properly cleared with import customs.

AIRPLANE

Need your vehicle fast? Air freight delivers in just 3-10 days, making it the quickest shipping option—significantly faster than container or RoRo shipping. Exact timing depends on customs and documentation.

SHIPPING CONTAINER

Our containers fit 1-4 vehicles—running or non-running—and offer cost-saving consolidation shipping. For high-value cars, we provide dedicated 20ft or 40ft containers.

RORO VESSEL

RoRo shipping requires vehicles to be operational and empty. Available ports and rates vary. Note: This method is only available for oversized cars

Vehicles

We safely transport all types of personal vehicles from the USA to the United Kingdom with reliable, cost-efficient car shipping options tailored to your needs.

Motocycle

Shipping a motorcycle from the USA to the UK can feel overwhelming, but we make the process simple, secure, and fully guided from pickup to delivery at UK ports.

Importing_Electric_and_Hybrid_Vehicles_to_the_U.S._2025_Guide

Electric & Hybrid Cars

EVs and hybrids require special handling and documentation. Our team ensures your electric or hybrid vehicle is shipped safely from the USA to the UK and meets UK compliance standards.

Race & Rally Cars

We specialize in transporting race and rally cars from the USA to the United Kingdom, with the care and protection required for high-value performance vehicles.

Classic Cars

Classic and vintage vehicles deserve expert handling. Our team provides secure, enclosed, and monitored transport to ship your collector car from the USA to the UK.

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Luxury Cars

From high-end sedans to exotic sports cars, we offer premium shipping solutions to move luxury vehicles from the USA to the UK while protecting them throughout the journey.

Shipping_Salvage_&_Non_Running_Cars_to_Ghana

Salvage & Project Cars

We regularly ship salvage, damaged, and project cars from the USA to the United Kingdom. Whether your vehicle is running or in need of repair, we can handle secure transport and all required documentation.

Heavy Machinery

From construction machinery to agricultural equipment, we offer secure solutions for shipping heavy machinery units of all sizes from the USA to the UK.

Oversized Vehicles

If your vehicle exceeds standard dimensions, we can help. Our oversized shipping options handle trucks, vans, large SUVs, motorhomes, and custom-built vehicles from the USA to the United Kingdom.

UK CAR SHIPPING COSTS FROM THE USA

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the USA to the UK?

The typical cost to ship a car from the USA to the UK ranges from £900 to over £1,800 per vehicle, depending on the UK port, vehicle size, and shipping method (shared container, dedicated container, or air freight).

UK destination charges usually range from £475 for cars and £350 for motorcycles, not including VAT, import duties, and registration fees.

Our container consolidation service makes shipping cars from the USA to the UK more affordable, with shared containers saving up to 50% compared with dedicated container shipping.

Optional Cargo Damage Protection is available for added peace of mind when shipping your car to the UK.

UNITED KINGDOM CAR SHIPPING PORTS

Ports & Cities We Serve

We ship cars from the USA to the major UK car shipping port, including like Southampton.

Southampton is the UK’s leading deep-sea vehicle port and one of the most reliable gateways for shipping cars to and from Europe. With frequent RoRo sailings and excellent handling for SUVs, classic cars, EVs, and high-value vehicles, it offers fast turnaround times and smooth processing. WCS coordinates secure loading, customs documentation, and delivery directly through this major automotive hub.

If you need assistance with port pickup, customs support, or local delivery, our team can coordinate the full process for a smooth arrival in Southampton.

“Excellent communication and genuine interest in our vehicles well being throughout the whole process. Highly recommend them for all your vehicle shipping needs!”

Alexander

San Francisco, California

Car Shipping & Vehicle Protection to the UK

Protect your car while it’s being shipped from the USA to the UK with our optional Cargo Damage Protection. This overseas car shipping insurance safeguards your vehicle from the moment it is loaded at our US facility until it arrives at the UK port and is handed over to our trusted agents.

Most standard auto insurance policies do not cover international car shipping, so we strongly recommend coverage—especially for classic, luxury, and high-value vehicles. Our policy is designed specifically for container and RoRo car transport to UK ports.

If you decline Cargo Damage Protection, please note that our liability is capped at $500 per the Carriage of Goods at Sea Act.

Wholesale Car Import & Export Solutions for UK Dealers

We help UK car importers, traders, auctions and wholesalers move vehicles in bulk from the USA and worldwide. Our turn-key wholesale car shipping service covers everything from auction pickup and loading to export paperwork and arrival at major UK ports.

End-to-End solutions between the US and the world
Vehicle collection & export clearance
Private warehouses in CA, FL, NJ
Vehicle and parts consolidation
Use our carrier bookings or your own
Ability to choose your own import agent when shipping dedicated containers
Expedited Air Freight options

UK CAR IMPORT DOCUMENTS

Documents Needed to Ship a Car from USA to the UK

What paperwork do I need to import a car into the UK?
Shipping your car from the USA to the UK requires clearing both US export customs and UK import customs (HMRC). Below are the key documents needed to ship and register your vehicle in the United Kingdom.

Vehicle Documentation for Shipping a car from USA to UK:

Original Vehicle Title (with lien release letter if applicable)
Bill of Sale for the vehicle
Power of Attorney form
Completed Online Shipping Form

Personal Documentation:

Copy of Passport (for non-US citizens)
Copy of EIN Letter (for US citizens)

For Classic cars: Vehicles over 30 years old may qualify for reduced UK import duty and a special 5% VAT rate. You’ll need documentation proving the car is original and unmodified from its factory specification. Certain US states such as Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont have specific title requirements for classic cars, so it’s important to verify your state’s rules before you ship your classic car to the UK.

Proper documentation is essential, but it’s just one part of the process. Our team reviews your USA-to-UK car import documents and guides you through customs clearance and DVLA registration so your car arrives ready for the road.

Shipping Cost & Duties:

Base Costs:

Shipping cost: from £900 in a consolidated container
UK destination charges: £475 for cars, £350 for motorcycles (excluding taxes)

Import Duties & VAT:

Standard cars: 10% import duty + 20% VAT
Classic cars over 30 years old: No import duty + 5% VAT
Pickup trucks and commercial vehicles: 22% import duty + 20% VAT
UK returning vehicles: £50 import duty + 20% VAT

Duty Exemptions Available For:

Permanent relocation to UK
Temporary imports (up to 6 months)
Original classic vehicles over 30 years old (duty only)

Calculate Cost

`How to Ship a Car from USA to the UK: Import Process`

Shipping a car from the USA to the UK involves a few clear steps: export paperwork in the US, ocean transport, and import clearance with UK customs and DVLA. With nearly 20 years of experience moving classic, modern, and project cars to the UK, we manage the complete USA-to-UK car shipping process for you.

Our container and RoRo shipping options make importing a car from USA to UK simple and cost-effective. We handle US export customs, UK import duties and VAT, and DVLA registration requirements, routing your vehicle through major UK ports such as Felixstowe, Southampton, and Liverpool.

Key Steps in Our USA-to-UK car Shipping Process:

Door-to-door shipping service from any US location to anywhere in the UK
Weekly container consolidation to major UK ports
Complete UK customs clearance and DVLA documentation handling
Secure vehicle transport with full insurance coverage
Expert guidance through UK MOT and registration requirements

Registering Your Imported Car in the UK (DVLA & MOT)

Registering your car after importing from USA to UK requires several key steps and documents to meet DVLA requirements.

Essential Documentation:

Foreign registration certificate and US title
UK customs duty and VAT payment records
Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) certificates - MOT test certificate
Original bill of sale and shipping documents
NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival confirmation

UK Registration Requirements:

Complete DVLA V55 registration forms - Pass MOT inspection (required for most vehicles)
Complete Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test for vehicles under 10 years
Pay Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax)
Obtain UK car insurance coverage

We guide you through the entire UK registration process, including all testing and documentation requirements. For first-time UK car importers, we recommend working with our local agents to ensure proper completion of all steps.

Frequently Asked Questions About UK Car Shipping

Shipping costs start from £900 for consolidated container shipping to UK ports.

UK destination charges are £475 for cars and £350 for motorcycles, not including VAT and import duties. Import duties vary: standard cars pay 10% duty + 20% VAT, while classic cars over 30 years old pay only 5% VAT with no import duty.

Transit times vary by departure point. Cars shipped from our East Coast facilities (NJ and FL) arrive faster to UK ports like Felixstowe and Southampton compared to shipments from our California warehouse.

Your dedicated account manager will provide specific timing estimates based on your route.

Required documents include:

Original vehicle title (with lien release if applicable)
Bill of sale
Power of attorney form
Completed shipping form
Copy of passport (non-US citizens) or EIN letter (US citizens)
NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) for UK customs

Yes, we specialize in classic car imports to UK.

Vehicles over 30 years old receive preferential import treatment with no import duty and only 5% VAT, provided they remain unmodified from original specification. All classic cars must pass MOT testing unless exempt by age.

We handle the entire process:

Collect your vehicle anywhere in the US
Transport to our nearest shipping facility
Load in container and complete US customs
Ship to your chosen UK port
Handle UK customs clearance
Assist with DVLA registration requirements
Arrange UK delivery

Yes, optional Cargo Damage Protection is available for complete peace of mind during transit to UK ports.

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Ship a Car from the USA to the UK: Get Instant Shipping Rates

Calculate Your Car Shipping Rate to the UK from the USA:

Why Choose Us to Ship Your Car from the USA to the UK?

Export Locations – USA to UK

UK CAR SHIPPING:

International Car Shipping Methods

AIRPLANE

SHIPPING CONTAINER

RORO VESSEL

Have Questions?

Schedule a Call with an Expert

What Vehicles Can We Ship from the USA to the United Kingdom?

Vehicles

Motocycle

Electric & Hybrid Cars

Race & Rally Cars

Classic Cars

Luxury Cars

Salvage & Project Cars

Heavy Machinery

Oversized Vehicles

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the USA to the UK?

Get Instant Rates

SHIPPING TIMES TO THE UK

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO CONSIDER

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Ports & Cities We Serve

Get Import Quote

Car Shipping & Vehicle Protection to the UK

Wholesale Car Import & Export Solutions for UK Dealers

Documents Needed to Ship a Car from USA to the UK

Dedicated Export Team

UK Car Import Process

Shipping Cost & Duties:

How to Ship a Car from USA to the UK: Import Process

Registering Your Imported Car in the UK (DVLA & MOT)

West Coast Shipping in the News

Frequently Asked Questions About UK Car Shipping

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`How to Ship a Car from USA to the UK: Import Process`