How Are Cars Shipped: By Air or Boat?

Most cars are shipped by boat, not by air. Ocean transport—primarily via roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) car carriers or containers—handles the vast majority of international vehicle moves because it’s far cheaper and scalable. Air freight is used only in special cases, such as urgent deliveries, motorsport logistics, prototypes, or ultra-high-value cars, where speed justifies the dramatically higher cost. Below is a detailed look at how each method works, when to use them, and what to expect on cost, timing, and regulations.

The Dominant Method: Ocean Shipping

For new and used vehicles moving between continents, ocean shipping is the standard. Automakers, dealers, auctions, and private owners rely on purpose-built vessel fleets and global port networks to move millions of cars annually at relatively low unit cost.

Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Car Carriers

Ro-Ro ships—also called Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs)—are floating parking garages with internal ramps. Vehicles are driven on at the origin port and driven off at the destination, minimizing handling and risk.

The following points outline how Ro-Ro shipping works and why it’s the default for finished vehicles:

• Capacity and scale: Modern PCTCs commonly carry about 5,000–8,000 cars per voyage, enabling low per-vehicle costs.
• Speed vs. cost balance: Transit times are measured in weeks, but rates are typically the lowest among international options.
• Lower handling risk: Cars aren’t craned; they’re secured on decks, reducing damage risks compared with some alternatives.
• Frequent sailings on key routes: Major automaking/export hubs (e.g., East Asia, Europe, North America) have regular schedules.

In short, Ro-Ro is built for volume and efficiency, making it the go-to method for most standard, running vehicles.

Container Shipping

Cars can also travel in 20-foot or 40-foot containers, often with racking systems to stack two to three vehicles in a 40-foot high-cube. This is common for classic cars, high-value models, or when shipping spare parts and personal effects with the vehicle.

Here are typical reasons shippers choose containers instead of Ro-Ro:

• Protection and privacy: Enclosed steel walls shield from weather and prying eyes.
• Flexibility at ports: Containers can be intermodal—moved seamlessly by ship, rail, and truck.
• Consolidation options: Shared containers can reduce cost for single-vehicle shippers.
• Non-running vehicles: Easier to load in a container than onto a Ro-Ro deck.

Container shipping costs more than Ro-Ro on most lanes, but offers added protection and logistical flexibility.

When Are Cars Shipped by Air?

Air freight is the fastest option—often door-to-door in days rather than weeks—but costs can be 10–20 times higher than ocean shipping. It is generally reserved for situations where time is critical or the vehicle’s value is extraordinarily high.

These are the most common scenarios that justify air transport for cars:

• Motorsport and events: Race teams and show vehicles on tight schedules.
• Prototypes and pre-production models: Sensitive programs needing speed and security.
• Ultra-luxury and specialty vehicles: When the cost of delay or risk outweighs freight expense.
• Production emergencies: Avoiding factory line stoppages or meeting urgent customer commitments.

Air shipments typically use freighter aircraft like the Boeing 747-8F or 777F; very large or urgent lifts may use chartered aircraft, including the Antonov An-124, when available.

Costs, Timelines, and Reliability

Pricing and transit times vary by route, season, and market conditions, but some broad ranges can guide planning. Reliability can be affected by port congestion, weather, or geopolitical disruptions, which occasionally add days to weeks to ocean schedules; air is faster but depends on cargo capacity and handling slots.

The points below compare typical cost and timing for ocean versus air:

• Ocean Ro-Ro: Roughly $1,200–$3,500 per car on major lanes; 2–6 weeks port-to-port.
• Ocean container: About $2,000–$6,000+ per car (shared or dedicated container); similar transit duration to Ro-Ro.
• Air freight: Commonly $10,000–$40,000+ per car; urgent charters can exceed $100,000; 1–5 days airport-to-airport, plus handling and customs.

Final cost depends on origin/destination, vehicle size/weight, insurance, handling, storage, and customs/port fees. Door-to-door timelines add local trucking and clearance steps on both ends.

Environmental Impact

Air transport carries a far higher carbon footprint per ton-kilometer than ocean shipping. Companies and individuals concerned with emissions typically prefer sea freight unless speed is critical.

These figures illustrate the emissions gap between modes:

• Air freight: Approximately 500–600 g CO2e per ton-km (varies by aircraft and load factor).
• Ocean shipping: Roughly 10–40 g CO2e per ton-km (varies by vessel, fuel, and route).
• Net effect: Shipping a car by air can emit dozens of times more CO2e than by sea over the same distance.

While the maritime sector is adopting cleaner fuels and efficiency measures, air freight remains the most carbon-intensive option by a wide margin.

Domestic and Last-Mile Transport

Before or after the international leg, vehicles typically move by truck or rail. In large markets, enclosed carriers protect high-value cars, while open carriers handle volume cost-effectively.

Decision Guide: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between air and boat hinges on urgency, value, risk tolerance, and budget. The steps below can help you decide.

1. Define priorities: Is speed critical, or is cost/emissions the priority?
2. Assess vehicle specifics: Running condition, dimensions, value, and sensitivity.
3. Compare lanes and schedules: Check Ro-Ro and container availability versus air cargo capacity.
4. Quantify total cost: Include pickup, port/airport handling, customs, delivery, and insurance.
5. Evaluate risk and security needs: Consider enclosed options, tracking, and coverage limits.

If time isn’t mission-critical, ocean shipping usually wins on cost and environmental impact; air is the premium solution for urgent or exceptionally valuable moves.

Paperwork and Preparation

Accurate documentation and proper vehicle prep reduce delays and damage risk. Regulations vary by country, so verify import rules before booking.

Key documents and prep steps typically include:

• Transport documents: Ocean Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB).
• Ownership and compliance: Title/registration, purchase invoice, and import approvals where required.
• Customs filings: Export declarations and destination import entries, duties, and taxes.
• Insurance: Marine cargo or air cargo insurance based on declared value.
• Vehicle preparation: Mechanical check, minimal fuel, disconnect alarms, and remove loose items; photograph condition.

Working with an experienced freight forwarder or customs broker helps ensure paperwork and procedures meet both origin and destination requirements.

Special Considerations for Electric and High-Value Vehicles

EVs and top-tier cars may trigger additional rules, equipment needs, and carrier restrictions—especially in air freight.

Important points to confirm with your carrier and forwarder include:

• EV dangerous goods classification: Typically shipped under IMDG/IATA rules for vehicles (e.g., UN 3171 for battery-powered vehicles); carriers may require a state-of-charge limit (often around 30%) and specific hazard labels.
• Carrier policies: Some airlines and ocean lines impose extra measures for EVs, such as fire blankets, detection systems, or dedicated stowage zones.
• Security and handling: Enclosed transport, GPS tracking, and higher insurance limits for rare or high-value vehicles.
• Data and privacy: For connected cars, consider disabling telematics and removing personal data before shipment.

Advance disclosure of battery type, SoC, and any modifications ensures compliance and avoids last-minute refusals or surcharges.

Summary

Cars are overwhelmingly shipped by boat—via Ro-Ro vessels or containers—because it’s far more cost-effective and has a lower carbon footprint. Air transport is the premium, fast alternative used for urgent deadlines or extremely valuable vehicles, with costs that can be an order of magnitude higher. For most moves, ocean shipping strikes the best balance of price, protection, and availability; choose air only when time and value clearly justify it.

What do they use to ship cars?

Ro-Ro vehicle shipping as it is also known is by far the most popular method of shipping a car, truck, caravan or motorhome overseas. These purpose built roll on/roll off vessels have been designed to move a large quantity of rolling cargo by sea freight at a fraction of the cost of container shipping services.

How are cars shipped on ships?

Cars are transported on ships using one of two methods: Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) carriers or container ships. For RORO shipping, vehicles are driven directly onto the ship via ramps, then secured in place on various decks. For container shipping, cars are first loaded into specially designed shipping containers, which are then loaded onto a container ship.
 
Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) Shipping

1. Loading: RORO ships have specialized ramps that allow vehicles to be driven directly from the port onto the vessel. 
2. Stowage: Cars are then driven to designated spaces on multiple decks, following a stowage plan to ensure ship stability and maximize space. 
3. Securing: Once parked, the vehicles are secured using chains, straps, and wheel chocks to prevent movement during the journey. 
4. Voyage: The ship’s crew continuously monitors the vehicles to ensure they remain secure and undamaged throughout the voyage. 
5. Unloading: At the destination, a crew unlatches the vehicles, and they are then driven off the ship, following the same plan. 

Container Shipping

1. Container Loading: The car is driven into a specialized container, which is a sturdy metal box. 
2. Container Securing: Inside the container, the car is also secured to prevent any movement during transit. 
3. Ship Loading: The entire container is then hoisted by a crane and placed onto a standard container ship. 
4. Voyage: The container ship transports the container to its destination. 
5. Unloading: At the port, the container is removed, taken to a distribution center, and then the car is unloaded. 

Which method is used?
RORO is the most common method for factory-new cars, while container shipping is often used for individual vehicles, smaller batches, or for greater security.

What kind of ship carries cars?

Roll-on/roll-off (RORO or ro-ro) ships are cargo ships designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, buses, trailers, and railroad cars, that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels or using a platform vehicle, such as a self-propelled modular transporter.

Are cars shipped by air?

The Basics of Air Freight Shipping. Air freight shipping for vehicles involves transporting cars via cargo planes rather than traditional ground methods. This specialized service is typically reserved for high-value vehicles such as luxury cars, classic automobiles, or exotic sports cars.