A Master Guide to Shipping Vehicles Globally

The global transportation of vehicles, from classic cars and motorhomes to commercial trucks & trailers or industrial forklifts, is a specialist logistics operation. Each vehicle type presents unique challenges, from handling and securing to complex customs compliance. A high-value classic car cannot be treated the same as a fleet of construction vehicles. An error in securing a vehicle inside a container can lead to catastrophic damage, while a customs error for a temporary import can result in massive, unexpected tax penalties.

This type of transport demands a logistics partner with proven, hands-on expertise across all vehicle types. Ocean Cargo, with over 25 years of experience in automotive logistics and project cargo, provides this specialist, end-to-end service. We manage the entire process, from selecting the optimal transport mode (Ro-Ro vs. Container) to navigating complex Temporary Import rules, ensuring your vehicle arrives safely, on schedule, and fully compliant.

The Core Challenge: Transport Mode & Customs Compliance

The two most critical decisions in vehicle shipping are how to ship it and *how* to declare it at customs. Ocean Cargo provides expert guidance on both.

Transport Mode 1: Roll-On/Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) - The Preferred Method

This is the preferred, safest, and most cost-effective solution for almost all operable vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorhomes, and forklifts.

• How it Works: The vehicle is driven (or "rolled") onto a specialised, multi-deck vessel, like a giant, enclosed car ferry, and parked. A team of specialist stevedores then expertly lash the vehicle to the deck.
• Advantages:
  1. No Lifting: It eliminates all high-risk lifting at the ports.
  2. Weatherproof Protection: All cargo is stowed on the vessel’s enclosed, secure decks, fully protected from saltwater, spray, and the elements.
  3. Cost-Effective: Pricing is simple, based on the vehicle’s CBM (cubic metres) or "lane metres."

Transport Mode 2: Container Shipping (FCL)

This is the specialist solution for high-value cars, non-running vehicles, or shipments to destinations without a Ro-Ro service.

• Application: Ideal for high-value classic cars, race cars, or for shipping personal effects *with* the vehicle.
• How it Works: The vehicle is driven into or rolled into a 20ft or 40ft sea container. It is then meticulously secured for an ocean voyage.
• The Securing Process: This is a highly skilled process. A car’s handbrake and "Park" gear are useless on a ship. Our specialist teams:
  1. Position the car and place timber chocks in front of and behind each wheel.
  2. Nail these chocks to the container’s wooden floor.
  3. Use 4-8 heavy-duty ratchet straps to lash the wheels (usually via the suspension wishbones or tow-eyes) to the container’s strong lashing points. This "pulls" the car down into its suspension, making it one with the container and preventing any movement.

Customs Compliance: Temporary Imports (ATA Carnet)

This is a critical, high-value compliance step. If your vehicle is not being permanently sold, you must not pay permanent import duties and VAT (which can be 20-100%+ of the vehicle’s value).

• The Scenario: Your vehicle is being shipped for tourism (e.g., a motorhome or caravan tour), a classic car rally, a racing event, or a film shoot.
• The Solution: Ocean Cargo manages the "Temporary Import" (TI) customs procedure. The easiest and most common way is by using an ATA Carnet (a "passport for goods"). We secure this document, which allows the vehicle to enter a country (or multiple countries) for up to one year with all import duties and taxes suspended, simply by stamping the carnet at each border.

How Ocean Cargo Manages Vehicle Logistics End-to-End

Ocean Cargo provides a complete, door-to-door project management service. We act as your single point of accountability. Our process is built on 25+ years of experience and is designed to de-risk your entire supply chain.

1. Initial Enquiry & Quotation: You contact us with the vehicle’s details (make, model, dimensions, weight) and its purpose (e.g., permanent sale or temporary tour). Our team provides a detailed quote for the best mode (e.g., Ro-Ro).
2. Booking and Planning: Upon your acceptance, we book the vessel space. If it's a temporary import, our customs team begins the ATA Carnet application.
3. Preparation & Collection: We manage the critical preparation and collection phases. This includes:
   • Biosecurity Cleaning: For used forklifts or agricultural/construction vehicles, we manage the mandatory industrial steam clean to pass quarantine inspections.
   • Preparation: Ensuring the vehicle has minimal fuel (for Ro-Ro) and that batteries are disconnected (for container shipping).
   • Collection: Arranging for a car carrier or low-loader trailer to collect the vehicle.
4. Export Formalities: Our in-house customs compliance team prepares and files the export declaration and ensures the ATA Carnet is correctly stamped on exit.
5. Port Operations and Sea Transit: The vehicle is delivered to the port and professionally driven (Ro-Ro) or lashed into its container. We monitor the voyage 24/7 and provide you with tracking updates.
6. Import Clearance: Before arrival, our partners at the destination use the pre-lodged documents (e.g., ATA Carnet) to file the import declaration, ensuring immediate customs release.
7. Final Delivery: Once cleared, the vehicle is loaded onto local transport (or driven, for Ro-Ro) and delivered directly to the final dealership, project site, or event.
8. Proof of Delivery (POD): We provide a final POD confirming your vehicle has arrived safely.

Specialist Vehicle Considerations

Ocean Cargo's expertise covers all vehicle types, each with unique requirements.

Cars (Classic, Luxury, Racing)

• Method: Container shipping is often preferred for high-value or non-running cars to provide maximum security and protection.
• Compliance: ATA Carnets are essential for international racing circuits or classic car rallies.

Trucks, Trailers, Motorhomes & Caravans

• Method: Ro-Ro is the dominant and most cost-effective method. The price is calculated on the total cubic metres (CBM) or "lane metres" the unit occupies.
• Compliance: Temporary Imports (ATA Carnet) are critical for motorhome and caravan tours, helping owners avoid devastating import taxes.

Forklifts & Industrial Vehicles

• Method: Can be shipped either Ro-Ro or, if OOG, lifted onto a flat rack container.
• Compliance (Biosecurity): This is the key risk. Like construction equipment, used forklifts from farms or building sites are a high biosecurity risk. They must undergo industrial steam cleaning to remove all soil and organic matter before shipping to countries with strict quarantine rules (e.g., Australia/New Zealand). Failure to do so will result in costly quarantine and cleaning at the destination.

Risk Mitigation and Insurance

Given the high value of vehicles, risk management is essential.

• Expert Securing: As described, our expertise in lashing wheels inside containers and securing vehicles to Ro-Ro decks is a key risk-mitigation skill.
• Comprehensive Cargo Insurance: Standard carrier liability is minimal and will not cover the value of your vehicle. Ocean Cargo offers comprehensive, all-risk cargo insurance policies underwritten specifically for vehicles to protect your investment from door to door.

Digital Visibility, Milestones, and Communication

When your high-value asset is in transit, transparent and proactive communication is essential. Ocean Cargo provides a dedicated 24/7 project manager as your single point of contact, ensuring you always speak to someone who knows your shipment’s exact status.

Key Tracking Milestones

Our system tracks every critical event, including:

• Booking Confirmation: Your transport mode (Ro-Ro or Container) is confirmed.
• Compliance Complete: Your ATA Carnet is secured (if applicable).
• Biosecurity Cleaning Complete: For forklifts, we provide photographic evidence that the unit is clean.
• Cargo Collected: Your vehicle is on its way to the port.
• Secured at Port: We provide confirmation that the unit is safely lashed in its container or stowed on the Ro-Ro vessel.
• Vessel Departed: Your cargo is on the water.
• Vessel Arrived: Your cargo has reached the destination port.
• Import Customs Cleared: Your shipment has been released by local customs.
• On-Carriage for Delivery: The final-mile transport is loaded and en route.
• Proof of Delivery (POD): The shipment is complete, and a signed POD is available.

Sustainability Levers in Vehicle Transport

Ocean Cargo is committed to providing responsible logistics solutions. We support your sustainability goals by:

• Ro-Ro Preference: We prefer Ro-Ro carriers, which are among the most efficient and modern vessels in the global fleet, offering significant emissions savings compared to Lo-Lo and air options.
• Container Optimisation: For container shipping, our expert teams can often safely load two cars into a single 40ft container (using a secure racking system), doubling the efficiency and halving the carbon footprint per car.
• Carrier Selection: We partner with shipping lines and carriers that are investing heavily in sustainability, from using Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) to pioneering new technologies like LNG-powered vessels.