How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car Overseas?

When you’re buying a car from the USA, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: “How long will it take to arrive?”

The answer depends on several key factors — from your destination and shipping method, to customs clearance and port schedules. In this guide, we’ll break down the full timeline so you know exactly what to expect when shipping your car internationally.

After purchasing a vehicle from an auction or dealership, the seller must release the title. This process can take a few days depending on the auction house (Copart, IAAI, etc.) and whether the title is ready.

 

Once the car is released, it’s transported to our All Cargo Export warehouse.

At this stage we:

•Inspect the vehicle

•Clean it

•Photograph it for records

•Prepare it for loading (container or RORO)

We load the vehicle into a container (or schedule RORO), depending on your choice:

•Container shipping allows for loading multiple vehicles and/or spare parts

•RORO (Roll-on, Roll-off) is usually faster for single cars

After loading, the container is trucked to the Port of Savannah (or another East Coast port).

Shipping lines depart on fixed schedules — usually once or twice per week.

If your container misses the first cut-off, there may be a wait of a few extra days.

Once your container arrives, the receiving company or customs broker in the destination country handles:

•Port clearance

•Duties & taxes

•Unloading and handover to the client

How to Avoid Delays?

•Choose a professional exporter with experience

•Make sure the title is ready at time of purchase

•Respond quickly to paperwork requests

•Use verified brokers in your destination country

Reach out to All Cargo Export — we’ll give you exact transit timelines based on your vehicle, destination, and shipping method.