How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car from the USA to Europe?

24.04.2025

If you're planning to ship a car from the USA to Europe, one of your first questions is probably: How long will it take?
Good news — the process is faster and more predictable than you might expect, especially when working with a trusted logistics partner like All Cargo Export.

Here’s everything you need to know about the shipping timeline.

Average Shipping Times

Typical transit times from the USA to major European ports:

Route Shipping Method Estimated Transit Time
East Coast USA → Bremerhaven, Germany Container / RoRo 12–18 days
East Coast USA → Rotterdam, Netherlands Container / RoRo 13–19 days
West Coast USA → Southampton, UK Container 25–35 days
Gulf Coast USA → Antwerp, Belgium Container / RoRo 14–20 days


Important: These are ocean transit times only and do not include inland transportation or customs clearance.

Key Factors That Affect Shipping Time

Several variables can influence how long your vehicle takes to reach Europe:

  1. Departure Port Location
    East Coast ports like New York, Baltimore, and Savannah have faster access to Europe than West Coast ports.

  2. Destination Country
    Northern Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium) tends to have the fastest shipping connections from the U.S.

  3. Shipping Method (RoRo vs Container)

  • RoRo ships have more frequent departures but slightly longer loading/unloading times.

  • Container shipping might wait for consolidation (if LCL — less than container load).

  1. Peak Seasons and Holidays
    Shipping volumes are higher during summer months and end-of-year holidays, potentially causing slight delays.

  2. Weather Conditions
    Severe storms in the Atlantic can sometimes affect sailing schedules.

  3. Customs and Port Congestion
    Busy ports or random inspections can add 2–5 days to your delivery time.

     

    Besides ocean travel, factor in:

    • Inland transport (if the car needs pickup from your location) — 1–7 days

    • Export customs clearance in the U.S. — 1–2 days

    • Import customs clearance in Europe — 1–5 days, depending on country

    At All Cargo Export, we handle all customs processes for you to avoid unnecessary delays.

Why Choose All Cargo Export?

  • Regural departures to major European ports

  • Fast customs clearance support

  • Real-time shipment tracking

  • Experience with both individual and dealer shipments

Whether you’re shipping one car or a full container, we’ll make sure your vehicle arrives safely and on time.

 

Ready to Start?

Request a free, no-obligation quote today!