International Car Export Cost in Fort Lauderdale
Exporting a car internationally from Fort Lauderdale typically costs between $1,000 and $5,000 per vehicle. Roll-on/roll-off shipping sits at the low end, container shipping at the high end, and the final figure depends on your destination country, vehicle size, and whether you add door-to-door pickup, marine insurance, and customs documentation.
- Most Fort Lauderdale export quotes land in the $1,000 to $5,000 range per vehicle, before destination duties.
- Roll-on/roll-off is the cheapest option; a dedicated container is the most expensive and the most protective.
- Destination country is the single biggest cost variable, ahead of vehicle size.
- Marine insurance is usually quoted as a percentage of declared value, not a flat fee.
- Your inland leg to the port is a separate line item from ocean freight.
What Actually Determines Your Export Cost
Two cars leaving the same South Florida port in the same week can be quoted thousands of dollars apart. The gap almost never comes down to one thing. It comes from a short list of variables that stack on top of each other.
When you request a quote for International Car Export, expect the price to move on these factors:
- Shipping method. Roll-on/roll-off means your car is driven aboard a vessel and secured on a deck. Container shipping means it is loaded, braced, and sealed inside a steel box. The method you choose is the largest single lever on price.
- Destination port and country. A high-volume lane with frequent sailings costs less per vehicle than a low-volume lane served a few times a month.
- Vehicle size and weight. Ocean freight is often priced on cubic measurement. A full-size SUV or lifted truck occupies far more billable space than a compact sedan.
- Vehicle condition. A non-running vehicle needs winching and extra handling at both ends, which adds cost.
- Declared value. Insurance is typically a percentage of what the car is worth, so a collector car costs more to cover than a ten-year-old commuter.
Typical Cost Ranges by Shipping Method
The table below shows the general market ranges you will encounter when pricing an export out of South Florida. These are industry-wide figures for planning purposes, not a rate sheet. Your own number depends on the lane and the vehicle.
| Method | Typical general cost range | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) | $1,000 – $2,500 | Running standard cars, budget-focused shippers |
| Shared container | $1,500 – $3,000 | Single vehicles that need enclosed protection at a moderate price |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,500 – $5,000 | High-value, classic, or modified vehicles shipped alone |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,500 – $6,000 | Two vehicles moved together, or one oversized vehicle |
The Inland Leg: Getting Your Car to the Port
Ocean freight is only half the picture. Your vehicle still has to reach the vessel, and that leg is quoted separately from the sailing itself.
Open transport
Moving a car on an open carrier is the standard, cost-effective way to reach the port from anywhere in Broward County. For short runs from Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach, Davie, Sunrise, Plantation, Miramar, or Weston, this is usually a modest line item relative to the ocean freight.
Enclosed transport
If you are already paying for a dedicated container because the car is valuable, it rarely makes sense to expose it to road grit on the way to the port. Enclosed transport generally carries a meaningful premium over open transport, and most owners of collector, exotic, or freshly restored vehicles consider it money well spent.
Anccartransport also offers door-to-door single truck service, which keeps your vehicle on one truck from your driveway to delivery instead of being handled repeatedly along the way. Fewer handoffs means fewer opportunities for damage.
Costs People Forget to Budget For
The quote you get for freight is not the total amount you will spend. Plan for these additional items so the final invoice does not surprise you.
- Export documentation and filing. Title clearance and the required export filing are typically handled as a separate administrative charge.
- Marine insurance. Usually quoted as a small percentage of declared value rather than a flat rate. Confirm the deductible and what is excluded.
- Port and handling charges. Loading, securing, and origin handling may appear as their own lines.
- Destination charges. Import duty, VAT, clearance, and local delivery are paid on the receiving end and are set by that country, not by your carrier.
Destination duties deserve special attention. In some countries, import tax alone can exceed the entire cost of shipping the car there. Research that number before you commit to the move.
How to Compare Export Quotes Fairly
When you collect quotes, make sure you are comparing the same scope of work. A cheaper number often just means fewer services are included.
- Ask whether the price includes the inland move to the port or only ocean freight.
- Confirm whether insurance is included, optional, or excluded entirely.
- Check whether destination charges are quoted, estimated, or left to you.
- Ask what happens if the vehicle is non-running at pickup.
- Get the vehicle dimensions confirmed, since cubic measurement drives container pricing.
Get an Accurate Export Quote for Your Vehicle
A precise number requires three details: the vehicle year, make, and model, your pickup address in the Fort Lauderdale area, and the destination port. With those in hand, the range above narrows to an actual price.
Anccartransport handles international car export alongside open, enclosed, motorcycle, and automobile transport across Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding Broward communities. Reach out through anccartransport.com with your vehicle details and destination, and we will walk you through the options and what each one costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to export a car from Fort Lauderdale?
Most international car exports from the Fort Lauderdale area fall in the general range of $1,000 to $5,000 per vehicle. Roll-on/roll-off shipping is the lowest-cost method and a dedicated container is the highest.
Is container shipping worth the extra cost over RoRo?
For a standard running vehicle, roll-on/roll-off usually delivers the best value. For a classic, exotic, modified, or non-running car, a container is worth the premium because the vehicle is sealed and braced for the entire voyage.
Does the export quote include getting my car to the port?
Not always, so confirm it up front. The inland move from your home in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Davie, or a nearby city is a separate line item from ocean freight on most quotes.
What makes one destination country more expensive than another?
Sailing frequency and volume on that lane are the main drivers, so a busy route costs less per car than a route served only a few times a month. Import duties at the destination are set by that country and are paid separately.
Can you export a car that does not run?
Yes, non-running vehicles can be exported, but they require winching and extra handling at both ends. Tell your coordinator up front so the added handling is priced into your quote.