Container vs RoRo: shipping your car from China
The two ways a car crosses the ocean, and how to pick per order size and route.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-14
The two methods
| Container | Car secured inside a 20ft (1 car) or 40ft (2–4 cars) box; sealed door to door |
|---|---|
| RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) | Car is driven onto a specialised vessel and parked on deck; charged per unit |
How to choose
- 1 car, RoRo route exists → RoRo is usually simplest and competitive.
- 1 car, no RoRo on your route → shared container (your car shares a 40ft with others heading to the same port).
- 2–4 cars → your own 40ft container is typically the best per-unit economics and the most schedule-flexible.
- 5+ cars → compare multiple containers vs RoRo block bookings — we quote both through freight partners.
Container loading: what actually happens at the port
A 40ft high-cube container typically fits 3–4 sedans or 2–3 SUVs, depending on dimensions. Vehicles are driven in and lashed to the container floor at multiple anchor points to prevent movement at sea. The container is sealed, and the seal number is recorded on the Bill of Lading — this is how you verify at the destination that the container was not opened in transit.
For the Toyota Corolla Cross or similar compact SUVs, a 40ft container holds 3 units comfortably. Sedans like the Geely Emgrand fit 4 per container, which is where the per-unit freight economics are strongest.
What affects the freight price
Route and distance, current container/vehicle-carrier market rates (they move with seasons and global demand), vehicle dimensions (an SUV takes more loadable space than a sedan), and destination port handling. Freight is on the buyer's side under FOB terms — but a good exporter gets comparative quotes from freight partners and advises the best option rather than leaving you alone with it.
Freight is one of several cost layers between the FOB quote and a car cleared at your port. For the full picture, see our total landed cost guide.
Transit times: what to expect
Transit times vary by route and are always subject to vessel schedule, but rough order of magnitude from major Chinese ports:
| Middle East (Jeddah, Dammam) | 2–3 weeks |
|---|---|
| North Africa (Algiers, Casablanca) | 3–4 weeks |
| West Africa (Lagos, Tema) | 4–5 weeks |
| East Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam) | 3–4 weeks |
| Central Asia (via overland) | Varies, typically 2–4 weeks |
These are port-to-port estimates — add preparation time before loading and clearance time after arrival. We confirm realistic timelines per order from our freight partners; be wary of anyone promising an exact date before the vessel is booked.
EVs and hybrids: one extra step
Vehicles with lithium batteries ship under dangerous-goods (DG) declarations. It is routine — thousands of EVs cross the ocean monthly — but it adds documentation, sometimes cost, and not every vessel accepts DG cargo, which can affect schedule choice. Flag the powertrain early so the booking is made on the right service.
Insurance
Under FOB, marine insurance is the buyer's to arrange and costs a small fraction of the cargo value. Insure from loading port to destination; your broker or our freight partner can place it. Skipping insurance to save a small premium against a vehicle-sized loss is the worst trade in this business.
How we handle shipping
We work with freight forwarder partners on established routes to the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia. When you confirm a purchase, we get comparative quotes for container and RoRo (where available) to your destination port, and recommend the better option based on your quantity, vehicle types and route. Booking, lashing, DG documentation for EVs, and coordinate with your side for arrival — all handled as part of the process. Start with your requirements and we'll quote the shipping alongside the vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, container or RoRo?
It depends on quantity and route. RoRo charges per vehicle and wins when the route has regular car-carrier service; a shared or full container wins when you ship 2–4 cars together and split one box. For a single car on a route without RoRo service, a shared container is usually the practical answer.
Is my car safer in a container?
Generally yes: the car is lashed inside a sealed box, untouched between loading and your port. RoRo cars are driven on and off by port crews and travel in open decks of the carrier — the industry standard for new cars worldwide, but with slightly more handling. For high-value vehicles, container is the conservative choice.
Can personal items or spare parts ship inside the car?
Policies differ by line and destination customs — many prohibit it entirely, and undeclared items can trigger inspection delays and fines. Ask before assuming; the safe default is an empty car.
How far in advance is the sailing booked?
Bookings are made once the car is at the port and export formalities are clear; the actual departure depends on the line's schedule. This is why serious exporters quote "estimated weeks, subject to vessel schedule" rather than a fixed date.
Disclaimer: import regulations change and are applied by the destination country's customs at the time of clearance. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal advice — always confirm current rules with your local customs broker before paying a deposit. Under FOB terms, import compliance and clearance are the buyer's responsibility; we flag obvious issues (such as vehicle age limits) before you commit.