Shipping Cars from Miami to the Caribbean: RoRo vs. Container (2026)

There are two ways to ship a car from Miami to the Caribbean: roll-on/roll-off (RoRo), where the vehicle is driven onto a specialized vessel, and containerized shipping, where it is secured inside a 20′ or 40′ box. RoRo is usually cheaper and simpler for a running vehicle; a container costs more but lets you ship personal goods with the car and adds protection. Either way, U.S. law requires you to present the vehicle and its original title to CBP at least 72 business hours before export.

RoRo vs. container at a glance

RoRo (roll-on/roll-off)

Your car is driven onto the vessel and lashed below deck. Pros: lower cost, simple tariff, frequent sailings from South Florida to major islands. Cons: the vehicle must run (or be towable), nothing can be shipped inside it, and departures are limited to RoRo-capable ports.

Container shipping

The car is loaded into a container on a rack or blocked and braced by professionals — see our vehicle loading service. Pros: you can consolidate household goods or parts around the vehicle, it’s protected from weather and handling, and two small cars can share a 40′ box to split cost. Cons: higher price and loading/unloading labor at both ends.

The 72-hour CBP export rule

Used self-propelled vehicles exported from the U.S. must be presented to CBP with the original certificate of title (or a certified copy) at least 72 business hours before the vessel sails, and an EEI must be filed in AES. Liens must be released in writing by the lienholder. Miss the window and your car rolls to the next sailing — build the 72 hours into your plan.

Which islands, which method?

High-volume lanes from Miami and Port Everglades — the Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the eastern Caribbean — see both RoRo and weekly container service; shallow-draft Miami River vessels also carry vehicles to smaller island ports. If you’re combining a car with a household move to the Bahamas or elsewhere, a container is usually the better tool. For boats and yachts, see our marine transport guide.

Costs and island-side duties in 2026

RoRo to nearby islands is priced per unit; containers are a flat box rate plus loading. Budget for U.S.-side wharfage and handling, plus destination charges. Caribbean import duties on vehicles are significant — often 40% to well over 100% of the car’s value depending on the island, engine size, and age limits (several islands restrict imports of older used cars). Confirm your island’s rules before you buy the car, not after.

How Go Freight handles vehicle exports

From 3300 NW 110 St, Miami, FL 33167, we receive vehicles, photograph condition, handle the CBP title presentation and AES filing, and either book RoRo space or professionally load and secure the car in a container with your other cargo. One team, one invoice, door to port.

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need to export a car from Miami?

The original title (lien-free or with a notarized lien release), a bill of sale, and your ID. Your forwarder files the EEI in AES and presents the vehicle and title to CBP at least 72 business hours before sailing.

Can I put belongings inside the car when shipping?

Not on RoRo — vessels require the vehicle to be empty. In a container, yes: goods can be packed and secured around the vehicle, which is why families relocating often choose containerized shipping.

Is RoRo or a container cheaper for one car?

RoRo is usually the cheapest way to move a single running vehicle. A container wins when you’re also shipping household goods, moving a non-runner, or sharing a 40-foot box between two cars.

Shipping a vehicle to the islands? Get a quote at go-freight.io/quote or call (786) 445-0150.