Container car shipping – across the ocean
We ship your car by sea inside a sealed, enclosed container. We run regular routes between Canada, the USA and Turkey; in Europe a container pays off for several cars or a car shipped with belongings.
Request a quote
Fill in the details and a ready-made WhatsApp message opens. We usually reply with a firm price within 30 minutes.
Not an open deck – an enclosed container
A vehicle crossing the ocean spends weeks exposed to salt air, waves and port traffic. A container keeps your car sealed off for the entire journey: it is secured inside a steel container and the doors are sealed.
Before loading, the car's condition is recorded in photos; on arrival you compare it against the same record. The container is insured from the moment it is loaded onto the ship until it reaches the destination port.
North American routes
Our regular routes are Toronto, New York and Los Angeles. From other cities we arrange inland transport to the port on request.
| Route | Port to port | Door to door | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto ↔ Turkey | 17–30 days | 5–10 weeks | Toronto |
| New York ↔ Turkey | 17–30 days | 5–10 weeks | New York |
| Los Angeles ↔ Turkey | 17–30 days | 5–10 weeks | Los Angeles |
| Canada (other cities) | 17–30 days | On quote | Canada |
| USA (other cities) | 17–30 days | On quote | USA |
Exact timing depends on shipping-line schedules and on customs processing, which is outside our control.
From Europe by sea
For a single car within Europe, road transport is usually faster and simpler. For several cars, a car shipped with belongings, or far-away places such as northern Europe and Scandinavia, sea transport is worth comparing. Main departure ports are Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam and Antwerp, and Trieste and Marseille-Fos on the Mediterranean.
Besides containers there are RoRo services, where the car is driven onto the ship on its own wheels. Based on current RoRo schedules, sailings take 3–7 days from Mediterranean ports (Trieste, Toulon, Barcelona) and 7–12 days from northern ports (Hamburg, Rotterdam, Antwerp). We compare the options in your quote.
Arrival ports in Turkey are Ambarlı (Istanbul), Izmir and Mersin; onward road delivery to any city can be arranged.
Container shipping step by step
Quote and eligibility
We discuss import eligibility for your vehicle's age and direction up front.
Pickup
We collect the car or you drop it at the port; its condition is photographed.
Loading
The car is loaded and secured, and the container is sealed.
Ocean transit
Usually 17–30 days port to port, with loading and voyage updates on WhatsApp.
Arrival
We hand the car to your customs broker at the arrival port; customs and inland delivery can take 1–3 weeks.
Who does what
In international car shipping, most surprises happen at customs. Before you book, we want you to know exactly where our job ends.
What UZCAN does
- Transport planning: car carrier truck or container and vessel booking
- Photo-documented condition at pickup
- Insurance throughout transport
- WhatsApp updates at key stages
- Checking your paperwork before departure
What you or your customs broker do
- Deregistering the car in the departure country (if required)
- Checking vehicle age and import eligibility
- Customs declarations, duties and fees
- Individual vehicle approval in Turkey, if required
In Turkey, duty-free import is only possible for vehicles under 3 years old with definitive-return status; temporary-import rules for residents abroad are separate. We recommend speaking with a licensed customs broker before booking. Read our customs guide
Vehicle age rules
In Turkey, duty-free import is only possible for vehicles under 3 years old with definitive-return status; every other vehicle needs individual vehicle approval on the Turkish side.
From Turkey to Canada, Transport Canada generally requires the vehicle to be at least 15 years old. To use the standard exemption in the USA, a vehicle generally needs to be at least 25 years old. See our guide to importing 15-year-old cars to Canada and 25-year-old cars to the USA.
Frequently asked questions
How long does container car shipping take?
Between North America and Turkey, usually 17–30 days port to port, plus 1–3 weeks for customs and inland delivery – 5–10 weeks door to door.
Do you handle customs and taxes?
No. We manage the container booking, insurance and tracking. Customs declarations, import duties (including higher ÖTV brackets for large engines in Turkey) and any individual vehicle approval are your or your customs broker's responsibility.
Can I put belongings in the container?
Sometimes, but everything must be declared at customs and the rules vary by country. Tell us what you want to send when you ask for a quote.
Can a non-running car be loaded into a container?
In most cases yes, with the right equipment. Tell us the condition when you ask for a quote.
Container or RoRo?
A container carries the car fully enclosed and sealed; with RoRo the car is driven onto the ship and it is usually cheaper. On our North American routes we use enclosed containers.
Ready to ship your vehicle?
Send us your route and vehicle, and we'll get back to you with a firm price.