If your car is in New York or New Jersey, you are in a good spot to ship it from. The port is on your doorstep, the sailing is one of the shortest we run from the US, and the route map for American cars starts right here. The one thing worth a second look is the paperwork, especially on an older New York car.
This guide covers what is particular to the New York area. The full process, from collection to DVLA registration, is in our guide to shipping a car from the USA.
- Port
- New York and New Jersey
- Guide shipping price
- From £1,450 (USA)
- Time at sea
- Around 2 weeks from the East Coast
- Import tax
- 10% duty + 20% VAT
One port, two states
Our main US ports are New York, Savannah, Houston and Oakland, and My Car Import lists them as the most common collection ports. New York is the one for the North East.
The Port of New York and New Jersey covers the harbour around New York City and north-east New Jersey, overseen by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Its vehicle terminals are actually on the New Jersey side, at Port Newark, Elizabeth and Port Jersey in Jersey City, and cars mostly travel on roll-on roll-off ships.
So whether the car is in Manhattan, Long Island, Newark or the Jersey Shore, it is heading for the same harbour.
A short trip to the port
We collect from anywhere in the USA and truck the car to the port, with open or enclosed transport, insured on the way. You do not need to be there. Give us the address and a contact, whether it is a dealer, a storage garage or a private seller's drive.
The inland leg is part of the price, and in the New York area it is usually short. That is one reason a car near the harbour costs less to get to the ship than one halfway across the country. Our guide to the cost of shipping a car from the USA goes into what else moves the figure.
RoRo or container from New York
Sailings from the East Coast take around 2 weeks at sea, about half the West Coast time. Allow about 2 weeks before that for paperwork, the export filing and loading.
| Feature | RoRo | Shared container |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Generally a little quicker | Can take slightly longer |
| Car must run | Yes | No |
| Sealed in transit | No | Yes, until our team opens it |
| Best for | Everyday cars that drive | Classics, high-value cars, non-runners |
Vehicles through the New York terminals mostly go by RoRo, which suits a car that runs and drives. A container is the safer choice for a classic or something valuable, and it comes straight to our site to be unloaded. Our comparison of container, RoRo and air has the full picture.
Older New York cars have no title
US Customs needs the original title, or a certified copy, at least 72 hours before export. Our guide to US export rules covers the detail. In New York there is a catch for classics.
The New York DMV does not issue titles for cars, trucks and vans of model year 1972 or older. For those, the transferable registration is the ownership document. So an older New York car will not come with a title at all, and that is normal.
What it means for you is simple: get the transferable registration from the seller, plus the bill of sale, and send us copies before collection so our US agents can check them. Our guide to importing a classic American car covers the rest of a classic import.
Buying a pre-1973 car in New York? Ask for the transferable registration, not a title. Send us a copy early and we will confirm what the export needs before the car is collected.
Any car with a loan or lease on it needs a letter from the lender as well. Our guide to shipping a car with finance outstanding explains what it has to include.
Your New York or New Jersey paperwork
0 of 5 done
Once it lands
We clear the car through customs as HMRC CDS authorised agents and make the NOVA notification. Then it gets the changes American cars need: amber rear indicators, side markers, a rear fog light and headlights set up for driving on the left. Our guide to converting an American car for UK roads covers each one.
A car under 10 years old takes an IVA test on our own lane, one between 10 and 40 takes an MOT, and one over 40 needs no MOT. A pre-1973 car is well past 40, so it falls in that last group. We then register the car with the DVLA through our dealer-level account, usually within 10 working days.
What it costs
As a guide, built from a year of real jobs, shipping from the USA starts from around £1,450. That is shipping only. Import tax, registration, other services and the work to make the car road legal are on top.
A car from the USA pays 10% import duty and 20% import VAT, worked out on the price plus shipping. A car over 30 years old pays 5% VAT and no duty, which covers every pre-1973 car. If you are moving here, Transfer of Residence can mean no tax at all. The import tax calculator gives you a rough figure.
Questions people ask
Which port do cars from New York and New Jersey ship from?
The Port of New York and New Jersey. Its vehicle terminals are at Port Newark, Elizabeth and Port Jersey in Jersey City, on the New Jersey side of the harbour.
How long does it take to ship a car from New York to the UK?
Around 2 weeks at sea from the East Coast, plus about 2 weeks before sailing for paperwork and loading. Customs, conversion, testing and registration follow.
My New York classic has no title. Can it still be exported?
New York does not issue titles for cars of model year 1972 or older, and the transferable registration is the ownership document. Send us a copy early and we will confirm what the export needs.
Is RoRo or container better from New York?
Vehicles through the New York terminals mostly go by RoRo, which is generally a little quicker but needs a car that runs. A container is the safer choice for classics and valuable cars.
How much does it cost to ship a car from New York?
Shipping from the USA starts from around £1,450 as a guide, for shipping only. Import tax, registration and any work the car needs are on top.
Found a car in New York or New Jersey? Send us the details on the quote form and we'll price the whole journey to your door.
