Is It Cheaper to Ship a Car in a Container or via RoRo to South Africa?

The first time I researched shipping a car to South Africa, I thought the answer would be simple: just find the cheapest option. But after a few late-night phone calls with freight agents and some very confusing email quotes, I realized the question—“Is it cheaper to ship a car in a container or via RoRo?”—doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer.

It’s tempting to assume that RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off) is always the budget choice, since the name alone suggests a no-frills service. But when I dug deeper, I discovered that container shipping can sometimes rival RoRo in cost, especially if you’re shipping more than one car or adding household goods. And that’s where the decision gets tricky.

If you’re curious about which option makes more sense for South Africa—whether you’re eyeing Durban, Cape Town, or Port Elizabeth—let’s walk through the real numbers, the hidden costs, and the situations where one option might actually save you more than the other.

A Quick Refresher: What Do RoRo and Container Shipping Actually Mean?

For anyone new to this world, let’s start with basics.

RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off): Cars are literally driven onto the ship, secured in a massive garage-like deck, and then driven off at the destination. No cranes, no heavy lifting. It’s the maritime version of a drive-thru.

Container shipping: Your car is loaded inside a sealed metal box, usually 20ft or 40ft long. A 20ft container fits one car. A 40ft container can take two average-sized cars or one car plus household goods. Think of it as paying for a moving truck, except the truck floats across the ocean.

On paper, RoRo is supposed to be cheaper. But there are exceptions, and that’s where things get interesting.

The Case for RoRo: Budget-Friendly and Straightforward

When I asked a shipping agent in Baltimore what most people pick for South Africa, his answer was immediate: “RoRo. It’s the bread and butter of car shipping.”

Why RoRo Costs Less (Most of the Time)

RoRo’s efficiency keeps costs down. There’s no need to build braces or load containers with forklifts—cars are simply driven on and parked. This saves on labor, time, and equipment.

Typical RoRo rates from U.S. East Coast ports (like Newark or Baltimore) to Durban hover around $1,200 to $1,600 for a sedan. SUVs and pickup trucks usually fall between $1,500 and $2,000.

Faster Turnaround

RoRo ships run on fixed schedules, like airlines. If you miss one sailing, another is usually coming soon. Transit from the East Coast to Durban is roughly four to five weeks. From the West Coast, add another couple of weeks.

Simple if You’re Only Shipping a Car

If you’re just sending a single, running vehicle—say a 2014 Toyota Corolla or a Ford Ranger—RoRo is hassle-free. Drop it off at the port, and that’s pretty much it.

But simplicity sometimes has trade-offs, especially if you’re shipping something valuable or want to send personal items along with your car.

The Downsides of RoRo

RoRo is cheaper, but you give up some things.

No personal items: Shipping lines are strict—you can’t load spare parts, luggage, or furniture inside the car. They’ll refuse it.

Exposure: Cars aren’t sealed in containers. While they’re protected in the ship’s interior, they’re still exposed to humidity, sea air, and human handling. A scratch here, a missing stereo knob there—it happens.

Not ideal for luxury vehicles: If you’re shipping a late-model BMW X5, Mercedes, or even a Tesla, RoRo feels a bit like leaving your car parked in a giant, unsupervised garage for a month. Some people sleep fine with that risk; others don’t.

I used RoRo once for an older Honda Accord. It was cheap and worked out fine, but I wouldn’t have used the same method for my friend’s Range Rover Sport.

The Case for Container Shipping: More Expensive, but Not Always

Container shipping has its own loyal following, especially among families relocating or people sending higher-value cars.

Extra Protection

The car is sealed inside a steel container, safe from sea spray, dust, and most accidental damage. For high-end or collector vehicles, this peace of mind is priceless.

Ship More Than Just a Car

Here’s the kicker: container shipping lets you load household goods or spare parts along with the car. A 40ft container can hold two cars or a car plus furniture, electronics, and whatever else you need to move. That’s where container shipping sometimes beats RoRo on overall cost.

Flexibility in Ports

While RoRo tends to focus heavily on Durban, containerized cargo can move to multiple South African ports—Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth—depending on the line.

The Downsides of Container Shipping

Of course, containers aren’t perfect either.

Higher Base Cost: A single car in a 20ft container can run $2,200 to $3,000 from the U.S. to Durban. That’s nearly double RoRo.

Longer Handling Time: It takes extra days to load and secure cars inside containers with wooden braces and straps. On arrival, customs has to break the seal and inspect.

Port and Customs Fees: Container clearance in South Africa often involves extra fees—handling, storage, and inspection—that add hundreds to the final bill.

I helped a cousin ship his BMW 3 Series in a 20ft container once. The car arrived spotless, but the overall bill was around $3,600 after fees—nearly twice what RoRo would have cost. He didn’t regret it, but it wasn’t cheap.

So, Which One Is Cheaper?

Now for the part you’ve been waiting for. Let’s break it down with some real-world examples.

Example 1: Shipping One Sedan

RoRo: $1,300

Container (20ft): $2,500

Winner: RoRo—by a wide margin.

Example 2: Shipping Two SUVs

RoRo: $1,800 each = $3,600 total

Container (40ft): $3,800 total

Winner: Container—you save a few hundred, plus get extra protection.

Example 3: Shipping One Luxury Car + Household Goods

RoRo: Not possible (personal items prohibited)

Container (40ft): $3,500 – $4,000

Winner: Container—even though it costs more, it’s the only option that allows belongings.

As you can see, “cheaper” depends on what you’re shipping. One average car? RoRo wins. Two cars or a car plus goods? Container can suddenly look like a bargain.

Hidden Costs People Forget

A lot of first-time shippers focus on the U.S. shipping fee and forget about South African charges. These can shift the math.

Customs duties: South Africa charges import duties and VAT, usually calculated at around 30–40% of the car’s value plus shipping.

Port handling: Containers often rack up higher terminal handling charges than RoRo.

Storage fees: If your clearing agent isn’t fast, storage charges at Durban port can climb alarmingly by the day.

I once heard of someone whose container sat for three weeks due to customs strikes. The storage fees alone were enough to buy a decent second-hand car locally.

My Take: When I’d Pick RoRo vs. Container

If I were sending an older, reliable car—like a Toyota Hilux or Corolla—I’d go RoRo without blinking. The savings are real, and the risk is manageable.

But if I were relocating with my family and wanted to send a car plus our household goods, I’d bite the bullet and pay for a container. Not because I love spending more, but because it makes sense when you add everything up.

For luxury cars, container shipping feels like paying for an insurance policy. Expensive, yes, but better than the stress of wondering if your car will survive the voyage unscathed.

Final Thoughts

So, is it cheaper to ship a car in a container or via RoRo to South Africa?

For most single-car shipments, RoRo is undeniably cheaper. But “cheaper” isn’t always the same as “better.” Container shipping becomes cost-effective if you’re sending multiple cars or want to move household goods at the same time.

The key lesson I’ve learned is this: don’t just look at the shipping quote. Add in customs duties, port fees, and what you’re actually shipping. Sometimes the math will surprise you.

If you’re on a tight budget and just need wheels on the ground in Durban, RoRo’s your friend. If you’re shipping your pride-and-joy car—or relocating your life—container shipping may be worth every extra dollar.

Either way, brace yourself for the South African customs paperwork. That part, sadly, costs the same no matter which route you choose.

Published on: Sep 07, 2025

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