According to recent research, air freight accounts for 35% of the world’s trade, but it requires extra skills and care. This is why the most expensive way to ship your car internationally, or even domestically is via an airplane. So if you’re wondering how much does it cost to fly a car overseas, it’s A LOT. And to be honest, not worth it for 99% of vehicle owners unless it’s an international move for a million dollar vehicle, and you’re on a tight schedule, then airplane shipping makes sense. Nevertheless, let’s see how much it typically costs to ship a car internationally via an airplane.
International Car Shipping Options - Air Freight VS Sea Transportation
Air freight vehicle shipping is the premium choice if you value speed and security. However, sea transportation is unbeaten in price and capacity, perfect for heavier vehicles or those on a tighter budget.
| Criteria | Air Freight | Sea Transportation |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast (Days) | Slow (Weeks to Months) |
| Security | High | Varies Depending on the Route |
| Cost | Expensive | More Affordable |
| Availability | Limited to Air Cargo Routes | Widely Available |
| Suitability | High-Value/Luxury Vehicles | Bulk or Multiple Vehicles |
When choosing international car shipping, consider the price and how the method aligns with your situation. For instance, shipping car by plane price may be justified if you’re moving a high-end vehicle and require it promptly. On the other hand, RoRo sea transportation often trumps the cost of standard or multiple vehicles.
Real-Life Examples: Cost to Ship Luxury and Vintage Cars by Plane
Air freight is the fastest and safest way to ship luxury vehicles and vintage cars.
In fact, over the last decade, air-freight traffic growth has exceeded by 1-2% per year. This emphasizes the importance of air freight for shipping different goods.
The section below will focus on real-life shipping examples, including the challenges of shipping vintage cars and the overall cost.
Let’s say a reputable auction house hires air freight firms to ship historic Ferraris and Aston Martins across the world. The cost of shipping a vintage 1960 Ferrari 250 GT or a 1954 Jaguar XK120 by air can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars. It primarily occurs due to the high cost of airplane fuel, limited cargo space, higher insurance coverage, and the specialized care required for such valuable goods.
“The decision to transport by air is driven by the need for the utmost care and expedited delivery; hence, the higher cost to ship luxury cars is considered a worthwhile investment by many clients.”
Let’s check some key details to understand the financial scope of such operations:
| Vehicle Type | Route | Estimated Shipping Cost | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Bugatti Chiron | U.S. to China | $20,000 - $30,000 | Enclosed crate, climate control, security escorts |
| 1967 Shelby Cobra | U.S. to Germany | $15,000 - $25,000 | Vibration monitoring, fuel, and battery disconnection |
| 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV | U.S. to U.K. | $12,000 - $22,000 | Specialized loading, block, and brace |
| Rolls Royce Phantom | U.S. to Dubai | $25,000 to $35,000 | Special enclosed crate, VIP handling, and expedited overnight delivery. |
The prices above are subject to natural variations depending on the time of year, fuel prices, and the locations of arrival and departure. However, the overall cost of shipping luxury cars depends on multiple factors. These elements include storage expenses before or after arrival, security precautions, and customs clearing fees.
Even at its exorbitant price, air freight is the most effective means of transporting expensive cars long distances.
- Time-sensitive delivery requires premium service fees.
- Additional services such as door-to-door collection and delivery are also available.
- Every car receives white-glove care to guarantee it arrives in immaculate shape.
When you start considering the worth of these vehicles, you will understand that the expense of shipping luxury cars and items by air is actually a peace of mind. Even though the prices might appear high at first, the customized strategy that goes into every shipment makes air freight a worthwhile choice.
The Factors Influencing Air Freight Vehicle Shipping Costs
When you choose to ship your car by place, a number of factors can influence its cost. Here is the list of different factors affecting the total cost of air freight vehicle shipping.
Varying Car Size and Weight
The physical appearance of your vehicle greatly influences the cost of air freight. The bigger and heavier the cars, the greater the space and fuel they will require, leading to high cost.
- Compact Car: Typically, the least expensive to ship due to its small size.
- SUV or Truck: A Larger footprint and mass increase their shipping costs.
Impact of Departure and Destination Locations
The current location of your vehicle and the desired destination can oscillate the air freight shipping cost. The closeness to destination airports can also influence the entire cost.
| Location Factors | Cost Implications |
|---|---|
| Distance | Longer distances result in higher costs. |
| Airport Accessibility | Additional charges for remote or hard-to-reach locations. |
Varying Fuel Prices
Air freight works in the same economic conditions as other industries, including volatile fuel prices. Above all, a hike in fuel prices always increases the cost of flying a car abroad.
Demand and Seasonality
The price to fly vehicles changes with the seasons; peak moving seasons can lead to higher shipping costs.
Divergence in Service Provider Fees
Neither freight services nor their costs are made equal. Some companies offer more freight services than others, and it will also show up on the final invoice. When you have decided to fly your car to another place, the first question that sparks in your mind would be, “How much does it cost to ship my car by plane?”. Not only estimation, but you must have an idea of the total and final cost of transporting your vehicle by air.
Let’s dissect the fundamental costs and look at some additional expenses that may impact the final cost of transporting an automobile by air.
Here’s the breakdown of these factors.
- Transportation fees - This involves the actual transportation of air freight vehicles from one airport to another. Fuel cost and distance decide the cost of transportation.
- Handling fees - Charges for transportation services such as loading, unloading, and moving your car to and from every airport.
- Terminal charges - Fares for the use of airport facilities.
Although these provide a basis, the cost is determined by the size and weight of your vehicle and any additional required services.
Apart from the core ones, you should be prepared to face other charges that might increase the total cost of shipping an automobile by air. These include:
- Customs charges - Compulsory taxes in case of shipping an automobile internationally.
- Insurance - Advisable coverage in the event of damage during shipping an air freight vehicle.
- Storage charges - If your vehicle is held at an airport, either before or after shipping.
- Broker commissions - For assistance with foreign paperwork and requirements.
Knowing these possible additional fees beforehand can help you avoid sudden shocks on your airplane car transport service bill.
| Fee Type | Description | Cost Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Customs Duties | Mandatory international taxes | Varies by country |
| Insurance Premiums | Coverage for damage or loss during transit | Percentage of the car’s value |
| Storage Costs | Short-term car storage at the airport | Per day/week fees |
| Customs Broker Fees | Professional services for customs processes | Flat rate or percentage of the car’s value |
It just takes a look at standard air freight rates to have an accurate idea of how much flying your car will cost. You must know the various elements to fully comprehend the cost of shipping a vehicle by air. These include the shipping carrier’s base fees and other not-so-obvious additional charges and air freight taxes.
Can You Transport a Car on a Plane: A Closer Look at the Process
Based on research, the volume of aviation freight will quadruple in the next 20 years. Therefore, nowadays, it’s not a challenging task to transport a car on a plane. However, you just need to follow a step-by-step process to ship your car to another state or country.
The following are the major steps of air shipping a vehicle:
- Cleaning the vehicle thoroughly, disabling the alarm if it has one, removing personal items, and draining the fluids halfway. This is done to avoid any issues with quarantine.
- Dropping the car at the airport or at the air freight vehicle shipping company’s location.
- Submission of all necessary customs forms and payment of all fees to import and export the car.
- Use wheel blocks and straps to load the car securely into a cargo plane, so it will not shift while airborne.
- Upon arrival, the plane goes through customs again before it is shipped to your destination or couriered to you.
Specialized cargo aircraft known as Boeing 747s and Antonov AN-225 planes have large cargo areas that are capable of carrying cars. These airplanes are utilized by companies that offer airplane auto transport services.
You may use an air freight car shipping company to have your automobile shipped to another state. They specialize in carrying automobiles over foreign borders.
“Remember, preparation is paramount. Ensuring that your car meets all the criteria for air transport will facilitate a more efficient shipping experience.”
| Procedure steps | Details | Main Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preparation before transport | Prepare the vehicle for air shipping | Clean the car, disable alarms, and take out extra items |
| 2. Drop-Off Process | Take the vehicle to the air freight center | Bring it to the cargo terminal at the airport |
| 3. Customs Clearance | Get the paperwork required to cross borders | Clear export and import documentation and duty payments |
| 4. Flight | Car transit on an air freight | Secure loading of cargo |
| 5. Delivery | Receiving the vehicle at the destination | Clearing customs, vehicle acquisition |
Implementing Safety Protocols: Beyond the Basics
While insurance protects you financially, the protection of your car depends on the safety guidelines. Some safety measures that airlines have in place to safeguard your vehicle are listed below.
- Detailed Car Inspection: They extensively examine your car to identify any possible issues that may influence its safety during flight.
- Special Equipment: They use custom cradles, blocks for the wheels, and straps to hold your cars in place.
- Trained Labor: Transport chain participants who handle or process cargo can help keep risks from being introduced and reduce them to a level of safety. Therefore, each airline must have trained participants in order to manage precious freight such as automobiles.
“Safety during transportation is not just a priority; it is required. Using a reputable air transport company means these important safety steps will be taken, and your car will be treated very carefully.”
Follow these safety procedures to transfer your vehicle safely without any possible damage.
How to Choose a Reliable Air Freight Service for Your Vehicle?
Here are some of the significant factors that you should keep in mind while choosing an airline to export your vehicle globally:
- Reputation - First, see what people say about the chosen airline in public reviews. If they have a good reputation, then go ahead and pick them.
- Experience - Always go for the airline company that has a lot of experience shipping cars overseas.
- Customer service - Examine their customer service, such as response rate and terms for solving problems.
- Transportation facilities - Look at their transportation facilities that reflect secure delivery of your car to the intended place, utilizing sufficient carriers.
- Facilities - Ensure that their storage facilities are safe, clean, and well-maintained to secure your cars in transit.
Thus, the most essential thing is to choose a reputable airline with extensive experience in international shipping. Apart from that, it should also have excellent customer support for safely transferring your cars to their destination.
8 Tips for Reducing Costs and Ensuring a Smooth International Car Flight
Book Off-Peak
Shipping in January-March allows you to take advantage of lower rates after the winter holidays when air cargo space is more readily available. For example, a shipment during this period may qualify for a 10-15% discount on off-peak summer prices.
Consolidate Shipments
If you arrange to ship your vehicle along with 2-3 others traveling from Los Angeles to London on the same aircraft, the per-vehicle cost drops significantly. For a large SUV, consolidating could lower the rate from $35,000 to just $25,000.
Inquire About Volume Discounts
A company that regularly ships 10+ high-end cars internationally each year may negotiate a preferred customer contract with 5-10% off standard rates. Shipping 5 cars together at once versus individually also often qualifies for a volume discount of a similar amount.
Pay via Cash or Online
Opting to pay a $20,000 shipment cost for a classic Mercedes from your home or business to the airport via cash can save you a few hundred bucks. Then, when it’s time to pay to the airport for flying your car, inquire if there are any discounts on online payments; some of them do have so you can save an additional few hundred bucks. Then, when it’s time to move the vehicle from the destination airport to the final location, pay the carrier via cash to save some more money.
Flexible Dates
Widening your preferred shipping window, such as from August 15-20 to August 10-25, allows the carrier to include your vehicle on their back-haul instead of an expensive empty-leg flight,
Proper Documentation
Having ownership papers and other required shipment compliance materials ready prevents costly delays from issues at customs.
Research Regulations Ahead
Understanding your destination country’s import/export policies ensures no surprises that could incur storage or penalty fees due to non-compliance.
Leverage a broker
Brokers expedite customs clearance through established processes. Their expertise in navigating regulations prevents expensive wait times.
Parting Words:
We hope you now finally have the answer to how much does it cost to fly a car overseas. As we’ve discovered, parking your pride and joy in the cargo hold of an airplane is indeed an option - albeit an expensive one, costing anywhere from $12,000 to $35,000, depending on the size and destination of your vehicle.
For over a decade, we’ve helped thousands of owners just like you get their cars to faraway places hassle-free. We offer international car shipping but not with airplanes as its super expensive and not worth it for 99% of vehicle owners. Instead, we use RoRo and container car transport using ocean freight to safely move your vehicle internationally.
Moreover, for domestic moves, we have open and enclosed car carriers to ship your automobiles safely across the country. You can use our free car shipping quote calculator or call (888) 687-3243 to talk to our team.
