Shipping-method logic and the comparison table are re-composed from our Buyer FAQ series — RoRo vs Container: which shipping method? · How long does shipping take from China? · Can EVs ship by RoRo from China? — checked 2026-09-05. For what happens after the ship docks, see the country guides, or estimate taxes with the Landed Cost Calculator.
Shipping Method Selector: RoRo or Container for a Used Car from China?
Almost all China-origin car exports move by sea, and your destination often decides for you. Describe the vehicle and your priorities; the selector points to the method that fits — with the honest limits of what any guide can tell you before a forwarder quotes your route.
Sources: Buyer FAQ · checked 2026-09-05
Freight prices are deliberately not listed — they belong in a forwarder quote
Recommendation matrix
| Your case | Default method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ICE · cost first | RoRo | Generally the lower-cost option for a running, ordinary-value car; insure properly. |
| ICE · protection first | Container | Sealed box beats terminal handling; on a high-value unit the protection premium is small vs the price at risk. |
| EV · cost first | Container (or confirmed EV RoRo) | Battery vehicles are Class 9 dangerous goods; some carriers refuse or restrict EVs on RoRo — container DG booking is the more uniform path, but always compare both quotes. |
| EV · protection first | Container | Full enclosure plus the DG paperwork handled in one booking; disclose any battery repair history before booking, not at the port. |
Shared-container note: cost per unit falls if you consolidate multiple cars or cargo in one box — ask forwarders about shared/consolidated containers for your corridor.
The two methods side by side
| Factor | RoRo | Container |
|---|---|---|
| Handling | Car is driven on and off; terminal staff move it at ports | Winched/loaded into a sealed box; opened at destination |
| Cost | Generally lower for operable vehicles — route pricing moves weekly, so compare both quotes before booking | Higher per unit; falls if you consolidate multiple cars or cargo in one box |
| Protection | Exposure to weather and handling during loading; personal effects usually not allowed | Full enclosure; parts and luggage can typically travel with the car (declare them to be insured) |
| EV eligibility | Used EVs leave China by RoRo routinely, but acceptance, per-vessel EV limits and state-of-charge caps differ by carrier — written confirmation required | Car with installed lithium battery ships under container DG booking rules — confirm with the forwarder |
| Port coverage | Only ports equipped for RoRo; route availability varies by destination | Any container port — the widest coverage, including most Gulf and West African gateways |
| Non-runners | Must roll; broken cars are a problem | Dead, damaged or project cars can be loaded with equipment |
| Transit time | Same sea leg either way: planning ranges are port-to-port (Middle East ~18–30 days, East Africa ~25–40, West Africa ~35–55, Europe ~35–50, Russian Far East ~10–20, Southeast Asia ~7–15, Central Asia by rail ~15–30). These are market estimates, not carrier commitments. | |
Confirm in writing.
The IMDG Code sets the floor and each carrier sets its own EV policy above it — there is no single public official source for carrier EV rules. Before booking, get written confirmation of: EV acceptance on the specific vessel, state-of-charge cap and evidence, damaged-EV policy, who signs the DG declaration, and a written ETD/ETA. Transit ranges on this page are planning estimates, not promises.