RoRo vs. Container: Best Way to Ship a Car from the USA to South Africa

Shipping a car across the ocean sounds straightforward until you actually start digging into the details. When I first looked into getting a car from the U.S. to South Africa, I thought it would just be a matter of booking space on a ship and calling it a day. Then I stumbled into a whole new vocabulary: RoRo, containerized shipping, port charges, customs procedures—the works.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably standing at the same crossroads I was: Do you go for Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo), or do you spend more for container shipping? Both options get your car from the U.S. to South Africa, but they’re not equal. Each comes with quirks, risks, and hidden perks that aren’t always obvious in the glossy brochures of shipping companies.

So, let’s walk through both methods—not in a dry, textbook way—but in the way someone who’s actually been through the process (and slightly pulled their hair out over the paperwork) would explain it to a friend.

What Exactly is RoRo?

Imagine a massive floating parking garage. That’s essentially what a RoRo ship is. Your car is driven—or “rolled”—onto the vessel in the U.S. and then rolled off when it reaches South Africa. No container, no extra packaging, just your car secured with straps on one of the ship’s decks.

Sounds simple, right? And honestly, it is the most straightforward way to get a car across an ocean. Shipping lines designed RoRo specifically for vehicles—cars, trucks, buses, even tractors.

But here’s the catch: your car needs to be in working condition. If it can’t roll, it can’t go. Non-runners or cars without keys are usually rejected, unless you’re willing to pay extra for forklifts or special handling (which often kills the cost advantage).

When I first priced out RoRo for a friend’s 2018 Ford F-150, the quote was almost half what container shipping would have been. That price difference is what pulls many people toward RoRo.

And What About Container Shipping?

Now picture a metal box—20 or 40 feet long—that gets loaded onto a ship. Your car is carefully driven inside, secured, and sealed shut until it arrives. That’s container shipping.

Unlike RoRo, container shipping doesn’t require your car to be drivable. Broken down? No problem. Buying a classic that hasn’t been started in years? It’ll fit.

Plus, the container acts like a private vault. No one can access the car mid-journey (at least, not without breaking the seal, which customs officials in both countries check carefully). If you’re shipping a high-value car—think a Range Rover, Porsche, or a fully kitted Toyota Land Cruiser—the extra security may feel worth the premium.

Another bonus? You can often ship more than just the car. Tools, spare parts, household items—basically, anything legal and declared—can be tucked inside the container with your vehicle. I knew someone moving back to Cape Town who stuffed a container with not only his Jeep Wrangler but also boxes of books, a mattress, and even a mountain bike. For him, container shipping wasn’t just about the car; it was about relocating part of his life.

Cost: Where the Debate Usually Starts

Let’s be honest—the first thing most of us do is pull out a calculator.

RoRo pricing usually ranges from $1,200 to $2,000 depending on the size of the vehicle and the departure port in the U.S.

Container shipping can easily start at $2,500 and climb past $4,000, especially if you need a full 40-foot container.

At face value, RoRo seems like the obvious winner. Why pay double for a steel box?

But here’s where nuance creeps in: total cost doesn’t end with the shipping quote. Containerized cars may sometimes move faster through customs, depending on the South African port, because inspectors don’t have to worry about the open decks of a RoRo vessel filled with thousands of cars. On the other hand, RoRo often avoids hefty container handling fees at the terminal.

I learned this the hard way. When I shipped a car using container freight, the “destination charges” in Durban were nearly as much as the U.S. shipping quote. Crane lifts, terminal storage, inspection fees—it all piled up. What looked cheaper at first can balloon later, so it’s worth asking the shipping company for a door-to-door estimate, not just the sea freight number.

Transit Time: Is One Faster?

On paper, both methods take roughly the same time: 30 to 45 days from most East Coast U.S. ports to South Africa.

But here’s the nuance:

RoRo ships operate on set schedules, almost like buses. If you miss the sailing date, you wait for the next one, which might be weeks later.

Containers, meanwhile, often have more frequent sailings. Freight forwarders can sometimes slot your container onto a ship faster, especially if you’re not picky about which line they use.

So, if speed is critical—say you’ve already sold your old car in Joburg and need your new wheels ASAP—container shipping may give you slightly more flexibility.

Security and Risk

Here’s where opinions really split.

With RoRo, your car sits in an open deck with hundreds of others. Shipping companies will tell you it’s secure—and for the most part, it is. But stories circulate about small thefts: a missing stereo, a toolkit gone, or even personal items vanishing from glove compartments. The official advice is crystal clear: do not ship personal belongings inside a RoRo vehicle.

Container shipping avoids this problem. Your car is sealed, and customs will note if anyone tampers with the lock. It’s not completely foolproof (nothing ever is), but the risk of mid-journey access is much lower.

If you’re shipping a standard Toyota Corolla, the risk/reward may push you toward RoRo. If it’s a brand-new Mercedes G-Wagon? Most people wouldn’t think twice about paying the premium for a container.

Insurance Considerations

Both methods allow you to purchase marine insurance—usually between 1.5% and 2.5% of the car’s declared value.

But here’s a subtle difference: insurers often prefer containerized shipments. Why? Because fewer claims come in from sealed containers compared to open RoRo decks. That doesn’t mean you can’t insure a RoRo shipment—you absolutely can—but you might notice slightly higher premiums or stricter coverage conditions.

Which South African Ports Handle What?

South Africa’s main entry points are Durban, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha). Durban is the busiest for vehicles, and it has well-established RoRo facilities.

Cape Town, while smaller, is often the choice for container shipments, especially if you’re importing into the Western Cape. RoRo into Cape Town is possible but less frequent.

That geographical detail alone sometimes decides the question. If the only RoRo sailing that month is headed to Durban but you live in Cape Town, the added cost of trucking the car across the country could wipe out the savings.

My Experience: RoRo vs. Container in Practice

When I shipped a car to South Africa, I tried RoRo first. It was a 2010 Honda Accord—nothing flashy, just a reliable daily driver. The process was painless: drop off at the port, hand over the keys, sign the paperwork, and wait.

The car arrived intact, but I made one rookie mistake: I left a phone charger plugged into the dash. Sure enough, it was gone. That minor loss reminded me why people warn against leaving anything inside during RoRo.

Later, I helped a friend move his Range Rover Sport via container. It cost him nearly double, but he slept easier knowing it was locked up. Plus, he used the spare container space to ship his golf clubs and some electronics. For him, the container wasn’t just about the car—it was about peace of mind.

So, Which One is “Best”?

Here’s where I hesitate to give a one-size-fits-all answer. The truth is, the “best” method depends heavily on:

Type of car (basic sedan vs. luxury SUV vs. classic restoration project)

Condition (running or non-running)

Location (where in South Africa you need it delivered)

Budget (and tolerance for surprise fees)

Personal comfort with risk

If you value simplicity and cost, RoRo is hard to beat. If you prioritize security, flexibility, or added cargo, container shipping might be worth every extra dollar.

Final Thoughts

When I look back at my own journey through car shipping confusion, I realize there wasn’t a single “right” answer. Instead, it was about matching the method to the car and my own peace of mind.

If you’re importing a modest, everyday vehicle and watching every rand, RoRo will likely serve you well. If it’s a luxury car, a sentimental classic, or part of a bigger move, container shipping appears to carry the edge.

Either way, the trick is to get multiple quotes, ask (repeatedly) about hidden destination charges, and factor in not just the price tag but the headaches—or lack thereof—that come with each method.

Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t just getting the car from the U.S. to South Africa—it’s getting it there without losing sleep along the way.

Published on: Sep 11, 2025

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