Automobiles are commonly shipped overseas, whether you’re buying from online auctions like Copart or IAAI and importing a Tokunbo car, or running a dealership that moves vehicles across borders. Whatever the reason, when it comes to shipping a car by sea, there are two main methods you’ll hear about: RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) and container shipping (also called containerized shipping).

Both have been around for decades, and both get the job done. But they work very differently, and suit different situations. Picking the wrong one can mean spending more than you need to, waiting longer than expected, or putting your car at unnecessary risk.

This guide breaks down both methods – how each one works, what condition your car needs to be in, what it’ll cost you, how long it takes, and which option makes the most sense depending on your specific situation.

How RORO Shipping Works

RORO stands for Roll-On/Roll-Off. It simply means your car is rolled onto the ship and rolled off at the other end.

Here’s the process step by step:

You deliver your car to the departure port (or arrange for a domestic transporter to bring it there). At the port, your vehicle goes through a basic check-in where documents are verified, and the car is assigned a spot. When it’s time to load, trained port workers drive your car up a ramp and into the ship’s hull.

Think of the inside of a RORO vessel like a massive, multi-level parking garage. Once inside, the car is parked in a designated spot and secured to the deck using straps and lashing points so it doesn’t shift during the voyage. The ship sails. Your car stays parked in that same position for the entire journey. When the ship arrives at the destination port, the process reverses. The car is unstrapped, driven down the ramp, and parked in the terminal lot for you (or your agent) to collect.

Keep in mind that when using RORO, your car needs to be delivered directly to the departure port (seaport) or close to it. So if you’re buying a car that’s far from a RORO-enabled port, the cost of getting it there (via a domestic transporter, truck, or driving it yourself) adds to your total. RORO services in the US typically operate out of major ports like Newark, Baltimore, Savannah, Jacksonville, and Houston, so ideally, your car should already be in or near one of those areas.

It’s a simple, efficient process, which is why car manufacturers use RORO ships to move thousands of brand-new vehicles around the world every day.

Another thing worth noting is that with RORO, your car sits in an open lot at the port before loading and after unloading. There’s no warehouse stage. At many ports, especially in the US, RORO terminals don’t issue a formal inspection report or take photographs of your car’s condition before loading. Some operators and ports elsewhere do carry out inspections at check-in, but it varies.

Either way, it’s a good idea to thoroughly document your car’s condition yourself before drop-off, so you have a clear record if anything comes up later.

How Container Shipping Works

Container shipping takes a different approach. Instead of driving your car onto a ship, it’s placed inside a steel shipping container, usually a 20-foot or 40-foot box, and that container is lifted onto the vessel by crane.

Here’s how it typically goes:

Your car is delivered to the shipping company’s warehouse (not directly to the port). At the warehouse, the vehicle is inspected and photographed for the record. The car is then loaded into a container using ramps and secured inside with braces, wheel chocks, and tie-down straps to prevent any movement. The container is sealed shut. From this point, nobody opens it until it reaches the destination.

The sealed container is transported to the port and loaded onto a cargo ship by crane. At the destination port, the container is unloaded by crane and transported to a warehouse or terminal where it’s opened, and your car is released.

There are two main options with container shipping:

Shared (consolidated) container: Your car shares the container with other vehicles heading to the same destination. A 40-foot high-cube container can typically fit two to four cars, depending on their size. This is the more affordable option, but it means your car won’t ship until the container is full, which can add time.

Exclusive (sole-use) container: You get the entire container to yourself. It’s more expensive, but your car ships on your schedule and gets the maximum level of protection and privacy.

This method is particularly common for shipping non-running or salvage vehicles bought from US auctions like Copart and IAAI, and cars that can’t be driven onto a RORO vessel. Many Nigerian importers use container shipping for exactly this reason.

Similar to RORO, all the vehicles going into the same container need to be gathered in the same area. If you’re consolidating multiple cars into a 40-foot container, they should ideally all be sourced from nearby locations to keep inland transport costs down.

Because the car is loaded at a warehouse rather than at the port, the shipping company usually inspects and photographs it before packing. That documentation can be valuable if you ever need to file a damage claim.

Car Condition Requirements

This is one of the most important differences between the two methods, and for many people, it’s the deciding factor.

RORO: Your Car Must Be Running

Since the vehicle needs to be driven onto the ship and driven off again at the destination, it has to be fully operational. That means it must start, move, steer, and brake under its own power.

Most RORO operators also require the following:

• All windows must be intact, no broken or missing glass.
• Tyres must be properly inflated.
• There should be no more than a quarter tank of fuel (some lines ask for as little as one-eighth).
• No fluid leaks whatsoever, oil, coolant, transmission fluid, or otherwise. If your car is leaking, it won’t be loaded. 
• All airbags must be intact and undeployed.
• No personal belongings inside the car. This means no bags, boxes, spare parts, or anything that isn’t factory-fitted. Only the keys and a jack are typically allowed.

If your car has significant body damage beyond minor scratches and normal wear, including having a burn engine/interior, or burn status, it may be rejected at the port. 

Container: Much More Flexible

Your car does not need to be running. Since it’s loaded into the container using ramps or forklifts at a warehouse, it doesn’t matter if the engine won’t start. Non-running vehicles, salvage cars, cars with mechanical faults (if the gear, kickstarter, or engine is faulty or the alternator doesn’t charge the battery), and even partially disassembled vehicles can all be shipped by container.

You’re also allowed to leave personal items inside the car, as long as they’re properly secured. Spare tyres, tools, car parts, and even household goods can travel in the container alongside or inside the vehicle.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	RORO	Container
Car Condition	Must be running, drivable, and in good shape	Running or non-running accepted
Cost	Generally cheaper for single cars	Shared is competitive; exclusive is pricier
Transit Time	About 2 – 4 weeks on major routes	Shared: 4 – 6 weeks / Exclusive: 2 – 3 weeks
Security	Secured on deck, but can be exposed at port	Sealed container; protected from weather, theft, and tampering
Personal Items	Not allowed	Allowed
Port Availability	TinCan Island	Apapa Port
Oversized Vehicles	Can handle vehicles too large for containers	Limited by container dimensions
Insurance	Yes (but cost is higher)	Yes (cost is the least)
Best For	Standard running cars, budget shipping, oversized vehicles	High-value, classic, or non-running cars

Cost: Which Shipping Method Is Cheaper?

For most people shipping a single standard car, RORO tends to be the more affordable option. You’re paying for deck space on the ship, without the added expense of a container, warehouse handling, or packing.

To give you a rough idea: shipping a standard-sized car from the US to Lagos, Nigeria via RORO typically starts at around $1,200 to $1,650, while container shipping for the same route can range from $1,500 to over $3,000, depending on whether you choose shared or exclusive.

Shared container shipping is actually quite competitive with RORO pricing, because you’re splitting the cost of the container, customs clearance, and port charges with other vehicle owners. The trade-off is that you might wait longer for the container to fill up.

Exclusive container shipping is the most expensive option, but it’s also the fastest and most secure. You’re paying for the whole box yourself.

Keep in mind that for Nigeria specifically, the shipping cost is just one part of the total expense. You’ll also need to budget for customs duty (typically 35% of the vehicle’s assessed value), a NAC levy (15% on used cars), VAT, port handling fees, clearing agent charges, and inland transportation from the port. These additional costs can sometimes be as much as, or more than the shipping itself. It’s always smart to get a full cost breakdown before committing.

Speed and Transit Times

RORO ships tend to run on more predictable schedules, especially on busy trade routes like the US to Europe or the US to West Africa. Loading and unloading is fast, as vehicles simply drive on and off. On major routes, expect roughly two to four weeks of transit time. For shipments like from the US to Lagos, Nigeria, transit is typically around three to five weeks, depending on the departure port.

With shared container shipping, the timeline stretches because the shipping company needs to fill the container before it sails. That can push delivery to 30 to 40 days or more, depending on demand for your destination.

Exclusive container shipping is actually the fastest option overall. Since there’s no waiting for other vehicles, your container ships as soon as it’s packed and a vessel is available, often within two to three weeks.

Keep in mind that these are ocean transit times only. You also need to factor in the time it takes for your car to reach the port or warehouse, any processing or packing time, customs clearance at both ends, and final delivery or pickup at the destination. In Nigeria, port clearing at Tin Can Island or Apapa can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on documentation, customs processing, and how quickly duties are paid. Delays at the port also mean demurrage charges, so having your paperwork sorted before the ship arrives is critical.

Security and Protection

This is where container shipping has a clear advantage.

When your car is inside a sealed steel container, it’s shielded from everything like saltwater spray, rain, wind, dust, and direct sun. The container is locked, and only the shipper and the receiver interact with the car. Nobody else touches it or sees it during the entire journey.

With RORO, your car is parked inside the ship’s hull during the voyage, which does protect it from the open sea. 

Choosing the right Shipping Method for Your Car

By now, you have a solid picture of how both methods work, what they cost, and how they differ in security and speed. Here’s a quick way to land on the right choice:

Go with RORO if:

• Your car is running, steers, brakes, and has no major damage.
• You’re shipping a standard sedan, SUV, or truck and want to keep costs low.
• Your vehicle is oversized and won’t fit inside a standard container.
• You’re a dealer moving standard vehicles in volume.

Go with container shipping if:

• Your car isn’t running, or was bought as salvage from an auction.
• It’s a high-value, luxury, or classic car that needs maximum protection.
• You want to ship spare parts, personal belongings, or household items alongside your car.
• You’re importing a mix of running and non-running vehicles (common for Nigerian dealers buying from US auctions).

Once you understand how each method works, the choice stops feeling technical and starts feeling practical. It comes down to one question: what does your specific car actually need to arrive safely and cost-effectively?

Make that decision early, plan your logistics around it, and the rest of the shipping process tends to run far more smoothly.