Vehicle Shipping & Logistics Guide
Vehicle Information - Technologies - Fuels and Fuel storage - Information tables and Reference - Techniques - Water and Food - Stuff to do - Tracks to Follow - Preps when traveling - Overland Essentials
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Vehicle Shipping & Logistics Guide
Shipping your vehicle across oceans or around impassable regions (like the Darien Gap) is a milestone in any major expedition. Whether you are shipping from the UK to Namibia or South America to Australia, the core principles of preparation, paperwork, and port procedures remain remarkably consistent.
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1. Vehicle Preparation for Transit
A vehicle in a shipping port is at its most vulnerable. You are not just preparing it for a voyage, but for inspection by customs and the potential for theft.
- The "Cleanliness" Standard: Countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the USA have extreme biosecurity laws. Your vehicle must be steam-cleaned. Any trace of foreign soil, seeds, or insects in the chassis or wheel arches can lead to the vehicle being impounded and professional cleaning fees totaling thousands of dollars.
- Security and Stripping: If shipping via RoRo (see below), the keys stay in the ignition or with the crew. Anything not bolted down will be stolen. Remove recovery gear, Maxtrax, and external fuel cans. Many overlanders build a steel mesh bulkhead to separate the driver's cabin from the rear living quarters.
- Fluid Levels: Most shipping lines require the fuel tank to be at less than 1/4 (25%) capacity for fire safety. Disconnect auxiliary batteries and ensure there are no active leaks; a dripping oil pan can lead to a refusal to load.
- Dangerous Goods: You cannot ship propane/LPG tanks or lithium power stations without specific "Dangerous Goods" (DG) declarations. Most overlanders empty and purge gas bottles and hide them, though it is legally "grey" territory.
2. Essential Paperwork & Documentation
While every country has its quirks, these four documents are the "Universal Language" of global shipping.
- Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD): Essentially a "passport" for your vehicle. It is a guarantee to foreign governments that you will not sell the vehicle in their country without paying import duties. You pay a deposit (often a percentage of the vehicle's value) to an issuing body (like the RAC in the UK).
- Bill of Lading (BOL): The most important document provided by the shipping line. It is your receipt and your title to the cargo during transit. You cannot collect your vehicle without the original BOL.
- Original Registration (V5C for UK): You must carry the original logbook. A photocopy is rarely accepted at international borders or ports.
- International Driving Permit (IDP): While not for the ship, you will need the correct version (1949 or 1968 convention) to drive out of the port gates legally.
3. Shipping Options: Container vs. RoRo
The choice between these two methods usually comes down to budget versus security.
| Method | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container (FCL) | Your vehicle is lashed inside a 20ft or 40ft steel box. | Maximum security; you can leave gear inside. | Most expensive; height limits (approx. 2.5m). |
| RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) | The vehicle is driven onto a giant floating parking lot (car carrier). | Cheapest option; no height/width restrictions. | High theft risk; vehicle must be empty/locked. |
| Flat Rack | The vehicle is lashed to an open-sided platform. | Good for oversized trucks. | Exposed to salt spray and total theft risk. |
4. Tracking Your Vehicle
The "black hole" of shipping is the 3–6 weeks the vehicle is at sea.
- AIS Tracking: Once you have the name of your ship from the Bill of Lading, use websites like MarineTraffic or VesselFinder. These use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to show the ship's real-time position, speed, and ETA at the next port.
- Container Tracking: If shipping via container, the shipping line (e.g., Maersk, MSC) will have a tracking portal on their website where you can enter your container number.
- Personal GPS: Some overlanders hide a battery-powered GPS tracker (like an Apple AirTag or a dedicated satellite tracker) in the vehicle. Note: Metal containers act as "Faraday cages," meaning you likely won't get a signal until the container is opened at the destination.
5. Arrival and Collection: The "Port Dance"
Collecting your truck is rarely as simple as walking to a warehouse. Expect a 2–5 day process.
- The Delivery Order (DO): You visit the shipping agent’s office at the destination port to pay "Local Port Charges" and receive your DO.
- Customs Clearance: You take your DO and Carnet/Registration to the Customs office. They will verify your documents and may perform a physical inspection (X-ray or manual search).
- Biosecurity/Quarantine: In "clean" countries, a secondary officer will check for soil. If you fail, the vehicle goes to a wash-bay for a few days.
- Gate Pass: Once Customs "signs off" your BOL, the port authority issues a Gate Pass. You can finally start your engine and drive out of the port.
Pro Tip: Hire a **Port Clearing Agent**. In places like Alexandria (Egypt) or Mombasa (Kenya), the bureaucracy is so dense and the "fees" so opaque that an experienced agent is worth their weight in gold to get you out in hours rather than weeks.
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Shipping Preparation Checklist
| Step | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wash | Total underbody steam clean | Required for Biosecurity |
| Inventory | List everything inside (for Customs) | Document for Insurance |
| Security | Lock/Seal the living quarters | Prevent RoRo "opportunism" |
| Fuel | Drain to below 25% | Safety Requirement |
| Keys | Provide spares to the agent | In case of loss during transit |
Carnet de Passages (CPD) Regional Requirements
The following table serves as a general guide for 2026 overlanding. Always verify with the AIT/FIA or your national motoring club (e.g., RAC in the UK) before departure, as political situations can change entry requirements rapidly.
| Region | Requirement | Mandatory Countries | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africa (East & South) | Mandatory | Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa | Critical for the Cairo-to-Cape Town route. |
| Africa (West) | Recommended | Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria | While many West African nations use a "Passavant" (local TIP), a Carnet simplifies things immensely. |
| Middle East | Mandatory | Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE | Iran is particularly strict; the deposit for Iran can be higher than other regions. |
| Asia (Central) | Optional / Mixed | Pakistan, India | Not required for the "Stans" (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, etc.), but essential if heading south into the subcontinent. |
| Asia (East/SE) | Mandatory | Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia | Japan also requires a CPD for private vehicle entry. |
| South America | Not Required | None | Most countries use a free Temporary Import Permit (TIP) issued at the border. |
| Central America | Not Required | None | Similar to South America; use the regional "CA-4" permits where applicable. |
| Oceania | Mandatory | Australia, New Zealand | Combined with extreme biosecurity/quarantine inspections. |
| Europe | Not Required | None | Free movement for UK/EU registered vehicles within the Green Card zone. |
Important Carnet Tips
- The Deposit: The deposit is usually 100% to 800% of the vehicle's market value, depending on the destination (e.g., Egypt and Iran are high-percentage countries).
- The "Exit" Stamp: Ensure your Carnet is stamped OUT when leaving a country. If you miss an exit stamp, the foreign government can claim the import tax from your bank guarantee, assuming you sold the vehicle there.
- Validity: A CPD is typically valid for 12 months. If your trip is longer, you must arrange a "replacement" Carnet through your issuing club and have it stamped to "link" the documents while abroad.
--- Would you like me to draft a "Borders and Bribery" guide? It covers how to professionally navigate difficult checkpoints, manage "fixers," and the etiquette of refusing a request for a "gift" without causing a confrontation.