How To Ship A Car To Puerto Rico: Costs, Pros, Cons And More

The cost of shipping a car to or from Puerto Rico can range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on a number of different factors. Make sure to set aside a significant amount of your moving budget for car-related fees. The cost of both overseas car transport and the excise and import taxes in Puerto Rico make the entire process extremely expensive.

Total Shipping Distance

Vehicle transport companies typically calculate rates based on the total distance your car needs to travel. For example, shipping a car to Puerto Rico from Seattle will cost much more than shipping it from Miami. Check the ports from which your preferred shipping company operates in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rican coasts. You may find rates and availability vary based on where you depart from and where you want to go.

Vehicle Drop-Off and Pick-Up Options

Most vehicle moving companies offer door-to-port and port-to-port services for receiving and delivering your car. With door-to-port, the company comes to pick up your car anywhere in the continental U.S. and you pick it up yourself at the Puerto Rican port. A port-to-port shipping method means you’ll drop off your car at a mainland port and pick it up at the port in Puerto Rico. As door-to-port shipping usually involves a greater distance, it tends to be more expensive.

Some companies offer door-to-door car shipping if you don’t have the time to visit the ports yourself. You can expect this to be the most expensive and hardest-to-find option. In many cases, a third-party Puerto Rico transport company may be used to take your car from the port to your new home. Make sure to read the fine print in any contract so you always know who is responsible for moving your car anytime it is not with you.

Vehicle Size

The bigger and heavier your car is, the more it will cost to move. The model and age of your car are less likely to affect the final price, though luxury or collectible cars may require extra insurance or safety precautions.

Enclosed vs. Open Ground Transport

When it comes to ground transportation, you generally have two options: open or enclosed. During open transport, your car will be placed on a car carrier and exposed to the elements. Most cars are shipped this way and it remains the recommended method for affordability and ease. Open car shipping does expose your vehicle to inclement weather and road debris which could cause damage to your vehicle. Make sure to carefully photograph your vehicle before you hand it off so you have proof of any damage should it occur.

An enclosed trailer transports your car without exposing it to the elements. This method is recommended for expensive, custom or luxury cars and usually costs around $1,500 more than an open transport service.

Roll-On Roll-Off vs. Container Shipping

For actual at-sea shipping methods you also have two similar options: “roll-on, roll-off” or container shipping. “Roll-on, roll-off”—or RoRo—means your vehicle is driven directly onto the ship and secured to the vessel’s deck. Although your car is inside the ship (and therefore protected from the elements), it will be exposed to the interior and sit alongside many other vehicles.

After the ship arrives at its destination, your car will be driven off the vessel and into the port. Compared to other shipping methods, this is the most common and generally least expensive.

Container shipping involves storing your car inside a shipping container before loading it onto a ship. It is possible to purchase space in a single container for your vehicle, while other companies may only offer containers that can hold several cars. Compared to RoRo, these are both more expensive options, with single container shipping being the most expensive.

Preparation is required before transporting a car to Puerto Rico. Although car transport companies will provide all this information upfront—often before you even hire them—here are some important points to note:

1. Any car shipped over the ocean must have a fuel level of 1/4 or less.
2. Be sure to remove all personal belongings from inside and outside the car and disable or remove all car alarms. It is not necessary to remove permanent installations or accessories installed by the manufacturer.
3. Ensure your vehicle is clean and washed before entering Puerto Rico, as food and agricultural products are tightly restricted. You will be required to submit your car to a thorough inspection before departure and upon arrival. Fees for cleaning and re-inspection are your responsibility if the initial inspection fails.
4. Cracked windshields, broken braking systems, poorly inflated tires or any other issue will prevent your car from being shipped. You may want to take photos of your car before giving it over to the transport company so you can check and compare once you repossess it.
5. Prepare all your required documents in advance. Though Puerto Rico is technically a territory of the U.S., your vehicle will still have to be cleared by Puerto Rican customs and will be subject to an import tax. Contact a customs agent or your moving company to verify the exact list of paperwork you will need, but expect to include the following:
   1. Title: When shipping a car from the mainland to Puerto Rico, you will need a copy of the title. A notarized letter from the lien holder is required if the vehicle is being leased.
   2. Driver’s License: A copy of a valid driver’s license must be submitted prior to export. A notarized letter must be included if the vehicle is being delivered by someone else on behalf of the owner.
   3. Vehicle Appraisal: Puerto Rico imposes an import tax based on the established value of the car, which is why an accurate appraisal is required.
   4. Bill of Lading: An official document issued to you by your shipping carrier, to show it has the authority to transport your vehicle.
   5. Purchase Invoice: If you bought a new car, you should have received an official bill from your dealer. If you bought a used car and did not receive an invoice, you can submit the sales receipt you received from the seller instead.
   6. EPA Form 3520-1: This form is required by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for every vehicle you move. You can easily find it for download on the EPA’s website.
   7. Registration: Your car’s registration must be current. Registration can be done at the DMV. Different states have different laws surrounding the process, so make sure to double-check your required documents before you arrive.
6. Depending on the method of transportation and your location, the entire process may take from one to four weeks. There may be issues with any leg of the trip—a ship delay, a truck rescheduling, a port closure, etc. Prepare a plan for transport if you arrive in Puerto Rico before your car.

Based on the complexity, cost and logistics of shipping your car to Puerto Rico, you may be wondering if shipping your car to Puerto Rico is actually the best option for getting yourself around on the island.

Age of Your Car

An official appraiser or online resource like a blue book service can help you determine the current value of your old or well-used car. It probably does not make sense to bring your car to Puerto Rico if its resale value is less than the shipping cost. You can, of course, buy a used or new car in Puerto Rico once you arrive (though keep in mind buying a car in Puerto Rico is significantly more expensive than it would be in the U.S., since those cars were also shipped over and were subject to an import tax).

You might also be able to make some extra money by selling your old car before leaving the mainland.

Local Public Transportation

San Juan, Bayamón and Ponce each have moderately good public transportation services, with San Juan featuring a great network of buses and a light rail train. Public transportation across the rest of the island isn’t so available. Taxis and ridesharing apps like Uber pick up some of the slack but can be expensive. For this reason, most citizens drive cars around the island. In fact, Puerto Rico has one of the highest cars per square mile in the entire world.

How Often You’re Returning to the Continental U.S.

You may want to keep your car on the continent so you can use it when you return to the mainland—depending, of course, on how long you plan to stay in Puerto Rico. Leaving your vehicle with family or friends or renting it out are great options.

You can also store it in a long-term storage unit. In order to avoid violating your insurance policy or putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation, make sure you do your research before pursuing one of these options.

Bottom Line

While it is often expensive—typically between $1,500 and $5,000—to ship a car to Puerto Rico from the mainland U.S., it is likely much more affordable than purchasing a new car in Puerto Rico. And though larger towns in Puerto Rico do have functional public transportation systems, a car is essential for most citizens of the U.S. territory. We recommend requesting quotes from multiple companies on a few different types of travel to make sure you receive the best deal possible.