Shipping a Car to Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico Car Transport (2024)

We can quickly provide you with an estimate and help you book your order. You can begin the process by completing our quote form, sending us an email at [emailprotected], or calling us at 939-320-8880.

We can bring your vehicle to or from anywhere in the Continental United States to our ports and then connect with our Maritime transport that crosses the sea for shipping a car to Puerto Rico, weekly.

Your vehicle will arrive in San Juan, PR. To pick up your vehicle, you must have a valid ID along with sufficient cash to pay for the charges. Please note that AutoStar Transport Express only provides transportation from the US to San Juan. Once you’ve been shipped, you’re responsible for paying the fees associated with your destination and import/duty taxes.

RoRo means your vehicle is driven directly onto the ship and secured to its deck. Despite being inside the ship, your car will be sitting with other vehicles. Container shipping involves loading your car into a shipping container before loading it onto a ship. There is the option to purchase space in a single container for your vehicle. Both of these are more expensive than RoRo, with single container shipping being the most expensive.

Door-to-port shipping tends to be more expensive since it involves a greater distance. If you lack the time to visit the ports yourself, we can also offer door to door car shipping for additional charges.

A heavier and bigger car will cost more to move.

Open car transport is the most affordable and convenient way to ship cars. This method exposes your car to the elements. Enclosed trailers protect your car from the elements. As for exotic cars or high-end vehicles such as Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc, they are usually packed inside an enclosed car carrier. Enclosed car shipping is usually recommended for expensive, custom or luxury cars and usually costs around 40% more than an open transport service.

Rates are typically calculated based on the distance your car must travel. For Instance, It will cost $2400 to ship a car to Puerto Rico from Arizona, compared to $1700 to ship from Alabama.

We accept all major credit cards for online bookings. Please speak to our agents for more options including payment apps such as Zelle and Paypal. Direct deposit and bank transfers including ACH and wire transfers are also accepted.

From PR to the Mainland, vessels sail every Tuesday and arrive on Thursdays. The second vessel sails on Saturdays and arrives on Mondays. Learn more about car shipping times in our “How long does it take to ship a car?” article.

AutoStar Transport Express works with a PR agent (Wilder Cruz) who provides the service to assist with any type of documentation on the island. He also provides towing services and can pick up and drop off vehicles all over the island.

We do not have access to government charges which is why AutoStar Transport Express doesn’t provide a price including taxes. You will have to pay taxes on your vehicle when you arrive in Puerto Rico.

You will have to pay no less than 5% of the actual cash value of the vehicle in taxes and import duties, depending on the type and age of the vehicle.

We cannot provide specific details on the import taxes, but Hacienda does an inspection and provides the price to pay based on the vehicle’s value, and you can get an estimate on

Hacienda’s Official Website.

The Department of Hacienda will give you the price of import tax before you ship your car if you give them your VIN or year/make/model.

• Department of Hacienda
  San Juan, 00901Tel: (787) 622-0123 (general line) or 787-721-0338 (Office of Excise Taxes, better number)P.O. Box 9024140San Juan, P.R. 00902-4140

You will need $100-$150 in cash for destination charges. These charges are not included in your quote.

No, the port is very strict when it comes to shipping anything inside the vehicle. You are not allowed to ship anything inside the vehicle, except for a spare tire.

Puerto Rico is an island in the Caribbean, and despite its status as a U.S. territory, it has no roads connecting it to the mainland. Taking a car to Puerto Rico from the U.S. requires a boat or an airplane.

In general, shipping a car to Puerto Rico from the mainland US can cost anywhere from $1,200 to $4,500, depending on the distance, size, type of vehicle, and type of transport you use. Get a free car shipping quote by filling out the cost calculator or by calling us at 939-320-8880.

Because it’s a U.S. territory, registering a vehicle imported there is easier than it is in other countries. U.S. driver’s licenses are valid in Puerto Rico, but any new car, truck, or motorcycle will need to be registered within three days of arrival.

You can find more information on vehicle registration at the PR DMV.

• Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works
  Box 41269Minillas StationSan Juan, PR 00940-1269(787) 722-2929

A friend or relative can pick up the car for you in San Juan. Tell us several days before the sailing so we can update the paperwork. Anyone picking up your car will need a picture ID, a copy of your Title of Ownership, and a NOTARIZED letter of permission to do so. You will be charged by the shipping line if you notify us of any changes after the cargo has been loaded.

Cars are more expensive in Puerto Rico since the car dealerships in Puerto Rico include the excise tax in their prices the same goes for used cars. New automobiles in Puerto Rico cost between 30 and 40% more than on the mainland. So, overseas auto shipping may still be much cheaper than buying a new car in Puerto Rico.

Typically, there’s no problem shipping a car with an auto loan. However, if you are traveling to Puerto Rico, a Notarized letter will be required. It needs to state that we can ship it there.

Even though you have the registration for your financed vehicle, you don’t own it. They have final authority over the vehicle since they own it.

When you are ready and have verified with the lender, the next step is to get an estimate for auto shipping. After that, we’ll take care of the rest. We will get your vehicle to its new home quickly and safely.

• Turn off the alarm: For better safety, make sure you disable any alarms installed in your vehicle to prevent making enemies with the driver.
• Inspect tire pressure: Inflating or deflating tires is just as dangerous on the road as it is in transport. Under-inflated tires may cause damage. When your tires are properly inflated, you will not experience damage during the loading and unloading process.
• Removing custom accessories: Ensure that any special accessories such as a car spoiler are removed from the vehicle before loading it into the truck.
• Ensure no leaks exist: Check the undercarriage of your vehicle before it is loaded onto the truck for any leaks. Your vehicle may not be shippable if it has any kind of leak so it’s worth checking before handing the keys to your driver.
• Your car must be locked: For better safety, make sure you disable any alarms installed in your vehicle to prevent making enemies with the driver.
• Don’t overfill your tank: The vehicle is not being driven, so you don’t need to fill it up before loading. Additionally, a full tank of gas makes your car heavier. A heavier car is a greater risk during shipping. Prepare your vehicle for transport with a quarter tank of gas at most.
• Electric vehicles: Electric vehicles need a 50% battery charge, not more or less.
• Set of Keys Please provide vehicle keys to the port staff receiving the vehicle, do not leave them in the vehicle.
  Remove personal belongings: Remove all personal belongings from the car. There is no need to remove permanent installations or accessories installed by the manufacturer.
• Wash Your Vehicle: You must wash and clean your vehicle before entering Puerto Rico. Your car must be inspected thoroughly before departure and upon arrival. If you fail the initial inspection, you will be responsible for the cost of cleaning and re-inspection