Quick answer. Shipping a car in a container from Canada means loading your vehicle inside a sealed 20 ft or 40 ft steel shipping container for ocean transit. A standard 20 ft container holds one sedan with room for spare parts and tools. A 40 ft High Cube holds two sedans, or one sedan plus a motorcycle and accessories. Container shipping is the secure, fully enclosed option for classics, exotics, and high-value vehicles, while RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) costs less but exposes the vehicle to weather and port handling. Loading requires aluminum ramps, four-point tie-down ratchet straps rated 5,000 kg or more, and proper wheel chocking. Van Blanc supplies the 20 ft and 40 ft containers for the move from our Brantford yard, then a carrier handles the ocean leg. Cargo securement follows CSA B620. Reach Paul or Christian for an honest delivered quote. Three decades family-run, 124+ verified Google reviews, fast 1-3 day container delivery from our 4 Brantford yards across Ontario.
How to read this car shipping in a container guide
If you searched for “car shipping Canada,” “car shipping,” “ship a car,” “shipping a car overseas,” “vehicle shipping container,” “classic car shipping,” “motorcycle shipping container,” or any variation, the underlying buyer question is the same: how do I get my car, motorcycle, or RV to another part of the world or another part of Canada safely, and what does it actually cost? The math below covers container shipping (international and domestic), RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) ocean shipping, and conventional auto-hauler transport across Canada.
How much does it cost to ship a car in a container from Canada?
Shipping a car in a container from Canada is priced per shipment, not from a fixed rate card, because the destination port, the container size, the vehicle value, insurance, and origin and destination handling all move the number. International car shipping from Canada splits into two methods: container shipping (enclosed, secure, full protection) and RoRo (driven on and off a vessel, cheaper but exposed). Container shipping transit times by destination:
“People want one number for car shipping, and there isn’t one. The honest answer depends on where it’s going and what it is. A 1965 Mustang to Hamburg and a Civic to Florida are not the same job. We tell you what drives the cost, supply the right container, and let the carrier quote the ocean leg straight.”
Christian LeBlanc, second-generation operator, Van Blanc Ent. Inc., Brantford, Ontario
| Route | Approximate ocean transit time |
|---|---|
| Toronto to UK (Southampton, Felixstowe) | 14 to 21 days |
| Toronto to Germany (Hamburg, Bremerhaven) | 14 to 21 days |
| Toronto to Netherlands (Rotterdam) | 14 to 21 days |
| Toronto to France (Le Havre) | 14 to 21 days |
| Toronto to UAE (Dubai) | 21 to 30 days |
| Toronto to Japan (Yokohama) | 25 to 35 days |
| Toronto to Australia (Sydney, Melbourne) | 35 to 50 days |
| Toronto to New Zealand (Auckland) | 35 to 50 days |
| Toronto to South Africa | 30 to 45 days |
| Toronto to South America (Buenos Aires) | 25 to 40 days |
| Toronto to Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore) | 30 to 40 days |
| Vancouver to Australia / NZ | 25 to 35 days |
| Halifax to UK / Europe | 10 to 14 days |
The total all-in cost adds marine insurance and port handling fees on top of the ocean freight, and most Canadian car shippers also add destination port pickup or door delivery, which varies by destination country. Because each of these line items shifts with the route and the vehicle, an honest quote is built for your specific origin postal code, destination, and vehicle, not pulled from a posted number that goes stale within weeks.
Should I ship my car by container or RoRo?
Choosing between container shipping and RoRo comes down to the value of the vehicle and whether you need full enclosure. Container shipping seals the vehicle inside a 20 ft or 40 ft container for complete weather and theft protection and lets you pack personal effects alongside it. RoRo drives the vehicle on and off a specialized vessel for less money but leaves it exposed to weather and repeated port handling. The two main international vehicle shipping methods from Canada compare like this:
| Factor | Container shipping | RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Vehicle loaded inside a sealed 20 ft or 40 ft container | Vehicle driven on/off a specialized vessel |
| Relative cost | Higher (premium for full enclosure) | Lower (typically 30 to 50 percent less) |
| Security | Full enclosure, theft protection, no port handling exposure | Open exposure on vessel, port handling risk |
| Weather protection | Complete (sealed steel container) | None during ocean transit |
| Personal effects allowed | Yes (spare parts, tools, motorcycle accessories) | No (vehicle only, often empty fuel tank) |
| Multiple vehicles | 1 sedan in 20 ft, 2 sedans in 40 ft | 1 vehicle per booking |
| Best for | Classics, exotics, high-value vehicles, vehicles with accessories | Daily drivers, budget moves, common cars |
| Risk profile | Lower (sealed container) | Higher (exposed to elements + handlers) |
For a 2020 BMW X5 shipped Toronto to Hamburg, a real-world container shipping quote will run meaningfully higher than the equivalent RoRo quote on the same route. The RoRo option saves money but trades away the sealed enclosure, so the right choice depends on how much the vehicle is worth to you and whether a port-handling scratch would matter.
What size container do I need to ship a car?
Container size for car shipping depends on how many vehicles you are moving and whether you want to pack parts and gear alongside them. A 20 ft container fits one sedan or compact SUV with room for spare parts and tools, which covers most single-vehicle international moves, and these are the same units we keep ready to buy at the Brantford yard. A 40 ft High Cube fits two sedans, or one large SUV plus a motorcycle and accessories. The full size-to-capacity breakdown:
| Container size | Vehicle capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ft standard (160 sq ft floor) | 1 sedan or compact car, or 1 small SUV | Single vehicle international move, classic car shipping |
| 20 ft High Cube | 1 sedan + roof rack space, or 1 tall SUV | Vehicles with cargo carriers or modified suspension |
| 40 ft standard (320 sq ft) | 2 sedans, or 1 large SUV + 1 motorcycle | Multi-vehicle household move overseas |
| 40 ft High Cube | 2 sedans + accessories, or 1 SUV + 1 motorcycle + tools | Comprehensive vehicle move with parts and gear |
| 45 ft High Cube | 2 large SUVs, or 2 sedans + 2 motorcycles + accessories | Maximum-capacity overseas vehicle move |
For most Canadian car shipping customers moving a single vehicle internationally, a 20 ft container is the right size and most economical option. For a two-vehicle overseas household move, the 40 ft High Cube is the standard choice. If this is your first time purchasing a steel box for the move, it is worth reading what to check before you commit to a unit so the grade and condition match the vehicle inside. See our the container size options for full dimensional comparisons.
Domestic car shipping in Canada: container vs auto hauler
For shipping a car within Canada (Toronto to Vancouver, Ottawa to Halifax, Calgary to Toronto), most customers use a conventional open-trailer or enclosed-trailer auto hauler rather than a container. What drives the domestic cost, and the method that usually fits each route, breaks down like this:
| Domestic route | Approximate distance | Method most customers use | Where a container fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto to Montreal | Short (about 540 km) | Open-trailer auto hauler | Not typical (use auto hauler) |
| Toronto to Ottawa | Short (about 450 km) | Open-trailer auto hauler | Not typical |
| Toronto to Halifax | Long (about 1,800 km) | Open or enclosed auto hauler | Rare (rail and ship combination) |
| Toronto to Winnipeg | Long (about 2,200 km) | Open-trailer auto hauler | Rare |
| Toronto to Calgary | Very long (about 3,400 km) | Open-trailer auto hauler | Occasional (intermodal, multi-vehicle) |
| Toronto to Vancouver | Cross-country (about 4,400 km) | Open or enclosed auto hauler | Occasional (intermodal, multi-vehicle) |
| Calgary to Toronto | Very long (about 3,400 km) | Open-trailer auto hauler | Occasional (intermodal) |
For most Canadian domestic vehicle shipping, container shipping is not the right method. Open trailers are cheaper for daily drivers; enclosed trailers protect classics and exotics for less than container intermodal. Container car transport makes economic sense for cross-Canada moves only when paired with international destination (you would have used a container anyway, the domestic leg is included) or when transporting multiple vehicles plus personal effects together. For how your container gets delivered and placed once you buy it, see our container delivery guide and the rundown of what moves the price up or down.
When to use container shipping for cars (and when not to)
Use container shipping for cars when:
- You are shipping internationally (Canada to overseas destination)
- The vehicle is high-value: classic car, exotic, restored, rare
- You need to ship personal effects, spare parts, or accessories with the vehicle
- You are shipping multiple vehicles together (2 in a 40 ft, more in specialty racking)
- You want full enclosure security throughout transit
- The destination has limited RoRo availability
- You have a non-running or partially-disassembled vehicle (RoRo requires the car drive on/off)
Use auto-hauler transport instead when:
- Domestic Canadian move (Toronto to Vancouver, etc.) for a daily driver
- Vehicle is a common make/model with low theft profile
- Budget is the primary constraint
- Transit speed matters more than enclosure (auto haulers are faster than ocean freight)
Use RoRo international shipping when:
- International destination with RoRo service
- Vehicle is a running daily driver
- Cost savings matter more to you than full enclosure
- You do not need to ship personal effects with the vehicle
How to load a car in a shipping container
Loading a vehicle into a 20 ft or 40 ft container is straightforward with the right equipment, but the mistakes are expensive. A loaded car sits well within a steel floor rated for far heavier freight, though it helps to know how much a container and its payload actually weigh when you are arranging the lift and the loading surface. The standard procedure:
Equipment needed
- Aluminum ramps with 4,000 lb+ capacity (for full-size cars). Loading angle should stay under 15 degrees for standard sedans, 6 to 10 degrees for low-clearance exotics
- Wheel chocks (block ahead of and behind each tire after positioning)
- Four-point tie-down ratchet straps rated 5,000 kg minimum (for ocean transit)
- Wheel straps that attach to the tire itself, not the suspension or body
- Soft cloths to protect the paint at strap contact points
- Wooden blocking (2×4 or 2×6) for additional bracing
Loading steps
- Position the container. Have it placed on level ground with cargo doors fully open at the loading end.
- Set up the ramps. Aluminum ramps from the cargo doors to the loading surface. Angle under 15 degrees for cars (some exotic and racing-suspension vehicles need 6 to 10 degrees with hydraulic lift gates).
- Drive the vehicle in centred. Park exactly down the centre line of the container with about 1 ft of clearance on each side.
- Set the parking brake. Leave the transmission in Park (automatic) or in gear (manual).
- Apply wheel chocks. Block ahead of the front wheels and behind the rear wheels.
- Run tie-down straps. Four-point system: two straps from front anchors to front tie-down points, two from rear anchors to rear tie-down points. Use wheel straps that loop over the tire rather than attaching to chassis points to avoid damage to suspension components.
- Tighten progressively. Snug each strap, then go around tightening in a balanced pattern. Aim for the vehicle to settle slightly on its suspension without being pulled hard.
- Add wooden blocking. 2x4s or 2x6s positioned against the tires from outside provide additional resistance to lateral movement.
- Inspect at sea-going attitudes. A loaded vehicle should not be able to walk, roll, or lean inside the container even under ocean swell forces.
How do I ship a motorcycle in a container?
Shipping a motorcycle in a container means strapping the bike securely inside a sealed 20 ft or 40 ft container, which is far gentler than RoRo because RoRo requires a separate handler at each port and exposes the bike to drop risk. A 20 ft container holds four to six motorcycles depending on size, and a 40 ft holds eight to fourteen, or one car plus two or three bikes. The container motorcycle shipping specifics:
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| 20 ft container capacity | 4 to 6 motorcycles depending on size |
| 40 ft container capacity | 8 to 14 motorcycles, or 1 car + 2-3 motorcycles |
| Tie-down points | Front: lower triple clamp or fork tubes (NEVER handlebars or brake lines). Rear: frame or footpeg supports (NOT luggage racks or crash bars) |
| Loading ramp specs | 600 lb+ capacity aluminum ramp, angle under 30 degrees, wheel chock at top |
| Pre-shipment prep | Drain fuel to 1/4 tank (or per carrier), disconnect battery for ocean transit, photograph all pre-existing damage |
| Personal effects | Allowed: helmet, riding gear, spare parts, tools inside container |
Pre-shipment vehicle preparation
Whether shipping by container or RoRo, vehicle prep prevents most of the common claims and disputes:
- Wash the vehicle thoroughly. Insurance adjusters and the receiving party need to see existing scratches and dents. Dirt hides damage during pre-shipment inspection.
- Photograph every panel. Walk-around photos plus close-ups of any existing damage. Time-stamped, ideally with a newspaper or smartphone date display in frame.
- Drain fuel to 1/4 tank. Most international shippers require this; some require empty tank for hazmat reasons.
- Disconnect the battery (for ocean transit). Prevents accidental drain or short circuits during the long transit.
- Disable the alarm. A car alarm going off in a sealed container at sea is not entertaining for the crew. Disable, or remove the fuse.
- Remove personal effects from the cabin. Customs at the destination usually requires the vehicle interior to match the manifest. Items in the trunk or rear cargo area can be declared separately.
- Take all keys but one. The shipper needs one key for loading and unloading. Don’t ship all your spares.
- Verify insurance scope. Confirm cargo insurance covers your declared vehicle value through transit. Top-up policies are available for high-value vehicles.
- Document VIN, mileage, and trim. Customs paperwork at the destination requires this in matching format.
- Disclose modifications. If the vehicle has aftermarket suspension, body kits, or non-stock components, tell the loader. Standard ramps may not work for lowered cars.
Why container shipping a classic car wins on protection
The combination of sealed steel walls and four-point tie-down means a classic, exotic, or high-value car in a container is meaningfully more protected than RoRo or open-trailer transport. Specific protections:
- No port handling exposure. RoRo vehicles get driven on and off by handlers at each port (origin, transshipment, destination). Container vehicles get loaded once, sealed, and unloaded once. The reduced handling cuts the most common damage source.
- No weather exposure. Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Ocean transits face salt spray, storms, and temperature swings. Sealed containers maintain interior humidity and prevent direct moisture contact.
- Theft protection. A sealed and locked container can be tampered-evidence-inspected at unloading. RoRo vehicles can have valuables removed during transit handling.
- Insurance rate. Marine insurance on a classic or exotic is typically rated lower for a sealed container shipment than for the same vehicle on RoRo, because the enclosed container carries less handling and weather risk.
- Personal effects allowed. Container shipping allows you to ship spare parts, tools, and accessories inside the container with the vehicle, which RoRo does not permit.
“Classic car collectors are the customers who really understand container shipping. They will gladly pay the premium for the container over RoRo, because the cost of a port-handling scratch on a 1965 Mustang is far higher than the difference in freight. For daily drivers, RoRo is usually the right answer. For anything you would consider too valuable to scratch, the container is worth it.”
Christian LeBlanc, Van Blanc Ent. Inc., Brantford
Where VBinC fits in container car shipping
We are an Ontario container supplier, not an international shipping carrier. Our role in car shipping:
- Supply the container. If you are shipping a vehicle internationally and the carrier wants you to provide the container, we sell 20 ft and 40 ft containers in every grade to support the shipment.
- Deliver to your loading site. Container delivered to your property where you can load the vehicle yourself, then a carrier picks up the loaded container for ocean transit.
- Buyback after international shipment. If you sent the container with the vehicle and don’t need it at the destination, the receiving party often resells it locally. Container values in the international used market are similar to Canadian retail.
- Local Ontario car-and-container coordination. For customers shipping out of Toronto, Montreal, or Halifax ports, we coordinate with the steamship line’s container or supply our own at competitive rates.
For Ontario-based intermodal car shipping (rail-and-truck combinations), our containers can be leased into the carrier’s network for the duration of the move and either returned to us or sold at the destination. Most cross-Canada car shipments use carrier-supplied containers rather than buyer-owned, but the option exists if you want maximum control.
Quote structure: what container car shipping quotes should include
- Container cost (often included in shipping quote, sometimes separate)
- Door-to-port pickup at the Canadian origin (drayage)
- Origin port handling fees (terminal handling at the Canadian departure port)
- Ocean freight (the longest line item, depends on destination)
- Destination port handling (terminal handling at the arrival port)
- Port-to-door delivery at the destination (if you want it)
- Marine insurance (scaled to declared vehicle value, higher for classics and exotics)
- Customs clearance (origin and destination combined)
- Duties and taxes at destination (varies by destination country; can be a significant line)
- Documentation fees (bill of lading, certificate of origin, and related paperwork)
Always request a full all-in quote rather than just ocean freight. The line items above can add 30 to 80 percent to the headline freight number once everything is factored in.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a car in a container from Canada?
Container car shipping from Canada is quoted per shipment, not from a fixed rate, because the destination, container size, vehicle value, insurance, and port handling all move the number. Toronto to Europe ships in roughly 14 to 21 days, Toronto to Japan in 25 to 35 days, and Toronto to Australia in 35 to 50 days. Tell us your origin postal code, destination, and vehicle and we will help you get an honest all-in number.
What is the difference between container shipping and RoRo car shipping?
Container shipping loads your vehicle inside a sealed 20 ft or 40 ft shipping container, providing weather protection, theft protection, no port handling exposure, and the option to ship personal effects with the vehicle. RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) drives the vehicle on and off a specialized vessel, costing 30 to 50 percent less but exposing the vehicle to weather, port handlers, and no personal effects. Container is the standard for classics, exotics, and high-value vehicles. RoRo works for daily drivers.
How many cars fit in a 40 ft container?
A 40 ft standard container fits 2 sedans loaded centre-line. A 40 ft High Cube fits 2 sedans plus accessories, or 1 large SUV plus 1 motorcycle plus tools. With specialized racking (vehicles stacked vertically), a 40 ft container can hold 4 to 6 vehicles. Most household shipments use the 40 ft for 1 or 2 vehicles plus personal effects.
Can I ship a motorcycle in a container?
Yes. A 20 ft container fits 4 to 6 motorcycles depending on size. A 40 ft fits 8 to 14 motorcycles or combination loads (1 car plus 2-3 motorcycles). Tie-downs run from the lower triple clamp or fork tubes (front) and frame or footpeg supports (rear). Never attach to handlebars, brake lines, luggage racks, or crash bars. Pre-shipment: drain fuel to 1/4 tank, disconnect battery, photograph everything.
Is container shipping a car cheaper than RoRo?
No. Container shipping costs roughly 30 to 50 percent more than RoRo for the same route. The premium pays for full weather and handling protection, theft security, and the ability to ship personal effects with the vehicle. For high-value vehicles the premium is worth it; for daily drivers RoRo is usually the right call.
How long does international car shipping from Canada take?
Transit times vary by destination. Halifax to UK: 10 to 14 days. Toronto or Montreal to Europe: 14 to 21 days. Toronto to Japan: 25 to 35 days. Toronto to Australia: 35 to 50 days. Add 1 to 2 weeks at each end for port handling, customs clearance, and inland delivery. Total door-to-door door is typically 4 to 9 weeks depending on destination.
How much does it cost to ship a car across Canada?
Cross-Canada vehicle shipping is usually handled by a third-party open-trailer auto hauler, and the rate depends on the route and distance (Toronto to Montreal is short, Toronto to Vancouver is long). Enclosed-trailer service runs roughly 70 to 80 percent more than open trailer. Container intermodal shipping across Canada is typically reserved for classics and high-value vehicles.
How do I prepare my car for container shipping?
Wash thoroughly, photograph every panel, drain fuel to 1/4 tank, disconnect the battery, disable the alarm, remove personal effects from the cabin, take all keys but one, verify insurance, document VIN/mileage/trim, and disclose any modifications or non-stock components. The full pre-shipment checklist sits in the body of this guide.
What size container do I need to ship one car?
A 20 ft container fits one sedan or compact SUV with space for spare parts and tools. A 20 ft High Cube accommodates tall SUVs or vehicles with roof accessories. For two vehicles, step up to a 40 ft standard or 40 ft High Cube. Our breakdown of every container dimension walks through the interior measurements side by side.
Can I ship personal effects with my car in a container?
Yes, this is one of the main advantages of container car shipping over RoRo. Spare parts, tools, motorcycle accessories, riding gear, and household goods can be packed around the vehicle and shipped together. Verify destination country customs rules for what you can include. RoRo does not allow personal effects.
Come get a quote on the container side
If you are arranging international or specialty domestic car shipping and need a 20 ft or 40 ft shipping container for the move, we can deliver the container to your Ontario loading site within 1 to 3 days of confirmation. We coordinate timing with your steamship line or intermodal carrier so the container arrives on the date that fits your loading schedule. For modification options (interior tie-down anchor points, lighting), see our modifying a container.
Call Van Blanc, Brantford, Ontario, 519-754-6844
Van Blanc Ent. Inc. has been delivering shipping containers across Ontario since 1995. 4.9-star rating across 124+ Google reviews. Brantford yard with 200+ containers in stock, the only Ontario yard we know of that lets you pick your unit before you pay.
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Sources & References
Authoritative external sources cited or referenced in this guide: