Car Shipping to Portugal
2026 Guide
Car shipping to Portugal is simple when an agent guides you through the steps, costs, and import requirements. Whether you’re moving to Portugal, selling a vehicle overseas, or importing a classic car, an experienced international auto transport company can help you comply with Portuguese and EU regulations and protect your vehicle during the journey overseas.
Why CFR Classic?
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How Our Container Loading System Protects Your Car on the Trip to Portugal
R-RakThe R-Rak system replaces traditional wooden ramps with a secure steel racking system, allowing up to five classic vehicles to be safely loaded into a single container while minimizing movement and reducing the risk of damage during transit.
Shipping a Car to Portugal – Key Takeaways
Quick SummaryThe most important facts about shipping a car from the US to Portugal — before you dive into the detail.
Shipping a Car to Portugal – Key Takeaways
Transit time: 4–8 weeks (ocean), 3–10 days (air)
VAT: 23% (Portugal), 22% (Madeira), 16% (Azores)
ISV: calculated based on vehicle characteristics
Cost: $2,100–$8,500+ (ocean), $10,000+ (air)
Main ports: Lisbon, Douro, Leixões
Import duty: 10%
Required inspection: Centro de Inspecção Classe B
Car Shipping Process Summary
The ProcessFrom your first quote to keys in hand, here’s the full journey.
Request a Free Quote
Submit your vehicle details online. Our team responds within 24 hours with a personalized cost breakdown and recommended shipping method.
24-hour response
Prepare Your Documentation
Gather your title, bill of sale, and other required paperwork.
Schedule Pick-Up or Vehicle Drop-Off
Have your vehicle picked up from your location and trucked to the port or drop it off at the agreed upon US port terminal.
Ocean Transit to Portugal
While your vehicle is in transit, you can track its progress through our customer portal.
Customs Clearance in Portugal
Our local broker handles all Portuguese customs paperwork, VAT, ISV, duties, and other considerations.
Delivered & Registered in Portugal
Your vehicle undergoes customs/ISV regularization, technical inspection if required, IMT registration-number assignment, and receives final registration certificate/DUA process before release for legal driving.
Portugal Car Shipping Costs, Major Ports & Shipping Methods
PricingShipping a car from the U.S. to Portugal starts around USD $2,100, depending on departure port, method (container vs RoRo), vehicle size and destination port. The estimated transit time is 4-8 weeks, but this can also vary.
Route | Roll-On/Roll-Off | Shared Container Load | Full Container Load | Air Freight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
US East Coast → Lisbon | Contact for Pricing | Unavailable | $2,500 | Contact for Pricing |
US West Coast → Lisbon | Contact for Pricing | Unavailable | $3,800 | Contact for Pricing |
Get an Instant Car Shipping Quote
Tell us about your vehicle and we’ll respond within 24 hours with a personalised cost breakdown.
* Please note that your information is saved on our server as you enter it.
US Departure Ports
LogisticsWe offer multiple departure locations for car shipping services. In addition, we can arrange for pickup from another location and have your vehicle transported to the departure port.
Ports Served in the USA
Los Angeles
New York
Houston
Miami
Savannah
Baltimore
And More
Portuguese Destination Ports
LogisticsHere are the entry ports in Portugal and nearby in Europe that we can ship a car to. Our agents can also arrange for shipment to an inland location in Portugal or Europe, depending on your needs.
Ports Served in Portugal
Lisbon
Douro and Leixões
(Porto)
Aveiro
Setúbal
Sines
Bremerhaven
(Germany)
Rotterdam
(Netherlands)
Antwerp
(Belgium)
Duties, Taxes & Fees
Taxes & FeesIn addition to the costs associated with shipment, you’ll need to prepare for other costs, such as those levied by the Portuguese government. Some of these fees could include:
Portugal Import and Registration Fees
Customs duty
Value-added tax
(VAT/IVA)
ISV
(Imposto Sobre Veículos)
Optional marine insurance/shipping protection
Technical inspection fee
Vehicle modification costs
If non-conforming
Registration fee
Car insurance
Your agent can help you navigate these questions. Generally, you can expect to pay a 23% VAT/IVA and a 10% import duty based on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of the vehicle.
In addition, you can expect to pay ISV calculated by vehicle type, engine displacement, CO₂ emissions, fuel type, and age.
These fees can be paid directly at the Finanças local office.
Portuguese Import Duty and Tax Exemptions
Duties & ExemptionsYou may qualify for exemptions from taxes and duties – read on below.
Exemption Type | How to Qualify & Exemption Details |
|---|---|
Classic Car Exemption | Classic vehicles may have different tax treatment or reduced ISV depending on classification. While not automatically exempt from Portuguese import taxes, vehicles over 30 years old may qualify for historic or collector treatment, but the vehicle must meet the applicable classification and technical requirements. Age alone does not guarantee exemption from VAT, customs duty, ISV, inspection, homologation, or registration. |
Temporary Import Exemption | If you are a non-EU resident bringing a car into Portugal temporarily, you may be able to use the EU temporary importation regime. You can import without paying normal import duty, ISV, or VAT, provided it is intended for re-export and is not altered except for normal depreciation from use. |
Transfer of Residence Relief | If you are moving your legal residence to Portugal, your privately used vehicle may qualify for ISV relief when imported as part of your relocation. To qualify, you generally must be over 18, have lived abroad for at least 6 months, and have owned the vehicle in your country of origin for at least 6 months before transferring residence to Portugal. Each person can generally request the exemption for one vehicle, and the request must be submitted within 12 months of transferring residence. |
Disability and Other ISV Exemptions | Portugal also has ISV exemptions for certain qualifying cases, including people with disabilities and some other special categories. Your agent should confirm your status before shipping, as paperwork and timing requirements can be strict. |
Shipping Methods
Choose your shipping methodYour vehicle can be shipped via container, via air freight, or on a roll-on/roll-off ship (think of it like a parking lot on a shipping vessel).
The method you choose will impact the cost and timing of your shipment. A quick summary of the benefits of each:
- Cheapest → Ro-Ro
- Balanced → Shared Container Load
- Maximum protection → Full Container Load
- Fastest → Air Freight
Ro-Ro (Roll-On/Roll-Off) Shipping
Ro-Ro shipping is typically the most affordable option, with the additional benefit that these ships have more frequent departures, meaning your shipment will have a shorter lead time before arrival.
Ro-Ro’s main drawback is that your vehicle will be in the open on the Ro-Ro deck with hundreds of other vehicles, and you will not be able to transport personal items inside the vehicle.
Shared Container Load (SCL)
With shared container load, we’ll use our R-Rak method to safely load your vehicle into a container, along with a few other customers’ vehicles. This allows you to share the cost of a container while benefiting from added security compared to Ro-Ro shipping.
However, it’s generally more expensive than Ro-Ro and takes longer as the container won’t ship until it’s been filled.
Full Container Load (FCL)
Full container load offers the benefits of shared container load shipping; however, the container is reserved exclusively for your vehicle or vehicles. This offers the highest level of protection and security, allows you to ship your vehicle with personal goods inside, and departs as soon as it can be loaded onto a vessel – no waiting to fill the container. The primary drawback is that FCL is more expensive than SCL and Ro-Ro.
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest method. It’s exactly what it sounds like – we load your vehicle into a plane and then it is transported by air to its destination in Portugal.
While significantly more expensive than other options, it’s ideal for time-sensitive shipments, reducing the process to days rather than weeks or months.
Import Eligibility & Documentation Required
ComplianceTo ship a car to Portugal, you’ll need to confirm a few details. Your agent can assist you in the process of determining your vehicle’s eligibility for shipment to Portugal.
- Your vehicle will need to comply with Portuguese emissions standards. Portugal uses EU emissions standards.
- Your vehicle will need to comply with EU safety standards.
- If your vehicle does not conform to safety or emissions standards, it will need to undergo a homologation process which will be an additional expense.
- Your vehicle may be exempt from some of these requirements if it is older than 30 years.
You’ll also want to ensure you have all proper documentation for import. You’ll need the following documentation to ship a car to Portugal:
Documents for Shipping
Bill of Sale or Purchase Invoice
showing ownership, date, and vehicle value
US Title or Registration Certificate
confirming ownership transfer
Vehicle Photos
(VIN plate/chassis number, exterior, interior, engine bay) if required by the carrier or German authorities
Shipping Contract/Booking Confirmation and Marine Insurance Certificate
Marine insurance recommended but not required
US Export Clearance Documents
and proof of vehicle condition
Upon arrival in Germany, you’ll need the following to complete your import and register your vehicle:
Documents for Import
Customs Import Declaration
Duty and VAT/IVA Assessment Documents
Technical Inspection Documentation
Proof of Insurance
Passport or Other Identification
Proof of Official Address Registration
Vehicle Registration in Portugal
RegistrationAll vehicles shipped to Portugal must be registered before they can be legally driven on public roads
All vehicles imported permanently into Portugal must be legalized and registered before they can be regularly driven on Portuguese public roads. The process usually involves customs clearance, completion of the Declaração Aduaneira de Veículos (DAV), payment or exemption of ISV, technical approval or inspection where required, and assignment of a Portuguese registration number through IMT. Generally, the steps are as follows
- Complete customs clearance and gather the import documents
- Submit the DAV through the Portuguese Tax Authority/Customs Portal
- Pay ISV or submit an approved exemption request
- Obtain technical approval, COC documentation, IMT Form 9, and Form 112 inspection certificate if required
- Apply to IMT for the Portuguese registration number
- Complete final vehicle registration and obtain the DUA/Certificado de Matrícula
- Apply for Portuguese insurance and plates
For vehicles purchased abroad and brought into Portugal, you must pay ISV and complete the DAV within 20 business days from the vehicle’s entry into Portugal. After fiscal regularization, there are 60 days to pay the IMT registration fee and request your registration certificate.
All cars in Portugal must carry an “all-in-one” card, which represents the car’s registration, license plate, and logbook. This card must be kept with the car at all times. You must also apply for a Portuguese driver’s license (to replace your foreign driver’s license) and a new license plate.
Finally, you will need to pay IUC – Imposto Único de Circulação, which is essentially the Portuguese road tax allowing you to use Portuguese roads freely.
If all of this sounds like a lot to process, don’t worry! With agents in Portugal, the US, and abroad, the team at CFR Classic can assist with inspections, compliance requirements, and the full registration process.
Start the Process of Shipping Your
Car Overseas Now!
Our agents are ready to answer any questions you have! Pop in your vehicle’s details below and we’ll get you a free quick quote for your car shipment within 24 hours.
Portuguese Car Shipping FAQ
Common QuestionsEverything commonly asked about shipping a car from the US to Germany.
Should I use escrow or a secure payment service when buying a car overseas?
Using a secure payment service is highly recommended. Services like CFR SafePay act as a trusted intermediary—verifying the seller, confirming the vehicle details, and holding funds until everything checks out—helping protect you from fraud.
Are there special considerations for shipping electric vehicles?
Yes. Electric vehicles are classified as hazardous cargo due to their batteries, which means:
- Additional documentation is required
- Shipping costs may be higher
- Some carriers have restrictions or require special containers
- Working with an experienced shipper is essential for EV transport.
Can I ship a new car overseas?
Yes, but you’ll need proper ownership documents, such as:
- Vehicle title or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MSO)
- Notarized bill of sale
- Proof of full payment
- In many cases, it’s easier to ship once the official title is issued.
Is air freight available for car shipping?
Yes. Air freight is the fastest option, delivering vehicles in days instead of weeks. However, it is significantly more expensive than ocean shipping and is typically used for high-value or time-sensitive vehicles.
Do departure and arrival ports affect shipping cost?
Yes. Popular shipping routes (like major U.S. to Portuguese ports) are usually more affordable due to higher volume and efficiency. Less common routes can cost more due to limited availability.
Is it cheaper to import a car or buy one locally in Portugal?
It depends. Importing can make sense for:
- Classic or specialty vehicles
- Personal vehicles during relocation (often tax-exempt)
However, for standard vehicles, taxes, duties, and modification costs can make local purchasing more economical.
Do I need marine insurance?
Yes, it’s strongly recommended. Carrier liability is limited (often around $500), which may not cover your vehicle’s value. Marine insurance typically costs about 1–2% of the car’s value and provides full protection during transit.
What is EU “mutual recognition” for vehicles?
Mutual recognition means that if a vehicle is approved in one EU country, it can generally be registered in another without additional testing. This simplifies importing within the EU, though compliance with local regulations is still required.
Addtional Resources
Explore moreWe’ve rounded up some extra guides, handy tools, and useful links to help you keep rolling. Check them out below.
Joey has spent his entire teen and adult life in cars. Joey’s father owned a Jeep store, and Joey had his own used car lot that he ran himself from age 22 until I was 30. At 30 years old, Joey got “out of” the car business and joined CFR Rinkens. Joey started when there were only 9 people at CFR, but the company grew to over 150 employees during his time there.
When Joey started, CFR Rinkens was shipping about 40 vehicles per week from Los Angeles. Joey established locations in Houston, Miami, and New York and within the first year, CFR went to shipping 150 cars per week. Joey started as a customer service rep and later moved up to sales manager, operations manager, and marketing manager.
Joey then moved to Europe for two years and spent the entire time traveling through Europe meeting with clients. In 2022, Joey and his partners purchased CFR Classic from CFR Rinkens and he returned to California to watch over the operation more closely.