Logistics

Should I ship by container or RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)?

RoRo is typically cheaper per unit for standard vehicles with no aftermarket parts loaded, while containers protect the vehicle better and let you ship parts/accessories alongside it — our calculator lets you compare both.

You can ship China-to-destination either in a container or RoRo (roll-on/roll-off), and the right choice is a trade-off between cost-per-unit and protection. Here is how both work, with our real freight figures for the priority destinations.

Container shipping

  • Protection: enclosed, so vehicles are shielded from weather and handling.
  • Consolidation: several units share one container (typically three to four pickups), cutting per-unit freight.
  • Best for: new or high-value units, multiple-unit orders, theft-sensitive routes.

RoRo shipping

  • Cost: often the cheaper per-unit rate for a single vehicle.
  • Simplicity: the vehicle is driven on and off the vessel.
  • Trade-off: the vehicle sits on an open deck and is driven by port handlers, so it is less protected than a container.

Real freight comparison (per vehicle, USD)

DestinationRoRoContainerClearing
Nigeria$900$1,800$380
Ethiopia$950$1,900$400
Tanzania$850$1,700$350

Which should you pick?

ScenarioRecommendation
Single used vehicle, lowest costRoRo
New vehicle or several units togetherContainer
High-value 4x4, long ocean legContainer

Note the container number is per-vehicle-slot; when you fill a container with several units, the effective per-unit cost can beat RoRo even for a single-unit comparison. We quote both options with every vehicle so you can compare the landed difference for your route.

See how long export takes for the timeline either way.

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