We ship cars, 4x4s, vans, motorhomes, trucks and plant machinery from the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka every week using roll-on roll-off (RoRo) vessels and dedicated container loading. We discharge at Colombo, Hambantota, with an average port-to-port sailing time of 26 days from our main loading berths at Tilbury, London Gateway and Southampton.
Vehicle Shipping Rates to Sri Lanka
UK port to Colombo · transit approx. 26 days
| Saloon / hatchback carRoRo, UK port to destination port | from £1,020 |
| 4x4, SUV & pick-upPriced on cubic metres | from £1,306 |
| Van / minibusLWB units quoted individually | from £1,448 |
| Electric vehicle (EV)Includes battery documentation & 40% charge rule | from £1,530 |
| Motorhome / RVHeight over 2.4 m surcharged | from £1,989 |
| Commercial truck / tipperRigid units up to 12 m | from £2,397 |
| Agricultural tractor / plantStatic, non-runners loaded by mafi trailer | from £2,142 |
| Motorcycle (crated)Consolidated in shared container | from £561 |
| 20ft container (1–2 vehicles)Loaded and braced at our Tilbury yard | from £2,448 |
| 40ft container (3–4 vehicles)Best value for multiple units | from £3,264 |
| Marine insuranceAll-risk cover, minimum premium £75 | 1.5% of declared value |
Indicative rates only, excluding VAT where applicable. Final pricing depends on dimensions, weight, sailing schedule and destination charges.
RoRo is the most cost-effective method of shipping a running vehicle to Sri Lanka. Your car is driven onto a purpose-built vehicle carrier, secured on a fixed deck by trained stevedores and driven off at Colombo on arrival. There is no packing, no crating and no container hire, which is why RoRo remains the first choice for saloons, SUVs and commercial units that start and steer.
Container shipping to Sri Lanka is the alternative where a vehicle is a non-runner, is high value, or where you want to load personal effects, spare parts or trade goods alongside it. We load and brace at our own yard, photograph every stage and seal the container in front of your representative if you wish. A 20ft box comfortably takes one large or two small vehicles; a 40ft high cube will take three to four cars when professionally stacked with racking.
Before booking a vehicle to Sri Lanka, check the local import rules. Many destinations apply an age limit on imported cars, require a pre-shipment inspection certificate, or levy duty on the CIF value plus engine capacity. Our documentation team will tell you exactly which certificates apply to your unit, prepare the V5C surrender and NOVA/HMRC export evidence, and hand the original bill of lading to whoever you nominate.
Electric and hybrid vehicles are accepted on most sailings to Colombo subject to the carrier's state-of-charge rule, typically a maximum 40% battery charge, no visible damage to the battery pack and a signed declaration. We handle those declarations in-house and confirm acceptance before you deliver the vehicle to the port.
Preparing your vehicle properly avoids delays at the terminal. The fuel tank should be no more than a quarter full, the alarm disabled, and the vehicle clean inside and out — several destinations, Sri Lanka included in many commodity categories, inspect for soil, seeds and organic matter on arrival. Personal items are not permitted in a RoRo unit; anything loose must travel in a container. We issue a written pre-shipment checklist with every booking.
On the day of collection your vehicle is inspected and photographed at our East Tilbury yard. We record mileage, existing damage, tyre condition and any accessories, and that condition report travels with the file so there is an independent record if a claim is ever raised. You receive the photographs by email the same day, along with the vessel name, voyage number and estimated arrival at Colombo.
Payment of duty and taxes in Sri Lanka is the responsibility of the importer, and rates vary with engine size, age, fuel type and CO2 band. We will give you an indication of what to expect and can introduce a licensed clearing agent at Colombo who will handle the entry, port storage and release for you — or you can appoint your own broker and we simply release the bill of lading to them.
Ports we ship to in Sri Lanka
Ports we sail to in Sri Lanka
Average port-to-port transit 26 days · weekly departures
UK loading ports
- Tilbury
- London Gateway
- Southampton
- Felixstowe
- Liverpool
Sri Lanka discharge ports
- ColomboRoRo ramp, container terminal and inland haulage available
- HambantotaRoRo ramp, container terminal and inland haulage available
We sail from Tilbury, London Gateway, Southampton, Felixstowe, Immingham and select the berth that gives the earliest departure for Colombo. Inland delivery beyond the port of discharge can be arranged through our agent network in Sri Lanka.
Shipping a vehicle to Sri Lanka
Quote & booking
Rates, sailing or flight options confirmed in writing.
UK collection
Nationwide collection or delivery into our Tilbury depot.
Loading & packing
Lashing, crating, palletising and photographic record.
Customs & export
Export entry, NES clearance and documentation released.
Transit & delivery
Tracking updates until the cargo lands with your consignee.
Vehicles we ship to Sri Lanka
Runners, non-runners, oversized and agricultural units all handled.
- Cars, saloons, hatchbacks and prestige vehicles
- 4x4s, SUVs, pick-ups and crew cabs
- Vans, minibuses and light commercials
- Motorhomes, campervans and RVs
- Rigid trucks, tippers and tractor units
- Agricultural tractors, combines and implements
- Excavators, loaders and construction plant
- Motorcycles, quads and jet skis (crated or shared)
- Boats, yachts and trailers on cradles
- Electric and hybrid vehicles with SoC compliance
Import rules and duty in Sri Lanka
Import duty in Sri Lanka is normally assessed on the CIF value of the vehicle — the cost, insurance and freight combined — with additional excise or environmental levies applied according to engine size, age and emissions. Several destinations also insist on a pre-shipment roadworthiness inspection before the vehicle is loaded in the UK. We will confirm the current position for Colombo before you commit to a booking, and can introduce a licensed clearing agent to handle the import entry on your behalf.
Why ship your vehicle with ShipCars UK
- Weekly RoRo and container options on the Sri Lanka trade lane
- Free nationwide collection quotes from any UK postcode
- Condition report and photographs taken before loading
- DVLA V5C surrender and HMRC export entry completed for you
- All-risk marine insurance at 1.5% of declared value