Shipping Your Exotic Car to Puerto Rico: A Guide to RO/RO and Enclosed Container Services

We understand your passion for your cars, but shipping your exotic cars can trigger anxiety and a range of practical concerns like never before. Your mind may already be buzzing with questions such as:

• How will the journey impact a machine crafted for elegance and performance?
• How should I prepare my collection for shipping?
• How much will it cost?
• Which method provides the best protection for my vehicle during transit?

You want confidence throughout the entire relocation process, especially when your vehicle’s value or rarity is irreplaceable. In this guide, we’ll explore the two main ways of shipping exotic cars to your new home at Dorado Beach.

Know Your Two Primary Shipping Options

If you are shipping exotic cars to Puerto Rico, you have two reliable options.

• The first one is RO/RO shipping (roll-on/roll-off). It involves driving your car onto a specialized vessel, where it is secured for the journey, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for drivable vehicles.
• The second option is enclosed container car shipping. It offers a greater degree of safety by securing your vehicle within its own container, providing protection from the salty sea air and separating it from other cargo.

Both are standard ocean vehicle transport methods, but each one is designed to meet different needs based on the value of your car, your risk tolerance, and how much protection you want during transit.

RO/RO Shipping: The Efficient Choice for Drivable Vehicles

RO/RO shipping is typically the preferred choice for vehicles that are in good running condition. It’s an efficient and cost-effective method where the vehicle is driven onto a specialized ship and secured in the cargo hold.

One of the major advantages of RO/RO shipping is its cost-effectiveness compared to enclosed shipping. Since it uses dedicated vessels for vehicles, you might also need a shorter transit time for shipping exotic cars to Puerto Rico.

However, roll-on/roll-off shipping does come with a few limitations. For one, every vehicle in your collection must be in a running condition, as it will be driven onto the ship. That means non-running cars cannot be shipped this way.

Secondly, while the vehicles are stored in the ship's covered decks, they are not individually enclosed. This means that while they are protected from most elements, they might still be exposed to some risk.

The bottom line is that RO/RO shipping is ideal for newer luxury vehicles that are regularly driven. It’s an excellent option for those looking to save on costs while still getting timely delivery.

Enclosed Container Shipping: Maximum Protection for Irreplaceable Vehicles

If your collection includes rare, highly valuable, or classic cars, enclosed container shipping offers the highest level of protection. In this method, your car is carefully loaded into a 20ft or 40ft container, which is then sealed to protect it from weather, salt air, and the risk of handling by third parties. This method is perfect for high-end vehicles and limited-edition models.

One of the key benefits of enclosed container shipping is the level of protection it offers. The vehicle is fully shielded from external conditions. Additionally, non-running vehicles can be transported via forklift or winch, giving you more flexibility in terms of the types of cars you can ship.

That said, the cost is typically higher due to container rental and the logistics involved in loading and unloading the vehicle. Transit times may be longer depending on the vessel schedule, but this is a small price to pay for the added security and peace of mind.

Many owners of rare or collectible cars opt for enclosed car shipping because it provides the best protection against potential environmental damage.

How to Prepare Your Exotic Car for Shipping to Puerto Rico?

Preparing your car for shipping helps avoid delays, disputes, or claims on insurance. Before your exotic cargo loads on a ship, here is what you should do:

1. Document the Vehicle Condition

Document your vehicle's condition with high-resolution photos, video, and written notes. This serves as your official inspection and insurance record.

2. Lower the Fuel Level

Lower the fuel tank to about a quarter. This is a safety requirement for ocean shipping and aids in inspection at the origin and destination ports.

3. Remove Loose Items

Remove or secure loose items, custom accessories, or anything personal that is not permitted by the shipper. You can ask the shipping company for a checklist.

4. Disable Security Systems

Disable alarms and provide instructions for unique security systems that may trigger during transport or inspection.

5. Check Battery and Tires

Check battery charge and tire pressure. Flat batteries can delay release at the port.

6. Record Existing Damage

Note any scratches, dings, or paint issues and have them recorded by the shipping company on the bill of lading at pickup.

7. Prepare Ownership Documents

Keep copies of registration, title, and insurance documents. Several shipping partners require them for both pickup and delivery.

8. Detail Before Shipping

Consider having your vehicle professionally detailed just before shipment. Clean surfaces make post-journey inspections more revealing and help with resolving any disputes.

Think about Shipping Costs, Timelines, and What to Expect

Even with a sizable budget, you need financial planning, especially if you are shipping multiple exotic cars to Puerto Rico within your move-in dates.

While both options are great, the cost to ship your car to Puerto Rico will vary significantly depending on the method you choose. RO/RO shipping is typically more cost-effective and faster thanks to the streamlined nature of port operations and vessel schedules.

Enclosed container shipping, on the other hand, commands a notable premium, especially when securing a full container or requesting partial loads for exotic vehicles. This could also mean longer shipping times.

Other factors affecting the overall transport cost include vehicle dimensions, weight, port location (common embarkation points are Jacksonville, Miami, and New York), current fuel surcharges, and your insurance coverage. It's best to compare quotes from at least three detailed proposals from providers specializing in luxury or exotic car relocation.

The typical vehicle shipping timeline for Puerto Rico is seven to fourteen days if you choose the RO/RO method and ten to twenty days for door-to-door enclosed container shipments from most East Coast ports.

However, you will need to consider variables such as seasonality, port congestion, and vessel frequency. Newly arriving vehicles will go through inspection and brief processing at the port in San Juan.

After release, your car can be delivered directly to your Dorado Beach residence if you request white-glove delivery. Dorado Beach is located approximately 20 to 22 miles west of the San Juan ocean cargo port.

Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, there is no U.S. customs duty for vehicles shipped from the mainland. However, a local excise tax applies, which can reach up to 40% of the vehicle’s value depending on the year and model, and certain registration and federal emission requirements still remain. It's better to clear your exotic vehicle for road use in advance to save time. Most Dorado Beach owners work with local relocation specialists, making the process even more seamless.

Choose a Reputable Shipping Partner

Yes, cost is a major consideration, but there are other factors you need to think about when shortlisting an exotic car shipping company. As you are shipping high-value (and even rare) vehicles, look for someone with a proven track record in luxury vehicle transport to Puerto Rico.

Verify FMCSA registration for U.S.-based carriers. Insist on written documentation of insurance coverage, particularly upper coverage limits and the claims procedure. Also, ask for direct references from clients who have shipped similar automobiles.

If a quote appears well below the market range, question why. A reputed and professional luxury vehicle transport company holds price transparency, experience, and integrity above lowest cost.

Dorado Beach-bound clients can choose white-glove car shipping options. This system connects port arrival with delivery to your residence. In other words, your prized car comes home with minimal handling and exposure.

Bring Your Exotic Car Collection Home to Dorado Beach

Shipping your exotic car to Puerto Rico shouldn't be stressful. With the right preparation and a reliable shipping partner, you can get your collection to Dorado Beach safely and without hassle. Many residents in our community have successfully relocated entire collections.

When you buy real estate within the Dorado Beach resort community, you get a home that matches the lifestyle that comes with your exotic car collection.

Many of our ultra-high-net-worth residents choose to live in Dorado Beach communities like La Cala and the Livingston Lakefront Estates, both part of the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residences within Dorado Beach.

Please contact our team to learn more about our property offerings.