How RoRo Motorhome Shipping Works
Driven On, Driven Off: Your Motorhome by Sea
RoRo means roll-on roll-off. Your motorhome is driven onto a vehicle carrier at the port, travels in the ship’s enclosed hold, and is driven off at the other end, ready for the road.
What is RoRo shipping?
A RoRo ship is a floating car park: decks of vehicle space inside a closed hull, loaded by ramp. Your motorhome travels in the enclosed hold, never on deck. We ship motorhomes, campervans, RVs, caravans and trailers this way from the UK, Belgium and Germany.
Need a container or a flat rack instead? Our parent company IVSS handles those.
Why size sets the price
RoRo freight is priced on the space your motorhome takes on the ship: its length, width and height. A 6 m campervan from the UK to Halifax, Canada starts at about GBP 3,180; a 7.5 m, 3.2 m high motorhome on the same sailing at about GBP 4,430 (Instant pricing, November 2026).
Declare the longest length, widest width and highest height with roof boxes, solar panels, bike racks and tow bars fitted. If the port measures it larger than declared, you pay for the measured size. Motorhome shipping costs by destination
Step by step
- Instant pricing. Enter your motorhome’s size, weight and travel date to see the price and the next sailings in seconds.
- Book. Send us your vehicle registration, your passport and the date you want to ship. We confirm the booking and start the export paperwork.
- Drop off at the port. About 14 days before the sailing you get your delivery instructions and port documents. You drive to the terminal and hand over the keys.
- The crossing. Your motorhome travels in the enclosed hold. We tell you when the ship sails and when it is due to arrive.
- Collect. Customs clearance at the arrival port goes through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker. Once it is released, you collect it and drive away.
Gas, batteries and fuel
- Gas: removable bottles come out; a bottle or tank that stays must be empty, with a gas-free certificate, and declared before booking.
- Lithium leisure battery: accepted case by case. Tell us in writing before booking and send the data sheet.
- Fuel: less than a quarter of a tank, and no spare cans unless new and checked with us first.
Belongings
On some sailings you can leave items you need for the trip, such as bedding, cutlery and camping gear, locked in cupboards and out of sight. Acceptance is at the shipping line’s discretion, and belongings travel at your own risk. The full motorhome preparation checklist
Questions motorhome owners ask
Does my motorhome travel on deck?
No. On RoRo your motorhome is driven onto the ship and travels in the enclosed hold of a vehicle carrier.
Why do the height and length matter so much?
The RoRo price is set by your motorhome’s measured size. Declare the longest length, widest width and highest height with roof boxes, solar panels, bike racks and tow bars fitted. If the port measures it larger than declared, you pay for the measured size.
How much does it cost to ship a motorhome?
From the UK by RoRo, a 6 m campervan costs from about GBP 2,880 to Uruguay or Argentina, GBP 3,180 to Canada, GBP 3,320 to South Africa and GBP 3,530 to the USA, up to about GBP 6,170 to New Zealand (Instant pricing, November 2026). A 7.5 m motorhome costs about a third to a half more.
Can I ship my motorhome with gas bottles?
Removable gas bottles must be taken out. A bottle or fixed tank that stays in the motorhome must be completely empty with a gas-free certificate no more than 5 working days old, and declared before booking. Some sailings accept an empty tank with no pressure instead; your booking confirmation gives the rule for your sailing.
Can I leave belongings in my motorhome?
On some sailings, yes: items you need for the trip, such as bedding, cutlery and camping gear, locked in cupboards and out of sight. Acceptance is at the shipping line’s discretion. Belongings travel at your own risk and are not covered by us or the carrier.
Can my motorhome go in a container instead of RoRo?
Only if it is small enough: under 2.65 m high, 2.34 m wide and 12 m long. Most motorhomes are taller, so they go by RoRo, or by flat rack if they are too big for RoRo. Our parent company IVSS quotes containers and flat racks.
When do I take my motorhome to the port?
About 14 days before the sailing you get your delivery instructions and port documents. You drive to the terminal on the agreed day and hand over the keys.