Introduction
Shipping a car to Puerto Rico is not a normal state-to-state move. One shipment can involve inland pickup, a mainland port, ocean transport, a Puerto Rico port, and final delivery, each with its own handler and charges.
That means more decisions up front: transport method, pickup and delivery arrangement, vehicle condition, timing, insurance, paperwork, and whether your quote includes port-related charges. Skip them and you end up comparing prices that don't match.
This guide covers the transport options, what drives quotes, major ports, documents, preparation, and the questions to ask before you pay a deposit.
Key Takeaways
- A good quote separates ground transport, ocean freight, terminal fees, delivery, storage, insurance, and paperwork.
- Open vs. enclosed, RoRo vs. container, and port-to-port vs. door service each trade cost against protection and convenience.
- Puerto Rico is within U.S. customs territory, but ocean-freight rules and local release steps still apply.
- Compare complete written quotes, not the lowest base rate.
How Puerto Rico Vehicle Shipping Works
The Typical Shipment Sequence
A southbound move usually runs like this:
- The vehicle is picked up at a mainland address, or you drop it at a terminal such as Jacksonville.
- It sails to San Juan. Crowley advertises 2 to 2.5 days at sea, and TOTE advertises a 55-hour transit, twice-weekly. These are ocean times only, not address-to-address estimates.
- In San Juan, Hacienda appraises the vehicle, you pay the excise tax, and the vehicle is released.
- You collect it at the port, or a separate carrier delivers it.
Total timing also depends on mainland distance, sailing schedules, terminal cutoffs, port processing, weather, and seasonal demand. Get current estimates from your provider rather than trusting a fixed number.
Service Types
- Port-to-port: You deliver to the origin terminal and collect at the destination terminal. Usually the cheapest.
- Door-to-port: A carrier collects at your address, and you pick up at the Puerto Rico port.
- Port-to-door: You drop at the terminal, and delivery goes to the destination address.
- Door-to-door: Pickup and final delivery at addresses. Confirm availability for Puerto Rico, since not every carrier offers it.
Why the Jones Act Matters
Under the Jones Act (46 USC 55102), domestic waterborne cargo generally moves on U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, U.S.-crewed vessels. That limits which carriers serve the route and shapes equipment and pricing.
Today the verified vehicle operators are Crowley, TOTE, and Trailer Bridge.
Who Does What
Several parties may touch your shipment:
- Broker: Arranges transport but doesn't operate the trucks
- Mainland auto carrier: Handles the road leg
- Ocean carrier: Handles the sailing
- Puerto Rico delivery carrier: May handle the last leg
Ask which company is responsible at each stage.
Vehicle Transport Options to Puerto Rico
Open vs. Enclosed for the Mainland Leg
Open carriers are the economical choice for standard running vehicles. The tradeoffs are exposure to weather and road debris, shared capacity, and less flexible pickup spots.
Enclosed trailers suit classic, exotic, restored, and luxury cars. Expect more protection and a higher price. Direct Connect Auto Transport recommends enclosed service for custom, exotic, classic, or high-end vehicles.
RoRo vs. Container
RoRo means the vehicle is driven onto the vessel and secured below deck. Crowley's service uses a protected garage, and TOTE uses below-deck auto racks. Expect these rules:
- The vehicle generally must run, with keys left with it.
- Personal items are mostly prohibited. Crowley allows only a spare tire and jack.
- TOTE's personal-vehicle service covers units under 900 cubic feet and excludes motorcycles.
Containers fit high-value or non-running vehicles better.
- A private container holds one vehicle and costs the most.
- A shared container holds several cars and costs less.
- Larger or oddly shaped vehicles cost more either way.
Trailer Bridge offers container shipping and RoRo barges.
Special Vehicles
- Motorcycles: Trailer Bridge publishes a motorcycle option (up to 10 feet long and 65 inches wide).
- RVs and oversized vehicles: Crowley handles oversized units as breakbulk. Confirm dimensions and acceptance first.
- Electric vehicles: TOTE does not accept EVs or plug-in hybrids.
- Crowley EV policy: Requires a 30%-50% battery charge and prohibits damaged or inoperable electric and hybrid units. Confirm current rules before booking.
- Inoperable cars: Many RoRo services require a running vehicle, so ask about containers.
Port-to-Port or Delivery Included?
Match the service level to how much of the trip you want to handle:
- Port-to-port: You can reach the terminals and will arrange any inland legs yourself.
- Delivery included: Better when convenience matters, the vehicle doesn't run, or the terminal is far away.
How Vehicle Shipping Quotes and Costs Are Calculated
What Drives the Price
Quotes depend on:
- Mainland origin and Puerto Rico destination
- Year, make, model, dimensions, and weight
- Operability and modifications
- Open or enclosed inland transport
- RoRo or container
- Dates and delivery arrangement
Published Carrier Benchmarks
Published carrier figures as of October 22, 2026 appear below. None is a binding quote, and eligibility rules differ, so they aren't like-for-like.
| Route and vehicle | Published amount |
|---|---|
| Crowley, Jacksonville to San Juan, passenger vehicle up to 1,100 cubic feet | $1,140 estimate |
| Trailer Bridge, Jacksonville to San Juan, up to 19 / 21 / 24 ft | $1,180 / $1,297 / $1,415 |
| Trailer Bridge, San Juan to Jacksonville, same tiers | $721 / $978 / $1,210 |
| Trailer Bridge, Jacksonville to San Juan, motorcycle | $650 |
Add the mainland leg and Puerto Rico-side costs on top.
Charges to Itemize
- Mainland pickup and mileage or fuel adjustments
- Ocean freight, terminal handling, security, and EEI filing
- Documentation and port fees
- Storage: Trailer Bridge gives 7 free days, then $10 to $15 daily
- Destination delivery, insurance, and Puerto Rico excise tax
- Optional enclosed or expedited service
Fees change too. Crowley announced a $15 increase in its U.S. terminal handling charge for Puerto Rico vehicles, effective November 1, 2026.
Quote Request Checklist
- Exact pickup and delivery addresses
- VIN, dimensions, and running condition
- Modifications and lien status
- Desired dates
- Personal-property policy
- Terminal pickup or final delivery
Comparing Quotes Fairly
When you compare quotes, verify:
- Inclusions versus extras left off the quote
- Payment schedule and cancellation terms
- Quote validity window and expected timing
- Insurance limits and claims process
- Storage policy after arrival
- Whether the provider arranges the ocean leg or only mainland transport
Ways to Save
- Offer flexible dates.
- Compare open and enclosed where protection isn't critical.
- Avoid storage by collecting promptly.
- Pick a terminal arrangement you can actually handle.
- Book early (Direct Connect suggests two to three weeks ahead) without dropping needed coverage.
Documents, Ports and Vehicle Preparation
Documents
Requirements vary by carrier and direction, so confirm before booking. TOTE's southbound packet asks for:
- Title copy, or lender authorization if financed
- Owner's ID, plus authorization if the owner is absent
- Vehicle Exportation Sheet
- Insurance acceptance or declination
- Booking confirmation and registration or bill of sale at drop-off
Northbound adds lien-holder authorization, a sworn declaration, fine-clearance documents, and a pressure-wash receipt.
Vehicle Freight vs. Parcel Customs
Parcel customs rules don't apply here. CBP guidance says used mainland-to-Puerto Rico vehicles are not exports under 19 CFR 192.2. Even so, Census rules require EEI reporting for used self-propelled vehicles in both directions, regardless of value. Carriers usually file it. Hacienda's excise tax is based on the vehicle, not the freight cost, and has an official online estimator.
Major Ports
- San Juan: The main port for vehicles. Crowley and Trailer Bridge have RoRo ramps, and TOTE's service ends here.
- Ponce: Handles containers. Confirm with your carrier whether scheduled mainland personal-vehicle service is available.
Your port affects pickup location, inland delivery distance, schedules, and fees. Confirm it with your carrier.
Preparation Checklist
- Wash and photograph the vehicle.
- Document existing damage and record mileage.
- Remove personal items, since carriers prohibit loose cargo.
- Leave no more than a quarter tank of fuel.
- Provide working keys and disclose modifications.
- Keep the vehicle unlocked, and have someone present at pickup and drop-off.
For inoperable, oversized, classic, or electric vehicles, ask about loading equipment, battery state, charging limits, and acceptance rules in writing.
How to Choose a Provider and Book Transport
Vetting Checklist
- Experience with Puerto Rico vehicle shipments
- Broker or carrier status, with FMCSA MC registration verified
- Insurance and claims handling (coverage varies; TOTE lists $500 liability, with optional insurance at $2.50 per $100 of value)
- Written contracts naming the port and ocean partners, plus tracking and communication standards
- Reviews from comparable vehicle customers
Questions Before Paying a Deposit
- Who handles each stage?
- Which port is used?
- Which fees are excluded?
- How long is the quote valid?
- What happens after a missed sailing?
- Where is the vehicle stored?
- How is delivery damage documented?
- Who handles delays and claims?
Booking Steps
- Request an estimate and confirm vehicle details.
- Select service and submit documents.
- Schedule pickup and complete the condition report.
- Track the shipment.
- Inspect the vehicle before signing delivery paperwork.
Where Direct Connect Auto Transport Fits
Direct Connect Auto Transport, founded in 2001 and FMCSA-registered (MC #622283), offers instant online quotes valid for seven days. Its carrier-managed network covers open and enclosed transport, motorcycles, and RVs, with shipment tracking.
Its Puerto Rico page lists ocean transport options, including RoRo and container shipping. Evaluate it for the mainland leg or a coordinated shipment, and confirm ocean-service availability and which port is used before assuming it covers the complete route.
Whoever you choose, insist on clear pricing, direct communication, a documented condition report, and a defined damage-resolution process. Those are the basics of Simplicity, Trust, and Care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does shipping to Puerto Rico cost?
Vehicle pricing depends on origin, destination, size, condition, transport method, port arrangement, timing, and included fees. Get a written, route-specific quote rather than relying on parcel prices.
Do packages to Puerto Rico go through customs?
Vehicle freight differs from ordinary packages. Puerto Rico is within U.S. customs territory, but EEI reporting, excise tax, and release steps still apply. Verify current requirements with your carrier.
Is shipping to Puerto Rico the same as shipping to the US?
Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, but vehicles move by ocean freight with port procedures and local taxes. That differs from a state-to-state auto-transport move.
What are the major shipping ports in Puerto Rico?
San Juan is the main port with verified vehicle service. Ponce handles containers. The usable port depends on the carrier, route, vehicle type, and delivery location.
How do I get a vehicle shipping quote to Puerto Rico?
Submit origin and destination, VIN, vehicle type and dimensions, operability, desired dates, preferred transport method, and whether you need port pickup or final delivery.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car to Puerto Rico?
Port-to-port service with open inland transport and RoRo is typically the lowest-cost combination. Make sure it still includes adequate insurance, documented fees, and a handling plan that suits your vehicle.
