This guide covers Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Requirements differ by destination, so treat every figure here as a starting point to confirm. Below you'll find transport methods, paperwork, costs, vehicle prep, and how to plan the mainland and port portion of the move.
Key Takeaways
- Island shipments need an inland-and-port plan, not road transport alone.
- RoRo, container, enclosed, open, flatbed, and air each fit different vehicles and budgets.
- "U.S. territory" status does not mean identical customs, tax, or registration rules.
- Ask for a quote that itemizes every leg, fee, tax, and storage risk.
Understanding U.S. Territory Shipping Classifications
The five inhabited destinations covered here are Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, such as Wake and Midway, are separate and lack routine vehicle transport.
Four classifications often get confused, and each one is independent:
- Customs territory: Puerto Rico is inside the U.S. customs territory. Guam, USVI, American Samoa, and CNMI are outside it.
- Postal treatment: USPS handles all five as domestic mail, which says nothing about vehicle customs or ocean carriers.
- Carrier rules: Each carrier sets its own size limits, vehicle types, and paperwork.
- Local tax and registration: Each territory runs its own system.
Why Puerto Rico Differs
CBP's September 2024 guidance says mainland-to-Puerto Rico used-vehicle moves are not foreign exports under Part 192, so the 72-hour documentation rule does not apply. The same CBP 2024 guidance notes that Electronic Export Information (EEI) reporting still applies to used self-propelled vehicles.
Puerto Rico also runs its own vehicle excise process through Hacienda.
Across all five destinations, your destination code, consignee address, port, and final delivery spot affect routing and paperwork. Those details also decide whether door-to-door service exists or whether the vehicle must be collected at a terminal.
Transport Options for Shipping Vehicles
The Full Chain
Most island moves follow this sequence:
- Mainland pickup at a home, business, or other location
- Inland haul to the departure port
- Port intake and inspection
- Ocean (or air) movement
- Destination-port release
- Final delivery or customer pickup
Examples of departure ports: Jacksonville and Port Everglades serve Puerto Rico and USVI routes. Matson lists Long Beach, Oakland, and Tacoma for Guam and Saipan.
RoRo
Roll-on/roll-off means the vehicle is driven onto the vessel. It suits operable standard cars, SUVs, and trucks, and sailings are frequent on busy lanes. Limits: the vehicle must run, and carriers generally restrict personal belongings. TOTE, for example, sails Jacksonville to San Juan twice weekly.
Container
Containers suit non-running, high-value, classic, exotic, or multiple vehicles. They add protection but cost more, and sailings can be less frequent. Crowley requires drained fuel and a disconnected battery for containerized vehicles. Ask about loading, unloading, and handling fees.
Open, Enclosed, and Flatbed on the Mainland
The inland leg is a separate choice from the ocean leg:
- Open carrier: budget-friendly for ordinary passenger vehicles.
- Enclosed: better for classic, restored, freshly painted, or low-clearance vehicles.
- Flatbed or specialty: for oversized or unusually shaped units.
Air Freight
Air is expedited and highly specialized. Amerijet lists vehicles under oversized cargo, so confirm size limits and rates with a custom quote. Don't assume air is a routine option.
Matching Method to Vehicle
- Oversized vehicles and RVs: custom quotes; many carriers exclude them from standard rates.
- Motorcycles: acceptance varies. Crowley lists motorcycles for San Juan only; Matson and TOTE state no motorcycle service.
- Non-running vehicles: require approval, winching, or container handling.
- Electric and plug-in hybrids: Matson and TOTE currently reject them.
Vehicle Shipping Requirements and Paperwork
Ownership and Authorization
Commonly requested items:
- Original title or certified copy (front and back)
- Current registration and bill of sale
- Government-issued photo ID
- Lienholder authorization for financed or leased vehicles
- Power of attorney or signed authorization if the owner is absent
- Estate documentation, where applicable
TOTE's USVI packet asks for an original notarized export power of attorney, and documents must reach San Juan before the connecting vessel.
Vehicle and Shipment Details
Have ready:
- VIN, year, make, and model
- Dimensions, weight, and running condition
- Modifications and fuel or battery type
- Pickup and delivery addresses
- Consignee contact
- Whether use is personal, resale, or relocation
Customs, Tax, and Destination Rules
Freight is not the whole bill. Keep these separate:
- Freight and terminal fees: the carrier's charges.
- Customs duty: applies only where customs rules apply; verify with CBP.
- Local taxes: rates and rules vary by territory:
- Guam: 4% use tax with conditions
- USVI: highway-use tax of $0.16 per pound
- CNMI: passenger-vehicle excise of 5% at $30,000 or less and 5.75% above
- Puerto Rico: Hacienda vehicle excise estimate by VIN
- American Samoa: insurance and a temporary tag required before port release; confirm the current excise rate with territorial authorities
Confirm everything with official territorial sources before you book.
Vehicle Preparation
- Remove personal belongings (carrier insurance doesn't cover them)
- Keep fuel low: Crowley allows no more than 1/4 tank; Matson specifies 1/8 to 1/4
- Charge the battery and set tire pressure to spec
- Disable alarms, remove toll tags, and hand over spare keys
- Photograph all sides, the interior, and any existing damage
- Disclose modifications
Non-running vehicles need advance approval. Carriers may require winching, special equipment, or container handling, and some, like Matson, require operating vehicles.
Release, Insurance, and Delivery
Sign the bill of lading or condition report at pickup and inspect again at delivery. Read cargo coverage and exclusions, and learn the claims process.
Destination timing and release rules also matter:
- In Puerto Rico, Crowley requires Hacienda processing and release before pickup
- TOTE gives 9 free calendar days for collection, then charges $10 per day for the first five charged days and $15 after
What Determines the Cost of Shipping a Vehicle to a U.S. Territory?
Major Cost Drivers
- Mainland pickup distance and inland method (open, enclosed, flatbed)
- Port and terminal handling
- Ocean or air freight
- Vehicle size, weight, and condition
- Route availability and seasonality
- Fuel and carrier surcharges
- Destination delivery
- Storage or redelivery risk
Published carrier benchmarks show the range, though they aren't comparable all-in prices:
| Carrier / lane | Published amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crowley Jacksonville–San Juan | $1,140 estimate | Passenger vehicles up to 1,100 cubic feet |
| TOTE Jacksonville–Puerto Rico | $1,210 | Base category up to 82 in. wide, 76 in. high |
| TOTE Jacksonville–St. Thomas / St. Croix | $1,855 each | Excludes local taxes and registration |
| Matson mainland–Guam | $3,973.80 | Effective June 7, 2026; max 18 x 7 x 7 ft |
| Matson mainland–Saipan | $4,333.38 | Saipan port-tariff charges excluded |
Why Island Shipping Costs More
A GAO study from 2013 points to vessel operating costs, negotiated contracts, service characteristics, and directional cargo demand. It doesn't establish a fixed premium for any vehicle. Practically, you also pay for limited sailings, port handling, and extra handoffs.
Quote-Comparison Checklist
Get written answers to these:
- Does the price cover door-to-port, port-to-port, port-to-door, or full delivery?
- What is included, and what is excluded?
- Are taxes and duties estimates or pass-through charges?
- Is insurance included, and at what value?
- What are the storage terms after arrival?
How to Plan and Book the Shipment
Plan around these details before you request quotes:
- Destination territory
- Vehicle type and condition
- Delivery location (port or home address)
- Timing and ownership status
Booking Sequence
- Request an itemized quote.
- Confirm the ocean or air leg and the port handoff.
- Gather documents.
- Prepare the vehicle.
- Complete the pickup inspection.
- Monitor transit.
- Arrange destination release and final delivery.
Carrier cutoff times are strict:
- TOTE: Vehicles at the terminal by Friday noon for Tuesday sailings, or by Wednesday noon for Friday sailings
- Crowley: Vehicles due 24 hours before sailing
- Matson: Book within one month of your move
Published port-to-port transit benchmarks exclude inland legs and release:
- TOTE: 55 hours to San Juan
- Matson: 14 days to Guam
- Crowley: 3 to 4 days to the USVI
Confirm current transit times to Saipan and American Samoa directly with the carrier.
Where Direct Connect Auto Transport Fits
Direct Connect Auto Transport coordinates the mainland domestic leg to a departure port, with open, enclosed, and specialty options, online quoting, and shipment visibility. The company lists Puerto Rico shipping, including delivery to the Port of San Juan. It does not operate the ocean leg for these moves, so the carrier and port handoff stay separate. Its team can be reached at 800-980-2222.
Before booking, confirm territory-specific requirements and ask for a written plan naming every provider, handoff, fee, document, and delivery responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a tariff to ship to Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is inside the U.S. customs territory, and CBP says mainland moves aren't Part 192 exports. Hacienda still charges a vehicle excise, which isn't a foreign-import tariff. Verify with the authorities.
Why is it so expensive to ship to Puerto Rico?
The total may combine mainland transport, port handling, ocean freight, limited capacity, vehicle size, and local fees. Compare itemized quotes rather than assuming it's all tariff.
Is Puerto Rico considered US for shipping?
Yes for federal customs territory and USPS mail. Carrier products, Hacienda excise, and registration are separate questions, so don't assume a plain "domestic" answer.
What documents do I need to ship a vehicle to a U.S. territory?
Expect title or lienholder authorization, photo ID, registration, authorization or power of attorney, and vehicle details. Destination registration adds more. Requirements vary by carrier and territory.
Can I ship a non-running vehicle to a U.S. territory?
Sometimes. Crowley approves non-runners for an added fee, while Matson requires operating vehicles. Expect winching, special equipment, or container handling.
How long does it take to ship a vehicle to a U.S. territory?
It depends on pickup distance, port schedules, sailings, inspections, release, and weather. Ask for a separate estimate for each stage.
