Puerto Rico Auto Transport in 2024

Although not a state, Puerto Rico is an Island that has been part of the United States since 1898 but as an unincorporated territory.

The island is neither a sovereign nation nor a state meaning that shipping there involves a whole different set of rules, requirements, steps, and fees than shipping from one U.S. to another.

So if you need to know how to ship a car to Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico auto transport costs, and some of the documents and shipping companies to consider, this article is your 2024 Puerto Rico auto transport guide.

The first thing to know and consider is where the car is going from. You and by extension the shipping company also need to know if you’ll be dropping it off at a port terminal by yourself or if you’ll use additional transportation.

Shipping things to Puerto Rico from the U.S is considered a domestic service and may not need to go through customs but shipping cars to Puerto Rico will.

However, some shipping agents may need you to list Puerto Rico or the United States in the slot for the country while others will have you put Puerto Rico as a state and USA/Puerto Rico as a country.

It all depends on the shipping agent you use, but shipments from the island territory differ from domestic shipping because of the extra tax for some items and limited shipping methods.

You can complete an express shipment to Puerto Rico within three days but know that these are some discrete shipments completed by air.

If you use ocean freight in a shipping car to Puerto Rico, it should take up to eight days for your vehicle to arrive.

It usually takes approximately two weeks to ship your car to Puerto Rico from Florida and that is the closest mainland state.

Nevertheless, despite being relatively more expensive and time-consuming than most domestic shipping, shipping to Puerto Rico is straightforward if you use a good carrier.

As mentioned, shipping cars to Puerto Rico differs a bit from the U.S and so does Puerto Rico car transport.

While the island is an unincorporated US territory, Puerto Rico’s car transport and shipping still need some preparations. Here are some things to consider:

One thing to note is that every imported car is subject to an excise tax and the number of import duties and taxes payable depends on the car’s age and type.

Keep in mind that you will also have to pay 5% of the actual cash value of your vehicle. If you’re confused about duties, you can calculate them via Hacienda, the Puerto Rican tax collector’s office.

While there is no strict regulation on the age of imported cars, registering much older cars will be more expensive.

Shipping to the island of Puerto Rico is just like shipping to anywhere but there’s a catch: it is a bit more expensive.

A reason for this is because freight has to reach the island and carriers will load it onto a container ship and send them to the Port of San Juan. So companies need to first ship their goods to a port before transferring them to Puerto Rico.

If you are looking for how to ship a car to Puerto Rico, know that on average, Puerto Rico auto transport costs will stand at about $1,200 to $1,500.

This figure however varies from an auto transport company and some factors like vehicle size, type, and the distance to the port of departure like the Jacksonville Port. 

Here are some Sample Rates to give you an idea of Puerto Rico’s auto transport costs:

There are several auto transport companies in the US but if you’re looking for how to ship a car to Puerto Rico, you need to consider only the qualified and best vehicle shipping companies.

So for private owners, rental agencies, collectors, or auto dealers, these are the top 6 Puerto Rico auto transport companies:

GetCarrier is one of the top Puerto Rico car transport shipping brokers you can consider. The Delaware-based company has been in operation for around three years.

Despite this short time in existence, the company has gathered lots of positive customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

While some car shipping brokers offer many options to get a wide range of customers, GetCarrier relies on a streamlined approach that offers a user-friendly and easy experience.

They have a website that is easy to use and visitors can get car shipping quotes online in a simple process.

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MoverJet is another five-star Puerto Rico car transport shipping company you need to have on your list of carriers to Puerto Rico.

You can book your shipment even without prepayment and you get access to top-tier support and some stress-free service.

MoverJet makes use of some unique, and high-tech software to get capable drivers at the most reasonable prices.

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With Flat Price Auto Transport, you get access to both pickup and delivery car transport services in Puerto Rico at rapid speed and with less capital outlay.

Door-to-door services will have your car picked up from your door and delivered to the address you choose.

Flat Price is a great choice whether you’re looking for how to ship a car to Puerto Rico from the U.S or from the U.S to Puerto Rico

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Founded in 1983, Ship Overseas has dedicated its years of existence to making sure shipping cars to Puerto Rico is a simple and pleasurable experience for thousands of customers.

Ship Overseas places focus on the safety of your car and are widely considered one of the most reliable shipping companies out there.

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Odyssey is known for being a fast but affordable choice for customers looking for an affordable car shipping service.

They employ proprietary capabilities, assets, and technologies that make sure your auto-shipments run smoothly even in unpredictable market circumstances.

Odyssey is flexible and has excellent customer service. They have a network of certified professionals that’ll handle the relevant processes from beginning to end.

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RoadRunner provides customers looking for how to ship a car to Puerto Rico with terminal-to-terminal, and door-to-door car shipping services.

There is also the opportunity to use expedited shipping services at additional cost and cars transported on land are moved with enclosed or open carriers.

RoadRunner is insured, bonded, and licensed and they ship to some of the most remote areas that other services might avoid.

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So long as you’ve got all the right documentation, shipping to Puerto Rico is straightforward, although expensive. These are some documents you may need to present when shipping to the island:

To make your search for Puerto Rico auto transport quotes and companies easier, you need a tool like Compare The Carrier.

We compare more than 20 top companies and will select four to seven of them that match your needs the most. 

Our services are free and will not charge you for requesting quotes. These are some of the main factors we compare companies for:

Most people consider their cars or trucks as one of the biggest investments they will make and have emotional connections to them.

So when they want to ship them to a location like Puerto Rico, they need to rely on the best hands in the shortest possible time.

Generally, shipping to Puerto Rico in 2024 might take a lot more time than you expected. You will have to wait for a container ship to arrive, and get processed before you can ship.