Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Argentina
Used-car imports are heavily restricted in Argentina — the lanes that work are classics over 30 years, new vehicles, and the machinery flow feeding Vaca Muerta's oilfields. Weekly service to Buenos Aires and Zárate.
Argentina at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,900+
- Ocean transit
- 18–28 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Buenos Aires · Zárate
- Import duty + VAT
- 35% + 21% IVA (new vehicles)
- Classic cars 30+ yrs
- Collector regime available
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Argentina: What You Need to Know
Argentina restricts used-vehicle imports to a handful of narrow exceptions, so the everyday auction-car lane that works elsewhere in the Americas does not apply here. What does move in volume: new vehicles, boats, and above all machinery — Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale formation has created sustained demand for U.S. oilfield equipment, drilling support units, and heavy trucks, while the farm belt pulls agricultural machinery through Buenos Aires and the RoRo terminal at Zárate.
For collectors, Argentina's classic-vehicle regime admits cars over 30 years old under a collector framework — a steady niche we serve with dedicated containers from Miami and New York. Taxes on eligible vehicles are steep: roughly 35% duty plus 21% IVA and internal taxes on higher-value units, so an exact landed-cost calculation per VIN comes before any booking, not after.
Key takeaway
Skip the used-car plan — Argentina blocks it. Classics 30+ years enter via the collector regime, new vehicles pay ~35% duty + 21% IVA, and machinery for Vaca Muerta and agriculture is the strongest-value lane we run to Buenos Aires.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Argentina
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami / Port Everglades, FL | Buenos Aires | 18–25 days | Weekly |
| New York / New Jersey | Buenos Aires | 20–28 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Zárate | 22–30 days | Bi-weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Buenos Aires | 20–27 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Argentina from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Argentina, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Argentina fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Argentina
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,900 – $2,700 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $3,200 – $4,500 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,400 – $6,200 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to Argentina →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentArgentina Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used vehicles | Restricted | — | Narrow exceptions only |
| New vehicles | 35% | 21% | + internal taxes on high values |
| Classic cars (30+ yrs) | 35% | 21% | Collector regime, case approval |
| Oilfield & mining equipment | 0–14% | 21% | Vaca Muerta demand lane |
| Agricultural machinery | 0–14% | 10.5–21% | Reduced IVA on some equipment |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Shipping a classic to Argentina?
The collector regime is the realistic path for a pre-owned car into Argentina: 30+ years old, documented originality, and case-by-case approval. We prepare the collector file, handle the U.S. export side, and load in a dedicated container with full insurance.
What We Ship to Argentina
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Argentina's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Argentina.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Argentina.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Argentina
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Argentina Routes
Miami / Port Everglades, FL → Buenos Aires
18–25 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
New York / New Jersey → Buenos Aires
20–28 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Zárate
22–30 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Buenos Aires
20–27 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Argentina Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
18–28 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Buenos Aires · Zárate.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Argentina. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Only through a few narrow exceptions — the everyday auction-car lane that works elsewhere in the Americas does not apply in Argentina. The realistic path for a pre-owned car is the classic-vehicle regime: cars over 30 years old with documented originality and case-by-case approval. For most buyers, new vehicles, boats, and machinery are the practical options. We confirm what's viable before you commit.
Two engines drive it. The Vaca Muerta shale formation has created sustained demand for U.S. oilfield equipment, drilling support units, and heavy trucks, while the farm belt pulls agricultural machinery through Buenos Aires and the RoRo terminal at Zárate. Equipment duties run 0–14%, far below the ~35% on vehicles, and some agricultural gear gets reduced IVA. It's the strongest-value lane we run to Argentina.
Even eligible classics pay steeply: roughly 35% duty plus 21% IVA, with internal taxes added on higher-value units. The classic regime gives you the legal right to import a 30+ year car, not a tax discount. Because the stack is heavy, we run an exact landed-cost calculation per VIN before any booking, so the total is clear before you commit at auction.
Plan on 18–28 days from the East Coast. We sail weekly from Miami (18–25 days) and New York (20–28), with biweekly options from Houston (to Zárate) and Savannah. Buenos Aires handles containers and the Zárate RoRo terminal takes wheeled and oversized cargo. We route by your cargo type and provide bilingual customs coordination at arrival.
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