Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Georgia
Seaway Export ships from Savannah, New York / New Jersey, and other ports to Poti and Batumi in 25–50 days port to port, with weekly sailings on the main lane and rates from $1,600.
Poti and Batumi are the Caucasus gateway for U.S. auction vehicles — low import costs, fast clearance, and direct transit corridors to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Central Asia.
Georgia at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,600+
- Ocean transit
- 25–35 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Poti · Batumi
- Import duty + VAT
- Excise by cm³ & age + 18% VAT
- Re-export advantage
- 0% taxes on transit units
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Georgia: What You Need to Know
Georgia has built an entire industry around American auction vehicles. Poti and Batumi receive weekly container volume from the U.S. East Coast, customs clearance routinely completes in 1–3 days, and the Rustavi auto market near Tbilisi is one of the largest re-sale hubs between Europe and Central Asia. Import costs are calculated from engine size and age rather than a flat percentage of value — often making Georgia dramatically cheaper than EU destinations.
Two rules matter before you buy: right-hand-drive vehicles cannot be registered in Georgia, and units destined for re-export to Armenia, Azerbaijan, or Central Asia can stay in customs warehouse status and pay no Georgian taxes at all. A large share of the cars we land in Poti continue onward within weeks.
Key takeaway
Georgia taxes vehicles by engine size and age, not value — a key reason U.S. salvage units are so profitable there. Re-export units pay zero Georgian tax. RHD vehicles cannot be registered.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Georgia
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Poti | 25–35 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Poti | 27–37 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Batumi | 30–40 days | Bi-weekly |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Poti | 40–50 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Georgia 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 Georgia, 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 Georgia 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 Georgia
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) | $1,600 – $2,400 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,800 – $4,000 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,800 – $5,400 | 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.
Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentGeorgia Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars (registered in Georgia) | By cm³ × age | 18% | Often far below EU totals |
| Re-export / warehouse units | 0% | 0% | Customs warehouse regime |
| Electric & hybrid vehicles | Reduced | 18% | Preferential excise rates |
| Motorcycles | By cm³ | 18% | Low flat amounts |
| Heavy machinery | 0–12% | 18% | Category dependent |
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
Buying for Armenia, Azerbaijan, or Central Asia?
Land in Poti under the customs warehouse regime, pay no Georgian taxes, and we arrange onward trucking or rail with transit documents to your final market. This is the standard corridor for the region.
What We Ship to Georgia
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 Georgia'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 Georgia.
- 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 Georgia.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Georgia
| 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. → Georgia Routes
New York / New Jersey → Poti
25–35 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Poti
27–37 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Batumi
30–40 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Los Angeles / Long Beach → Poti
40–50 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Georgia 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
25–35 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Poti · Batumi.
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 Georgia. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Georgia taxes vehicles by engine size (cm³) and age rather than a flat percentage of value, plus 18% VAT. Because a low-value salvage car with a modest engine pays very little, U.S. auction units are often dramatically cheaper to import here than into the EU. We calculate the engine-and-age figure per VIN so you know the landed cost before bidding.
No. Right-hand-drive vehicles cannot be registered in Georgia, so if your goal is local registration you must buy a left-hand-drive car. RHD units can still pass through under the customs warehouse regime for re-export to markets that allow them, but they can't be plated locally. We flag drive configuration before you buy so there are no surprises at the registry.
Yes — that's the standard corridor for the region. Land your unit in Poti under the customs warehouse regime, pay no Georgian taxes, and we arrange onward trucking or rail with transit documents to your final market. The Rustavi auto market near Tbilisi is one of the largest re-sale hubs between Europe and Central Asia, and a large share of the cars we land continue onward within weeks.
Ocean transit from the U.S. East Coast to Poti or Batumi runs about 25–35 days, since vessels route through the Mediterranean and Black Sea; West Coast origins take longer. The upside is on arrival: Georgian customs clearance routinely completes in just 1–3 days. We confirm the best departure port and a route-specific timeline when we quote.
Yes. Electric and hybrid vehicles qualify for preferential, reduced excise rates compared with conventional engines, while still paying 18% VAT. Combined with Georgia's engine-and-age basis, that can make a used U.S. EV or hybrid a very economical import. We confirm the current preferential rate for your specific vehicle as part of the quote.
More shipping destinations in Central & Eastern Europe
Plan your shipment with our guides
Free, in-depth playbooks on buying, paperwork, and choosing the right shipping method.
Ready to Ship to Georgia?
Get a customized quote for your shipment to Georgia with detailed pricing and transit options.