Car Shipping & Freight to Georgia
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 hour
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.
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.
Try the cost calculator →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.
Typical transit time for car shipping to Georgia ranges from 3–8 weeks door-to-door. This includes inland transport to the U.S. port (3–7 days), vessel departure scheduling and loading (3–10 days), ocean transit (2–6 weeks depending on sailing route and port congestion), customs clearance at destination (2–7 days), and final inland delivery in Georgia (2–5 days). Exact timing depends on the port pair, sailing frequency, and whether you choose container, consolidated, or RoRo-style service where available. We provide route-specific timing when you request a quote so you know what to expect before shipping.
To export a vehicle to Georgia, you typically need the original title or proof of ownership, a bill of sale, a copy of your passport or government ID, a completed export declaration, and a detailed commercial invoice or packing list. Depending on regulations in Georgia, you may also need import approval, emissions or age-compliance documentation, and tax ID information for the receiver. Our documentation team reviews your situation in advance and confirms the exact paperwork required so your shipment clears both U.S. export control and customs in Georgia without unnecessary delays.
In many cases, you can place a reasonable amount of boxed personal items inside a containerized vehicle bound for Georgia, as long as everything is properly declared on the paperwork and allowed by local customs. However, loose household goods, undeclared high-value items, hazardous materials, and restricted products can create customs issues or fines. For RoRo or certain port rules, vehicles must be nearly empty. We advise you exactly what can and cannot travel in the vehicle for your route to Georgia and can recommend separate consolidation services if you have a larger household shipment.
Import duties, taxes, and port charges in Georgia depend on the type of vehicle or equipment, its age, engine size, customs value, and the receiver's status (individual, returning resident, or company). Some countries offer reduced duties for returning citizens or temporary imports; others apply luxury or environmental surcharges. We help you estimate landed costs by reviewing current rules for Georgia, preparing accurate customs documentation, and coordinating with our local clearing agents so you understand all government and port fees before your cargo ships.
Yes. For shipments to Georgia, we can usually provide complete door-to-door service that includes pickup anywhere in the U.S., export preparation and loading, ocean freight to the closest practical port, customs clearance, and inland delivery to your city or project site. In some regions of Georgia we may recommend door-to-port service with trusted local partners handling the final leg. During quoting we confirm exactly which delivery options are available for your specific address so you can choose the level of service that fits your budget and timeline.
Marine cargo insurance is strongly recommended for shipments to Georgia because standard carrier liability does not cover the full value of your vehicle or machinery. We arrange all-risk coverage that protects against total loss, damage, theft, and general average from the time the unit is picked up until it is delivered at destination. Insurance is normally calculated as a small percentage of the declared value and can be included directly in your shipping quote for Georgia, so you have one clear, all-inclusive cost.
Ready to Ship to Georgia?
Get a customized quote for your shipment to Georgia with detailed pricing and transit options.