Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to HI
A domestic lane with no customs at all: Jones Act sailings from Los Angeles, Oakland, and Seattle reach Honolulu in 5–9 days, with inter-island delivery to Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai.
HI at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,300+
- Ocean transit
- 5–7 days (LA → Honolulu)
- Arrival ports
- Honolulu · Kahului · Hilo
- Import duty + VAT
- None — domestic move
- Jones Act lane
- Weekly Matson & Pasha sailings
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to HI: What You Need to Know
Shipping to Hawaii is a domestic move, not an export — no customs, no duties, no import declarations. Under the Jones Act, mainland–Hawaii cargo travels on U.S.-flag carriers, with Matson and Pasha sailing from Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, and the Pacific Northwest to Honolulu multiple times a week. Port-to-port transit from Southern California is just 5–7 days, making this one of the most predictable lanes we operate.
Beyond Honolulu, inter-island barge connections reach Kahului on Maui, Hilo and Kawaihae on the Big Island, and Nawiliwili on Kauai. Once your vehicle lands, plan for a Hawaii safety inspection and state registration with county weight tax — and if the car was bought on the mainland shortly before shipping, a use tax may apply. We coordinate door pickup anywhere on the mainland and delivery through the entire island network.
Because there is no customs leg, the variables that matter on the Hawaii lane are timing and protection, not paperwork. Matson and Pasha each keep fixed weekly schedules, so we book to a named sailing and give you a firm load-by date rather than an open window. Enclosed-container service suits collector and high-value vehicles that shouldn't face salt air on deck, while standard RoRo and shared-container options keep everyday moves affordable. Inter-island transfers add a few days, and we fold that final barge leg into a single door-to-door quote so the Maui or Kauai address is priced the same day as the booking.
Key takeaway
Plan on $1,300–$2,500 from the West Coast and 5–7 days on the water to Honolulu. No customs duty applies on this domestic lane — your only post-arrival costs are the safety inspection, registration, and county weight tax.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to HI
| Mainland Port | Hawaii Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Honolulu | 5–7 days | Weekly |
| Oakland, CA | Honolulu | 6–8 days | Weekly |
| Seattle / Tacoma | Honolulu | 7–9 days | Weekly |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Kahului / Hilo / Nawiliwili | 9–14 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Honolulu | 18–25 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to HI 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 HI, 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 HI 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 HI
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) | $1,800 – $2,600 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $3,000 – $4,200 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,200 – $5,800 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | $1,300 – $1,900 | 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 HI →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentHI Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars, SUVs & motorcycles | No import duty | None | Domestic Jones Act shipment |
| Hawaii safety inspection | — | ~$25 fee | Required before registration |
| State registration & weight tax | — | By county & weight | Register within 30 days |
| Use tax (recent purchase) | — | 4–4.5% | Waived for established owners |
| Boats & heavy equipment | No import duty | None | Same domestic treatment |
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
Military PCS or moving to the islands?
PCS orders typically cover one privately owned vehicle at government expense — we ship second vehicles, boats, and household overflow at competitive rates, timed to the same Matson or Pasha sailing so everything lands together.
What We Ship to HI
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 HI'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 HI.
- 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 HI.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to HI
| 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. → HI Routes
Los Angeles / Long Beach → Honolulu
5–7 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Oakland, CA → Honolulu
6–8 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Seattle / Tacoma → Honolulu
7–9 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Honolulu
18–25 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to HI 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
5–7 days (LA → Honolulu)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Honolulu · Kahului · Hilo.
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 HI. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
No — Hawaii is a U.S. state, so shipping there is a domestic move, not an export. There are no customs, no duties, and no import declarations. Your only post-arrival costs are the Hawaii safety inspection (around $25), state registration with county weight tax, and a possible use tax if you bought the car on the mainland shortly before shipping.
From Southern California it's just 5–7 days port-to-port — one of the most predictable lanes we operate. Matson and Pasha sail under the Jones Act from Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, and the Pacific Northwest to Honolulu multiple times a week. Oakland runs 6–8 days and Seattle/Tacoma 7–9. We coordinate door pickup anywhere on the mainland to connect with the sailing.
Yes. Beyond Honolulu, inter-island barge connections reach Kahului on Maui, Hilo and Kawaihae on the Big Island, and Nawiliwili on Kauai. Total transit to the neighbor islands typically runs 9–14 days from the West Coast. We coordinate the mainland pickup, the Honolulu leg, and the inter-island barge so your vehicle arrives on the right island.
Yes. PCS orders typically cover one privately owned vehicle at government expense, but many families need to move more. We ship second vehicles, boats, and household overflow at competitive rates, timed to the same Matson or Pasha sailing so everything lands together. Tell us your report date and we'll work backward to schedule pickup and the sailing.
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