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Car Shipping & Freight 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.

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Fully insured Regular departures Customs included

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
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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.

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 PortHawaii PortOcean TransitSailing Frequency
Los Angeles / Long BeachHonolulu5–7 daysWeekly
Oakland, CAHonolulu6–8 daysWeekly
Seattle / TacomaHonolulu7–9 daysWeekly
Los Angeles / Long BeachKahului / Hilo / Nawiliwili9–14 daysWeekly

Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.

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.

ServiceTypical RateWhat to KnowBest For
Shared container (consolidated)$1,800 – $2,600Budget-friendly, waits for consolidationStandard sedans & SUVs
Dedicated 20ft container$3,000 – $4,200Fastest loading, single vehicleHigh-value or classic cars
Dedicated 40ft container$4,200 – $5,800Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargoPairs, dealer lots
RoRo (roll-on / roll-off)$1,300 – $1,900Drive-on service, no containerRunning vehicles, trucks, machinery
Flat rack / breakbulkCustom quoteFor oversized & non-running unitsHeavy equipment, boats

Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.

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Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.

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HI Import Duties & Taxes

CategoryImport DutyVAT / TaxNotes
Cars, SUVs & motorcyclesNo import dutyNoneDomestic Jones Act shipment
Hawaii safety inspection—~$25 feeRequired before registration
State registration & weight tax—By county & weightRegister within 30 days
Use tax (recent purchase)—4–4.5%Waived for established owners
Boats & heavy equipmentNo import dutyNoneSame 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
Vehicle shipping service

Heavy Equipment

Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for HI.

  • Excavators & dozers
  • Agricultural machinery
  • Oversized project cargo
Equipment shipping service

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
Boat shipping service

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

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Oakland, CA → Honolulu

6–8 days ocean transit · Weekly departures

Quote

Seattle / Tacoma → Honolulu

7–9 days ocean transit · Weekly departures

Quote

Los Angeles / Long Beach → Kahului / Hilo / Nawiliwili

9–14 days ocean transit · Weekly departures

Quote

Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to HI Moves

1

Quote & booking

Day 0

Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.

2

U.S. pickup & delivery to port

Days 1–7

Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.

3

Export clearance & loading

Days 5–12

AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.

4

Ocean transit

5–7 days (LA → Honolulu)

Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Honolulu · Kahului · Hilo.

5

Customs & handover

2–7 days

Import 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 guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about shipping to HI. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.

Typical transit time for car shipping to HI 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 HI (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 HI, 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 HI, 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 HI without unnecessary delays.

In many cases, you can place a reasonable amount of boxed personal items inside a containerized vehicle bound for HI, 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 HI and can recommend separate consolidation services if you have a larger household shipment.

Import duties, taxes, and port charges in HI 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 HI, 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 HI, 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 HI 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 HI 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 HI, so you have one clear, all-inclusive cost.

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Legal Disclaimer: All rates are non-binding estimates and subject to change without notice. Seaway Export acts solely as a licensed freight forwarder and not a carrier. Transportation is arranged through third-party providers; Seaway Export assumes no liability for carrier performance, delays, loss, or damage. Insurance is not included unless confirmed in writing. Shipper/consignee is responsible for all customs compliance and associated costs. All services are governed by our Terms and Conditions.