Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Russia
Shipments toward Russia are accepted only after full U.S. sanctions and export-control screening. Compliant cargo moves on indirect routings via Poti, Georgia or Caspian corridors, with final customs handled by the buyer.
Russia at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $2,600+
- Ocean transit
- 30–50 days (indirect)
- Arrival ports
- via Poti · Caspian corridor
- Import duty + VAT
- EAEU: by cm³ & age + fees
- U.S. export controls
- $50,000 vehicle value cap
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Russia: What You Need to Know
Shipping toward Russia is first and foremost a compliance exercise. U.S. export controls prohibit exporting vehicles valued over $50,000, as well as a broad range of luxury goods, to Russia — and every booking we accept is screened against current sanctions and export-control lists before any cargo moves. We decline shipments that cannot be documented as compliant, and we keep customers informed as the rules evolve, because they change frequently.
For cargo that passes screening, routing is indirect: ocean freight typically lands at Poti, Georgia, or moves along Caspian and Central Asia corridors, with onward transport and Russian customs formalities arranged by the buyer or their broker at destination. Russia applies EAEU import rules — duty calculated from engine displacement and vehicle age, 20% VAT where applicable, plus a substantial utilization (recycling) fee collected at first registration. Plan 30–50 days end to end.
Key takeaway
Vehicles valued over $50,000 cannot legally be exported from the U.S. to Russia. For compliant units, expect indirect routing of 30–50 days, EAEU duties based on engine size and age, plus a utilization fee — all destination charges settled by the buyer.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Russia
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Poti → onward by land | 30–45 days | Bi-weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Poti → onward by land | 32–47 days | Bi-weekly |
| Houston, TX | Poti → Caspian corridor | 35–50 days | Monthly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Russia 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 Russia, 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 Russia 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 Russia
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) | $2,600 – $3,600 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $4,000 – $5,600 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $5,500 – $7,600 | 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 Russia →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentRussia Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars ≤ $50,000 (screened) | By cm³ × age | 20% | Cleared by buyer at destination |
| Vehicles over $50,000 | Prohibited | — | Barred by U.S. export controls |
| Utilization (recycling) fee | Fixed fee by engine & age | — | Paid at first registration |
| Electric vehicles | 15% | 20% | Plus utilization fee |
| Heavy machinery | 0–10% | 20% | Subject to export-control review |
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
Compliance note — read before booking
U.S. law prohibits exporting vehicles over $50,000, luxury goods, and many controlled items to Russia. Every booking undergoes sanctions and export-control screening, and we only move cargo that is fully documented as compliant. Rules change often — our team confirms current requirements before you commit.
What We Ship to Russia
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 Russia'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 Russia.
- 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 Russia.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Russia
| 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. → Russia Routes
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Russia 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
30–50 days (indirect)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at via Poti · Caspian corridor.
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 Russia. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
No. U.S. export controls prohibit exporting vehicles valued over $50,000 — and a broad range of luxury goods — to Russia. Every booking we accept is screened against current sanctions and export-control lists before any cargo moves, and we decline shipments that cannot be documented as compliant. Because the rules change frequently, our team confirms current requirements before you commit.
It's the U.S. export-control threshold: vehicles with a value above $50,000 cannot legally be exported from the United States to Russia. Compliant units are those at or below that value that also clear sanctions screening. We assess each vehicle's value and screen it before accepting a booking, and we will not move cargo that fails either test.
For cargo that passes screening, routing is indirect: ocean freight typically lands at Poti, Georgia, or moves along Caspian and Central Asia corridors, with onward transport and Russian customs formalities arranged by the buyer or their broker at destination. Russia applies EAEU rules — duty by engine displacement and age, 20% VAT where applicable, plus a substantial utilization fee at first registration. Plan 30–50 days end to end.
The buyer settles all destination charges. EAEU duties — calculated from engine displacement and vehicle age — the 20% VAT where applicable, and the utilization (recycling) fee collected at first registration are all handled by the buyer or their broker at destination. Our role is the compliant ocean leg to the transit port; we confirm the indirect routing and current screening requirements before booking.
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