Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Ukraine
Seaway Export ships from Savannah, New York / New Jersey, and other ports to Klaipėda and Gdansk in 25–40 days including the inland leg, with weekly sailings on the main lane and rates from $1,800.
Proven wartime routing: ocean freight to Klaipėda or Gdansk, then bonded truck across the border to Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa. Thousands of U.S. vehicles move this lane every month — including EVs at 0% tax.
Ukraine at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,800+
- Ocean transit
- 25–35 days door-to-border
- Arrival ports
- via Klaipėda · Gdansk
- Import duty + VAT
- 10% + excise + 20% VAT
- Electric vehicles
- 0% duty & VAT (thru 2026)
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Ukraine: What You Need to Know
Ukraine is one of the largest markets in the world for U.S. auction vehicles — and the trade has kept moving through the war. With Black Sea ports limited, the proven route runs through Klaipėda or Gdansk, where containers are devanned and vehicles continue by bonded truck through Poland into Ukraine, clearing customs at the border or at inland terminals in Kyiv and Lviv.
Ukraine's customs formula combines 10% duty, engine-based excise, and 20% VAT — but fully electric vehicles are exempt from both VAT and duty through the end of 2026, which has made Teslas and other U.S. EVs exceptional value. Our Ukrainian-speaking team quotes the full landed cost per VIN before you bid.
Key takeaway
EVs import at 0% duty and 0% VAT through 2026 — often saving $5,000+ versus a comparable gas car. For combustion vehicles, excise depends on engine size and age, so get a VIN-level calculation before you buy.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Ukraine
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Klaipėda → Kyiv | 25–35 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Klaipėda → Lviv | 27–37 days | Weekly |
| Baltimore, MD | Gdansk → Kyiv | 26–36 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Klaipėda → Odesa | 30–40 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Ukraine 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 Ukraine, 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 Ukraine 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 Ukraine
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 – $4,300 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,200 – $6,000 | 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 ShipmentUkraine Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric vehicles | 0% | 0% | Exemption through 2026 |
| Gasoline cars | 10% | 20% | + excise by engine & age |
| Diesel cars | 10% | 20% | Higher excise than gasoline |
| Motorcycles | 10% | 20% | + engine-based excise |
| Heavy machinery | 0–10% | 20% | 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
Why route through Lithuania or Poland?
EU ports stay in bonded transit, so no EU taxes apply — your vehicle clears Ukrainian customs only. The route is insured end-to-end and tracked from U.S. pickup to delivery in Ukraine.
What We Ship to Ukraine
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 Ukraine'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 Ukraine.
- 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 Ukraine.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Ukraine
| 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. → Ukraine Routes
New York / New Jersey → Klaipėda → Kyiv
25–35 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Klaipėda → Lviv
27–37 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Baltimore, MD → Gdansk → Kyiv
26–36 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Klaipėda → Odesa
30–40 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Ukraine 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 door-to-borderRegular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at via Klaipėda · Gdansk.
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 Ukraine. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Yes — thousands of U.S. vehicles move to Ukraine every month on a proven route. With Black Sea ports limited, cargo ships to Klaipėda or Gdansk, where containers are devanned and vehicles continue by bonded truck through Poland into Ukraine, clearing at the border or at inland terminals in Kyiv and Lviv. The whole journey is insured and tracked from U.S. pickup to delivery.
Yes. Fully electric vehicles are exempt from both import duty and VAT through the end of 2026, which often saves $5,000 or more versus a comparable gasoline car. That's made Teslas and other U.S. EVs exceptional value on this lane. The exemption applies to battery-electric vehicles specifically — we confirm eligibility per VIN before you bid so the savings are locked in.
Combustion vehicles pay 10% duty, 20% VAT, and an excise that depends on engine size and the car's age — older and larger engines pay more, and diesel typically pays more than gasoline. Because the excise formula moves with these variables, a precise figure needs the VIN. Our Ukrainian-speaking team calculates the full landed cost per car before you commit at auction.
Ukraine's Black Sea ports are limited by the war, so the reliable path is ocean freight to an EU port (Klaipėda or Gdansk) and then bonded road transport across the border. At the EU port the cargo stays in bonded transit, so no EU taxes apply — your vehicle is only assessed by Ukrainian customs. It keeps the lane open, predictable, and fully insured end to end.
Either, depending on what's smoothest for your destination. Vehicles can clear Ukrainian customs at the border crossing as they enter from Poland, or continue under transit to an inland terminal in Kyiv, Lviv, or Odesa and clear there. We arrange the documentation for whichever option fits your delivery city and advise you which is faster at the time.
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