Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Uruguay
Seaway Export ships from Savannah, Miami / Port Everglades, and other ports to Montevideo in 18–29 days port to port, with weekly sailings on the main lane and rates from $1,900.
Montevideo's free-port regime makes Uruguay the Southern Cone's re-export hub. Used-car imports are banned for the local market — the lanes that work are machinery, agricultural equipment, classics, and returning-resident vehicles.
Uruguay at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,900+
- Ocean transit
- 18–27 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Montevideo
- Import duty + VAT
- 0–23% + 22% IVA (eligible goods)
- Free-port regime
- Store & re-export tax-free
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Uruguay: What You Need to Know
Uruguay bans used-vehicle imports for the domestic market — the recognized exceptions are returning residents bringing a personal car, diplomats, and classic vehicles admitted as collector pieces. What makes Montevideo strategically valuable anyway is its free-port regime: cargo can land, be stored, processed, and re-exported across the Southern Cone without Uruguayan duties or IVA ever applying. Dealers use it as a staging hub for Paraguay, Bolivia, and beyond.
For cargo entering Uruguay itself, the strongest lane is machinery: Uruguay's beef, soy, and forestry sectors import U.S. tractors, harvesters, and logging equipment steadily, mostly at 0–6% duty plus 22% IVA. New vehicles pay up to 23% duty. Transit from the U.S. East Coast runs 18–27 days, and Montevideo's clearance is among the most predictable in the region — a stable, rules-based operation in the Mercosur bloc.
Key takeaway
Used cars cannot clear into Uruguay's local market — only returning residents, diplomats, and classics qualify. Machinery imports at 0–6% duty + 22% IVA, and the Montevideo free port lets you store and re-export regionally with zero Uruguayan taxes.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Uruguay
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami / Port Everglades, FL | Montevideo | 18–24 days | Weekly |
| New York / New Jersey | Montevideo | 20–27 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Montevideo | 22–29 days | Bi-weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Montevideo | 20–26 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Uruguay 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 Uruguay, 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 Uruguay 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 Uruguay
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) | $1,900 – $2,700 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $3,200 – $4,500 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,400 – $6,200 | 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 ShipmentUruguay Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used vehicles (local market) | Banned | — | Residents, diplomats, classics excepted |
| New vehicles | 0–23% | 22% | Type & origin dependent |
| Classic / collector cars | Reduced | 22% | Collector classification, case approval |
| Agricultural & forestry machinery | 0–6% | 22% | Strongest import lane |
| Free-port / re-export cargo | 0% | 0% | No taxes while in regime |
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
Returning to Uruguay?
Uruguayans returning after 2+ years abroad can import one used personal vehicle with significant tax relief — one of the few legal paths for a used car into Uruguay. We verify your eligibility, assemble the residency file, and ship the vehicle with your household goods in one container.
What We Ship to Uruguay
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 Uruguay'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 Uruguay.
- 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 Uruguay.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Uruguay
| 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. → Uruguay Routes
Miami / Port Everglades, FL → Montevideo
18–24 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
New York / New Jersey → Montevideo
20–27 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Montevideo
22–29 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Montevideo
20–26 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Uruguay 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
18–27 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Montevideo.
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 Uruguay. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Not for the local market — used-vehicle imports are banned, with three exceptions: returning residents, accredited diplomats, and classic/collector cars. Uruguayans returning after 2+ years abroad can bring one used personal vehicle with major tax relief. For everyone else the routes are new vehicles, classics, or machinery. We confirm which path fits before you buy.
Montevideo operates under a free-port regime: cargo can be stored, consolidated, and re-exported without paying Uruguayan duty or VAT while it stays in the regime (0% / 0%). That makes Uruguay a strategic distribution hub for the wider Mercosur region — you can land goods, hold them tax-free, and forward them onward to Argentina, Paraguay, or Brazil. We structure shipments to use the regime when re-export is the goal.
Agricultural and forestry machinery. Uruguay's farming and timber sectors pull tractors, harvesters, and forestry equipment at just 0–6% duty (the 22% IVA still applies). It's our strongest Uruguay lane by far, well below the heavily taxed new-vehicle category. Montevideo's efficient port and weekly East Coast sailings make it a smooth, predictable corridor.
About 18–29 days from the East Coast. We sail weekly from Miami (18–25 days) and New York/New Jersey (20–27), with biweekly options from Houston and Savannah. Montevideo is one of the region's most efficient ports and our gateway for both Uruguay-bound cargo and free-port re-export onward to Mercosur. We provide bilingual customs coordination on arrival.
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