Shipping Car to Puerto Rico from Miami

Although Puerto Rico is an unincorporated United States territory, transporting a car to this island nation is not without its logistical challenges. However, that does not mean that shipping a car to Puerto Rico from Miami has to be difficult, complicated, or even pricey. The key to an effortless and stress-free transport to Puerto Rico is hiring the right auto shipping company with the necessary experience and skill. At Ship Vehicles, we have been shipping cars to the Caribbean for over 30 years, and we know a thing or two about how to successfully import a vehicle to Puerto Rico.

Since Puerto Rico is what is known as an archipelago, or a collection of islands, shipping a vehicle to the country requires it be done by either ocean liner or air freight. Transport by sea is the most commonly used method to ship a car to Puerto Rico from Miami, especially due to the close proximity to one of the major shipping ports in the U.S – The Port of Miami. Shipment via boat allows for several vehicles to be moved at a time, resulting in a much more affordable experience. Whereas, shipping a car to Puerto Rico by air freight doesn’t happen as often, can be incredibly expensive, and is usually reserved for rare, luxury, exotic, or high-value vehicles.

If you’re looking to ship a vehicle to Puerto Rico from Miami, you likely won’t need two-part auto transport, as you can bring the car to the port yourself to help cut down on costs. However, for convenience you can elect to purchase both inland to port transport and Port of Miami to Puerto Rico transport. This method is what is known as door-to-port service, meaning your car is picked up at your door (or another preferred location) in Miami and delivered to your intended destination port in Puerto Rico.

Shipping a Car to San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico, their largest city, and has the highest population of any municipality in the commonwealth. It is known as the island’s financial, manufacturing, tourism and cultural epicenter. Positioned on the island’s Atlantic coast, San Juan is the third oldest European-established capital city in the Americas.

The Port of San Juan, located directly in San Juan, is the most important seaport in Puerto Rico and one of the busiest ports in Latin America and the Caribbean. If you are planning on shipping a vehicle to Puerto Rico, The Port of San Juan will likely be the most convenient and accessible destination port. However, you do have other ports to choose from in Puerto Rico, including ports in:

• Aguadilla
• Arecibo
• Fajardo
• Guanica
• Guayanilla
• Jobos Bay
• Las Mareas
• Mayaguez
• Ponce
• Yabucoa

Puerto Rican Auto Transport Services

Whether you are a private owner, collector, auto dealer, or rental agency, it’s essential that you hire a qualified and professional auto transport company when you need to ship a car to Puerto Rico. While the process isn’t all that different from domestic auto shipping, there are some laws, restrictions, and taxes that must be understood when importing to Puerto Rico.

For instance, all cargo that is being moved from the Mainland to Puerto Rico are required to travel via facilities and equipment that are United States owned, built, and crewed. When it comes to duties, since Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the U.S., they do not apply. However, you will have to pay taxes to import a car to Puerto Rico, which we will cover later on.

Although the shipping regulations to the island are generally less rigorous than other overseas or international locations, the process may still seem overwhelming. When you partner with Ship Vehicles, we help you make sense of all the requirements so that you can successfully ship your vehicle to Puerto Rico from Miami. Get started today by filling out our online request form to receive more information and your FREE shipping estimate.

Required Documents for Shipping a Car to Puerto Rico

Just like any auto transport, shipping a car to Puerto Rico involves a bit of paperwork and requires that you present various documents. While the requirements may vary based on your shipping company, most often the following documents are required when moving a car to Puerto Rico:

• Driver’s License: Prior to exporting your car out of the U.S., you’ll need to submit a copy of a valid driver’s license for the owner of the vehicle. However, if the car is being delivered by someone else on the owner’s behalf, a notarized letter must also be included that permits the transport.
• Vehicle’s Original Title: To ship your car to Puerto Rico from Miami, you must provide a copy, front and back, of the vehicle’s title. If the vehicle is being leased, you will instead have to present a notarized letter from the lien holder (financial institution).
• Registration: Although your U.S. driver’s license is valid in Puerto Rico, you must register your vehicle within three days of its arrival.
• Bill of Lading
• Vehicle Appraisal: The required import tax is based on the value of your vehicle. Because of this, an accurate appraisal of the vehicle must be presented upon import to Puerto Rico.
• EPA Form
• Bill of Sale: A bill of sale is required if the vehicle is newly purchased.

Frequently Asked Questions for Shipping a Car to Puerto Rico from Miami

How much does it cost to ship a car to Puerto Rico from Miami?

There are number of factors that play into the cost to ship a vehicle from Miami to Puerto Rico including the type of vehicle, the vehicle’s size, total distance, time of year, selected services, and more. However, the average cost for Miami to Puerto Rico auto transport is between $1,200 and $1,500.

What taxes do I have to pay when I ship a car to Puerto Rico?

Regardless of where you are shipping outside of the country, you will be subject to taxes and duties prior to import. While not all countries require that foreigners pay taxes on the goods they are transporting, those shipping a vehicle to Puerto Rico will have taxes to pay. Before the shipment of your vehicle can even begin, you must pay off all the required duties and taxes associated with the import.

You can get in touch with the Embassy of Puerto Rico for the most up-to-date auto import tax rates. However, when you work with an auto shipping company, these taxes will be factored into the bill for the shipping services. These taxes typically include:

• 5% excise tax
• A 6.6% tax applies to all imported goods except for food and medical supplies.
• Miscellaneous import fees

You may have to pay additional taxes depending on your vehicle, as your tax rates are determined based on the car’s CIF value, weight, and other specifications. Always make sure to obtain a receipt for taxes paid so you can present it to Customs in Puerto Rico.

How long does it take to ship a car to Puerto Rico from Miami?

When shipping out of Miami, it takes approximately two weeks for your vehicle to arrive in Puerto Rico. If you need to ship a car to Puerto Rico, the route from Miami to Puerto Rico is the quickest, as Florida is the closest mainland state to the island nation.