International Heavy Equipment Shipping from the USA
Faster Freight ships heavy equipment from any major US port to destinations worldwide by RoRo, flat rack, open top container, breakbulk or air charter. We match the method to your machine's size, weight and condition, handle export documents and inland haul, and offer cargo insurance on every shipment.
- RoRo
- Flat rack
- Open top
- Breakbulk
- Air charter
Shipping methods for heavy equipment
There's no single best way to ship a machine overseas. The right method depends on whether it runs, how big and heavy it is, and how fast it needs to arrive. We offer all five and recommend the one that fits.
| Method | Best for | What it needs |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) | Wheeled or tracked machines that drive onto the vessel: loaders, tractors, trucks, graders, many excavators | Machine runs or can be towed; within the vessel's deck height. Static cargo can sometimes go on a roll trailer. |
| Flat rack | Wide, heavy or non-running machinery and static components that don't fit in a closed container | Crane loading and lashing at the port; out-of-gauge width or height allowed with surcharges |
| Open top container | Tall machines or parts that fit a container's width and length but not its height | Top loading by crane; covered with a tarpaulin |
| Breakbulk | Oversized or very heavy cargo beyond RoRo and flat rack limits: large cranes, mining trucks, plant modules | Lifted individually into the vessel's hold or deck; ports with suitable lifting gear |
| Air charter | Urgent machinery or critical replacement parts when downtime costs more than freight. See air freight. | Dimensions that fit the aircraft door and floor limits; the highest-cost option |
Smaller machines and dismantled equipment can also go inside a standard container. See full container load shipping.
Which shipping method fits your machine?
Enter your machine's dimensions and weight. The finder compares them with typical container, flat rack and RoRo limits and suggests a starting point. Your quote confirms the final method with the carrier.
Suggested method
Enter your machine's size
Length, width, height and weight give a suggestion.
We compare them with a 40ft high-cube container, a 40ft flat rack and typical RoRo deck height.
A starting point, not a booking. Limits vary by carrier, vessel and route, and nothing you enter here is sent anywhere.
How the finder decides
| If your machine… | Suggested method |
|---|---|
| Is needed urgently | Air charter, with an ocean option as backup |
| Fits a 40ft high-cube container (about 39 ft / 12.0 m long, door about 7.7 × 8.5 ft / 2.34 × 2.58 m, up to about 57,000 lb / 26,000 kg) | Container (FCL) |
| Runs or can be towed and is under about 16 ft / 5 m high | RoRo |
| Fits a container's width and length but is too tall | Open top container |
| Is too wide or doesn't run, up to about 88,000 lb / 40,000 kg on a 40ft flat rack | Flat rack |
| Exceeds typical flat rack limits | Breakbulk |
Figures are typical industry values and vary by carrier and equipment. Your quote confirms the method.
Equipment we ship
From a single compact loader to a full fleet, tell us what you're moving and we'll plan the route from pickup to destination port.
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Construction equipment
Excavators, wheel loaders, backhoes, bulldozers, graders, telehandlers and compactors.
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Agricultural machinery
Tractors, combines, harvesters, sprayers and implements.
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Mining equipment
Haul trucks, drills, crushers, screens and underground machinery.
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Industrial & plant machinery
Presses, CNC machines, boilers, production lines and oversized components.
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Trucks & specialty vehicles
Dump trucks, tractor units, fire trucks, buses and utility vehicles.
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Generators & energy equipment
Generator sets, transformers, compressors and turbine components.
What affects the cost of shipping heavy equipment overseas
Every quote is built around the specific machine and route, so there's no reliable flat rate. These are the factors that move the price most.
- Size and footprintRoRo is priced by the space a machine takes on deck, so a long or wide machine can cost more than a heavier compact one.
- Out-of-gauge surchargesCargo wider or taller than a standard container adds surcharges and special handling.
- Inland haul to the portDistance, trailer type and any oversize permits or escorts for the trip to the port.
- Dismantling and cratingRemoving booms, buckets or attachments can reduce size and cost but adds labor at both ends.
- Cargo insuranceBased on the declared value of the machine, available on every shipment.
- Destination duties and taxesImport duties, VAT and clearance fees set by the destination country.
How heavy equipment shipping works
Assessment
You share the make, model, dimensions, weight, condition and destination.
Method and route plan
We recommend RoRo, flat rack, open top, breakbulk or air charter and the best US port.
Inland haul to the port
Pickup on a suitable trailer, with oversize permits arranged where needed.
Export documents and loading
Export filing, customs, and loading and lashing at the terminal.
Transit and delivery
Ocean or air transit, destination clearance and delivery if requested.
Documents for exporting heavy equipment from the USA
Our customs brokerage team prepares and files the export paperwork. Forms and templates are on our shipping documents page.
| Document | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Describes the machine, its value and the buyer and seller. Used for export filing and destination duties. |
| Bill of lading | The carrier's receipt and contract of carriage for ocean shipments. |
| Electronic Export Information (EEI) via AES | Required when a Schedule B line is valued over $2,500 or needs an export license, and for used self-propelled vehicles regardless of value. |
| Title or proof of ownership | Used self-propelled equipment must be presented to US Customs (CBP) with ownership documents before export, typically at least 72 hours before loading. |
| Packing list and dimensions | Measurements, weight and lifting points so the carrier can plan loading and lashing. |
| Cleaning or inspection certificate | Many countries require used machinery to be free of soil and plant material before it arrives. |
Shipping heavy equipment from Florida and every major US port
Faster Freight is headquartered in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, and has arranged freight since 2005. Florida is a natural gateway for machinery bound for the Caribbean and Central and South America, but we ship from any major US port on the East, Gulf and West Coasts.
If your machine is inland, we arrange the domestic freight leg to the port. Shipping a vessel too? See boat shipping.
Cargo insurance for heavy equipment
Heavy machinery is high-value cargo, and carrier liability limits rarely cover its full value. Cargo insurance is available on every heavy equipment shipment we arrange, based on the machine's declared value.
Ask for it with your quote and we'll include the cost alongside the freight.
Heavy equipment moves by sea as part of our ocean freight forwarding service. Last updated: September 2026.
Get a heavy equipment shipping quote
Send us the make, model, dimensions and destination. Our team replies Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm ET.
Heavy equipment shipping FAQs
Answers to the questions we hear most about shipping machinery overseas. Don't see yours? Call +1 (888) 310-1917 or request a quote.
What is the cheapest way to ship heavy equipment overseas?
If the machine runs and the destination has a RoRo terminal, RoRo is usually the most economical option because the machine is driven on and off the vessel without crane lifts. Smaller or dismantled equipment that fits inside a container can be cheaper still. Flat rack and breakbulk cost more because of crane handling, lashing and out-of-gauge surcharges.
Can you ship heavy equipment that doesn't run?
Yes. Non-running machinery is crane-loaded onto a flat rack or into an open top container, or shipped as breakbulk if it is very large. Some RoRo carriers also accept static cargo on a roll trailer. Tell us the machine's condition when you request a quote so we can plan loading at both ends.
What is the difference between RoRo and flat rack shipping?
RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) vessels carry machines that are driven or towed on board and secured on deck, with no crane needed. A flat rack is a container platform with end walls but no sides or roof: the machine is lifted on by crane and lashed down, and it can be wider or taller than a standard container. RoRo requires a machine that runs or can be towed; flat rack works for almost anything within its weight limit.
Do I need to disassemble my machine before shipping?
Not always. Many machines ship whole by RoRo or flat rack. Removing a boom, bucket or attachments can reduce the size enough to avoid out-of-gauge surcharges or to fit a container, which can lower the cost. We weigh the dismantling labor against the freight savings when we quote.
How much does it cost to ship heavy equipment internationally?
It depends on the machine's size, weight and condition, the shipping method, the inland haul to the port, the destination and any insurance you add. RoRo is priced by the space a machine occupies on deck, while flat rack and breakbulk add crane handling and out-of-gauge charges. Send us the make, model, dimensions and destination for an itemized quote.
What documents do I need to export heavy equipment from the USA?
Typically a commercial invoice, a bill of lading, Electronic Export Information (EEI) filed through AES, and a packing list with dimensions and weight. Used self-propelled equipment must also be presented to US Customs with title or proof of ownership before export. Our customs brokerage team prepares and files the export paperwork.
Does heavy equipment need to be cleaned before export?
Often, yes. Many countries require used machinery to arrive free of soil, seeds and plant material, and some inspect or reject equipment that isn't clean. We'll confirm the destination's requirements when we plan your shipment.
Is cargo insurance available for heavy equipment?
Yes. Cargo insurance is available on every heavy equipment shipment we arrange, based on the machine's declared value. Carrier liability limits rarely cover the full value of heavy machinery, so we recommend it for most shipments.
Which US ports do you ship heavy equipment from?
We ship from any major US port on the East, Gulf and West Coasts. We choose the port based on where the machine is located, the destination and the available sailings, and arrange the inland haul to get it there.
How long does heavy equipment shipping take?
Transit time depends on the route, the shipping method and the sailing schedule, plus time for inland haul, export filing and loading. Air charter is the fastest option; ocean shipping takes longer. Your quote includes the expected schedule for your specific route.