Ship Buses & Trucks Overseas — We Handle High & Heavy Cargo

Go Ocean Logistics specializes in the international shipping of buses, trucks, and commercial vehicles of all sizes. RoRo shipping from major U.S. ports to destinations worldwide — with full export customs handling and door-to-port service available.

Why Buses and Trucks

Buses and trucks are among the most complex vehicles to ship internationally. Their size, weight, and height put them in the “High & Heavy” category — requiring specialized RoRo vessels, careful terminal planning, and experience with commercial vehicle export regulations.

Go Ocean Logistics moves commercial vehicles across the globe every day. Whether you’re exporting a single school bus to Central America, a fleet of cargo trucks to West Africa, or long-haul semi-trucks to the Middle East, we provide a customized solution for every shipment. We handle the export documentation, port coordination, ocean freight booking, and destination customs clearance — so your vehicles arrive on time, in condition, and ready for use.

Buses & Trucks We Ship Internationally

Buses​

  • School Buses — standard and transit-style
  • City Transit Buses — municipal and commuter fleets
  • Coach Buses — intercity and charter coaches
  • Minibuses & Shuttle Buses — 15 to 30 passengers
  • Bus Conversions — converted for motorhome, mobile medical, or special use
  • Double-Decker Buses
  • Airport Transfer Buses

Trucks

  • Semi-Trucks / Tractor Units — with or without trailers
  • Box Trucks & Delivery Trucks — small to large
  • Flatbed Trucks
  • Dump Trucks
  • Tanker Trucks
  • Refrigerated Trucks (Reefer Trucks)
  • Cargo Vans & Sprinter Vans
  • Pickup Trucks (commercial and fleet)
  • Tow Trucks & Wreckers
  • Fire Trucks & Emergency Vehicles
  • Garbage Trucks / Waste Collection Vehicles
  • Military Trucks & Government Vehicles (case by case).

Not sure if your vehicle qualifies? Contact us with the year, make, model, and dimensions — we’ll advise on the best shipping method.

How We Ship Buses & Trucks Internationally

RoRo (Roll-On / Roll-Off)

Primary Method for Running Vehicles

RoRo is the most cost-effective and widely used method for shipping operational buses and trucks. Your vehicle is driven directly onto a specialized High & Heavy RoRo vessel via a reinforced stern ramp, secured to the deck, and driven off at the destination port.

Modern RoRo vessels in the High & Heavy category are engineered to handle cargo up to:

  • 6.1 metres (20 ft) high
  • 12 metres (39 ft) wide
  • 400 tonnes in weight

This means most standard buses and commercial trucks fit within RoRo capacity. For oversized or non-standard configurations, we work with the carrier to find the right deck and stowage plan.

Flat Rack Container

For Non-Running or Oversized Units

For buses or trucks that cannot be driven (non-running), or that exceed standard RoRo clearances, we use Flat Rack containers. A flat rack is an open-sided container platform with no walls or roof, allowing cargo to be loaded from the top or side using a crane or forklift.

  • 20′ Flat Rack — suitable for compact trucks, short buses, and cargo vans
  • 40′ Flat Rack — for long-haul trucks, full-size buses, and articulated vehicles
  • Collapsible Flat Rack (COFL) — foldable ends for easier stacking and return shipment

Open Top Container

For Tall Cargo

Open Top containers (20′ or 40′) are used when the cargo is too tall to fit through standard container doors but can be loaded from above using a crane. Suitable for tall trucks and equipment that cannot be loaded via flat rack.

Full Container Load (FCL)

For Smaller Commercial Vehicles

Cargo vans, Sprinter vans, small box trucks, and pickup trucks can be shipped in standard 20′ or 40′ containers. FCL provides maximum protection and allows personal items or spare parts to be shipped inside the vehicle.

Step-by-Step: International Bus & Truck Shipping

Step 1: Request Your Free Quote

Provide the following for each vehicle:

  • Year, make, and model
  • Vehicle type (bus, semi-truck, box truck, etc.)
  • Overall dimensions: length, width, height (with any attachments)
  • Gross weight
  • Running condition (operational or non-running)
  • Origin city/state or nearest port
  • Destination country and port (if known)

Bus and truck pricing is fully customized. Dimensions and weight determine the vessel space required — we cannot provide general estimates without specific vehicle details.

Step 2: Book & Prepare Documents

Required documents typically include:

  • Original title or certificate of ownership
  • Bill of Sale
  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Commercial invoice (for fleet shipments)
  • Any applicable export licenses (for certain government or military vehicles)

We handle the U.S. Customs AES/EEI export filing, Bill of Lading, and coordination of destination-country import requirements through our licensed customs broker network.

Step 3: Prepare Your Vehicle

  • Clean the vehicle inside and out (required for port inspection)
  • Fuel level: no more than 1/4 tank
  • No fluid leaks — leaking vehicles are not accepted at port
  • Remove all personal belongings and loose cargo
  • Disable alarms to prevent battery drain
  • Ensure all doors, compartments, and hatches are secured
  • Remove or secure any external attachments (mirrors, antennas, tarps)
  • Tires properly inflated and in road-worthy condition

Step 4: Port Delivery or Pickup

Option A — Drive or tow your vehicle to the designated port terminal on the scheduled cut-off date. We provide exact terminal instructions, gate hours, and check-in procedures.

Option B — We arrange inland trucking or drayage to collect your vehicle from your location and deliver it to the departure port. This is especially practical for fleets or vehicles that cannot easily self-drive to the terminal.

Step 5: Ocean Transit

Destination Region Estimated Transit Time
Caribbean & Central America10 – 18 days
South America18 – 30 days
Europe (Northern)16 – 24 days
Mediterranean Europe20 – 30 days
West Africa20 – 32 days
East Africa32 – 45 days
Middle East25 – 38 days
Asia & Pacific35 – 50 days

Step 6: Destination Discharge & Delivery

At destination, our local agent manages port discharge, import customs clearance, and duty payment coordination. For project shipments, we can arrange specialized heavy transport from the port to your project site.

Shipping Multiple Vehicles — Fleet & Commercial Orders

Go Ocean Logistics regularly handles fleet shipments for businesses, NGOs, government agencies, and commercial operators. If you’re shipping multiple buses or trucks to the same destination, we can:

  • Consolidate multiple vehicles onto the same vessel to optimize cost
  • Coordinate staggered pickups from different U.S. locations
  • Manage all export documentation for the entire fleet under one booking
  • Provide a single point of contact throughout the shipment
  • Arrange destination delivery to multiple locations if needed

Contact us to discuss fleet pricing — volume shipments receive preferential rates.

U.S. Ports for Bus & Truck Shipping

NJ

Newark / Port Newark, NJ

VA

Newport News, VA

GA

Savannah, GA

WA

Tacoma, WA

LA

Long Beach / Los Angeles, CA

FL

Jacksonville, FL — JAXPORT Blount Island

TX

Houston, TX — Barbours Cut / Bayport

MD

Baltimore, MD AMPORTS Terminal (major RoRo hub)

High & Heavy RoRo vessels operate on fixed schedules from these ports. We’ll recommend the most efficient port based on your vehicle’s origin location and destination country.

Where We Ship Buses & Trucks

Latin America & Caribbean

Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, and more

Africa

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Zambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, and more

Europe

Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Portugal, and more

Middle East

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, Iraq, and more

Asia & Pacific

Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and more — contact us for availability

Marine Cargo Insurance for Commercial Vehicles

Commercial vehicles represent significant investment. We strongly recommend marine cargo insurance for all bus and truck shipments.

Full Coverage

1.75% of vehicle value

Total Loss Only

1.25% of vehicle value

Coverage is active from the moment your vehicle is loaded at the U.S. departure port until collected at the destination port. Fleet insurance packages available — contact us for group rates.

Why Clients Choose Go Ocean for Bus & Truck Shipping

High & Heavy Experience

Buses and trucks require more than a standard vehicle booking. We work with RoRo carriers equipped for High & Heavy cargo and know the deck planning, securing requirements, and port handling that large commercial vehicles demand.

Multiple Shipping Solutions

RoRo, Flat Rack, Open Top, or FCL container — we match the right method to your specific vehicle type, dimensions, and running condition.

Fleet Capability

From a single bus to a fleet of 50 trucks, we have the relationships and logistics infrastructure to handle volume commercial shipments efficiently.

Customs Handled End-to-End

Export filing, Bill of Lading, destination import clearance — all managed through our licensed broker network.

Transparent, All-Inclusive Quotes

We quote the real cost upfront: ocean freight, documentation, port fees, and surcharges. No surprises.

Personal Communication

One point of contact from booking to delivery. You’ll always know where your vehicles are.

Fully Licensed & Bonded

U.S. DOT NO. 3124544 | MC #89820

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at sales@gooceanlogistics.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Yes. Non-running vehicles are shipped via Flat Rack or Open Top container using a forklift or crane for loading. Additional terminal handling fees apply.

Modern High & Heavy RoRo vessels can handle cargo up to 6.1 metres high, 12 metres wide, and 400 tonnes in weight. Most standard commercial buses and trucks fall within these limits. For oversized units, we arrange Flat Rack or special stowage.

For RoRo shipping, fuel must be at 1/4 tank or less. For container or flat rack, fuel tanks should typically be fully drained. We’ll confirm requirements based on your specific destination and carrier.

No. All personal belongings and loose cargo must be removed before port delivery. Only permanently installed fixtures may remain.

You can drive or tow it yourself, or we arrange inland trucking or drayage pickup from your location anywhere in the U.S.

Original title, Bill of Sale, and government-issued photo ID. Fleet shipments may require a commercial invoice. We provide a complete checklist with your booking.

Many African markets accept both left and right-hand drive vehicles, but regulations vary by country. Contact us and we’ll advise on import eligibility for your specific destination.

Ready to Ship Your Bus or Truck?

Tell us your vehicle details, origin, and destination — we’ll build a customized solution and quote.

Office Hours: Monday–Friday | 9AM–3PM ET / 7AM–5PM PT