To ship a car to Puerto Rico you will typically need the original title (or a lienholder letter if the car is financed), a photo ID that matches the title, and a booking with an ocean carrier sailing from a mainland port, most often Jacksonville, Florida. Plan on about 1 to 3 weeks from mainland drop-off to release in San Juan, plus time for Puerto Rico's excise tax and local registration. The single biggest cause of delay is missing or mismatched paperwork, so get your documents in order before you book.
Key takeaways
- Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, so this is a domestic move, but the car still crosses the ocean and goes through a port process.
- Most cars sail from Jacksonville, Florida, to the Port of San Juan; the sea crossing itself is usually a few days.
- Bring the original title, not a copy. Financed or leased cars need a notarized authorization letter from the lender.
- Puerto Rico generally charges an excise tax on vehicles brought to the island, and it must be paid before the car is released.
- Miss the port cutoff and your car waits for the next sailing, so build a few buffer days into your plan.
How a Puerto Rico car shipment works, step by step
A Puerto Rico move usually has three legs. Knowing each one makes the paperwork and timing much easier to follow.
- Mainland leg: you drive the car to the departure port, or a truck carrier picks it up at your home and delivers it to the port terminal. This is a normal door-to-door or door-to-port truck move.
- Ocean leg: the terminal checks your documents, inspects the car and loads it on a roll-on/roll-off ship or in a container for the trip to San Juan.
- Island leg: after the ship unloads, the car is processed at the San Juan terminal. You pay any required Puerto Rico taxes, then pick up the car or arrange local delivery.
Each leg has its own timing, and the slowest part is often the paperwork at the two ends, not the sailing.
Which mainland ports are used?
Jacksonville, Florida, is the main gateway for cars headed to Puerto Rico, with frequent sailings each week. Some carriers also sail from other East Coast and Gulf ports. If you live far from Florida, a truck carrier can move your car to Jacksonville first. Our Florida car shipping page covers that leg.
Documents you need to ship a car to Puerto Rico
Requirements vary a little by ocean carrier, but this is the standard set. Ports are strict, and a car can be turned away at the gate if something is missing.
| Document | Who needs it | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Original vehicle title | Owners with a clear (paid-off) title | Copies are usually not accepted. The name must match your ID. |
| Lienholder authorization letter | Financed or leased vehicles | Must allow the car to go to Puerto Rico and is often required to be notarized and recent. Request it 2–3 weeks early. |
| Current registration | Most shippers, especially with a lien | Should be current and match the VIN. |
| Government photo ID | Everyone | Driver's license or passport matching the title name. |
| Bill of sale | Recently bought cars | Helpful when the title has not yet been transferred. Ask the carrier if it is accepted. |
| Power of attorney / authorization | Someone dropping off for you | Lets a friend, family member or company act on your behalf. |
| Military orders | Service members on PCS | May affect booking, fees or tax treatment. Ask early. |
Title and name problems that cause delays
- The title is in a spouse's or parent's name only. Bring an authorization letter from the titled owner, or have them drop off the car.
- The title shows a lien that was paid off, but the lien release was never recorded. Bring the lender's release letter.
- The title is from a different state than the registration. That is usually fine, but both must list the same VIN.
- You recently moved and your license shows an old address. That is normally fine; the name is what matters.
Port timing: cutoffs, sailings and release
Ocean carriers run on fixed schedules. Each sailing has a cutoff, the last day and time the terminal will accept a car for that ship. Miss it and your car rolls to the next sailing.
A typical timeline
| Step | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Request lienholder letter (if financed) | 2–3 weeks before drop-off |
| Book the ocean sailing | 1–3 weeks before you want it to sail |
| Truck the car to Jacksonville (if needed) | About 1–7 days, depending on distance |
| Port drop-off before cutoff | Often 1–3 days before sailing |
| Sailing from Jacksonville to San Juan | Roughly 2–4 days at sea |
| Unloading and terminal processing | About 1–5 days |
| Excise tax payment and release | Same day to a week or more, depending on paperwork |
From the moment the car is dropped at a Florida port, many owners have it back in about 1 to 2 weeks. If the car starts on the West Coast, add the truck leg, which can be 7 to 10 days coast to coast.
How to avoid missing a cutoff
- Book the truck pickup with a few days of slack before the port cutoff.
- Ask for the cutoff date in writing and confirm it the week before.
- Do not schedule the truck to arrive on the cutoff day itself if you can help it.
- Make sure the person delivering the car to the port has the original title and authorization in hand.
Puerto Rico excise tax and registration
This is the part that surprises most first-time shippers. Puerto Rico generally charges an excise tax (often called arbitrios) on vehicles brought onto the island, and it is handled by Puerto Rico's Department of the Treasury (Hacienda). The amount depends on the vehicle's value and other factors set by Hacienda, and it is usually paid before the port releases the car.
After release, you will typically register the car with the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP / CESCO), which involves an inspection and the annual registration sticker known as the marbete. Rules, rates and exemptions change, so confirm current requirements directly with Hacienda and DTOP before you ship. If you are shipping for a short stay, ask about how temporary use is treated.
Budget for these costs
- Ocean freight (port to port).
- Mainland truck leg, if you are not driving to the port.
- Puerto Rico excise tax, which can be a large figure for newer or higher-value cars.
- Island-side registration, inspection and insurance.
- Possible terminal storage fees if the car is not picked up promptly after release.
RoRo or container: which ocean option fits?
Most cars going to Puerto Rico ride on a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ship or in a container on a regular cargo sailing. Each has trade-offs.
Roll-on/roll-off
The car is driven onto the ship's vehicle deck and secured, much like a parking garage at sea. It is usually the most affordable choice for a running car and the most common option for everyday vehicles. The car must run, steer and brake so it can be driven on and off.
Container
The car is loaded and strapped inside a shipping container. This can give more protection from weather and handling, and some services allow shared containers for more than one car. It is often more expensive, takes more handling at each end, and may have different rules about what can be inside the car.
Mainland truck leg: open or enclosed?
For the drive to Jacksonville, standard open car shipping is fine for most daily drivers. If you are moving a classic, a luxury model or a car with fresh paint, consider enclosed transport for that leg so it reaches the port in the same condition it left your driveway. Either way, the clean condition report from the truck leg gives you a second record of the car's condition before it ever reaches the ship.
Preparing the car for the port
Ports inspect every car on arrival. A clean, empty car with the right fuel level moves through quickly.
- Wash the car so scratches and dents are easy to see on the inspection report.
- Take dated photos of all sides, the roof, the wheels, the interior and the odometer.
- Run the fuel down to about a quarter tank or less, the common limit for ocean shipping.
- Remove all personal items, aftermarket electronics that detach, toll tags and garage remotes.
- Check for leaks and fix anything obvious. Leaking cars may be refused.
- Make sure the battery is charged and the car starts, steers and brakes.
- Disable or set the alarm so it will not go off during the voyage.
- Bring one full set of keys for the terminal.
Our full vehicle shipping checklist covers a few more items worth doing before any long trip.
Picking up your car in San Juan
When the car is ready, you will usually need your ID, the shipping receipt or booking number, and proof that the required Puerto Rico taxes are paid. Before you drive away:
- Walk around the car in good light and compare it with your drop-off photos.
- Check the roof, lower bumpers and wheels, which are easy to miss.
- Note any new damage on the release paperwork before you sign.
- Start the car and check warning lights.
If you find damage, write it on the paperwork and photograph it on the spot. Claims are much harder once you leave the terminal. Our guide to how car shipping works explains the inspection and claim process in more detail.
Shipping a car back from Puerto Rico to the mainland
The return trip follows the same pattern in reverse. You will again need the title or lienholder letter, an ID, and a booking with a cutoff date. Ask your carrier whether any Puerto Rico registration or tax documents should travel with the car. Once the car lands in Florida, a truck carrier can deliver it anywhere on the mainland.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Bringing a photocopy of the title instead of the original.
- Waiting until the last week to ask the bank for a lienholder letter.
- Filling the tank before drop-off.
- Packing boxes in the trunk.
- Forgetting to budget for the Puerto Rico excise tax.
- Booking the truck leg so tightly that a one-day delay means a missed sailing.
CTS can arrange the mainland truck leg with $0 deposit and 24/7 in-transit updates, so you know exactly when your car reaches the port.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport to ship a car to Puerto Rico?
No. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, so a U.S. driver's license or other government photo ID is usually enough for the shipping paperwork.
Can I ship a financed car to Puerto Rico?
Usually yes, as long as your lender gives you a written, often notarized, letter allowing the car to be shipped to Puerto Rico. Ask for it early, since lenders can take a week or more.
How long does the boat take from Jacksonville to San Juan?
The sailing is typically a few days. Door-to-release time is longer because of the cutoff, unloading and tax processing.
Can I put personal belongings in the car?
Most ocean carriers do not allow it. Ship household goods separately.
Why is my car being held at the San Juan port?
The most common reasons are unpaid excise tax, missing paperwork, or a name mismatch between the title and the ID. Contact the terminal and Hacienda to find out what is outstanding.
Need help getting your car to the port on time? Start with our step-by-step overview or get a free quote for the mainland leg today.
Updated November 4, 2026