Find practical shipping information for trucks, commercial vehicles and heavy machinery moving from Europe to African ports. Connect directly with the shipping company to discuss suitable methods, availability and quotations.
Calls, quotations and bookings are handled directly by the shipping company.
Shipments range from a single delivery van to a fleet of trucks or a large excavator. The right way to ship each unit depends on its dimensions, weight and condition, as well as the route and the options available on it at the time.
Rigid trucks, tractor heads, tippers and box trucks, from light commercial to heavy goods vehicles.
Curtain-siders, flatbeds, low-loaders and tankers, shipped on their own or coupled to a tractor unit.
City buses, coaches and larger passenger vehicles for transport operators, schools and private use.
Panel vans, Luton vans, crew cabs and other working vehicles used by businesses and contractors.
Earthmoving and site equipment, whether it drives on board or needs to be lifted and secured.
Farm tractors and field equipment, including attachments that may need to travel separately.
Warehouse and yard equipment, from compact forklifts to telehandlers and reach trucks.
Mobile cranes, generators, compressors and other plant that does not fit neatly into one category.
Not every vehicle or machine can be accepted on every route. Oversized, very heavy or non-running units may need a specific loading method, so share the make, model, dimensions and weight when you ask for a quote and the shipping team will confirm what can be arranged.
There are four main ways to ship a truck or machine from Europe to Africa. Which one works for yours comes down to a few practical questions about the unit itself and where it is going.
Method 1 · Roll-on/Roll-off
The truck or machine is driven, or rolled on its own wheels or tracks, onto a special vessel with vehicle decks, then secured for the voyage.
Method 2 · Standard 20ft or 40ft
Smaller units are loaded into an enclosed steel container and secured inside, which adds protection during the voyage.
Method 3 · Open-sided container
A flat rack has a strong platform with end walls but no side walls or roof, so wider or taller cargo can be lifted on and secured.
Method 4 · Specialised arrangements
Very large, heavy or unusual units can be lifted aboard and stowed individually, rather than rolled on or packed into a container.
A few details up front help the shipping team understand your truck or machine quickly, check which options fit and come back with a quote without lots of back-and-forth.
That’s fine. Send what you have, such as the make and model or a photo of the data plate, and the shipping team can help fill in the gaps.
These general steps help most trucks and machines get ready for handover. Exact requirements depend on the unit, the shipping method, the carrier and the route.
Remove personal belongings, rubbish and loose items from cabs, lockers and load beds.
Fasten loose accessories and detachable parts, or take them off where that makes sense.
Look for obvious fluid leaks and tell the shipping team about any mechanical issues.
Check the tyres or tracks and be clear whether it drives, needs towing or has to be lifted.
If it is expected to move under its own power, make sure it does all three reliably.
For booms, buckets, blades or forks, say what is fitted and whether it can be lowered, folded or removed.
Take photos from every side, plus close-ups of existing damage, as a record of its condition.
Have keys, codes and anything else needed to start, move or open the unit available.
Paperwork requirements vary depending on the unit, the country it is exported from, the destination country, the shipping method, the carrier and local customs and import rules. The documents below are commonly requested, and the shipping team can confirm what is needed for your booking.
Rules for importing trucks and machinery differ between African countries and can include age limits, inspections or specific paperwork. Check them for your destination before you ship, not once the unit is already on its way. This overview is a starting point, not a complete customs checklist.
Step by step
This is what usually happens from your first enquiry to the unit arriving in Africa. The exact steps can vary depending on the cargo, the route and the shipping method.
Share the make and model, dimensions, weight, condition, pickup location, destination and a few photos if you have them.
The shipping team checks which methods and routes are available for your unit and talks you through them.
If you decide to go ahead, the booking details, required documents and preparation instructions are confirmed with you.
Depending on the booking, you deliver the unit to the agreed departure point, or transport there is arranged.
The unit is shipped on the confirmed service, and you follow the booking instructions for arrival and collection.
Services such as collection from your address or customs handling at destination depend on the booking, so confirm what is included before you ship.
Trucks and machinery can be shipped from Europe to many African destinations, but the options open to you depend on the shipment itself and the route it takes. Two similar machines going to different ports may not have the same choices.
The best European port or handover point depends on where the unit is now and which services run from there.
The destination port affects which shipping methods and sailings may be available.
Not every route has the same RoRo options, and dimensions, weight and condition affect acceptance.
Large or unusually heavy machinery may have fewer standard options and need a flat rack, breakbulk or another arrangement.
Vessels, equipment, schedules and carrier acceptance change over time, so options are checked for each shipment.
Straight answers to the questions people ask most about shipping trucks, commercial vehicles and heavy machinery from Europe to Africa.
Send the details of your truck, commercial vehicle or machine, and the shipping team will talk you through the options available for your shipment.
Calls, quotations and bookings are handled directly by the shipping company.
