Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Rio de Janeiro to Fresno, California

Foreign-made vehicles imported into the U.S., whether new or used, either for personal use or for sale, are generally dutiable at the following rates: Auto 2.5% Trucks 25% Motorcycles 2.4% or free.

Generally, driving is cheaper than shipping for shorter distances, but the cost difference shrinks and shipping can become a better value for long hauls when factoring in hidden costs like wear & tear, time, and your own travel expenses (lodging, food). For very long trips (1000+ miles) or unreliable cars, the added costs of driving (depreciation, maintenance, fatigue) might make shipping more economical overall, say Move.org and SoFi.

Generally, shipping a car by train is cheaper than by truck, especially for long distances (over 500 miles) and major routes, due to its high capacity and efficiency, though trucks offer more flexibility and potentially faster door-to-door service. Train transport is often more affordable, potentially saving hundreds of dollars, while providing secure, enclosed transport and reducing your car's mileage and emissions.