Short answer: When shipping by RoRo, your vehicle should always be empty, clean and free of any personal belongings. The reason: customs and biosecurity authorities expect an unladen car; loose items are generally not insured and increase the risk of theft. Permanently fitted accessories are usually permitted, as are a spare wheel or on-board tools, depending on the shipping line. Personal belongings, dangerous goods and a full fuel tank, on the other hand, are strictly prohibited. Keep the fuel tank low and, if in doubt, check with your haulage contractor or shipping line.
The key points in 5 points
- ‘Empty and clean’ is the basic rule: A Ro-Ro vehicle must be unladen and clean — that is the standard for safety.
- Loose items are not insured: As a rule, nobody is liable for personal belongings left in a car; you bear the risk of theft yourself.
- Fixed installations are usually fine: Factory-fitted or permanently installed accessories may remain; personal belongings must be removed.
- Fill the tank to no more than a quarter full: For safety reasons, shipping companies require a low fuel level and no dangerous goods on board.
- If in doubt, ask: The shipping company and freight forwarder are aware of the exact details of your route.
Why should the vehicle be empty when using RoRo?
RoRo means that your car is driven onto the ship in running order and is parked on an open deck — accessible to terminal staff. This is precisely why you must not leave any personal belongings inside the vehicle. Customs and border authorities expect the vehicle to be unloaded. Items in the boot may be treated as separate goods and cause delays in clearance. Our guide shows you how to put together the necessary paperwork correctly: Overview of RoRo documents.
What about insurance and theft?
Transport insurance covers the vehicle — not its contents. Loose items in the car are almost never covered. If anything is lost or damaged, you’ll be left to foot the bill. As Ro-Ro decks are accessible during the journey, visible luggage also increases the risk of theft. An empty, tidy vehicle is therefore not just a requirement, but also protects you financially.
What role does biosecurity play?
Many destination countries carry out strict checks on vehicles for soil, plant matter, insects or seeds. A dirty car may result in a chargeable cleaning or quarantine upon arrival. You should therefore clean the interior, boot, wheel arches and underbody thoroughly before handing over your vehicle. Customs matters such as the Travel and the movement of goods These factors come into play when items carried are classified as goods subject to import duties.
What is allowed and what is forbidden?
Permanently fitted accessories are generally permitted: sat-navs, child seats with fixed mountings, and fitted roof racks. Some shipping companies accept a spare tyre, a set of tools or a jack — this depends on the specific requirements. However, personal belongings, household goods, dangerous goods such as spare fuel canisters or fire extinguishers not secured in their holders, and a full fuel tank are prohibited. As a rule of thumb, the fuel tank should be no more than a quarter full.
How do you prepare your car properly?
Empty the vehicle completely, clean it inside and out, and reduce the amount of fuel in the tank. Only leave the charging cable, warning triangle or first-aid kit behind if your shipping company expressly permits this. A structured Loading checklist for the Ro-Ro port helps you make sure you don’t miss anything. If you still have any questions, your haulier will clarify the exact rules for your route in advance.
FAQ
Am I allowed to leave luggage or household goods in the car?
No. Personal belongings and household effects do not belong in the vehicle. They are usually not insured and can complicate customs and clearance procedures.
Are spare tyres or vehicle tools permitted?
Often yes, but not always. It depends on the specific shipping company’s guidelines — check this before handing over the boat.
How full can the fuel tank be?
As a rule of thumb, the maximum is one quarter. For safety reasons, shipping companies require a low fill level; no dangerous goods.
Why does the car need cleaning?
For biosecurity reasons in the destination country. Soil, plant debris or insects may trigger a cleaning or quarantine procedure on arrival.
What happens if I leave items in there anyway?
You risk loss without insurance cover, delays in handling, and possibly refusal by the shipping company.
All the information in this article has been carefully researched, but is subject to change at any time. ODS Orient accepts no liability for the timeliness, accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Please contact us directly for a no-obligation quote.
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Short answer: A Ro-Ro timetable shows you when a ship departs from a port (ETD, Estimated Time of Departure) and arrives (ETA, Estimated Time of Arrival). This includes the rotation (the order in which ports are called at), a voyage number and the cut-off time – that is, the deadline for checking in your vehicle. ETD and ETA are always just estimates. It is essential that you meet the cut-off time and allow plenty of time in advance. Active tracking will later show you the actual times: ATD and ATA.
The key points in 5 points
- ETD and ETA are estimates and may be subject to change due to weather conditions, port capacity or changes to the rotation schedule.
- The cut-off is your strict deadline — if you miss it, the ship will set sail without your vehicle.
- The rotation reveals whether your cargo is transported directly or via a transhipment port.
- The Voyage issue It identifies a specific voyage of a ship and links the booking and tracking details.
- ATD and ATA These are the actual times and will replace the estimates as soon as they are confirmed.
What do ETD and ETA stand for?
ETD stands for Estimated Time of Departure, the estimated time of departure from the port of loading. ETA stands for Estimated Time of Arrival, the estimated time of arrival at the port of destination. Both figures are for planning purposes only; they are not guarantees. Once the ship has set sail or arrived, the terms used are ATD (Actual Time of Departure) and ATA (Actual Time of Arrival). These actual times are crucial for the handover at the destination.
Why are ETD and ETA only estimates?
Maritime shipping depends on many factors: weather and sea conditions, waiting times at congested ports, transhipments and last-minute changes to rotations. Shipping companies therefore constantly adjust their timetables. International standards, such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), set the framework within which ships operate — predictable, but not fixed to the hour. You should therefore always allow for a buffer.
What is a rotation, and what is the voyage number for?
The rotation is the fixed sequence of ports a ship calls at during a voyage — for example, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, then overseas. This tells you whether your vehicle will be transported directly or transferred to a second ship via transhipment at a hub. The voyage number refers to one specific journey and links the booking, timetable and tracking so that everyone is referring to the same voyage.
How do you meet the deadline and plan ahead?
The cut-off (also known as the closing) is the deadline for acceptance: the time by which your vehicle must be handed over at the terminal. It is often one or more days before the ETD. Work backwards from this date: delivery, document processing and customs clearance all take time. Our overview of the Key status milestones from gate-in to release.
How does tracking help with the timetable?
A timetable is a snapshot — tracking turns it into a real-time status update. Using the VIN, B/L number and AIS vessel data, you can see whether the vessel is following the planned rotation and how the ETA is changing. This allows you to spot delays at an early stage. Our article on Ro-Ro tracking using VIN, B/L and AIS.
FAQ
What is the difference between ETD and ATD?
ETD is the estimated time of departure as planned. ATD is the actual time of departure once the ship has set sail.
Is the estimated time of arrival (ETA) binding?
No. The ETA is an estimate and may be subject to change due to weather, port congestion or changes to the rotation. Only the ATA is binding.
What happens if I miss the cut-off?
In that case, your vehicle will no longer be accepted for this journey and will have to be rebooked onto a later departure. You should therefore allow plenty of time.
What does ‘transhipment’ mean?
Transhipment is the process of transferring cargo from one ship to another at an intermediate port. You can check the rotation to see whether your cargo will be transhipped.
What is the Voyage number used for?
It identifies a specific voyage of a ship and links the booking, timetable and tracking, so that all parties involved are referring to the same voyage.
All the information in this article has been carefully researched, but is subject to change at any time. ODS Orient accepts no liability for the timeliness, accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Please contact us directly for a no-obligation quote.
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Short answer: Most problems with the first RoRo shipment arise from a manageable number of avoidable errors: incorrect dimensions, missed cut-off times, incomplete documentation, unchecked import eligibility, missing photographic records or a lack of insurance. If you’re aware of these ten pitfalls, you can ensure a smooth process – and avoid delays and additional costs.
The key points in 5 points
- Most mistakes happen before the actual sea voyage.
- Dimensions, cut-off dates and documents are the three biggest pitfalls.
- Import eligibility Always check beforehand – especially with used cars.
- A Photo report is your most important form of protection.
- A good Checklist prevents almost all common errors.
The 10 most common mistakes – and how to avoid them
- Providing incorrect measurements: Sea freight is calculated by volume – measure the length, width and height accurately, including any superstructures.
- Missing the cut-off time: The acceptance deadline is binding. If you miss it, you will lose your place on the course.
- Delivering too early: If the vehicle remains at the terminal for too long, you may incur parking charges.
- Incomplete documents: Without complete documentation – including an export declaration via the The customs authorities’ ATLAS procedure – no acceptance takes place.
- Import eligibility not verified: Many countries restrict the import of second-hand cars. Check this before you book.
- Ignore fuel level: Shipping companies usually require no more than a quarter – a full tank results in the shipment being rejected.
- Leaving personal belongings in the vehicle: They are rarely insured and increase the risk of theft.
- No photographic record: Without a record of the condition, there is no evidence to fall back on in the event of damage.
- No transport insurance: Shipping companies’ liability rarely covers the full value of the vehicle.
- Incorrect delivery address: Large ports have several terminals – make sure you deliver to the correct Ro-Ro terminal.
Why do these mistakes happen so often?
Because many first-time senders Land side Underestimate: Preparation, timing and documentation are crucial to a smooth start, long before the ship sets sail. A structured Checklist for RoRo shipping guides you step by step through all the points.
What’s the best way to prepare?
Plan ahead, keep detailed records and liaise closely with your haulage contractor. Our service is particularly helpful when it comes to handover at the port. Loading checklist. This will help you avoid the usual mistakes and get off to a smooth start with your shipment.
FAQ
What is the most common mistake made when shipping by Ro-Ro for the first time?
Incorrect or incomplete information – particularly regarding measurements and documents. Both can easily be avoided with careful preparation.
Do I need to clean my car beforehand?
Yes, that is advisable. Some destination countries require the vehicle to be clean (e.g. for biosecurity reasons), and any pre-existing damage is easier to document on a clean vehicle.
How much fuel is allowed in the tank?
The usual limit is a quarter at most. The exact limit is set by the shipping company.
Do I absolutely need transport insurance?
Highly recommended. The shipping company’s standard liability cover does not usually cover the full value of the vehicle.
How do I find the right terminal?
Your haulage contractor will tell you the exact delivery point. Large ports have several terminals – getting the address right is crucial.
All the information in this article has been carefully researched, but is subject to change at any time. ODS Orient accepts no liability for the timeliness, accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Please contact us directly for a no-obligation quote.
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Short answer: To book a RoRo crossing, you need to measure your vehicle in Length, width and height – measured at the outermost point in each case and including all fittings such as roof racks, aerials or mirrors. As sea freight is calculated by volume, even a few centimetres can determine the loading category and, consequently, the price. Accurate measurements protect you from additional charges and surprises at the port.
The key points in 5 points
- The following is measured: Length × Width × Height, at the outermost point in each case.
- Superstructures count towards the total: Roof racks, aerials, mirrors, accessories.
- Sea freight charges are calculated as follows Volume – Height is often the most expensive factor.
- Exact figures avoid recalculations and reallocations.
- In the event of excess, the OOG planning (Out of gauge).
Why are vehicle dimensions so important?
Unlike many forms of land transport, sea transport is predominantly based on Volume calculated, not by weight. We explain how the volume (in cubic metres) is calculated and why it is crucial under Ro-Ro volume (cbm). In short: the larger the floor area of your vehicle, the more space it takes up on board.
How do you measure length, width and height correctly?
- Length: from the front edge to the rear edge (including bumpers, tow bar and spare wheel).
- Width: at the widest point – usually over the wing mirrors; only fold them in if you’re shipping the car with them folded in.
- Height: from the ground to the highest point – including roof racks, roof boxes, aerials or bodywork.
Measure on a level surface and round up rather than down. The IMO specifies that with the CTU code sets out the international framework for the correct registration and safeguarding of loading units.
What are the most common errors that occur when taking measurements?
- Forgotten superstructures: Roof racks or aerials are not included in the measurement – the vehicle is taller than stated.
- Please use the catalogue dimensions only: Manufacturer's specifications do not take retrofits into account.
- Misjudging a mirror: Whether it is shipped folded or unfolded affects the width.
- Ignore rounding up/down: Inaccurate readings lead to re-measurements at the terminal.
What details do you provide to the haulage company?
Report the exact measurements in centimetres (L × W × H) plus the weight and any special features (lowered suspension, add-on parts, not roadworthy). The more accurate your details, the more binding the quote – and the lower the risk of additional charges.
When is your vehicle considered to be oversized (OOG)?
If your vehicle exceeds the standard dimensions for standard loading, it is considered to be Out of Gauge (OOG) and needs to be planned separately. We’ll show you how to go about this properly at Oversized and Overheight: OOG vehicles on RoRo ferries.
FAQ
Do I need to fold the wing mirrors in before measuring the width?
Only if the vehicle is shipped with the wing mirrors folded in. Measure the vehicle as it is actually handed over, and let the haulage company know.
Does a roof rack count towards the height?
Yes. Anything that is permanently fitted – roof bars, roof boxes, aerials – counts towards the height and must be included in the measurement.
Why is altitude so important?
Because it determines the usable deck area and any possible surcharges. Even a few centimetres can change the loading category.
What happens if my measurements are incorrect?
Checks are carried out at the terminal. If the figures differ, you may face additional charges or, in extreme cases, a rebooking. Providing accurate details will protect you from this.
Is it charged by volume or by weight?
For RoRo, it is mainly based on volume. Weight is relevant for handling and securing the cargo, but rarely determines the price on its own.
All the information in this article has been carefully researched, but is subject to change at any time. ODS Orient accepts no liability for the timeliness, accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Please contact us directly for a no-obligation quote.