Looking to ship a car from Canada to Europe? Whether you're exporting a vehicle overseas, relocating internationally, or moving auction and insurance vehicles across borders, Prairie Auto Transport has been providing end-to-end transport and logistics export solutions to Europe for over 8 years. We know the procedure by heart.
This guide covers everything from shipping car from Canada to Europe price breakdowns to domestic transport between Canada's major cities — including how to move vehicles from auctions, insurance yards, and private sellers to container packing facilities for overseas export.
How We Ship Cars from Canada to Europe
We've built a complete logistics pipeline that handles your vehicle from the moment it's picked up anywhere in Canada to the moment it's packed into a shipping container bound for Europe.
Our Container Packing Network
We work together with all the most common and most competitive container packing companies across Canada. Rather than being limited to a single packer, we connect you with the right company for your specific needs — ensuring you get the most competitive rates for your shipment.
Container packing solutions are available out of three major hubs:
- Toronto, ON — Canada's largest port access, ideal for Atlantic crossings
- Edmonton, AB — Central hub for prairie and western Canada vehicles
- Vancouver, BC — Pacific gateway with options for both European and Asian routes
We assist with finding the right packing company, coordinating logistics, and ensuring your vehicle gets from its current location to the container packing facility as efficiently as possible.
The Process
- Vehicle pickup — We collect the vehicle from anywhere in Canada (auction, insurance yard, your driveway, or our terminal)
- Domestic transport — We haul the vehicle to the nearest container packing hub (Toronto, Edmonton, or Vancouver)
- Container packing coordination — We connect you with the most competitive packing company for your route
- Export documentation — We guide you through all export paperwork and requirements
Non-Running Vehicle Handling
One of our biggest advantages is the ability to handle non-running vehicles. Many vehicles destined for European export come from auctions or insurance claims and may not be operable. No problem.
We have forklifts stationed in all major cities across Canada:
- Vancouver, BC
- Calgary, AB
- Edmonton, AB
- Regina, SK
- Saskatoon, SK
- Winnipeg, MB
- Toronto, ON
Whether your vehicle is a write-off from an insurance claim, a salvage auction purchase, or simply won't start — our forklift equipment ensures safe loading and unloading without any damage to the vehicle.
Working with Auctions & Insurance Partners
We've built strong working relationships with all the major auction and insurance platforms across Canada. Our team pulls vehicles from:
- Impact Auto Auctions (IAA) — locations across Canada
- Copart — all Canadian facilities
- SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) — Saskatchewan locations
- Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) — Manitoba locations
Beating the Free Storage Clock
Here's something that sets us apart: we pride ourselves on getting vehicles out within the free storage timeframe. Auction and insurance yards charge daily storage fees once the free period expires, and those costs add up fast.
We succeed in pulling vehicles out before storage fees kick in approximately 95% of the time. The only exceptions are when vehicles are located at remote off-site locations that require additional coordination. This saves our customers hundreds — sometimes thousands — of dollars in storage charges.
Drop-Off at Our Terminal
Want to save even more? Customers can drop vehicles off at our terminal to avoid storage fees entirely. This is a more cost-effective option that eliminates the need to pay auction or insurance yard storage while waiting for transport — you simply bring the vehicle to us, and we handle the rest.
Domestic Transport: Getting Your Vehicle to the Packing Facility
Before a vehicle can be packed into a container for Europe, it needs to get to one of the three packing hubs. Here's what domestic transport looks like across Canada's most popular routes.
Ship Car from Toronto to Vancouver
The Toronto to Vancouver corridor covers approximately 4,400 km with transit times of 7–10 days. This is one of Canada's longest domestic routes, crossing the prairies and the Rocky Mountains. We run this route regularly for vehicles heading to Vancouver's container packing facilities.
Typical cost of car shipping on this route: $1,500–$2,500 depending on vehicle size and transport type.
Ship Car Toronto to Vancouver (via Calgary/Edmonton)
For vehicles that need to stop at the Edmonton packing hub before continuing west, we can coordinate multi-stop transport. The Toronto to Edmonton leg covers 3,500 km (5–7 days), and Edmonton to Vancouver is an additional 1,230 km (2–3 days).
Shipping Car from Calgary to Toronto
The Calgary to Toronto route covers 3,400 km with transit times of 5–7 days. This is a major east-west corridor we service frequently. Vehicles from Alberta heading to Toronto's container packing facilities travel along the Trans-Canada Highway through Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.
Shipping Car from Toronto to Calgary
The reverse route — shipping car from Toronto to Calgary — covers the same 3,400 km distance. Pricing and transit times are comparable. This route is popular for vehicles purchased at Ontario auctions heading west for export.
Shipping Car from Toronto to Edmonton
Shipping car from Toronto to Edmonton covers approximately 3,500 km with typical transit times of 5–7 days. Edmonton is a key container packing hub, making this route essential for vehicles being exported from eastern Canada through Alberta.
Car Shipping Cost Calculator Canada: What Affects Pricing?
Understanding the cost of car shipping across Canada helps you budget for both the domestic transport and European export legs of your shipment.
Domestic Transport Pricing Factors
| Factor | Impact on Price | |--------|----------------| | Distance | Longer routes cost more — short-haul ($300–$600) vs. coast-to-coast ($1,500–$2,500) | | Vehicle size | Compact sedans cost less than full-size trucks or SUVs | | Vehicle condition | Non-running vehicles require forklift loading, adding $100–$300 | | Transport type | Open carrier is 30–40% less than enclosed transport | | Seasonal demand | Summer months and early fall see peak pricing | | Pickup location | Auction/insurance yard pickups may include gate fees |
Shipping Car from Canada to Europe Price Ranges
The shipping car from Canada to Europe price varies based on the destination country, container type, and vehicle size:
- Container packing (shared container): $800–$1,500 per vehicle
- Full container (20ft): $2,500–$4,500
- Full container (40ft, multiple vehicles): $4,000–$7,000
- Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo): $1,200–$2,500 (running vehicles only)
Pro tip: Shared containers offer the most competitive rates for single vehicles. We'll connect you with packing companies that specialize in maximizing container space safely.
Total Cost Example
Here's a realistic breakdown for shipping a vehicle from a Winnipeg auction to Germany:
| Line Item | Estimated Cost | |-----------|---------------| | Auction pickup (Winnipeg) | $150–$300 | | Domestic transport to Toronto | $900–$1,200 | | Container packing (shared) | $900–$1,400 | | Ocean freight to Germany | $800–$1,500 | | Total | $2,750–$4,400 |
8+ Years of European Export Experience
We've been providing transport and logistics export solutions to Europe for over 8 years. In that time, we've handled thousands of vehicles — from salvage auction cars to luxury vehicles, from insurance write-offs to personal relocations.
What our experience means for you:
- We know the export documentation process inside and out
- We have established relationships with the most competitive container packers
- We understand timing requirements to avoid storage fees
- We can coordinate complex multi-leg shipments (auction → terminal → packing → port)
- We handle all vehicle conditions — running, non-running, damaged, or pristine
Popular Export Routes We Handle
| Origin | Packing Hub | Distance | Transit | |--------|------------|----------|---------| | Winnipeg → Toronto | Toronto | 2,100 km | 3–5 days | | Calgary → Edmonton | Edmonton | 300 km | 1 day | | Calgary → Toronto | Toronto | 3,400 km | 5–7 days | | Toronto → Vancouver | Vancouver | 4,400 km | 7–10 days | | Saskatoon → Edmonton | Edmonton | 525 km | 1–2 days | | Regina → Edmonton | Edmonton | 790 km | 1–2 days | | Vancouver → Toronto | Toronto | 4,400 km | 7–10 days |
How to Get Started
Getting your vehicle from anywhere in Canada to a European destination is simpler than you think:
- Get a quote — Tell us where the vehicle is, where it's going, and its condition
- We coordinate everything — Pickup, domestic transport, packing company, and export logistics
- Your vehicle ships — We ensure it's packed and on its way within the optimal timeframe
Whether you're buying vehicles at Canadian auctions for European resale, relocating overseas, or exporting insurance units — we've got the experience, equipment, and network to make it happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from Canada to Europe?
The total cost depends on the vehicle's location in Canada, the destination in Europe, and the container type. Domestic transport within Canada typically ranges from $300 to $2,500. Container packing and ocean freight add another $1,500 to $6,000. On average, a complete door-to-port shipment costs between $2,500 and $5,500. We connect you with the most competitive packing companies to minimize costs.
Can you ship a non-running vehicle to Europe?
Yes. We specialize in handling non-running vehicles. We have forklifts in all major Canadian cities including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and Toronto. We can safely load and transport inoperable vehicles from auctions, insurance yards, or private locations to container packing facilities.
How long does it take to ship a car from Canada to Europe?
Domestic transport to the packing hub takes 1 to 10 days depending on the origin. Container packing typically takes 3 to 7 business days. Ocean freight from Canada to Europe averages 2 to 4 weeks depending on the port of destination. Total time from pickup to European arrival is typically 4 to 6 weeks.
Do you pick up vehicles from Copart and Impact Auto Auctions?
Yes. We work directly with Impact Auto Auctions (IAA), Copart, SGI Saskatchewan locations, and Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) locations. We pride ourselves on getting vehicles out within the free storage timeframe — we succeed approximately 95% of the time, saving customers from unnecessary storage charges.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Toronto to Vancouver?
Shipping a car from Toronto to Vancouver typically costs between $1,500 and $2,500 depending on vehicle size, condition, and transport type. This 4,400 km route takes 7 to 10 days. Open carrier is the most affordable option while enclosed transport offers premium protection.
Can I drop my vehicle off at your terminal instead of paying for pickup?
Absolutely. Customers can drop vehicles off at our terminal which is a more cost-effective option. This eliminates pickup fees and avoids storage charges at auction or insurance yards. It's a great way to save money on the overall shipping cost.
Get your free quote for domestic or European export shipping →
Or call us at (204) 332-1935 — we'll map out the entire route and give you a complete cost breakdown.