Shipping guide

Car shipping from USA to Georgia: RoRo, container, costs, and tracking

A practical guide to ocean freight — from the US auction to Batumi or Poti port — including transit times and how to track your car.

By Bg Cars teamUpdated May 20266 min read

RoRo vs container: which shipping method is better?

1
RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off)
The car is driven onto the ship via a ramp and secured on the vehicle deck. The most common method for running vehicles. Typically $100–$200 cheaper than container. No crating or loading equipment needed. Best for: driveable clean-title cars.
2
Container shipping
Your car is loaded into a 20- or 40-foot steel container. More protection from weather and port handling. Required for non-running vehicles and salvage cars that can't be driven. Best for: non-running, high-value, or salvage-title vehicles.

US departure ports and typical costs

1
Savannah, Georgia (East Coast)
The most common port for East Coast and Midwest auction cars. Fastest transit to Georgian Black Sea ports. Typical shipping cost: $900–$1,200.
2
Houston, Texas (Gulf Coast)
Serves Texas and central US auction yards. Cost: $950–$1,300. Slightly longer transit to Georgia than Savannah.
3
Los Angeles, California (West Coast)
Primary port for West Coast auctions (Copart LA, Fontana, Portland). Cost: $1,100–$1,500. Transit via Suez Canal — same final arrival time as East Coast routes.
4
Baltimore, Maryland
Alternative East Coast port, less common but sometimes cheaper for Northern US lots. Cost: $900–$1,200.

Transit times from the US to Georgia

The ocean journey from the US to Georgian ports takes 25–45 days depending on the route. East Coast ports (Savannah, Baltimore) to Poti or Batumi via the Black Sea: 25–35 days. West Coast (Los Angeles) to Poti via Suez Canal: 35–45 days. Gulf Coast (Houston): 30–40 days. Add 5–10 business days for inland US transport from the auction yard to the port. Total from auction win to port arrival in Georgia: approximately 35–55 days.

Full timeline: from auction win to driving your car in Georgia — plan for 45–70 days including customs clearance and registration.

Poti vs Batumi port: which is better?

Both Georgian ports receive car shipments from the US. Poti is Georgia's primary cargo port and processes more vehicle volume — most RoRo vessels dock here. Batumi handles mainly container shipments and has a smaller terminal. In practice, both work equally well for car imports. The difference is 1–3 days at most. Your shipping company will route to whichever port has the best vessel schedule for your departure date.

How to track your car during ocean shipping

1
Bill of Lading (B/L) number
Your car's unique tracking identifier. Issued by the shipping company when the car departs a US port. Keep it safe — required for customs clearance and port pickup.
2
Track on carrier portals
Enter the B/L number at maersk.com, msc.com, or zim.com. Bg Cars's tracking page checks all major carriers simultaneously. Updates every 12–24 hours.
3
ETA notifications
Shipping lines send automated estimated arrival updates. Make sure your broker has your contact details. Typical accuracy: ±2 days within 10 days of arrival.
4
Port arrival and customs
When the vessel arrives at Poti or Batumi, your broker receives notification. Customs clearance can begin within 1–2 business days of arrival. Have all documents ready in advance.

Sources & further reading

Frequently asked questions about car shipping from USA to Georgia

The most common shipping questions from Georgian car buyers.

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