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California ↔ Puerto Rico Car Shipping

Shipping a car from California to Puerto Rico, or bringing one from the island back to California? We pick up across California — Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento and Fresno — and truck it to our Jacksonville, FL port (about 2,550 miles from Los Angeles) for the weekly sailing to San Juan. Coming the other way, we collect it at the Port of San Juan and deliver it to your door in California.

Quick answer: Shipping a standard car between California and Puerto Rico is estimated at $1,395–$1,595, ocean freight included, and takes about 14–18 days in total. Vehicles sail from Jacksonville, FL to the Port of San Juan; southbound sailings leave Thursdays and northbound sailings leave San Juan on Mondays. A deposit at booking secures your space and the balance is due before delivery.

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Prices & transit

California ↔ Puerto Rico: Estimated Prices

Vehicle	California → San Juan (est.*)	San Juan → California (est.*)	Total transit
Sedan / compact	$1,395–$1,595	$1,395–$1,595	14–18 days
SUV / crossover	$1,495–$1,695	$1,495–$1,695	14–18 days
Pickup / van	$1,595–$1,895	$1,595–$1,895	14–18 days

*Estimated rates, not guaranteed. Rates change with the season, fuel, route demand and your vehicle. For your exact rate, call or text (800) 320-1050 or use the free quote form. Transit time from this state is an estimate; your agent confirms it when you book.

How it works

Both Directions, Step by Step

California → Puerto Rico

Get a quote and book online or by phone. A deposit secures your sailing.
We pick up your vehicle in California and truck it to Jacksonville, FL (about 2,550 miles from Los Angeles).
It sails to the Port of San Juan (southbound sailings leave Thursdays).
We email your arrival notice; you pay Puerto Rico's import tax (arbitrios) and pick it up in San Juan.

Checklist (PDF)

Puerto Rico → California

Book and gather Puerto Rico's export certificates (ACAA, Police, DTOP, Hacienda). Our checklist walks you through them.
Drop your vehicle at the Port of San Juan, clean, empty and with 1/4 tank or less.
It sails to Jacksonville, FL (northbound sailings leave San Juan on Mondays).
We truck it to your door in California. The balance is due before delivery.

Export checklist (PDF)

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Pickup & delivery in California

Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento and Fresno, and anywhere else in the state.

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Port & sailing

Nearest port: Jacksonville, FL, about 2,550 miles from Los Angeles. Sailings to San Juan leave Thursdays; from San Juan, Mondays. Schedule

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Island coverage

San Juan, Bayamón, Carolina, Guaynabo, Caguas, Trujillo Alto, Ponce, Mayagüez, Arecibo and every municipio in between. Bilingual agents on every call.

FAQ

California ↔ Puerto Rico: Questions & Answers

How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Puerto Rico?

A standard sedan is estimated at $1,395–$1,595, an SUV $1,495–$1,695 and a pickup or van $1,595–$1,895. That includes pickup in California, trucking to Jacksonville, FL, the ocean freight to San Juan and port handling. The same ranges apply from Puerto Rico to California.

How long does it take to ship a car between California and Puerto Rico?

About 14–18 days in total: pickup and trucking to Jacksonville, FL (about 2,550 miles from Los Angeles), the sailing to San Juan and port processing. See the weekly sailing schedule.

Can you ship a car from Puerto Rico to California?

Yes. You drop it off at the Port of San Juan with your export certificates, it sails to Jacksonville, FL on the Monday sailing, and we truck it to your door anywhere in California.

Which port is closest to California?

Jacksonville, FL, about 2,550 driving miles from Los Angeles. We truck your car there for you; you don't need to go to the port on the mainland.

What documents do I need?

To Puerto Rico: title, photo ID, and a lender letter if the car is financed. From Puerto Rico: registration, title or lender letter, and the ACAA, Police, DTOP and Hacienda certificates. Everything is on our resources page.