Ro-Ro vs. Container Shipping: Best Way to Ship Toyota Prado Worldwide
How Ro-Ro and container shipping compare for a full-size SUV like the Prado, how many fit in a container, and when overland routes make sense.
By EVtoU Export Team · Published · 6 min read
Ro-Ro is usually the cheaper way to ship a single Prado on a regular route; a container is the better choice when you want more protection, need to mix vehicles or accessories, or your port has no Ro-Ro service. For land-linked markets such as Kazakhstan, overland transport can beat both.
What is Ro-Ro shipping?
Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) vessels are floating car parks: vehicles are driven on at the origin port and driven off at destination. There is no container to pay for, so cost per vehicle is often lower, but the vehicles travel on open vessel decks and usually cannot carry personal items or loose parts inside.
What is container shipping?
Vehicles are driven into a standard shipping container and lashed to the floor with straps and wheel chocks. The container is sealed until it is opened at destination, which protects paint and interiors and allows accessories or parts to travel with the vehicle.
How many Prados fit in a container?
The Prado is a full-size SUV: about 4.9 m long and 1.93 m tall (LC250). That height rules out the two-level racking used for small cars, so capacity is set by length:
| Container | Internal length (approx.) | Prado units |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ft | 5.9 m | 1 |
| 40 ft high cube (40HQ) | 12.0 m | 2 |
If you are combining a Prado with smaller vehicles, the remaining space can sometimes be used more efficiently — we plan mixed loads to reduce cost per vehicle. The 5,085 mm WALD Edition and the 5,010 mm 2019 Prado with rear-mounted spare need a little more length, so confirm loading plans for those.
Ro-Ro vs container at a glance
| Ro-Ro | Container | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost per vehicle | Lower on regular routes | Higher for one car; efficient for full loads |
| Protection | Open vessel deck | Sealed and lashed |
| Accessories inside | Usually not allowed | Allowed when declared |
| Port coverage | Major ports with Ro-Ro service | Almost any container port |
| Mixed models | Yes | Yes, planned per container |
When is overland transport better?
For Central Asia and Russia, vehicles can travel by road transporter or rail from China. Kazakhstan shares a border with China, and Uzbekistan is reached through Central Asian crossings. See our Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan pages.
Which should you choose?
- One or two vehicles to a major Ro-Ro port — get both quotes; Ro-Ro is often cheaper.
- Vehicles plus accessories, or high-value units — container.
- Mixed models in one order — container, with a loading plan.
- Central Asia — ask about overland routes.
Whichever method you choose, ask for a CIF quote to see the freight cost included, and read how our export process works.
