ETS / PCS Out → Ship Your Car FROM Hawaii
Ship Your Car FROM Hawaii to the Mainland: Military PCS and ETS Guide
Shipping a car from Hawaii to the mainland is the reverse of the trip that brought you here, but the document requirements, port process, and timeline are different. This guide covers everything you need for a clean departure from any Hawaii installation.
$1,122+
From Honolulu to mainland
$2,140+
From neighbor islands
12-14
Days ocean transit
4.9★
Google rating
INSTANT QUOTE
“Orders came in fast. Camilo walked me through everything step by step, coordinated pickup at Fort Bragg, and my truck was waiting in Honolulu when we landed. Nothing fell through the cracks.”
SSG Rodriguez, U.S. Army
"PCS'ing from Schofield Barracks with 11 days notice after orders changed. Camilo re-booked the next sailing, handled the paperwork, and our truck was at the mainland port before our report date.",
Military family, Oahu to mainland, 2024
On this page
Required documents (the critical step)
Hawaii drop-off terminals
The return shipping process
Insurance: both layers
Why Car Shipping Hawaii
2026 return pricing
How long does it take?
Preparing your vehicle
VPC vs. private for return trips
Frequently asked questions
Required Documents for Shipping Your Car FROM Hawaii
This is the step that causes the most problems for service members shipping from Hawaii. When shipping TO Hawaii, no documents are needed at the port. When shipping FROM Hawaii, you need five documents, and missing even one can delay your vehicle by days or push you past your sailing.
Email documents 24 hours before drop-off
All document copies must be emailed to the port at least 24 hours before your scheduled vehicle drop-off. Bring your original government-issued photo ID to the gate. If anything is missing or expired, your vehicle will not be accepted for that sailing.
| Document | Details | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Title | Front and back copies | Forgetting the back. Both sides are required. |
| Current Hawaii Registration | Must be current and valid at time of drop-off | Expired registration. Renew before your drop-off date. |
| Hawaii Safety Inspection | The yellow or blue paper certificate | Confusing this with the vehicle registration. They are separate documents. |
| Government-Issued Photo ID | Bring the ORIGINAL to the gate, not a copy | Bringing a photocopy. The gate requires the original physical ID. |
| Lien Holder Authorization | ONLY if the vehicle is financed | Not getting this in time. Contact your lender at least 2 weeks before your sailing. |
Lien holder authorization: only required FROM Hawaii
Lien holder authorization is ONLY required when shipping FROM Hawaii to the mainland. It is NOT required when shipping TO Hawaii. If your vehicle is financed, contact your lender at least 2 weeks before your scheduled sailing to request the authorization letter. Some lenders take 5 to 10 business days to process this. Do not wait until the week of your drop-off.
What Camilo does for document prep
When you book a return shipment, we send you the complete document checklist with the port's email address and your specific deadline. We follow up 3 days before drop-off to confirm everything is submitted. The number one reason vehicles miss sailings from Hawaii is a missing document, not a scheduling issue. We build the document check into our booking process for exactly this reason.
Pricing
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car FROM Hawaii?
Return shipping from Hawaii to the mainland is typically less expensive than the inbound trip because the overland leg is reversed. You drop off at the Hawaii terminal, and your vehicle arrives at Long Beach or Oakland for pickup or onward carrier delivery.
| Route | Ocean Freight | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu to Mainland | $1,122+ | 12 to 14 days |
| Neighbor Islands to Mainland | $2,140+ | 25 to 30 days |
Neighbor island rates are higher because your vehicle transfers from Maui, Hilo, or Nawiliwili to Honolulu via Young Brothers barge before boarding the Matson vessel to the mainland. That inter-island leg adds both time and cost.
If you need door delivery on the mainland side (vehicle transported from the West Coast port to your new duty station or home), overland transport is added based on distance. West Coast delivery adds $300 to $500. East Coast delivery adds $800 to $1,100+. For a full cost breakdown by destination state, see our pricing page.
Deposit and rate lock
Your deposit locks the quoted rate and is applied toward your total, never added on top. For return shipments, contact us for the current deposit amount. The rate you are quoted at booking is the rate you pay regardless of market changes after you book.
ETS'ing or PCS'ing out of Hawaii?
We walk through the calendar, confirm your documents, and lock your rate. Give us 5 minutes.
Hawaii Vehicle Drop-Off Terminals
You drive your vehicle to the terminal yourself. There is no carrier pickup on the Hawaii side. Plan your drop-off timing around terminal hours and your sailing cutoff.
| Terminal | Address | Address | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Island, Honolulu | 1411 Sand Island Pkwy | Mon-Fri 8 AM to 4 PM | All Oahu installations |
| Kahului, Maui | Pier 1, Kahului Harbor | Mon-Fri 7 AM to 3:30 PM | All Maui personnel |
| Hilo, Big Island | 55 Kahanu St | Mon-Fri 7 AM to 3:30 PM | PTA and Big Island personnel |
| Nawiliwili, Kauai | Pier 2, Lihue | Mon-Fri 7 AM to 3:30 PM | PMRF Barking Sands personnel |
Plan your ride back from the terminal
Once you drop off your vehicle, you will not have a car. Most service members coordinate a ride with a friend, spouse, or rideshare. If you are at Sand Island and heading back to Schofield or K-Bay, plan for a 30 to 40 minute drive. We remind every customer about this at booking because it is the detail people forget until they are standing at the terminal with no ride home.
For complete terminal details, see our Hawaii Port Guide.
Pricing
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car FROM Hawaii?
The return trip is simpler than the inbound trip because you control the drop-off. There is no overland carrier to coordinate on the Hawaii side. You drive to the terminal, drop off, and the vessel does the rest.
| Route | Barge to Honolulu | Ocean to Mainland | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oahu (Sand Island) to Mainland | N/A | 12 to 14 days | 12 to 14 days |
| Maui to Mainland | 10 to 14 days | 12 to 14 days | 22 to 28 days |
| Big Island to Mainland | 10 to 14 days | 12 to 14 days | 22 to 28 days |
| Kauai to Mainland | 10 to 14 days | 12 to 14 days | 22 to 28 days |
Neighbor islands: plan extra time
Vehicles from Maui, Big Island, and Kauai transfer to Honolulu via Young Brothers barge before boarding the Matson vessel. That barge is open and exposed, unlike the enclosed Matson vessel. The inter-island leg adds 10 to 14 days. If you are ETS'ing with a tight report date on the mainland, book early. Missing the barge connection means missing the Matson sailing, and the delay compounds.
Booking lead time for return shipments
Standard: 2 to 3 weeks before your target drop-off date. Peak season (May through August): 4 to 6 weeks. Confirm sailing dates at the Matson Navigation sailing schedule.
A pickup scheduled too late means missing the vessel cutoff by a day, and a missed cutoff means waiting 7 days for the next sailing. During peak season (June through August), the next sailing may already be full, which can push the delay to 2 weeks or more. We start by getting the calendar right.
All-Inclusive Pricing
The Return Shipping Process: Hawaii to Mainland
The process for shipping from Hawaii is simpler than the inbound trip because you handle the drop-off directly. No overland carrier needed on the Hawaii side. For the full inbound process, see how car shipping to Hawaii works.
Book and Lock Your Rate
2 to 6 weeks before drop-off
Call or submit a quote. We confirm your island, vehicle specs, and target sailing. Your deposit locks the rate. We send you the complete document checklist with the port email and your submission deadline.
Submit Documents and Prepare Your Vehicle
24+ hours before drop-off
Email your title, registration, safety inspection, photo ID copy, and lien holder auth (if financed) to the port. We follow up 3 days before drop-off to confirm receipt. Clean the vehicle, empty all personal items, and fill to quarter tank or less.
Drive to the Terminal and Drop Off
Drop-off day
Drive your vehicle to Sand Island (Oahu) or your neighbor island terminal. Bring your original photo ID and booking confirmation. The port inspects the vehicle, processes documentation, and loads it onto the Matson vessel. Arrange your ride home before you arrive.
Mainland Arrival and Pickup
12 to 14 days after sailing
Your vehicle arrives at Long Beach or Oakland. We notify you when it clears and is ready for pickup. If you need the vehicle transported from the West Coast port to your new duty station or home, we coordinate a mainland carrier for the final leg.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Return Shipping
The same preparation rules apply in both directions. The port terminal enforces these requirements at drop-off. For the full list of preparation errors that cause delays, see our 7 most common car shipping mistakes.
Required
Fuel at one quarter tank or less
Vehicle completely empty. No personal items. Ship household goods through your TMO.
Fully operational: steering, braking, rolling
Clean exterior and interior, including undercarriage
No windshield chips or cracks
Photograph the vehicle from all angles before drop-off
All five documents emailed to port 24 hours before drop-off
Not Accepted
No electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. No exceptions.
No non-running vehicles
No personal items of any kind
No vehicles exceeding port clearance limits
Insurance Coverage
Insurance: Both Layers Explained
Insurance for return shipments works differently because you drive to the terminal yourself, eliminating the overland carrier leg for the Hawaii side.
Primary Coverage
Ocean Transport (Matson)
~$8,000
Matson's carrier liability covers actual damage during the ocean crossing, up to approximately $8,000 for an average-sized vehicle. You can declare a higher value on the Dock Receipt to increase the limit.
Young Brothers barge (neighbor islands)
If your vehicle ships from Maui, Big Island, or Kauai, the inter-island barge leg via Young Brothers carries different insurance terms. The vehicle is transported on an open, exposed barge. We always recommend verifying with your personal auto insurance carrier whether the policy covers barge transport. Photograph the vehicle before the barge and again at Honolulu.
Mainland Leg (if applicable)
Overland Transport
$100,000
If you add mainland carrier delivery from Long Beach or Oakland to your final destination, the land carrier provides up to $100,000 in cargo insurance for that leg.
All-Inclusive Pricing
VPC vs. Private Shipping for Return Trips
The same government entitlement that shipped your first vehicle to Hawaii also covers one vehicle on the return trip. The VPC handles the first vehicle at government expense. If you need to ship a second vehicle, or if you want personal coordination and a locked sailing date, that is where we come in.
First Vehicle
Government VPC
Cost
No cost (government funded)
Booking
VPC window, not specific sailing
Contact
VPC office, no personal coordinator
Mainland delivery
Port only, no onward transport
Second Vehicle / Preferred
Private (Us)
Cost
From $1,122 (Honolulu)
Booking
Specific sailing, locked rate
Contact
Camilo, direct, start to finish
Mainland delivery
Port or door delivery available
For the complete guide to shipping TO Hawaii, see our military PCS car shipping hub.
Pricing
Why Car Shipping Hawaii for Return Shipments
Most brokers treat the return trip as an afterthought. Car Shipping Hawaii handles return shipments with the same level of coordination as inbound moves, including the document verification step that catches problems before they become missed sailings.
| Feature | Car Shipping Hawaii | Typical Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Document verification before drop-off | ✓ We confirm 3 days out | ✗ You figure it out |
| All-inclusive pricing | ✓ Locked at booking | ✗ Price changes common |
| Named coordinator | ✓ Camilo, direct | ✗ Call center |
| Mainland door delivery available | ✓ Port or door | Port only, usually |
| Lien holder auth reminder | ✓ Built into booking process | ✗ Never mentioned |
| Island-owned and operated | ✓ Based in Honolulu | Mainland-based |
Real Reviews from Real Virginia Customers
Camilo Jaime — Lead Shipping Coordinator
Car Shipping Hawaii · Honolulu, HI · 18 Years Industry Experience
Virginia — and the Hampton Roads area especially — is one of our most active PCS corridors. Naval Station Norfolk alone generates a significant volume of Hawaii-bound shipments every year. With 18 years coordinating thousands of Hawaii shipments, our team knows exactly how to time a Virginia pickup to hit the right sailing window. The overland leg from the East Coast requires more lead time than most people expect, and we build that into every booking.
"
PCS from Naval Station Norfolk to Pearl Harbor. I had a hard reporting date and our team was upfront about exactly how much lead time the Virginia-to-Hawaii shipment needed. The car was at Sand Island Terminal two days before I landed. That is the kind of coordination you need on a military move — nothing left to chance.
Petty Officer 2nd Class M. Chen — Norfolk, VA to Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Virginia Beach to Maui — our team was clear from the start that a neighbor island shipment from the East Coast takes 32 to 40 days. We planned around it and there were zero surprises.
Tom & Angela B. — Virginia Beach, VA to Kahului, Maui
Relocating from Richmond to Honolulu for work. I got quotes from four companies — only Car Shipping Hawaii explained the two-part cost structure honestly. One price, locked. No calls asking for more money before pickup.
Sarah W. — Richmond, VA to Honolulu, Oahu
Written by Camilo Jaime
Lead Shipping Coordinator, Car Shipping Hawaii
1110 Nuuanu Ave #305, Honolulu, HI 96817. 18 years coordinating Hawaii vehicle shipments. Camilo has handled hundreds of return shipments for ETS'ing service members, including last-minute order changes, document scrambles, and peak-season sailing crunches.
I have shipped 7 vehicles back and forth between Hawaii and Colorado using Car Shipping Hawaii. Every single time, Camilo handles it. He remembers my vehicles by name, knows my timeline before I tell him, and has never missed a sailing.
Dan B.
—
Colorado, repeat customer
Military family
Oahu to mainland, 2024
PCS'ing from Schofield Barracks with 11 days notice after orders changed. Camilo re-booked the next sailing, handled the paperwork, and our truck was at the mainland port before our report date.
Verified customer
Maui to mainland, 2024
Shipping from Maui back to the mainland, Camilo was upfront about the neighbor island time and cost difference before I even booked. No surprises. Vehicle arrived in Long Beach on schedule.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Hawaii to the mainland?
Shipping from Honolulu to the mainland starts at $1,122. From neighbor islands (Maui, Big Island, Kauai), the rate starts at $2,140. These are port-to-port ocean freight rates. If you need mainland door delivery, overland transport is added based on distance.
What documents do I need to ship my car from Hawaii?
Email the following to the port at least 24 hours before drop-off: vehicle title (front and back copies), current Hawaii registration, Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate (yellow or blue paper), and government-issued photo ID. If the vehicle is financed, you also need a lien holder authorization letter. Bring your original photo ID to the gate.
How long does it take to ship a car from Hawaii to the mainland?
Ocean transit from Honolulu to the West Coast takes 12 to 14 days. From neighbor islands, add 10 to 14 days for the Young Brothers barge transfer to Honolulu before the Matson vessel departs. Total from neighbor islands is 22 to 28 days.
Where do I drop off my car in Hawaii?
Oahu: Sand Island Terminal, 1411 Sand Island Parkway, Honolulu, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. Maui: Pier 1, Kahului Harbor. Big Island: 55 Kahanu St, Hilo. Kauai: Pier 2, Nawiliwili, Lihue. All neighbor island terminals operate Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 3:30 PM.
Is lien holder authorization required when shipping from Hawaii?
Yes. If your vehicle is financed, you must provide a lien holder authorization letter when shipping FROM Hawaii. Contact your lender at least 2 weeks before your sailing. This is only required in the FROM Hawaii direction. It is NOT required when shipping TO Hawaii.
Does the military ship my car from Hawaii when I ETS?
Yes. The Department of Defense ships one POV per service member family through the VPC for OCONUS moves, including the return trip. If you need to ship a second vehicle, or if you want all-inclusive pricing with personal coordination, Car Shipping Hawaii handles that. From Honolulu, the rate starts at $1,122.
Can I ship personal items inside my car from Hawaii?
No. Vehicles must be completely empty in both directions. This is enforced at the port terminal. Ship household goods separately through your TMO.
Which mainland port does my car arrive at?
Matson vessels from Hawaii arrive at Long Beach, CA or Oakland, CA. We confirm the arrival port during booking. If you need your vehicle transported from the West Coast port to your new location, we coordinate a mainland carrier for the final leg.
Questions Answered
Frequently Asked Questions: Shipping FROM Hawaii
We answer these every day. If yours isn't here, call us directly — we pick up during business hours, Monday–Friday 8 AM–6 PM HST.
Ready to Get Your PCS Vehicle to Hawaii?
We work through the calendar with every service member personally. Give us 5 minutes and we will give you a transparent all-in price and a sailing window that works with your move.
Island-Owned & Operated
Matson Exclusive Specialist
USDOT 3505506
4.9/5 Google Rated
Transparent Pricing
1110 Nuuanu Ave #305, Honolulu, HI 96817 · Monday through Friday, 8AM to 6PM HST · carshippinghawaii.com
