The A-Z Guide to Shipping a Car to Sabah for the First Time

Cars travel from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah via a single route: a cargo ship from Port Klang to Sapangar Bay Container Port in Kota Kinabalu. The voyage takes 5–7 working days, and the entire process — booking, documents, drop-off — can be completed in under a week if you start early.

At Hantar Kereta Trading (SSM 202603144686), this A-to-Z guide lays out every step from start to finish — from preparation, choosing a method, the documents required, the booking process, delivery day, and tracking, right up to collecting your car again at the Kota Kinabalu terminal.

1. Before You Start: What You Need to Know

Before making any booking, make sure you understand these basics:

• Cars are shipped by sea — There is no bridge or tunnel connecting Peninsular Malaysia with Sabah. The only way is by cargo ship from Port Klang (the origin port) to Sapangar Bay Container Port in Kota Kinabalu (the destination terminal operated by Sabah Ports).
• Delivery time: 5–7 working days — This includes the voyage and the processing at the Sapangar Bay terminal. Plan your schedule with this timeframe in mind.
• Cost starts from RM 2,480 — For a sedan, the sea freight (port-to-port) starts from RM 2,480. Add the jockey drive cost based on your state of origin. For a full cost breakdown, read our article on the cost to ship a car to Sabah.
• Cars under loan can be shipped — If your car is still under financing, you will need a bank release letter. Read the full guide in our article on the bank release letter.
• Marine insurance included — At Hantar Kereta Trading, every shipment is covered by all-risk marine insurance. Your car is protected from the moment it is loaded onto the ship until it arrives at the destination.

2. Choose a Method: RoRo vs Container

There are two main methods for shipping a car by sea:

Our recommendation: For sedans and regular daily-use cars, the RoRo method costs less (RM 2,480 versus RM 2,880–3,800 for a container) and is faster (5–7 days versus 7–10 days). Choose a container only if you are shipping a luxury vehicle (for example: Mercedes, BMW, Porsche) or a classic car that requires maximum protection.

3. Prepare Your Documents

The documents required to ship a car to Sabah are fairly simple. Here is the complete list:

• Copy of the owner's IC — Front and back.
• Copy of the vehicle registration certificate (VOC) — Make sure the copy is clear and legible.
• Copy of a valid road tax (LKM) — The road tax does not need to be displayed on the windscreen, but make sure it is still within its valid period. You can check your vehicle licence status through the official JPJ portal before delivery day.
• Bank release letter — Only required if the car is still under loan. Refer to the bank release letter guide for the detailed process.
• Spare car key — Prepare an extra set of keys if available, as a precaution.

Documents can be sent via WhatsApp (photo/scan) or handed over physically during the car drop-off. Our team will verify each document before the process begins.

4. The Booking Process

The process of making a booking at Hantar Kereta Trading is very simple and can be done entirely via WhatsApp:

1. Contact us — WhatsApp us or fill in the form on our contact us page. Tell us the type of car, your state of origin and the destination in Sabah.
2. Receive a quote — We will provide an accurate quote within 30 minutes, including sea freight, jockey and any other charges.
3. Confirm the booking — Happy with the quote? Confirm the booking and choose a delivery date. Refer to the 2026 sailing schedule for available slots.
4. Send documents — Send a copy of your IC, registration certificate and bank release letter (if any) via WhatsApp.
5. Pay the deposit — A 50% deposit is required to confirm your ship slot. The balance is paid before delivery day.

5. Delivery Day: Checklist

On the day you deliver your car, make sure you have checked the following:

• Personal belongings removed — All personal items, electronics and valuables MUST be removed from the car. RoRo ships do not allow items inside the car.
• Quarter tank of fuel — Make sure there is enough fuel for the car to be driven onto the ship and off the ship at the destination. A quarter tank is sufficient.
• Charged battery — The car must be able to start and be driven. Make sure the battery is in good condition.
• Tyres in good condition — Tyre pressure must be adequate with no flat tyres. This is important for the process of driving on and off the ship.
• No oil leaks — A car with an oil leak can be rejected by the port authority due to the risk of fire on board the ship.
• Photograph the car's condition — Document the condition of the car from all angles before handover. This is important as a record should any issue arise.
• Bring your original IC — You may need to show your original IC when handing over the car at the port or to the jockey driver.

If you use our door-to-door service, our jockey driver will come to your location to collect the car. You do not need to go to the port yourself.

6. Tracking & Collection

After your car is handed over, you can track its status at any time through our tracking page. The statuses you will see:

1. Car received — The car has arrived at the port and is awaiting loading.
2. In transit — The car is on board the ship and on its way to Sabah.
3. Arrived at destination — The ship has arrived and the car is being unloaded.
4. Ready for collection — The car has passed inspection and is ready to be collected.

When collecting your car in Sabah, make sure you:

• Bring your original IC and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate
• Inspect the car's condition — Compare it with the photos taken before shipping
• Sign the collection form — A document confirming that the car was received in good condition
• Report any issue within 24 hours — If there is any damage, inform us immediately for an insurance claim

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

The mistake that most often causes a first-time shipper to miss their ship slot is applying for the bank release letter too late — some banks take 7–10 days, longer than the voyage itself. Here are five common mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Not applying for the bank release letter early — Many customers only find out this letter is needed a week before shipping. Some banks take 7–10 days. Apply early! Read the bank release letter guide.
2. Leaving personal belongings in the car — This causes delays because the items have to be removed at the port. Empty the car completely before delivery day.
3. Booking too close to the date you need the car — The whole process takes 5–7 working days. Add time for document processing. Plan at least 2–3 weeks ahead.
4. Not checking the car's condition before shipping — If the car cannot start or has a mechanical problem, it cannot be loaded onto the RoRo ship. Make sure the car is in drivable condition.
5. Choosing a company on price alone — Before paying a deposit, confirm three things: marine insurance is included in the quote, there is a tracking system, and the company is SSM-registered. At Hantar Kereta Trading (SSM 202603144686), marine insurance is already included in the price.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

Five key steps determine how smoothly your first shipment goes: prepare your documents (IC, registration certificate, bank release letter if the car is under loan), choose a method (RoRo for a daily-use sedan, container for a luxury car), make the booking and pay the 50% deposit, empty the car completely, and hand over the car on delivery day. From Port Klang to the Sapangar Bay terminal in Kota Kinabalu takes 5–7 working days.

At Hantar Kereta Trading (SSM 202603144686), the service covers pickup at your location, delivery to the port, shipping, and tracking until the car is collected again in Kota Kinabalu. Every shipment is covered by all-risk marine insurance from the moment it is loaded until it arrives at the terminal.

Related articles you may find useful: the cost to ship a car to Sabah, the 2026 sailing schedule and the guide to buying a car in Peninsular Malaysia and shipping it to Sabah.