Zero upfront payment. Card on file at booking. Charged only at pickup.
4 min readCard on file · charged at pickup

How to Cancel a Car Shipment: What You Need to Know

How to cancel a car shipping booking. Cancellation policies, refund timelines, and fees. What to know before you cancel auto transport.

Key takeaways

  • Full refund before a carrier is dispatched.
  • After carrier assignment, expect a $200–$250 cancellation fee.
  • Submit cancellations in writing (email or SMS). Refunds in 5–10 business days.
  • Rescheduling is often better than canceling, but it voids the original pickup window.

You can cancel a car shipment with a full refund before a carrier is dispatched. After a carrier has been assigned, most companies charge a $200–$250 cancellation fee to cover the carrier's lost assignment. Policies vary — always understand the cancellation terms before booking.

ShipCargo's cancellation policy

Before carrier dispatch: full refund, no questions asked. Your card authorization is simply released.

After carrier assigned: $250 cancellation fee. This covers the carrier's lost slot and schedule disruption.

Cancellations must be submitted in writing via email or SMS. Refunds are processed to the original payment method within 5–10 business days.

When to consider canceling

  • Your plans changed and you no longer need to ship.
  • Pickup needs to move significantly (rescheduling may be better).
  • You found a different solution (driving, having someone else drive it).

Rescheduling vs. canceling

If your dates need to change but you still want to ship, rescheduling is usually better than canceling and rebooking. Be aware: rescheduling after carrier assignment voids the original pickup window guarantee — the new window starts fresh.

FAQ

Can I cancel? Yes — full refund before dispatch, $250 fee after a carrier is assigned.

How long for a refund? 5–10 business days to the original payment method.

Get an instant quote — pay-at-pickup, no charge until your car is in your driveway.

Ready to lock in your rate?

Place your order in 60 seconds with zero upfront payment. We keep a card on file and only charge once the carrier picks up your vehicle.

Get my instant quote

Ready to ship your car?

Get a real, all-in price in under 60 seconds — no callbacks, no haggling.