You are here

Shipping a Car Overseas: How to Ship a Car Internationally

You are embarking on an exciting journey in a new country but you are faced with a dilemma- how to ship your car overseas? Whether you are moving temporarily or permanently, you might want to bring your car with you to your destination country. The good news is that there are plenty of options available when it comes to international auto shipping. While the shipping company will take care of most of the logistics for you, it’s still helpful for you to recognize how the process works so you can plan accordingly. Here are some essential tips and things to know about having your car shipped overseas.

Start with Research

There are quite a few different companies that provide international car shipping services. However, you favour being cautious to choose a company that can meet your needs and has a robust reputation. When you commence your research, you want to be positive that the agency is true licensed, bonded, and insured. You can test these records alongside grievance reviews by means of going to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. Not only do you want to ensure the transport company is top licensed and insured, however, you additionally choose to verify that any third parties involved (such as freight carriers) are additionally licensed, bonded, and insured. You additionally want to take the time to test purchaser reviews online and take a look at the Better Business Bureau for any feasible complaints. If an organization does now not meet all of these requirements, you must test them off your listing right away.

Gather Quotes

Once you have narrowed down your search to a handful of companies, you want to request a quote from everyone. Be sure and ask about any additional fees and fees so there are no surprises on your ultimate bill. Also, be cautious of any quote that is notably less expensive than the rest. This is usually a purple flag that something is no longer right.

Check Insurance Coverage

Since your car is one of your most valuable possessions, you want to be sure it is protected during this distant places shipment. Most respectable companies will have some liability coverage, however, it’s constantly right to verify these statistics on the front end. You additionally prefer to take a look at your personal insurance plan issuer about viable coverage.

Gather Your Documents

As with anything related to international shipping, there is paperwork involved. You will need to supply export archives to the U.S. Port of Entry the place your auto will be leaving from at least 72 hours before the date of transport. These archives encompass a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Vehicle Export Cover Sheet and authentic Certificate of Title for the car plus two extra copies. Additional forms are required if there is a lien on your vehicle. To make certain you have all the vital documents, contact your Port of Entry so you be aware of precisely what you will need.

Plan Ahead

Car shipping takes a lot more time than shipping a package and this is especially true when shipping a car internationally. The exact time depends largely on where your car is going however it ought to take numerous weeks for your vehicle to arrive. The quickest way to ship your auto is by booking a sole shipping container, but this will cost you more as well. If you choose to retailer a little money, you need to go with a consolidated transport container the place your auto is shipped with others. However, this choice will prolong the timeline of your delivery.

Prepare Your Car for Shipment

As with any auto-shipment, you want to make sure your car is in a proper working situation prior to delivery internationally. You additionally prefer to smooth it and take photos of your vehicle’s condition and make observe any scratches, dings, or dents. Finally, resist the temptation to pack personal items in your car when you ship them.