Are you planning to move internationally? If you’re bringing a car along for the journey, you should know a few things. You can’t just put your car on a plane or a freight container and move on with your day. You must have the proper documentation, budget, and a trusted company to transport your vehicle successfully.
Here’s a brief guide to shipping automobiles overseas for a seamless move.
Be Sure To Do Your Research on Companies
There are so many different transportation companies that offer international car shipping. It’s always best to gather your research before settling on the first company you see. You must ensure the company is properly insured, offers service to your area, and only works with licensed third-party companies. If unsure about their legitimacy, it’s always best to cross them off your list.
Ensure You Have All the Required Documents
When preparing to ship your vehicle overseas, it’s essential that you remember the important paperwork that goes along with it. You must provide this export paperwork to the US port of entry three days before departure. Typically, you will need the following documents:
- Photo ID
- Bill of lading
- Vehicle registration
- Notarized bill of sale
- Notarized export power of attorney
- US Customs & Border Protection Vehicle Export Cover Sheet
- Original title for the vehicle
- Completed EPA and DOT forms
- Official lien holder letter (if applicable)
Compare Quotes From Different Shippers
On average, you’re looking to spend about $1,000 to $5,000 to transport your vehicle overseas via ocean freight. However, if you want to ship your car by air, you must spend about $2,000 to $40,000. The length of the trip depends on where the vehicle is being sent, but get your transport company 3 to 12 weeks to get the car to the destination.
We recommend that you shop around at different transport companies to see which company gives you the best options. Remember that many factors play into how much your final bill will be. These factors include:
- Customs duty
- Sales tax
- Processing fees
- Destination charges
- Insurance
- Shipping distance
- Type of transportation
- Expeditated or economy
Remember To Inspect Your Vehicle
When you’re shipping your vehicle internationally, we urge you to inspect its condition. Take pictures and videos, and document anything about the car in case something happens on its overseas journey. We recommend that you get your car serviced and washed before shipping. This way, it will be easier to spot if something is off with the vehicle. While most auto transporters will inspect the car for you, having two sets of eyes is always best.
We hope our brief guide to shipping your car overseas helped answer all your questions and helped you make a prudent decision. At Logistick, we understand the importance of protecting your shipment from damage. That’s why we take pride in being a load lock manufacturer. We help keep oversized loads and shipments safe from slipping and sliding within the vessel. Check out our website for various types of load protection mechanisms we offer.