Can You Ship A Car To Europe?

The European automotive industry is one of the largest in the world. It employs millions of people and brings in lots of revenue from exports. The United States is the largest importer of vehicles from Europe, with only a few units exported. Even so, shipping cars to Europe is possible for personal or commercial use. The shipment process can be overwhelming, but with proper guidance, you will succeed. Below are some steps to help you understand the process better.

Have Proper Documentation

“Can you ship a car to Europe?” is probably the first thing that came to mind after purchasing your vehicle. Before taking the next step, ensure all its documents are handed over to you. These documents should include a bill of sale, purchase invoice, Declaration of Dangerous Goods form, and Shipper Export Declaration. The invoice should clearly show the names of the 4 wheeler manufacturer, type, identification number, and year of manufacture. Other details include the buyers' names, the automobile price, dates, and valid signatures. The Declaration of Dangerous Goods form is essential for vehicles carrying potentially dangerous items. The U.S. Census Bureau requires a Shipper Export Declaration for items over $2500.

Get the Certificate of Title.

The Certificate of title is an important document that must accompany every car bought in America. It is essential to have it before handing over the final payment. The title has crucial information needed for the export process to Europe to go as planned. Information in the title includes identification details of the car, such as VIN and manufacture dates. It also has the license plate number, tax class information, the buyer's contact information, and the legal owner's name if bought after financing. If the car is brand new, you will receive a manufacturer's certificate of origin instead to allow it to be exported.

Hire Haulers

You can hire conveyance haulers when you have all the necessary documents. Fortunately, quite a number of them are online, making it easier to find one that meets your needs. These companies are experienced in professionally moving vehicles to Europe, ensuring they arrive in one piece. The company can transport the car to the port, which usually attracts an extra charge. If they pick the car up, ensure you give them copies of all the relevant documents. Also, remember to remove your license plates before handing over the vehicle. Most of the time, the pickup by the carrier agency takes place a few days earlier to allow for proper clearance at the closest port in the US.

After getting the go-ahead from the U.S. Customs Service to load your car on the ship, you no longer have to ask, "Can you ship a car to Europe?"

Be Aware of Import and Tax Duty Charges

On arrival, the car will be unloaded from the ship or driven off if transported using the Ro-Ro method. Clearance procedures at the port are complicated, requiring a representative's assistance from the shipping company. Depending on their experience, they will fill out the forms quickly and proceed to payment of import tax and duty. Import duty is set by the European Union, making it standard across member states. For passenger cars, you pay 10% of the vehicle's value and conveyance costs to obtain clearance. Also, you must provide all the proper documentation for the legal process to be completed. In some cases, transporting companies can handle the procedure when they have a Direct Representation form.

Obtain Customs Clearance Declaration

The final step is the receipt of the Customs Declaration, which should contain accurate information. For it to be valid, it must have a description of goods, actual value, and a declaration of whether it is for personal or commercial use. Ensure that all the information provided to the customs officers is valid to make the issuance of the certificate much faster. When working with a shipping company, insist that all the details on the form be accurate to avoid legal issues afterward. Once you have the customs clearance, you can proceed to registration and vehicle licensing.

If you have been asking, "Can you ship a car to Europe?" You are at the right place. We offer overseas shipping for different cars from the US on a regular basis. Call us today to get these services!