How much is International Car Shipping?

International Car Shipping Cost

International costs change greatly according to the method you choose and how fast you want it delivered. How much is the international method? If you’re not worried about time, moving using a container by sea can charge you less than $1000. If you skip the door-to-door option, choose a RoRo shipment, and pick up your car from the nearest port, the price lowers even more.

If you’re not hauling outside the continent, and the car is functional, a mover can drive it for you. Most often, this is the more expensive option, with prices being as high as $2000, but the automobile arrives much faster, usually within days.

If it is not operable, or you don’t want it driven throughout the country or continent, then delivering it using a truck or a trailer is the best solution. On the other hand, hauling by air is the most expensive option. Although it is the fastest method, we don’t recommend it as the prices are usually not worth it.

Options

How much is moving by air, sea, or land? It is done at least partially by land, and sometimes we use the other 2 methods as well. Here is what you should know:

Moving on Land (Trains and Trucks)

• Trains: For long-distance delivering inside a continent, rail using a container can be an excellent option. In terms of speed, the auto will normally arrive slower than when using a truck, though it does depend on its destination and origin. However, in some cases, the costs can be lower.
• Trucks: Most shipments need a truck. Both international and domestic hauls inside a continent are normally done by a single company using a truck for the entire journey. Moving overseas may be done by a couple or more firms, coordinating and switching the vehicle between trucks.

When choosing an agency, make sure they give you a clear and complete list of fees and the allocation of responsibility during the shipment. The speed will depend on road conditions and expenses are unavoidable, though moderate.

Hauling by Sea

How much is moving by sea? Taking into consideration the distance, it’s quite low. Delivering using a container or sea freight is recognized as the cheapest method of hauling goods across the globe. It’s usually your only choice when moving from one continent to another, though it is extremely slow. According to the route you send your vehicle through, it may arrive at its destination in a few weeks.

Delivery by Air

How much is this? Unfortunately, it can be 10 times more expensive than sea freight, making it a rarely used option.

If it must arrive at its destination as soon as possible and regardless of expenditures, choose air freight. However, if you must respect a budget, shipping by sea is a much more reasonable approach.

Loading and Delivery Fees

How much is it affected by loading prices all depends on your choice. You have 2 options and these are: port-to-port and door-to-door.

1. Port to port. This is the most used option. The responsibility of bringing it to the port falls on you, and after it arrives at the destination port, you will have to pick it up from there. Failure to do so in time may cost you extra storage charges.
2. Door to door. The most convenient method is door-to-door. According to your choices, the company will come to your home, pick up your car, and deliver it to the origin port. After it’s moved across the sea, the corporation or one of its partners will once again pick it up at the destination port, before delivering it to your new doorstep.

More Expenses You Should Consider

Depending on where you’re moving, you should consider the following expenditures as well:

• Insurance costs: You may want to insure it for the hauling itself or in its destination state/country. Most enterprises will offer insurance, so ask them for the details and make sure you are covered.
• Customs Charges / Duty / Taxes: Before moving overseas, it’s best you thoroughly research your new country’s laws. There may be additional taxes and restrictions put on automobiles which you should know about.
• Storage: If you cannot pick it up as soon as it arrives at its destination port, it will automatically be placed into storage. Inform yourself of how much this will charge you and prepare accordingly.
• Vehicle Size: It’s cheaper to move a smaller auto overseas, as it takes less room in a truck and costs less to transport via ship.
• Modifications: Country legislations often lead to raised charges for importing altered vehicles. Modifications often make it difficult to prove the automobile respects safety or emission standards.
• Condition: If it is not in running condition, transporting it requires additional equipment to place it in the truck. The use of this equipment will often raise the price.
• Enclosed vs. Open trailer: Because enclosed carriers have a lower carrying capacity, they’re usually more expensive. Though open trailers leave it exposed to the elements, accidents rarely happen, so it is a viable cheaper option.
• International fees are greatly influenced by the distance it must travel. The longer the distance, the higher the prices.
• Location: If you want the vehicle to be picked up or delivered to an area with few travel corridors, it may cost you more.
• Speed: Agencies offer various options. If you’ve planned and have sufficient time, you can choose a cheaper delivery option which takes longer. Usually, the faster you need it delivered, the more you will need to pay.
• Fuel costs: Verify the fuel charges in your new country, so you’re not caught off guard.
• Broker vs. Company: Brokers must extract their fees on top of what they pay the hauler, so their price is generally higher. If they offer a lower price, it may be in hopes of finding a cheap firm to haul your vehicle. However, if they cannot find such one, they may ask you for more payment or leave you stranded.
• Season: During a year, the demand may vary greatly. If you choose a busy period or a holiday, you may be charged extra.
• Single vehicle shipping vs. fleets: If you’re a corporation trying to ship a fleet of vehicles to a new location, you may be eligible for a discount from the hauler. This may not be advertised openly, so make sure to ask the enterprise directly.
• Payment method: Most agencies accept payments with credit cards, checks, and cash. However, some may charge you a 2-3% surcharge for using a credit card. Inform yourself of the payment methods accepted by your movers and check if there is any surcharge for credit card payments. If the company asks for a deposit before the pickup date, ask whether they’ll offer a refund if something goes wrong. Many brokers deny such refunds, though enterprises may accommodate them.
• Luxury and classic cars: These vehicles may require special attention, such as climate control if they contain heat-sensitive adhesives, finishes, or materials. If it cannot be driven, you may need a trailer with a flat floor. Tall automobiles may also need an upper rack which can be moved as necessary.

Importing

How much is moving from the U.S. to Europe? Before clearing customs, the duty tax you will have to pay is as follows:

• 10% for a passenger car;
• 22% for a truck;
• 8% for a motorcycle with a 250 cc or lower engine capacity;
• 6% for a motorcycle with a 251 cc or higher engine capacity;

Additionally, you will also have to pay a 19-22% VAT (value-added tax) according to the country you’re moving to.

Moving from Another Country

The process of importing into the U.S. is similar to exporting. You will need to prepare the necessary documents, hire a corporation, and prepare it.

As determined by the United States Border Protection and Customs, new and used foreign autos moved into the U.S. are subject to a duty payment of:

• 5% for autos,
• Up to 2.4% for motorcycles;
• 25% for trucks.

However, you can avoid this task if you, as the owner of the vehicle, fall into one of the following categories:

1. You are a citizen of the United States or an employee of the government who was living abroad and is now returning to the country on voluntary duty or TDY. If so, you may import a non-U.S. vehicle and pay no duty if the visit you’re making in the U.S. is on a short-term basis. You will have to ask for a nonresident status, and when you leave the country, you will have to export the automobile as well.
2. If you are returning from an assignment abroad as a U.S. government or military employee. If you meet the qualifications determined by the United States Border Protection and Customs, you can import upon your return a conforming free of duty.
3. If you are a non-resident. If you are not a resident of the United States, you are exempt from paying duty fees when importing a non-U.S. automobile, if you bring it with you as part of your belongings.

Gas Guzzler Tax

If you’re importing a Gas Guzzler, with a fuel economy of no more than 22.5 m/gallons, into the U.S., you will have to pay a tax for it. This tax is determined by the EPA by taking into account the highway and urban gas economy.

The EPA rating may be different from the one provided by your manufacturer. Make sure you verify with the EPA what your vehicle’s rating is according to their standards.

License Plates

Finally, you will have to buy new license plates for your vehicle.

So, how much is moving? When hauling, you may end up paying between $600-1000, according to the distance, type, and other factors that add up to the total bill.