International Car Shipping by Sea

What is the International Car Shipping by Sea?

If you have a car, truck, motorcycle, ATV or moped and are going to be traveling outside of the United States, you may want to import your vehicle so you can travel at leisure.

The most important thing to have when shipping a vehicle internationally is security while the vehicle is in transit.

Foreign Rules and Regulations.

Before shipping to another country, you may want to contact the consulate in the country you plan on traveling to in order to get answers to a few questions you may have before the importing process begins. Some important questions to ask before choosing international car reloating by sea include:

• How much will it cost for your import?
• What taxes and duties are you required to pay and when?
• Which shifting option is available for the port you will be shipping to?
• Will you be able to sell your vehicle while in the country if you choose to?
• Does your vehicle qualify to be a luxury vehicle? If so, will you be charged luxury car tax too?

Most European ports will charge an entry tax, on average around $200.00. Will the country you are transporting to require this entry tax as well? You need to talk with A1 Auto Transport service to know more about.

Prior to Shipping Documentation.

Before you begin international car shipping by sea the process of shifting, you must fill out the proper paperwork in order to obtain permission to ship. It's very important that you pay particular attention to this part of the process because it will determine many factors, one of which is if you can gain permission to enter another country. You will also want to have A1 Auto Transport Service shipping agents go over the paperwork before you submit it to determine if you have everything you need. You will need to have both originals and copies of all paperwork required. You will need the following:

• Vehicle title.
• If you do not have a title, you will need a manufacturer's statement.
• A letter of permission from alien holder if your vehicle has a lien against it.

Ask A1 Auto Transport Service agents for a complete list of documents you will need to bring with you. Additionally, there are other steps to take when international car shipping by sea as it will need to be prepped for transport. This includes:

• Cleaning your vehicle out so that no personal items are inside.
• You have no other tools in the vehicle, except for a car jack and spare tire.
• All alarms have to be disabled.
• No loose objects such as antennas can be left on the vehicle.

You will need to ensure that your vehicle will pass inspection prior to shipment in order to avoid any delays.

The cost for Shipment.

If you're considering relocating your vehicle worldwide by water, you should double check the whole cost to ensure you won't be surprised by any fees before, during, or after delivery. Learn how much A1 Auto Transport Service will charge you for their services and enjoy the benefits of having a staff by your side during the entire process.

Relocating Methods

Your vehicle can either be driven on the shift and strapped down for security and then driven off the ship when it reaches the new port or it can be placed inside of a container and loaded on a cargo ship. The first method is called the Roll On/ Roll Off method of relocating and the second method of shipping is called container hauling. If you have a valuable car or you want to shift over a few of your household goods, you will want to choose the container shifting option. If you want to transport your vehicle on a budget or the lowest prices possible, then Roll On/ Roll Off is the best way to do that. The cost stays low because hundreds of vehicles can be shipped at one time, dividing the cost among everyone who has a vehicle aboard the ship. This is the most common way to transport a vehicle from the United States to another country.

Related Information & FAQ

• Shipping via air or by sea: which is right for you?