Need To Ship A Car? What Are The Documents Required For Submission?
When you need to ship a car either interstate or internationally there is more to the process than just finding the best auto carrier and booking a date for transportation. Any legitimate carrier would require certain proof of documentation which is required to safeguard your vehicle as well as their company. This is a complete list of all the documents required for submission during interstate or international car transportation.
Auto Carriers.
For interstate shipments using an auto transport company, you must provide the company with documents that prove the car belongs to you. Within the United States, all car owners are required to provide auto carrier with
- Original registration and title, if the car is leased or financed in other words if there is a lien on the vehicle then you will be required to provide proof in the form of a notarized letter from the bank acknowledging the shipment.
- you must provide a copy of your car insurance, this will however not be accepted if the insurance is expired.
- Photo identification will be required in the form of an unexpired driver's license or unexpired passport from your country of origin.
- If for some reason you are acting on the behalf of someone else, that is to say, the car is not registered in your name then you must provide a notarized letter written by them stating their name and VIN number of the automobile.
- Domestic car shipping typically costs $500–$1,500, with open carrier as the most affordable option and enclosed adding 10–40% for premium protection.
- Interstate carriers require a government-issued photo ID, current vehicle registration, and valid insurance before a transport assignment is confirmed.
- FMCSA-licensed carriers must carry federal liability and cargo coverage; financed vehicles also require a notarized lender authorization before pickup.
Overseas Shipping.
For overseas shipping of vehicles, some of the documentation required is the same as that of interstate shipments such as
- The original registration and original title.
- It is usually difficult to transport cars that are leased or financed overseas but not impossible. It will require the bank's notarized consent along with three copies of the 'Certificate of Title' which have been certified by the bank.
- Like with interstate shipments you will need to submit the unexpired car insurance and unexpired driver's license or passport as proof of identity.
- You will also need to submit the Bill of Sale or a copy which has been notarized.
- Documents that prove that you had paid the state sales tax on the vehicle when you purchased it.
- You will also need to pay the import duty or the tax that is levied on both the country the car is coming from and going to.
- If the vehicle is being imported or exported by you on behalf of someone else then you are required to submit an original document stating Power of Attorney.
Summary.
These documents are vitally important when you need to ship a car both for your own protection and for that of the auto carrier. It proves that the car you are providing and they are transporting is not stolen. Without these documents being in order, it is not possible to ship a car in or out of the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the documents required for submission when shipping a car within the U.S.?
For routine domestic car shipping, the core paperwork is the transport order and Bill of Lading, including the vehicle condition record used at handoff. A1's car transportation services guide treats those as the routine shipment documents and lists separate release authorization when a dealership, auction, storage lot, lienholder, or other pickup location requires it. A carrier may also request identification or ownership details for a special case. Keep the signed shipment documents from pickup through delivery.
Do I need the original vehicle title to ship my car?
For ordinary mainland U.S. truck transport, you usually do not hand the original vehicle title to the carrier. Federal Bill of Lading rules do not list a vehicle title among the shipment information a covered carrier must record, and A1's current domestic guidance says original title or registration is generally not taken into custody for routine moves. A port shipment or a dealership, auction, storage lot, or other party controlling release may require ownership or authorization documents. Confirm that special-case requirement before sending an original.
How do I submit car-shipping documents before pickup?
For car shipping, submit only the documents requested for that shipment using the method stated in your written booking or pickup instructions. For an ordinary domestic move, the transport order and Bill of Lading are created as part of the transport process, so an advance title upload is not a universal step. If a dealership, auction, storage lot, or lienholder controls release, provide the required release or buyer number, authorization, or other site-specific paperwork before pickup. Keep a copy of every document you provide.
What is a Bill of Lading, and what should I check before signing it?
An interstate auto transport Bill of Lading is the carrier's shipment receipt, and covered motor carriers must issue one for property accepted in interstate or foreign commerce. Federal rules require shipper and recipient names, origin and destination, number of packages, freight description, and weight, volume, or measurement when applicable. Auto carriers commonly pair that document with a vehicle condition report used during the handoff. Compare the condition record with your photos before signing and keep your signed copy.
Do I need to provide insurance documents before shipment?
For ordinary domestic car shipping, your personal auto-insurance card is not part of FMCSA's carrier financial-responsibility filing requirements, although a carrier can request shipment-specific paperwork. As of September 16, 2026, FMCSA's current chart requires public-liability filings for applicable for-hire property carriers but lists a $0 federal cargo-insurance filing requirement for ordinary non-hazardous property carriers. That filing does not show what vehicle damage a separate cargo policy covers. Before pickup, request the assigned carrier's Certificate of Insurance and review its cargo limit, deductible, exclusions, and policy dates in A1's auto transport insurance guide.
What paperwork should I keep at delivery if I need to report damage?
At delivery, keep the signed Bill of Lading or condition report, especially any notation of new damage made before the carrier leaves. Compare the vehicle with your pickup photos before signing the delivery copy, and make sure visible new damage is written on the paperwork. If you need to make a claim, also retain the transport order, before-and-after photos, and the carrier's claim instructions. A1's auto transport damage claim guide explains the records to preserve; claim deadlines and review times can vary by carrier and insurer.
What documents are required for international car shipping from the U.S.?
For a used U.S.-titled vehicle being exported, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires the original Certificate of Title or a certified copy, plus two complete copies. If the vehicle is leased or has a recorded lien, a separate written authorization from the third party is also required. Electronic Export Information is required for used self-propelled vehicles, and for vessel or aircraft export both the vehicle and required documentation must be presented at least 72 hours before export. Destination-country import documents are separate, so review A1's international car shipping documents guide before the port handoff.
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