Requirements For Shipping A Car Overseas

What is the Requirements For Shipping A Car Overseas?

Depending on how you approach it, shipping a car overseas can be a simple process or a complex and difficult one. This blog post will cover the simple method, including some tips about how to make it even easier and more affordable when you ship a car internationally.

The first and most important decision you’ll have to make when shipping overseas is which shipper to use. The reason this is such an important decision is that the company you choose will (hopefully) do more than just transport your vehicle from one country to another.

Obviously, it’s important to work with a company that has experience shipping to and from the region you need your car shipped, but it’s equally important that they have a thorough understanding of import guidelines, taxes, and harmonization laws. A good overseas auto shipper will be able to give you an accurate cost estimate based on not just the cost of shipping, but one that will include the other factors. To give you an idea, the import tax in some countries can be as much or more than the shipping cost so it’s important information to know!

What’s Involved

Unlike shipping a vehicle within the U.S., overseas auto transport does require a few more preparations. Some of the basic preparations still apply: the car will need to be cleaned inside and out, and any alarms or antitheft devices should be disconnected prior to transport.

One important difference between overland car shipping and transporting a vehicle overseas is the paperwork involved. More thorough documentation is often needed when shipping to another country, as you might imagine. When contacting companies to compare prices and services, make sure to ask if they provide any sort of customs clearance services.

It is critical to consider that if your vehicle is being transported by boat-which is the most common method-there may be other preparations required. This often includes running the gas tank to empty, and disconnecting and/or removing the battery.

What To Look For In An Overseas Auto Shipper

Experience Counts: Like any other service-oriented business, experience counts when shipping a car overseas. This is especially true if you’re shipping to another part of the world. For example, you may encounter a shipper with extensive history transporting cars to and from Latin America, but that doesn’t necessarily make them a great option if you’re shipping a car to Europe. Look for a company with experience where you’re going!

Local Offices: By the same token, a local office is an important thing to look for. While many companies may not have offices in every country, they should have one near to where you’re going to make communication easier. Trying to call back to the U.S. to iron out a problem you’re having in another country is never an easy thing to deal with.

Considering shipping your vehicle overseas? Call us today at the number at the top of the page to learn how we can help! We offer FREE cost estimates to any part of the world and our international shipping experts are on hand to answer your questions!