The Cost Of Shipping A Car Overseas

Shipping a car overseas is a big job that requires planning, patience, and organization. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the major costs involved, how you can prepare, and what documents you’ll need to get started. If you feel you have any questions that are not addressed here, we encourage you to either call us at the number at the top of the page or send us a quick email through our online contact form.

The vast majority of overseas car shipping is done on a boat and it can be done a couple of ways. One method is referred to as “RORO” auto transport, which is short for “roll on, roll off.” The RORO method involves driving the vehicle into a storage area on the boat, where it is then secured for shipping. Typically, these boats have an area specially designed to store vehicles during transport.

The other main method involves transporting your car in a shipping container. Naturally, there are limits based on the dimensions of the vehicle in this case, but it can be a great way to save some money for a couple of reasons. First is the fact that a shipping container can be split between more than one party, thus reducing the cost per person. Secondly, personal items can be shipped along with the vehicle in a shipping container, whereas other methods of shipment require the vehicle to be empty.

Pricing Breakdown: International Auto Transport

Now that we have an understanding of what options are available when shipping a car overseas, let’s take a look at the costs and requirements involved.

Shipping costs - The cost of shipping, unless you leave near a shipping port, involves two parts. The first is transporting the car from its current location to an authorized shipping port. This part of the process is called overland auto transport. The second leg of the journey is the part that takes place on the boat.

Taxes& duties - Beyond the cost of shipping the vehicle, you may also have to pay import tax and/or value added tax on the import of a vehicle. These taxes vary by country and can have a big effect on your final cost. To get an idea of the taxation percentage, you can use this resource. When you’re considering companies to ship your vehicle on your behalf, make sure they have a full and complete understanding of the laws and regulations that apply to importing an automobile.

Documents - In order to legally transport a vehicle to another country, you’ll need to have the following documents:

• Original title
• Notarized bill of sale (depending on the port)
• Current insurance information
• Photo ID
• Power of attorney (if shipping on behalf of someone else)

If you have questions about overseas car shipping costs or would like to get started with a FREE, no obligation cost estimate, give us a call at the number at the top of the page! We can also be reached through our online contact form & are happy to answer your questions!