It’s essential to do your research and ask lots of questions before deciding to ship your car, but with a little planning, the process can be easy and headache-free.
You’re moving, and you’ve decided to take your car with you. The boxes and furniture will be easy to handle, but what about the car itself? There’s a lot to consider, but if you plan, you should be able to make the process relatively smooth.
How international car shipping works
Before you can start packing your car for shipping, you need to understand a few things about how the process works. Generally, your car will be loaded onto a large container ship along with other cars being shipped to the same destination. The ship will travel to your chosen port, where you will meet the shipper and arrange delivery. The process can take anywhere from a few weeks to more than a month, depending on your location and which port your car is being shipped from.
What you need when shipping your car abroad
Here are the five key things you need for international car shipping:
1) Valid driver’s license and passport
To start, you need both your driver’s license and passport to prove your identity. The shipping company will want to see these documents before and after your car is picked up and delivered.
2) Title to the vehicle or signed bill of sale
Next, you will need a copy of your title, proving you are the legal owner of the car. If you do not have the title, you will need a signed bill of sale from the seller. There needs to be a transfer of ownership on the title for it to be legal. If you are unable to obtain either, you must contact your local DMV and check how to process an out-of-country transfer.
3) Proof of registration
You will also need proof of registration for your car. If you are moving out of the country, it may be useful to get extra copies printed on your registration card or online account if possible.
4) US customs and border protection vehicle export Cover Sheet
To have your vehicle exported, you must fill out a “Cover Sheet” from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. You can’t ship your vehicle without it. You must submit this document to customs at least 72 hours before your car is set to be picked up.
5) Insurance and custom duties
Finally, to make sure you’re covered in case of any accidents or damage, it’s a good idea to have marine insurance. You can contact your existing insurer or ask the car shipping company for a recommendation. Be sure to ask them from a range of options, from comprehensive to the cheapest car insurance available.
If you’re traveling abroad on vacation, look for travel insurance that covers your car in the destination country.
Additionally, you will need to pay any customs duties that may be assessed on your car when it arrives in the new country.
It’s important to plan and get your documents in order when you plan to ship your car abroad.
The benefits of shipping your car internationally
If you are planning to leave the United States, shipping your vehicle abroad can be a convenient way of moving your car. If you plan well in advance, the process can be relatively smooth.
Some benefits of shipping your car internationally include:
- You can drive the car around town in your new country, making it easier to get around.
- You don’t have to worry about where you’ll store your car back home.
On the other hand, there are a few things to keep in mind when shipping your car internationally:
- It can be expensive — the cost of shipping your car and any customs fees can add up.
- Some countries require you to have a special license to drive your car.
- You may not be able to drive in the new country when it arrives.
- Customs can take a long time, sometimes weeks, to process your car.
Shipping your car abroad
Despite the few drawbacks, shipping your car internationally is a convenient way to move your car when you’re relocating to a new country or going on an extended vacation. It’s essential to do your research and ask lots of questions before deciding to ship your car, but with a little planning, the process can be easy and headache-free. If you are looking for the cheapest way to ship a car cross country we have you covered.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
