Lawn Mower Transport – All the Information + Some Tips

1. The Details You'll Need to Know Before Shipping Your Lawn Mower
2. How Lawn Mowers Are Transported Across States
3. What is Less Than Truckload (LTL) Shipping?
4. Shipping a Lawn Mower Overseas
5. RoRo Shipping
6. Container Shipping
7. Flat-Rack Shipping
8. Pallet Shipping
9. Preparing a Lawn Mower For Transport
10. Getting All the Documents You'll Need
11. What Factors Play a Part in Transport Costs
12. Going Through Customs
13. A Quick Overview

Whether for business or personal equipment, a lawn mower is necessary. But what if you want to transport it across the country or even overseas?

Transporting vehicles alone is confusing, and it's worse when equipment that doesn't fall into a standard category is involved. There are several rules and regulations, and they have a long list of required certifications.

While hiring a trustworthy shipping company will make things much more accessible, it's always good to have the basic details, so you're clear about the process.

So, here's everything you'll need to know about transporting your lawn mower.

The Details You'll Need to Know Before Shipping Your Lawn Mower

The first thing is that it's not as complicated as it seems. The primary reason it can seem so daunting is that since it's not a standard vehicle like a car or motorcycle, it'll involve more costs or have a lengthy process.

It's relatively simple. Of course, there'll be many steps, but in the end, it's nothing to get nervous about as long as you have a hold of the details. Good shipping companies like A1 Auto Transport all have experience in transporting heavy equipment, whether it's across the country or the sea.

How Lawn Mowers Are Transported Across States

First, how will your company transport your lawn mower if it's within the country? There are a few differences in transporting a mower instead of something like a car.

Usually, you'd have two options: either open auto transport or enclosed auto transport. As the names imply, the first means your vehicle will be moved on an open carrier. It's cheaper because your mower will be exposed to elements like wind and grime and more susceptible to damage.

The second option means paying to have your mower loaded into a container with other vehicles. It's costlier because it's an enclosed space, which means equipment is protected from the outside.

It eliminates chances of damage like scratches too. So it might be a suitable choice if your budget allows it since a lawn mower can be expensive.

What is Less Than Truckload (LTL) Shipping?

Most commonly, items like lawn mowers will be transported using less-than-truckload shipping. Another concept evident from the name LTL shipping means moving several deliveries simultaneously.

Your destination will be observed, and several smaller shipments will be aasambled to make up a whole truckload. These shipments will then be delivered together, usually after loading them on pallets.

It's the most popular shipping method because it saves money for both the shipping company and the customer. Instead of paying for the entire truck, you'll only have to pay for the space your lawn mower takes up inside the carrier.

Since the shipping company will lump your delivery with others at the same destination or

along the way, your transportation costs will also be significantly reduced.

However, it's not great if you need your lawn mower in an emergency, e.g., if you need it for commercial purposes.

Shipping a Lawn Mower Overseas

Now, you've got an idea of all the methods involved when shipping a lawn mower to a location within the USA. But what if you want to export it overseas?

It'll take a few more steps, though it's nothing too complicated. The primary step is having to go through Customs, though first, you'll need to select a shipping method.

RoRo Shipping

You're in luck when it comes to rideable lawn mowers. It's the most popular method, whether it's for vehicles or heavy equipment. Since they have wheels, they can easily be transported using Roll-on, Roll-off shipping.

Your mower will be strapped on a carrier with several other vehicles. Since it's just rolled on and off easily, there are no transport costs at ports, so it's cheaper.

Container Shipping

The standard sizes are 20ft. and 40ft. Your shipping company will inform you if you can share it with other people or if you have other equipment, you might be able to ship them together.

Container shipping is on the costlier side because it has added protection. It's considered to be the most reliable. Your mower will be choked and secured using padded ratchet straps tied to eyelets in the container.

Flat-Rack Shipping

Your vehicle can also be loaded onto a flat rack. Since it only has two sides, equipment with a bigger width doesn't cause problems.

Pallet Shipping

Another popular method that's best if you have attachments and equipment that needs to be transported. Pallets are used in trucks, too, so your lawn mower is secure.

Preparing a Lawn Mower For Transport

Although the general process for transporting a lawn mower is similar to any other vehicle, this is where it gets specific. The parts need to be correctly cleaned and secured before it's ready to be moved.

• Draining all fluids: first, you must empty your mower of gas and oil. It's essential to store them in suitable containers.
• Cleaning the mower: Next, you'll clean it thoroughly. There can't be any dirt or grime on the inside or outside of the mower. Get all traces of soil or grass off it. This step is crucial if it's being transported overseas.
• Removing detachable parts: Consult the user guide before starting this step. Carefully detach all attachments and blades. Then, you can bubble wrap them and store them separately.
• Deactivate the spark plug: Another part important for safety reasons, deactivating the spark plug ensures the mower doesn't start suddenly during the journey.
• Fold the handle: folding the handle ensures the mower is completely secure because any protruding parts can cause trouble.
• Taking pictures: once everything's ready, take photos of the lawn mower from every angle for insurance purposes. This step lets you ensure there wasn't any damage to the mower during transport. It's essential for both you and the driver.
• Packing: you can get your shipping company's help if you move it in a truck. But this only applies to specific situations because your company will secure it on the carrier.

Getting All the Documents You'll Need

It's best to get all your documents together at least a month before transportation if you want your lawn mower shipped overseas. Even for usual transport, prepare everything a week in advance.

• Bill of Lading: the BoL is for transparency and has all the essential information about your lawn mower, including the make and model, any damage, and other terms and conditions.
• Insurance documents.
• Original title.
• Bill of sale
• Valid identification: like a driver's license or passport.

But a few more steps will be involved if you're shipping the lawn mower overseas. You'll need to get a USPS Customs form. It's necessary for any export, and you'll have to fill it.

It needs information like the exact make and model of the vehicle, including dimensions and weight.

You might also need a Department of Transport (DoT) Form, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Form, and a US Customs and Border Protection Vehicle Export Sheet. You'll need to consult your shipping company, but it's usually a must for motor vehicles.

Remember that your documents need to be submitted to Customs at least 72 hours before export.

What Factors Play a Part in Transport Costs

The transport costs for lawn mowers usually aren't high because of their relatively small size compared to other heavy equipment. Still, there are a few factors that affect the final cost:

• Make and model: the heavier and more extensive your mower, the more expensive it'll be to transport it. This is because, in the case of LTL shipping, you're charged according to these factors. It may not make a big difference for overseas shipping as the price of a container stays the same, though there'll still be a change because of ground costs.
• Timeframe: expedited shipping naturally means higher costs.
• Months and weather: this applies to overseas and local transport because traffic on both land and the number of shipments over water changes according to the months. The weather also affects how long it'll take.
• Starting point and destination: a remote pickup and drop-off location means the driver has to go out of his way, so you'll be charged more. On the other hand, it'll usually cost less if you're shipping to significant areas.

Going Through Customs

Customs can be a scary word for anyone. You'll need to tackle Customs two times: once when you're preparing to send your lawn mower out of the USA and once when it arrives at its destination.

Some documents and processes depend on what country you're exporting them to, but the basics stay the same.

You'll need the mentioned sheets and forms for the US Customs and Border Protection. They'll inspect your lawn mower before it's deemed acceptable to be shipped, after which it'll just be a matter of getting it on the carrier.

Next, your lawn mower will be inspected once it arrives at its destination. The regulations depend on the country: each has different standards for emissions or other factors.

You'll be informed of these by your shipping company, and they'll also take care to prepare and check beforehand to make sure it's eligible to be used.

Before Customs clears it, you'll need to pay duty and import taxes. Then you can finally look into whether it's required to be registered.

A Quick Overview

Now that you know everything you need to, here's a quick overview of the process:

• Choosing a reliable shipping company.
• Select the shipping method that suits you best for overseas and ground transport.
• Prepare all your papers and forms and send them to Customs (at least three days beforehand).
• Preparing your lawn mower by emptying and cleaning it and removing all detachments.

Your shipping company handles the rest so that you can relax.