Do You Need A Title To Ship A Car Overseas? Explaining The Basics

Suppose you’re moving overseas for an extended period. In that case, you may find that bringing your vehicle with you to your destination country is a good way to get access to haul without purchasing a new car.

But you may also wonder how the process works, and what kind of paperwork you need to ship an automobile overseas. Do you need the car’s title, for example? In this guide from us, we’ll explain the basics about shipping cars overseas, and whether or not you need a title to ship your personal vehicle.

Do You Need A Car Title To Ship Your Vehicle Overseas?

The short answer is “yes.” If you are the legal owner of a vehicle that you would like to ship out of the United States and to another country, you will need the car’s title, because this is how you prove legal ownership of the vehicle.

It’s not easy to ship a car overseas without a title – and if you are the legal owner of a personal vehicle, you should have your title readily at hand, because this document proves legal ownership of the car in the United States, too.

If you have lost or misplaced your title, it’s possible to get a new title while you’re still in the United States. This is absolutely the best option if you do not currently have a title for your vehicle but are the legitimate owner of the car. In many cases, shipping your automobile overseas without a title is impossible, so make sure you get a new title before you try to ship your vehicle.

You can contact your local Department of Motor Vehicle Services to learn more about replacing your title. In most cases, you will need to provide documents showing that you are the vehicle's original owner, and you can get a new title by mail within a few weeks.

Can I Bring An Auto Abroad Without A Motorcar Label?

It may be possible in some cases to bring a vehicle overseas without a car title. Typically, this is only necessary for brand-new cars that do not yet have a vehicle title. There are a few other rare cases where this is possible, but they do not typically apply to most people who are moving to a foreign country.

For example, if you purchase a brand-new car and have it shipped overseas immediately before registering it, it may not have a title. In this case, you can prove that you own the motorcar by showing the manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (SO) and a document like a proof of purchase that shows you are the car's owner.

However, many countries will not allow you to bring in a brand-new car as part of your personal effects, or may levy very high taxes and duties on the vehicle. Most countries require your car to be used personally for at least 6-12 months before it can be brought into the country tax and duty-free as part of your personal effects.

Suppose it is, for some reason, impossible for you to obtain an automobile title for your vehicle. In that case, we highly recommend contacting the customs agency in your destination country to learn more about your options for proving vehicle ownership when importing your car.

What Other Paperwork Do I Need To Send An Automobile Abroad?

The exact paperwork you will need can vary widely depending on the country where you’re importing your vehicle. However, you will usually need government ID, information about your car, ownership information, your vehicle title, and bill of sale for your car, among other documents.

• Government ID – You will typically need to provide at least two forms of identification, such as a passport, birth certificate, driver’s license, or other state ID card, to prove your identity when shipping a car overseas.
• Vehicle information – You must complete paperwork and note the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), make and model, mileage, and other details about your vehicle.
• Vehicle title – As mentioned, your title is almost always required to ship a motorcar overseas, as this is the document proving you’re the vehicle’s legal owner. You will usually need the original title as well as a copy.
• Bill of sale – If you own a car that you purchased recently, you may need to provide the bill of sale. This will ensure that customs knows when the vehicle was purchased, and can determine if you’re eligible for any kind of tax break when importing your car.
• Shipper and consignee information – You’ll need to fill out paperwork with the personal information of the sender and receiver of your shipment, usually including name, email, phone number, and address.

Country-by-country requirements vary dramatically, so we highly recommend working with an experienced automobile shipping company and contacting customs directly to ensure you have all the necessary paperwork.

Can I Haul A Motorcar with a Lien that is Not Fully Paid Off)?

Yes, but you must obtain permission from the lienholder – the bank, credit union, or other lender that has issued the loan. This is not always easy to get. Banks do not want you to export a car that you do not yet legally own. This is because it will be impossible for them to repossess your vehicle if you do not make your car payment.

If you do try to ship a car or a motorcycle overseas with a lien, you will need to obtain a letter of permission from the lienholder. This letter must be on official letterhead, and signed by someone with the authority to sign for the financial institution in question. This process is very complex, and is usually unsuccessful.

If your car is not fully paid off, it’s usually better to simply pay the rest of the loan balance and obtain full ownership of the automobile before you try to ship it overseas.

Suppose your financial situation is such that you cannot pay off the remainder of your loan before you make your move. In that case, you may want to sell the car in the United States and either purchase another vehicle at your destination country, or rely on public transit.

Hauling An Auto Abroad? We Can Help!

At A-1 A-T, we’re one of the top transport brokers in America for customers who are shipping vehicles overseas. No matter why you’re moving and trying to import your vehicle, we can help you find a qualified transport company to assist you throughout the process.

So don’t go it alone. Contact us online or call us to speak to an agent from us, and find an experienced, international car shipping company to help with your move.