How to Ship a Car to Jordan

Every country has its own unique international car import process, and every few years, the government might change its importation process, depending on its relationship with other countries. Jordan has recently changed their importation process. Now, only new cars, or cars with 0mph on their odometers, are processed in the country’s largest port, Aqaba. All other vehicles need to go through the Zarqa Free Zone.

This is crucial to keep in mind, as shipping companies that deal with car shipping in Jordan have different preferences. One company might have stronger connections in Aqaba, while others prefer it if your car is examined in Zarqa. If you have a new vehicle that you haven’t driven yet, your shipping company tells you that your odds of a smooth clearance are greater in Aqaba. In situations like these, be sure not to drive the car to the port or use a shipping container to store the vehicle to keep the odometer at zero.

There are different options available to you if you want to ship your car to Jordan, and the first decision you will make is whether or not to drive the vehicle to the port yourself. Driving your vehicle to the port is cheaper since you don’t have to pay for transport. However, as we’ve mentioned in the previous section, you may want to keep your new car’s odometer at zero in certain circumstances.

If you want the shipping company to pick your car up from your home, you can choose between open-air transport or enclosed transport. The truck head is connected to an open automobile trailer that can house up to 10 cars with open-air transport. This is the best option if you’re on a tight budget because you’re not paying for the entire trailer. You’re only paying for the space your car takes up. However, if your car is new or expensive, keep in mind that because your car is out in the open, it is exposed to the elements. Even if you cover it with a tarp or dust cover, it’s still at risk for damage.

If you have more funds to spare, you can try an enclosed transport. The truck head is connected to a shipping container, which houses your car. This provides more protection for your car because the shipping container will shield it from dust, rain, snow, and others. With enclosed transport, you can choose between LTL or FTL. With LTL or less than truckload, you are sharing the container with other cars and will be paying only for the space taken up by your car. If you decide to go with FTL or a full truckload, you are renting out the entire shipping container.

Once you reach the port, your vehicle is loaded into the cargo hold depends on what method you choose. Your car will be unloaded from the trailer and rolled into the cargo hold manually with open-air transport. The entire shipping container will be uncoupled from the truck head and loaded onto the ship using machines with enclosed transport.

You should reach out to several shipping companies and get estimates from them. If you get around four quotes, you will get a better idea of the average shipping costs are. Quotes may vary depending on what is included in the shipping service, but on average, your shipping cost will depend on the following items:

• Price of shipping your car from your home to the port. This can go from $200 to $1,000, depending on how far away the port is and what type of shipping method you used.
• Price of shipping your car from a US port to Jordan. This can go from $2,500 to $6,000, depending on the shipping method used and the declared value of your vehicle.
• Insurance coverage. If you can afford it, we recommend getting full insurance coverage.
• Customs fees, taxes, and duties; You need to pay 30% in customs duty, around 16% VAT, and 2.50% in import taxes.
• Other clearance fees.

Even if you’ve done ample research on car shipping policies in Jordan, it’s difficult to cram all that knowledge in. This is where your car shipping company of choice can help you. Remember that not all shipping companies have experience transporting cars to Jordan, so it’s essential to keep looking until you find one that does. If you are having difficulty finding the right shipping company, you can approach a shipping broker and ask them to connect you to a company that knows the ins and outs of Jordan’s importation rules.

When looking for a car shipping company, here are things you need to keep an eye out for:

• Are they legally registered in the US? Are they allowed by law to practice car shipping services?
• How long have they been in business?
• How many cars have they shipped to Jordan?
• Do they have facilities, connections, or liaisons in Jordan’s different ports?
• Are they upfront with their rates and fees?
• Are their guarantees reasonable, or do they make promises that seem too good to be true?

Keep in mind that Jordan’s relationship with the US is strained, so if a shipping company promises you that they can get your car into the country quickly without breaking a sweat, you should tread with caution. Experiences shipping companies know that the Bureau Veritas isn’t too friendly with the US, so even if they’ve been shipping cars to Jordan for years, they know that the process is not easy, and no guarantees should be made.

Once you’ve decided which shipping method is perfect for your needs and budget, it’s time to book your shipping date. Keep in mind that the sooner you book your shipping date, the more likely you are to get the shipping date and time of your choosing. The less notice you give, the more expensive your shipping costs because the company has less time to prepare. They may need to exhaust additional resources to ensure that transport is available for your shipping slot.

 As the shipping date draws near, you can start preparing the paperwork to ensure that you and your car are cleared for entry without hassle and problems. Here are the documents you need to prepare so you can leave the USA and enter Jordan smoothly:

• Driver’s license. This will be used to confirm your identity. Once you reach Jordan, you need to secure a local driver’s license if you are staying there permanently.
• Vehicle title and original bill of sale; This proves that you are the owner of the car.
• Inform Bureau Veritas Jordan of your intent so they can give you a list of environmental and safety tests that your car must pass for your vehicle to be cleared entry. This only applies to used cars.
• Temporary entry permit
• Bill of lading

Aside from documentation, you should also prepare your car to lessen the chances of damage and loss during transport:

• Remove all personal belongings and valuables. Some people store items inside their cars to save money on shipping expenses. However, these are not covered by insurance. Also, remember that relations between Jordan and the US are strained, so it’s not uncommon to find an inspector who will nitpick at everything you do. If your car has several personal items on it, they may suspect dangerous goods or contraband and decide to hold your car for further inspection.
• Remember to leave some gas in the tank, so you can drive your car once it reaches the other port. For safety reasons, only fill your tank up to a quarter full.
• Take your car in for maintenance and servicing. You will need to take your vehicle to the nearest service center anyway to conduct emissions testing, so use this chance to ensure that your car is road-worthy. Nothing is more frustrating than passing the clearance process only to find that you’re stranded on the other port because your car won’t start.

Depending on whether your car is new or old, you may end up processing your car’s clearance in Aqaba or the Zaraqa free zone. Submit all your documents and pay for the duties and taxes. If your shipping company has liaisons at the port who can help you with the process, it can help make the process go smoother. Once the process is over and done with, you can simply drive the vehicle out of there or hire a company in Jordan to transport your car for you.