Gift Icon
Get a 20% discount from our partners! Discount code will get added automatically when you submit the form.
Auto Transport Truck on Highway
4.7 Star Rating4.7 (67,926 reviews)
96.3% positive
No Surprises, Just Savings: Verified Carriers, Instant Quotes, and Best Price Guarantee!
You save 20% compared to other companies
Get quotes from trusted carriers, thoroughly vetted and fully insured. Enjoy trackable deliveries, fair pricing, and hassle-free transport from start to finish. Transport any type of vehicle and drive away worry-free.
Customer Images
7790 people shipped using A-1 Auto Transport last week
Scratch-Free Guarantee
Vetted Carriers
Transparent Costs
Customer Ratings By Feature
Value for Money ★★★★★ 4.9
Vehicle Care ★★★★★ 4.9
Fast Delivery ★★★★★ 4.9
Friendly Staff ★★★★★ 4.9
Globe
190+
Countries
Served
Car
2M+
Delivered
Services
Car
97%
Customer
Recommended
Dave loved the fast deliveryDave C.
★★★★★
Dave loved the fast delivery
My relocation to Chicago was fast, smooth and without any delay thanks to A1 Auto.
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidanceCourtney J.
★★★★★
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidance
Just what you need when trusting someone with your wheels! Kudos to this company!
Jeff enjoyed the fair priceJeff D.
★★★★★
Jeff enjoyed the fair price
Moved my ride hassle-free with these folks.Fair pricing, no surprises. Definitely recommend them!
Maria enjoyed the special care and safetyMaria L.
★★★★★
Maria enjoyed the special care and safety
Huge thanks to the movers – they were meticulous with my car. Love these guys.
Recently featured on USA Today

“A1 Auto Transport became synonymous with top-notch service delivery, unfailing punctuality and constantly preoccupied with customer satisfaction.

See Article— USA Today

International Door-to-Door Car Shipping

Published by Joe Webster.

What's in this article?
  1. What is the International Door-to-Door Car Shipping?
  2. Regulations and Laws Regarding your Automobile’s Condition
  3. Paperwork
  4. Dealing with Customs
  5. Shipping Methods
  6. Insurance
  7. Remember
  8. Potential Problems during Auto Shipping and How to Solve them
  9. If the Vehicle Arrives Late
  10. Invalid Quote
  11. Bad communication
  12. Remote Arrival Point
  13. Damage
  14. False Estimates
International Ocean Freight Shipping

What is the International Door-to-Door Car Shipping?

Before picking an auto transport company for international door-to-door car shipping, you may want to first confirm they’re familiar with international auto shipping regulations and laws. These are:

  • Your new country’s laws regarding your vehicle;
  • The documentation necessary for clearing U.S. customs and the other country’s customs.
  • Any laws regarding your automobile’s condition needed for international transport.

Regulations and Laws Regarding your Automobile’s Condition

Before you can pack your automobile in a container and send it off with a ship, you should first consider the many regulations regarding its condition. These laws should be known by your auto shipper, and they should be able to guide you properly.

You might have to:

  • Remove temporarily or disconnect the battery in your car.
  • Empty your automobile and its trunk of any possessions you might have left inside it. Remove loose objects as well.
  • Remove/drain the vehicle of its gasoline, as well as of any other flammable/hazardous materials.

Some countries have regulations which restrict some types of automobiles or automobiles past a certain age from being imported. Also, some countries require your car to pass an emissions and/or safety inspection before it can be imported. Factors like your car’s engine size or its monetary value can affect the duties, taxes and tariffs you will end up paying.

 Documents You Might Need

Paperwork

Before international door-to-door car shipping can proceed, the overseas auto transport companies will need some documentation. Regardless of what company you hire, they should know what paperwork you require, and they should help you prepare it before the shipping day arrives.

Some of the documents you might need are as follows:

  • A certified copy or the original title certificate, as well as another 2 copies to be taken to the origin port along with the vehicle.
  • If your vehicle is leased or under a lien, you must obtain an authorization letter from the holder of the lien, allowing you to transport the automobile. This letter must contain you and/or the lien holder’s number, name, the lien holder’s date and signature, as well as the automobile’s VIN (vehicle identification number).
  • If you’re an employee of the United States government and are being sent overseas on an assignment, to ship your automobile, you’ll a letter from the U.S. government or from a similar authority. You can also use your military orders.
  • If you’ve bought a new vehicle that is to be sent to another country, you must present the original origin certificate and a bill of sale. The origin certificate can be procured from the dealership which sold you the automobile.
  • You will need a power of attorney if you’ll send a representative in your place at the day of departure.
A-1 Auto Transport Ships Worldwide.
Get a Free, No Obligation to Buy, Auto Shipping Quote.
Get my free quote now
or call us to do it for you:
Economy International Shipping

Dealing with Customs

Customs is a country’s regulatory agency responsible for managing the entering and exiting of goods. It collects fees and duties, and makes sure the items being transported, be they merchandise or automobiles, are safe and legitimate.

Each country has different customs regulations and laws, pertaining to the necessary documents, the vehicle’s condition and the importation process. Customs regulations should be talked about in detail with the auto transport company, to verify the company’s ability and experience, but also to prepare for the move.

Make sure you ask the transport company if they include clearing customs into their services, or if you need a broker to take care of it. If this service is offered by the international door-to-door car shipping company, ask if they will give you an agent to pick up your automobile in the other country and get it through customs.

Remember to research customs yourself, and not just rely on the auto shipping company. Before moving your car, contact the government of your new country to see if any restrictions or levies are in place which could influence your transport.

Shipping Methods

When speaking to an auto transport company for the first time, they may suggest one of the following 2 ways to ship your automobile:

  • RoRo (Roll on Roll off): Using this service, the automobile is driven onto the ship which will transport it to its country of choice. This method is normally cheaper than the alternative, since it requires the fewest space and resources.
  • Container shipping: Using this method, the vehicle is kept in a container for the duration of the trip, protecting it from theft and the elements. Because of this, container shipping is considered safer than RoRo, but it is also more expensive.
Minimum Amount Of Insurance

Insurance

To protect your automobile during transportation, it is recommended you get it insured. Not all auto transport companies offer full coverage, so inquire about it beforehand. Also, the following points may prove useful:

  • For your automobile’s safety, an auto transport company must give at least a minimum amount of insurance. Different auto shipping companies offer different levels of insurance, but they are all required by law to provide this option.
  • For a bigger price, the insurance rate you receive can be increased.
  • To avoid complications and unwanted surprises in case your automobile is damaged during transportation, check the insurance policy thoroughly.
  • Marine insurance, even if it’s full coverage, will only cover 1.5% of the approximate value of your automobile.

Remember

Thoroughly wash and clean your vehicle before handing it over to the auto transport company. Remove any items you currently keep inside it, so you are not charged more for shipping them. If you do not remove them, some belongings may even end up detained by the new country’s customs authority.

The costs of international door-to-door car shipping will change depending on the distance towards its final destination, the condition the vehicle is in, and its size. Discuss the price with your company. Within the quote you get, the fees for clearing customs should also be included.

Fast International Delivery

Potential Problems during Auto Shipping and How to Solve them

Although international door-to-door car shipping is usually safe, as with all transport of goods, some problems may arise. In the following paragraphs, we will list some of these occurrences, and how you can deal with them.

If the Vehicle Arrives Late

The weather, mechanical trouble, traffic jams, flat tires or accidents will sometimes cause your shipment to be late. Since trailers normally carry several automobiles at a time, your shipment can also be delayed by late paperwork or customers.

Because delays are likely to happen, most auto transport companies will not give you an exact delivery time and date. Any company which does may be a fraud.

Shippers do their best to estimate your automobile’s delivery with a 3 days error margin. If something happens which delays your transport, you will receive a phone call from the company notifying you of the new delivery date. If the vehicle’s arrival date is delayed by more than 3 days, some movers may give you a discount.

International Delivery Prices

Invalid Quote

Sometimes, misunderstandings may cause the quote you’ve received to be changed. For example, if you live in a city with an identical name to another, and the company mistakes your location, the quote they give you will be calculated wrongly, and will need readjustments. This difference in distance may cause the price to grow or lower by several hundreds of dollars.

So, when giving the auto transport company your details, make sure you’re on the same page regarding your delivery and pickup locations. Give them your zip codes and complete addresses.

Bad communication

If you choose to go with a broker instead of an auto transport company, miscommunications can severely delay your transport. Because all arrangements with the carrier are handled through a third party, delays and misunderstandings are more likely to happen.

If the auto transport company needs to ask something about the pick up or about your automobile, and the broker cannot be contacted, your car may be eliminated from their shipping list. In such a case, the broker will search for another company, delaying the arrival date.

Remote Arrival Point

Much of the U.S. international door-to-door car shipping is done across a few major routes along which such requests are frequent. If your current home or the place where you want your car delivered is not on any of these routes, the delivery may be delayed and you may have to pay higher charges.

To lower the costs and solve this problem, you can choose to pick up your automobile from a terminal. Before choosing a shipper, ask if there are any extra charges you should expect.

International Freight Companies

Damage

If your automobile is transported with an open trailer, it may receive damage during transport due to weather conditions. Even in a covered trailer, accidents can happen, so although it’s rare, your vehicle may not arrive in the exact same condition as it left your home.

When it arrives at the destination point, check for any cracked glass, dents, scratches, or other damages. Verify under the bumpers and the roof as well.

If the vehicle has any scratches or dents which were not present when it was picked up, note this damage in the bill of landing or inspection report. Afterwards, ask the driver to sign it, so you may file a claim if you think it’s necessary.

If you wish to proceed, contact the auto moving company. You will likely have to send them a mechanic’s estimate of the costs of fixing the damages, photos of it and the inspection report.

If the auto shipper does not compensate your losses, you can talk to the Better Business Bureau for support in this matter. Also, do not forget to check the amount of insurance offered by the company before using their services. Buy more insurance if necessary.

False Estimates

One of the reasons you should thoroughly check the carrier’s background is to avoid scammers and frauds. The most used scam in this business is switching the estimate. This is done by offering to transport your automobile at extremely low costs, then by adding a ton of hidden fees until the price is absurd. If you try to argue over the cost, the company will withhold your automobile until you pay up.

The best way to avoid getting scammed, and any of the situations presented above, is to be very selecting about the company doing your international door-to-door car shipping. Check the reviews, speak to previous customers, and visit the Better Business Bureau website for records on them.

Top International Shipping Companies
Share this content on social media for a chance to get up to 20% off your next shipment.
Copy link

Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

Email Me


Testimonial
Mylene Rutllant
It’s my number one pick in auto shipping to this day.
★★★★★

...my choice in terms of auto transport has to be A1 Auto Transport. It’s in the name, but also in the quality with which they do their jobs. I’ve never had a problem with this company.

Testimonial
Luis Rodriguez
You have my full support and recommendation!
★★★★★

A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!

Testimonial by Cristine Benoit
Cristine Benoit
I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
★★★★★

There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.

Testimonial
David Osallo
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10!
★★★★★

We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

Visit our social, and see what our clients are saying about us:

International Auto Shipping

Ship Car To Aalborg

Denmark (DNK)

Ship Car To Aarhus

Denmark (DNK)

Ship Car To Aberdeen

United Kingdom (GBR)

Ship Car To Abha

Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Ship Car To Abobo

Guinea (GIN)

Ship Car To Abovyan

Armenia (ARM)

Ship Car To Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates (ARE)

Ship Car To Adama

Ethiopia (ETH)

Ship Car To Adana

Turkey (TUR)

Ship Car To Adelaide

Australia (AUS)

Ship Car To Aden

Yemen (YEM)

Ship Car To Afghanistan

Afghanistan (AFG)

Ship Car To Ajman

United Arab Emirates (ARE)

Ship Car To Akranes

Iceland (ISL)

Ship Car To Aktobe

Kazakhstan (KAZ)

Ship Car To Al Ain

United Arab Emirates (ARE)

Ship Car To Al-Ahsa

Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Ship Car To Alajuela

Costa Rica (CRI)

Ship Car To Albania

Albania (ALB)

Ship Car To Albina

Suriname (SUR)

Ship Car To Alger

Algeria (DZA)

Ship Car To Algeria

Algeria (DZA)

Ship Car To All Saints

Antigua and Barbuda (ATG)

Ship Car To Almada

Portugal (PRT)

Ship Car To Almaty

Kazakhstan (KAZ)

Ship Car To Almere Stad

Netherlands (NLD)

Ship Car To Alytus

Lithuania (LTU)

Ship Car To Amadora

Portugal (PRT)

Ship Car To Amatitlan

Guatemala (GTM)

Ship Car To Ambato

Ecuador (ECU)

Ship Car To Ambilobe

Madagascar (MDG)

Ship Car To Ambovombe

Madagascar (MDG)

Ship Car To American-Samoa

American Samoa (ASM)

Ship Car To Amman

Jordan (JOR)

Ship Car To Amsterdam

Netherlands (NLD)

Ship Car To Andijan

Uzbekistan (UZB)

Ship Car To Anegada

British Virgin Islands (VGB)

Ship Car To Angochi

Netherlands (NLD)

Ship Car To Antanifotsy

Madagascar (MDG)

Ship Car To Antigua

Antigua and Barbuda (ATG)

Ship Car To Antipolo

Philippines (PHL)

Ship Car To Antsirabe

Madagascar (MDG)

Ship Car To Antsiranana

Madagascar (MDG)

Ship Car To Antwerp

Belgium (BEL)

Ship Car To Apia

Samoa (WSM)

Ship Car To Apopa

El Salvador (SLV)

Ship Car To Arad

Romania (ROU)

Ship Car To Arawa

Papua New Guinea (PNG)

Ship Car To Argentina

Argentina (ARG)

Ship Car To Ariana

Tunisia (TUN)

Ship Car To Armavir

Armenia (ARM)

Ship Car To Armenia

Armenia (ARM)

Ship Car To Arno

Marshall Islands (MHL)

Ship Car To Arta

Djibouti (DJI)

Ship Car To Aruba

Netherlands (NLD)

Ship Car To Arusha

Tanzania (TZA)

Ship Car To Aryanah

Tunisia (TUN)

Ship Car To Asau

Samoa (WSM)

Ship Car To Ashgabat

Turkmenistan (TKM)

Ship Car To Asia

Kyrgyzstan (KGZ)

Ship Car To Asmara

Ethiopia (ETH)

Ship Car To Assab

Eritrea (ERI)

Ship Car To Astana

Kazakhstan (KAZ)

Ship Car To Auckland

New Zealand (NZL)

Ship Car To Austria

Austria (AUT)

Ship Car To Aveiro

Portugal (PRT)

Ship Car To Ayr

United Kingdom (GBR)

Ship Car To Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan (AZE)

Ship Car To Azraq

Jordan (JOR)

Ship Car To Bafata

Guinea-Bissau (GNB)

Ship Car To Bago

Myanmar (Burma) (MMR)

Ship Car To Baguio

Philippines (PHL)

Ship Car To Bahrain

Bahrain (BHR)

Ship Car To Bakau

Gambia (GMB)

Ship Car To Baku

Azerbaijan (AZE)

Ship car to Bali

Indonesia (IDN)

Ship Car To Balkanabat

Turkmenistan (TKM)

Ship Car To Balti

Moldova (MDA)

Ship Car To Bamenda

Cameroon (CMR)

Ship Car To Bangkok

Thailand (THA)

Ship Car To Bangladesh

Bangladesh (BGD)

Ship Car To Bangui

Central African Republic (CAF)

Ship Car To Banja Luka

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH)

Ship Car To Bar

Montenegro (MNE)

Ship Car To Barbados

Barbados (BRB)

Ship Car To Bari

Italy (ITA)

Ship Car To Barisal

Bangladesh (BGD)

Ship Car To Barreiro

Portugal (PRT)

Ship Car To Basel

Switzerland (CHE)

Ship Car To Bayamon

Puerto Rico (PRI)

Ship Car To Baýramaly

Turkmenistan (TKM)

Ship Car To Beira

Mozambique (MOZ)

Ship Car To Beirut

Lebanon (LBN)

Ship Car To Belarus

Belarus (BLR)

Ship Car To Belgium

Belgium (BEL)

Ship Car To Bender

Moldova (MDA)

Ship Car To Benoni

South Africa (ZAF)

Ship Car To Berat

Albania (ALB)

Ship Car To Berbera

Somalia (SOM)

Ship Car To Berlin

Germany (DEU)

Ship Car To Bermuda

Bermuda (BMU)

Ship Car To Bern

Switzerland (CHE)

Ship Car To Betio

Kiribati (KIR)

Ship Car To Biel/Bienne

Switzerland (CHE)

Ship Car To Big Bend

Eswatini (SWZ)

Ship Car To Bihac

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH)

Ship Car To Bimbo

Central African Republic (CAF)

Ship Car To Birmingham

United Kingdom (GBR)

Ship Car To Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan (KGZ)

Ship Car To Biskra

Algeria (DZA)

Ship Car To Bissau

Guinea-Bissau (GNB)

Ship Car To Bitola

North Macedonia (MKD)

Ship Car To Bizerte

Tunisia (TUN)

Ship Car To Bo

Sierra Leone (SLE)

Ship Car To Bodden Town

Cayman Islands (CYM)

Ship Car To Bodo

Norway (NOR)

Ship Car To Bor

Sudan (SDN)

Ship Car To Bosnia

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH)

Ship Car To Botswana

Botswana (BWA)

Ship Car To Bouake

Côte d'Ivoire (CIV)

Ship Car To Braga

Portugal (PRT)

Ship Car To Braila

Romania (ROU)

Ship Car To Brasov

Romania (ROU)

Ship Car To Breda

Netherlands (NLD)

Ship Car To Bregenz

Switzerland (CHE)

Ship Car To Bremen

Germany (DEU)

Ship Car To Brest

Belarus (BLR)

Ship Car To Brisbane

Australia (AUS)

Ship Car To Bristol

United Kingdom (GBR)

Ship Car To Brno

Czechia (CZE)

Ship Car To Bruges

Belgium (BEL)

Ship Car To Brunei

Malaysia (MYS)

Ship Car To Budta

Philippines (PHL)

Ship Car To Budva

Montenegro (MNE)

Ship Car To Bugojno

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH)

Ship Car To Bukhara

Uzbekistan (UZB)

Ship Car To Bulawayo

Mozambique (MOZ)

Ship Car To Bulgaria

Bulgaria (BGR)

Ship Car To Buncheon-si

South Korea (KOR)

Ship Car To Buraidah

Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Ship Car To Burgas

Bulgaria (BGR)

Ship Car To Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso (BFA)

Ship Car To Burma

Myanmar (Burma) (MMR)

Ship Car To Bursa

Turkey (TUR)

Ship Car To Burundi

Burundi (BDI)

Ship Car To Busan

South Korea (KOR)

Ship Car To Cacak

Serbia (SRB)

Ship Car To Caguas

Puerto Rico (PRI)

Ship Car To Čair

North Macedonia (MKD)

Ship Car To Cali

Colombia (COL)

Ship Car To Caloocan

Philippines (PHL)

Ship Your Vehicle With A-1 Auto Today
Get an instant free Quote Now

Or Call Us Today and Speak Directly to Our Sales Team:

Call Us 1-888-230-9116

Our Partners:

Better Business Bureau Accredited
FMCSA Member
INC. 500 Member
VeriSign Secured
AMSA Member

A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
Copyright © 1988-2024, A-1 Auto Transport - All Rights Reserved.