Overseas Car Shipping Companies: Finding A Winner

Shipping a car within the U.S. comes with its own set of challenges, but shipping a vehicle overseas can get a bit more complicated. Because different countries have different rules that regulate the import and export of good (which includes personally owned vehicles), it’s important to deal with a company that knows the ins and outs of the process well.

To give you an example, some countries require vehicles to have the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle because of they drive on the left side of the road as opposed to the right. (To learn more information about which countries are left-hand drive and view a map, click here.)

Another consideration to keep in mind is that many countries outside of the United States have laws that limit the engine displacement of the vehicle. Essentially, what this means is that there is a limit on the amount of horsepower that can be generated by a vehicle, particularly in European countries. As you might have guessed, cars made in the U.S. tend to have a greater engine displacement than those made in some other countries.

Taken collectively, these laws are a set of internationally agreed upon regulations called vehicle harmonization laws. Harmonization laws were set to establish a workable framework for automobile regulations that could apply more widely between countries, rather than having distinct laws that apply to each. For customers shipping cars overseas, and the companies handling the transport, vehicle harmonization laws make it much easier to coordinate shipment between two countries.

International Auto Shipping | Researching Companies.

Many of the same things that apply to shipping a vehicle domestically also apply to shipping a car overseas. However, there are some key differences that are important to keep in mind if you want to find a reliable shipper that will offer the best value. In this section, we’ll go over some of the best ways to research international auto shippers and how to go about contacting them and getting cost estimates.

One of the most important things to look for when assessing an auto shipper for overseas delivery is if they have ample experience and international offices. Experience is the “no brainer” portion of this advice you obviously don’t want to work with a company that just started shipping cars internationally or does not have a strong history of shipments in the area. By the same token, having a local office is of tremendous import when it comes to resolving any issues. Just imagine the difficulty of arriving in another country without your car and having to call the U.S. to resolve the situation. Definitely not ideal!

The hallmark of an experienced overseas auto shipper is a thorough understanding of the laws and regulations that affect it. Naturally, a company that regularly ships to other parts of the world is a better fit than one that predominantly operates in a certain area or region and only occasionally takes shipments to other countries.

To learn more about overseas car shipping companies and options, give us a call today at the number at the top of the page! Our staff of experts are happy to answer your questions & we offer FREE estimates on international shipments 100% of the time!