Ship Car Pittsburgh to Europe Cost

Effortless Guide to Ship Car Pittsburgh to Europe – Your Best Overseas Auto Transport Options

Imagine the thrill of driving your own car along the picturesque roads of Europe, exploring new landscapes and making unforgettable memories. If you’re moving or planning an extended vacation, opting to ship car Pittsburgh to Europe can be a convenient option. But how does the process work? What are the costs involved? How long does it take? We’re here to answer these questions and guide you through the entire process of overseas auto transport.

Key Takeaways

Preparing your car for shipping from Pittsburgh to Europe involves cleaning, removing personal items, and verifying it is in good working order, while required documents include government-issued ID, vehicle info, title, and registration, with additional European import documents possibly needed.

Choosing the right international auto transport company involves evaluating reputation, insurance coverage, and quality of customer service, with a recommended experience of 20-25 years and comprehensive insurance including liability and cargo insurance.

There are two primary shipping methods: open carrier, which is cost-effective but exposes the car to the elements; and enclosed transport, which is more expensive but provides protection for high-value or classic vehicles, with port-to-port and door-to-door delivery options available.

Shipping Your Car from Pittsburgh to Europe: An Overview

International car shipping involves transporting your car to another country, in this case, from Pittsburgh to Europe. The process requires preparation and careful selection of a Pittsburgh car shipping company that can cater to your specific needs. Pittsburgh is home to several auto transport companies that offer a variety of Pittsburgh car shipping services, prioritize customer satisfaction, and provide tailored solutions to meet your unique shipping needs.

The cost of shipping your car from Pittsburgh to Europe depends on several factors, including fuel price, the total mileage, the weight and size of the vehicle, and the type of transport selected. Shipping a small Toyota Prius, for instance, will generally cost less than shipping a larger Ford F-150. One of the major companies that facilitate car shipping from Pennsylvania to Europe is We Will Transport.

Preparing Your Car for Shipping

Before entrusting your car to the shipping company, it’s necessary to prepare it for its upcoming journey. This preparation involves:

A thorough cleaning of the car’s interior and exterior

Removal of all valuable personal items from the vehicle

Confirming that your car is in working order, with brakes, headlights, and other critical components functioning properly

These steps are crucial before shipping your car to Europe.

Having your car serviced before shipping not only guarantees its good condition for the journey to Europe, but also aids in pinpointing and resolving any issues that might cause trouble upon arrival. The last thing you want is to have your car break down in a foreign country due to a problem that could have been prevented with a simple service check.

Required Documents

Similar to the requirement of a passport for traveling abroad, shipping your car to Europe necessitates specific documents. The necessary paperwork for shipping your car from Pittsburgh to Europe encompasses:

Two copies of a government-issued ID (like a driver’s license or passport)

Vehicle information including the year, make, and model of the car

Car title and registration

However, it’s important to note that European countries may require additional documents for car import, such as:

the registration certificate

certificate for technical conformity

proof of insurance

proof of ownership

documentation of roadworthiness tests

Having the appropriate insurance coverage for your vehicle during international transit is crucial, and it may require providing supporting insurance documentation, especially when shipping multiple vehicles.

Choosing the Right International Auto Transport Company

Selecting an appropriate international auto transport company is more than a price comparison exercise. Taking into account the company’s reputation and reviews is of paramount importance as these can offer insights into their reliability and the standard of their service in the auto transport sector.

While choosing an international auto transport company, the importance of insurance coverage cannot be overstated. It acts as a protective shield for your vehicle against potential damage or loss during transit, irrespective of whether you’re shipping from Pittsburgh or San Francisco.

In addition, the quality of customer service significantly influences the choice of an international auto transport company. It can greatly affect the overall shipping experience and the efficient resolution of any potential issues, such as those pertaining to shipping cost.

Reputation and Experience

When it comes to choosing an international auto transport company, a solid reputation can be a very good indicator of reliable and high-quality service. A strong reputation indicates the company’s reliability and service quality in Pittsburgh international car shipping, reflecting the trust of customers and industry peers in the company’s capability to securely transported safely transport vehicles to Europe.

Factors that contribute to a strong reputation include:

Cost-efficiency

Timely delivery

Comprehensive insurance options

Proper vehicle preparation

A track record of positive customer feedback

The business experience of a company also significantly influences its reputation, with longer experience often leading to a more refined shipping process and the capability to handle diverse scenarios.

It’s recommended to seek an international auto shipping company with at least 20-25 years of experience, indicative of a provider’s reliability and expertise in the complex process of shipping luxury cars back to Europe.

Insurance Coverage

Ensuring that your car is adequately insured for the journey is another crucial aspect of choosing the right auto transport company. The shipping company should provide a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance for vehicle transit.

You might also want to consider gap coverage, an additional insurance plan that provides coverage for damages ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, typically costing an additional $50 to $100 on top of the original price.

Comprehensive car insurance coverage offers protection for vehicles during transportation against various potential risks such as fire, wind, hail, flood, theft, vandalism, and accidents.

Customer Service

Customer service is often overlooked when choosing an auto transport company, but it can have a significant impact on your overall experience. The defining characteristics of good customer service in an international auto transport company include:

Well-trained personnel

Excellent insurance coverage

Focus on the customer experience

Full disclosure on transportation costs

Diverse auto-transport options

Proven track record

Responsive customer service enhances the experience by providing clear and timely communication, addressing concerns or issues, and building trust and confidence in the process. To assess the quality of a shipping company’s excellent customer service, consider factors such as trustworthiness, friendliness, and helpfulness in their customer service practices.

Shipping Methods: Open Carrier vs. Enclosed Transport

Auto shipping services, also known as car shipping services or vehicle shipping service, primarily employ two methods: open carrier and enclosed transport. Each method has its own pros and cons, with the choice often hinging on factors like the amount ship your car’s type and value, the distance to be traversed, and the shipper’s budget. When you need to ship a car, consider these factors to make the best decision for your vehicle.

Open carrier shipping involves transporting a car on an open-air trailer, offering a cost-effective solution. However, this method exposes the vehicle to the elements, slightly elevating the risk of damage during transportation.

On the other hand, enclosed transport involves placing your car in an enclosed container or trailer to protect it from the elements and road debris. It is particularly recommended for transporting valuable, high-maintenance, antique cars, or when there are concerns about the safety of the vehicle during shipping.

Open Carrier Shipping

Open carrier shipping is a widely used and economical method to ship cars. It entails loading the car onto an open transport trailer for transit. While it offers cost-effectiveness, it exposes vehicles to road debris and the elements during transport, potentially increasing the risk of damage, especially for long distances such as shipping from Pittsburgh to Europe.

Despite these risks, the car is securely fastened to the trailer to prevent movement and ensure its safety during transit. However, there are specific restrictions to consider, such as the height limit for vehicles and the feasibility and cost of shipping non-running vehicles.

Enclosed Transport Shipping

If you’re shipping a classic, antique, or high-value vehicle, you might want to consider enclosed transport shipping. This method involves placing your car in an enclosed container or trailer, offering additional protection against weather elements and road debris.

While enclosed transport provides a higher level of protection, it is more expensive than other methods due to the elevated level of safety and protection it provides for the vehicle. Despite the higher cost, enclosed transport is often used for shipping classic cars, supercars, and vehicles valued over $50,000 to provide them with additional protection during shipping.

Port-to-Port vs. Door-to-Door Shipping

After you’ve settled on the transport method, the next step is to select the shipping option that aligns best with your needs: port-to-port or door-to-door. Terminal-to-terminal (port-to-port) delivery is generally viewed as a more cost-effective choice compared to door-to-door shipping. However, one of the primary drawbacks of port-to-port shipping is its lower level of security, as the vehicle may remain at the drop-off location for an extended period of time.

Door-to-door shipping, on the other hand, offers the utmost convenience. The door-to-door car shipping from Pittsburgh to Europe entails the pick-up and delivery of the vehicle at your doorstep or the closest possible location. It provides a higher level of convenience, but it can be costlier than other alternatives.

Port-to-Port Shipping

Port-to-port shipping involves driving the vehicles onto the ship at the port of departure and then driving them off the ship at the pick-up port in Europe, known as the RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) method. This is a popular and affordable option for shipping vehicles overseas.

Before shipping, it’s important to follow several steps to prepare your car. These include:

Washing the car thoroughly inside and out

Checking the fuel level and keeping it around ¼ full

Ensuring oil and water levels are correct

Performing a detailed inspection

Cleaning the interior

Removing any personal items and valuables

Disconnecting the battery.

The primary port for car shipping in Pittsburgh is the Port of Pittsburgh, while significant ports for car shipping in Europe include the Port of Zeebrugge in Belgium and the Port of Antwerp in the Netherlands.

Door-to-Door Shipping

Door-to-door shipping operates by having the auto transport company pick up or deliver the vehicle as close to the desired address as possible, offering greater convenience. Naturally, this comes with a cost. The primary benefit of door-to-door car shipping is the convenience it provides, but it can be costlier than other alternatives and requires careful scheduling for pick-up and delivery.

Despite the higher cost, door-to-door car shipping generally utilizes enclosed shipping methods to shield your vehicle from flying road debris or bad weather. Furthermore, the vehicle is meticulously loaded and secured onto the trailer using wheel straps and tie-down ratchets to prevent any movement during transit.

Navigating Customs Regulations and Duties

Awareness of the customs regulations and duties is crucial when shipping your car to Europe. For shipping a car from Pittsburgh to Europe, the vehicle and relevant documents must be submitted to the U.S. Customs Office a minimum of 72 hours prior to export by air, sea, or land. Clearing a car through customs in Europe involves steps such as paying customs duties and VAT at the port of entry. If the car is imported from a non-EU country, it might be required to undergo a homologation procedure to confirm its compliance with official certification.

Customs duties for importing a vehicle into Europe are calculated based on the value of the vehicle, shipping costs, and any additional costs incurred. The application of the ‘Common Customs Tariff’ and the rules of origin are also taken into account. This can be a complex process, and it’s important to be prepared to pay these duties and taxes upon arrival at the destination port.

Import Regulations

When importing cars into the European Union, you will need to pay customs duty and import VAT, unless there are any applicable reliefs. It’s important to note that import duties have been eliminated within the EU. However, car import regulations differ depending on the specific country in Europe. Importing a vehicle from a non-EU country typically requires clearing it through customs.

Imported cars in Europe are required to meet safety standards established by the European Commission. Additionally, there are CO2 emission performance standards in place for cars and vans in Europe. When a car is imported from outside the EU, it must undergo the homologation procedure to guarantee compliance with European technical and safety regulations.

Duties and Taxes

The import tax for shipping a car to Europe from Pittsburgh is a flat rate of 10 percent. To calculate the potential duties and taxes for your car shipment to Europe, you can use online import duty calculators, such as Simply Duty or Easyship. These calculators estimate taxes and duties based on your shipment’s value and destination country.

The import duties and taxes are paid during the customs clearance process in Europe. Typically, the fees amount to 10% for regular passenger cars and 22% for trucks with large capacities, and they are levied by the European Union.

Timeframe for Shipping Your Car to Europe

The timeframe for shipping your car to Europe can fluctuate depending on various factors. Typically, the process of shipping a car from Pittsburgh to Europe spans 2 to 3 weeks. The chosen shipping method and the specific destination within Europe can influence the timeframe.

Customs clearance procedures can also impact the timeframe for shipping a car to Europe. In most cases, shipments will clear customs within a few days, but there are instances where it may take several days or even weeks, especially if the goods require inspection.

Tracking Your Vehicle During Transit

Once your car embarks on its journey, it’s understandable that you’d want to monitor its progress closely. A majority of auto transport companies provide tracking services or regular updates. GPS technology is commonly used for tracking vehicles during transit.

Auto transport companies, operating within the auto transport industry, offer auto transport services including tracking for shipped vehicles through online tracking services. Customers can input a tracking number or VIN to monitor their vehicle’s location and progress while in transit. This can provide peace of mind and help you plan for its arrival.

Receiving Your Car at the Destination Port

Upon reaching the destination port in Europe, an agent will take charge of your car and arrange its transfer to a warehouse. Once at the warehouse, the car will be unloaded and inspected. You will have the option to either collect your car from the warehouse or make arrangements for its transportation to your preferred location.

It’s important to inspect your car for any damage upon receiving it at the destination port. This includes checking for:

scratches

dents

dings

paint chips

any other visible damage

It’s also important to inspect the internal components of the car for any potential damage that may have occurred during transit.

Summary

Shipping your car from Pittsburgh to Europe may seem daunting, but with careful planning and the right auto transport company, the process can be straightforward and hassle-free. By understanding the various shipping methods, navigating customs regulations, and preparing your car for the journey, you can ensure that your car arrives safely at its European destination. Whether you’re relocating or simply embarking on an extended European vacation, having your own car with you can enhance your experience and create unforgettable memories.