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Value for Money ★★★★★ 4.9
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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

How to Ship My Car - Five Easy Steps

Published by Joe Webster.

What's in this article?
  1. Step 1 – Choosing the Company
  2. Step 2 – Choosing the Right Kind of Carrier
  3. Step 3 – Get the Documents Ready
  4. In case you need to ship your car overseas, you will the following additional documents –
  5. Step 4 – Do Not Get Taken for a Ride
  6. The Final Step - Getting the Car Ready for Shipping
Getting The Car Ready For Shipping

Moving a car is a big job for the first-timers as well as for the veterans in the business. For those looking "how to ship my car" on the internet, follow these 5 steps:

Step 1 – Choosing the Company

This is perhaps the most important step of all as this will be the determining factor between a successful move and a disastrous one. Of course, we all know the golden rule – check Google and other search engines. However, what most people do not know is that not all companies out there will do what they say. This means that it takes more than a simple online search to get the right company and that is why you need to do more to find the right company.

  1. Compare notes – The easiest way to choose the best company is to compare the reviews left by previous customers. You do not have to go anywhere or call anyone but it is all written there for you.
  2. Compare quotes – All moving companies will have a common set of criteria with which they will tell you their quote. However, there are a few details on which they will differ and that is what makes all the difference.
  3. Compare services – go in for competitive services rather than competitive rates. There may be companies which will give door-to-door delivery at competitive rates and it may be worth your while to go in for those companies rather than choosing a lesser priced terminal-to-terminal delivery.

Step 2 – Choosing the Right Kind of Carrier

Open carriers–This is the more economical choice and when you have to transport more than one car, this becomes the perfect choice. Open carriers come in all shapes and sizes and are designed to carry a lot of cars at the same time. Even if the carriers are open, your car will be secure and neatly strapped down.

Closed carriers–This is a more expensive option but it is the right choice for expensive custom, classic and sports cars as they will keep them safe and secure. They will also arrive at the destination without any travel dust or scratches. They can also carry multiple vehicles at a time but not as many as an open carrier can carry. Most people choose closed carriers only when they need to move their cars during harsh weather.

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Step 3 – Get the Documents Ready

Now, this may seem confusing but when you know what to get, the job becomes easy.

  • Original papers proving ownership – these include title and registration along with any lien document if you have it.
  • Notarized letter – this is only in case you are not the owner of the car and you will need it if you are either picking or handing the car over to the moving company.
  • Insurance – most of the time the moving company will offer to get one for you but you can also check with your existing car insurance company whether the move is covered.
  • Photo identification – this can be your driver’s license or your passport and make sure that it is not expired.
How To Ship My Car
In case you need to ship your car overseas, you will the following additional documents –
  • Bill of sale – you can even give a Notarized Bill of Sale.
  • Sales Tax–This is proof that you have paid Sales Tax in the state that you purchased your vehicle.
  • Import Duty – You have to pay this tax which will vary upon the destination country.
  • Power of Attorney document – This is needed when you are importing the car on behalf of someone else.

You can also check out http://export.gov/logistics/eg_main_018121.asp for further information.

Step 4 – Do Not Get Taken for a Ride

Read the documents - It is essential that you read between the fine lines so that you will know exactly what you are paying for. Sometimes, you may be paying for the entire pie when you only want a single piece. Reading the contract will also prevent you from making assumptions about their services and thereby eliminate the possibility of a bad experience.

Make no/part payment before delivery - The payment is a crucial step that you will have to consider before choosing the company. Do not pay the full amount beforehand. The understanding is that a car company promises to deliver the same in the same condition that it was picked up and so the customer pays a small amount upfront. This will act as a surety for you when the car does not get delivered in the same condition. However, there are some companies that are so sure of their services that they will not ask you for upfront deposit.

The Final Step - Getting the Car Ready for Shipping

There are a few steps before the car is ready for the journey.

  • Empty the car of all your personal belongings
  • The petrol tank should have only a quarter tankful of petrol so that it makes the car less heavy.
  • The alarm should be disabled and the car company will take care of the safety of the car till its gets delivered.
  • Inspect the car for any damages, scratches and dents to make a list and the company will also do the same. It would be a good idea for you to counter-check the company’s “Vehicle Condition” report with yours and keep a copy of it with you.
You Need To Ship Your Car Overseas
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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.

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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.

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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
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