Exporting Cars

General Information

Exporting cars doesn't have to be too difficult to accomplish. Depending on the location in which your vehicle is being exported, there may be a litany of paperwork that has to be filled out, but with the right auto broker, you'll be able to get through this process as pain-free as possible. A-1 Auto Transport has been exporting cars for years and will be able to guide you through every step of the customs process and to ensure that you avoid as many of the fees as possible.

However, exporting cars from the United States means understanding the customs regulations and requirements that you'll have to adhere to, as well as understanding the export options that you will have available.

Requirements to Send a Vehicle

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), you must abide by the following guidelines to export a car from the United States.

• Provide the Original Certificate of Title or a valid proof of ownership document (it must contain the Vehicle Identification Number, known as the VIN);
• If you're exporting your vehicle through a land border to Canada or Mexico, you will need to provide the documents at least 72 hours before the export date;
• On the day that you're planning on exporting the vehicle, you will need to bring the car to U.S. Customs so that they may make sure that your documents match the vehicle (both VINs match);
• You will have to allow the U.S. Customs agent to inspect your vehicle from both the exterior and interior;
• Finally, if you're planning on exporting your car overseas, you will need to provide U.S. Customs with the vehicle 72 hours before the scheduled ship date, as well as all of the pertinent ownership documents

*If you do not have access to the ownership documentation of your vehicle, you should contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for assistance. Do this as soon as possible, as you may not receive the replacement immediately.

For an explanation of the requirements, visit the CBP's website at:

//help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/307/~/requirements-for-exporting-a-vehicle-%28including%3A-snowmobile,-atv-and-motorcycle%29

Types of Vehicle Classifications

According to the U.S. Customs Border and Protection, cars can be classified into the following categories:

• Used Cars

Used cars will require the aforementioned proof of ownership documents. If the used vehicle is owned by a third party, such as through a lease/financial arrangement, then the exporter must have a written letter providing permission to export the vehicle from the third party. The authorization letter must have the third party's contact information present so that all of the information can be verified in terms of its validity.

A translation of the proof of ownership documents must be provided if the used vehicle was initially purchased abroad.

Lastly, suppose a U.S. Government employee is the one exporting the vehicle. In that case, the official documents from the particular agency that the employee works for must be provided, and the arrangement must be clearly stated.

• New Cars

New cars that were bought in the United States have to have a letter provided to the U.S. Customs official, usually called the Certificate of Origin, that states that the car was created in the United States. Usually, you will already have these documents given to you when you purchase the vehicle.

• "Junk" Cars

When exporting a car that is considered to be "junk," this requires a certification that states this. You may be asked to provide a copy of this certification, depending on the circumstances.

Hauling Methods

Of course, when exporting cars, you should be aware of the shipping service options that you have available. The two most common shipping methods when shipping overseas are:

• Roll-On and Roll-Off Service

Not only is this the most popular method, but it is also the least expensive option. When choosing this option, your vehicle will be placed on a unique car deck on a freight ship at a port in the United States, where it will then be delivered to the port of your destination country or the nearest port. However, it would help if you understood that this method takes a bit of a long time and may not arrive at the specified date. This would be a good option for a "Junk" car or one that is used and old.

• Container Service

The more expensive option out of the two, it does cost extra, but this brings with it extra perks. Considerably more secure, your car will be placed in its unique container rather than secured on a car deck alongside other vehicles like in the first option. You will also be able to include other items in the container as well, as long as they're not placed inside of the vehicle. This is the recommended option for a new or highly valuable vehicle.

Of course, if you're exporting the vehicle to Canada or Mexico, you can choose from the available land options: shipping it via either an enclosed or open trailer. Rail options might also be available in Canada at specific locations, but in Mexico, the trucking option will be the only one available.

A-1 Auto Transport can not only help you out with each step of the documentation process, but we can also recommend to you the best export shipping option for your vehicle and arrange all of the delivery services that you may need, including door-to-door transport so that your car makes it to its final destination as quickly as possible! Contact us today!

Visit www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/export-docs/motor-vehicle for more detailed information!

Related Information & FAQ

• Vehicle Exporting Laws