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

Shipping Trucks Overseas

Published by Joe Webster.

What's in this article?
  1. How to Ship Trucks Overseas
  2. Think about it like this
  3. Shipping a Small or Medium Truck Overseas
  4. “Rol- On, Roll-Off” Shipping
  5. Shared Container Shipping
  6. Exclusive Container Shipping
  7. Shipping a Larger Truck Overseas
  8. Container Shipping
  9. Flat Rack
  10. Disassembly and Assembly
  11. Shipping a Large Truck is Easy
  12. Surviving the Customs Process
  13. Here’s what you need to consider
  14. A-1 Auto Transport is here
Cheap Worldwide Shipping

How to Ship Trucks Overseas

Are you looking to ship your truck overseas? Take a deep breath. We’re going to help you get through this as quickly as possible.

The process you will use to ship your truck overseas will primarily depend on the size and dimensions of the truck you are hoping to ship.

As a rule, larger, heavier trucks will be more difficult and more expensive to ship. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that small and medium-sized trucks share similar dimensions and weight to most passenger cars. Because of this, they are usually a little cheaper to ship overseas.

Think about it like this

Transporting a Ford F150 or a Ford Ranger is no big deal. The process is more or less the same as shipping a larger car. You can use the same shipping process that car shipping companies use for compact vehicles like Smart Cars and Toyota Corollas.

However, shipping a larger vehicle like a tractor or a bus will take more effort, and a slightly different shipping process.

We want to help you make sense of this. We’re going to provide an overview of the shipping process and how it is influenced by the size of your truck.

The first part will outline the process of shipping a small or medium truck overseas. The second part will outline the process of shipping a larger truck overseas. By the end of this article, you will have the requisite knowledge to get the best rates, and the best deals, from shipping companies to apply to your own vehicle.

International Cargo Services Near Me

Shipping a Small or Medium Truck Overseas

There are three primary options when it comes to shipping a small or medium truck overseas. By and large, your options will depend on the operational status of your vehicle.

  • If your vehicle is operational, you will most likely use “roll-on, roll-off” shipping.
  • If your vehicle is not operational, you will need to use container shipping.
  • If using container shipping, you will have the choice of sharing a container with the shipping company’s other clients’ trucks, or you can opt for an exclusive container that will only house your vehicle.

“Rol- On, Roll-Off” Shipping

Depending on the shipping company, “roll-on, roll-off” shipping is reserved for operational vehicles only. Your truck will need to be able to be driven onto the ship, secured, and then driven off the ship once the ship arrives in port.

This is one of the most common forms of international shipping because it is affordable and easy for all parties involved.

To qualify for “roll-on, roll-off” shipping, your truck will need to fit in the equivalent of a parking space. During transit, it will be latched and secured to the ship, alongside hundreds, if not thousands of other vehicles. This is the most economical option and the option that many people choose for their operational vehicles.

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:
Overseas Shipping Services

Shared Container Shipping

With shared container shipping, the process of shipping a truck overseas takes longer. This is because a shared container will not be loaded onto a ship until it is full.

You will need to wait for the shipping company to load other clients’ trucks into your container before it can be loaded. However, shared container shipping is more cost-effective than exclusive container shipping. If time is a factor, you may be better off choosing exclusive container shipping.

Exclusive Container Shipping

Exclusive container shipping is faster than shared container shipping, but it is also more expensive. That is the trade-off that you will need to consider.

Your vehicle will be shipped in its own exclusive container, protecting it from potential damage and sea water.

If cost is a factor, it may be better to choose shared container shipping.

Shipping a Larger Truck Overseas

Although some options may be limited, like shared container shipping, other options are still available for larger trucks.

If your truck can fit into a shipping container in one piece, it can be shipped.

Another option is to load your truck onto a flat rack, and then have the flat rack transferred to the ship.

A third option is to disassemble your truck into smaller parts, transport those parts, and then have the truck reassembled at your intended destination.

Best International Shipping

Container Shipping

If your truck can fit into a container, you can either take advantage of exclusive container shipping, or even shared container shipping.

This option is the most cost-effective, as using a flat rack will result in an added charge, and disassembly and assembly costs money too, even before the whole shipping process starts.

Flat Rack

If your large truck cannot fit in a container, it can be loaded onto a flat rack.

Flat racks are very similar to flat beds that you see on low loader transport trucks. Flat racks, which can host over 80,000 lbs., are a great and easy option to ship your truck overseas.

While it is unlikely that your truck will weigh anything over 20-30,000 lbs., you may be able to share the flat rack with other clients from the shipping company. Of course, this will depend on the shipping company.

Using a flat rack is a great option for trucks that cannot fit in a container, and cannot be disassembled.

Intl Shipping

Disassembly and Assembly

If you can, it may be cost-effective to disassemble your truck, ship it to your intended destination, and then reassemble the truck once there. Being in a non-operational state, it will be easy to ship your truck components in shipping containers.

The containers can be secured and locked, ensuring that you are the first and last person to see the components during the time of its shipping.

But, this isn’t always a viable option for everyone. In the end, you need to choose the method that works best for you and your budget.

Have any questions? Don’t hesitate to ask us. We know that the shipping process can be stressful.

Shipping a Large Truck is Easy

You won’t believe how many clients have come to us flustered at the thought of shipping their truck. They believe that the process will be harder, more convoluted, and more expensive.

  • Slow down, breathe: There are so many factors that go into determining overseas shipping rates for trucks that no one number can be placed on a shipment. Factors like the size and dimensions of the truck, available shipping options, and the option you choose all matter.
  • The market is on your side: It’s true. You have a lot of leeway in price when it comes to shipping trucks overseas. To lower costs, you can delay the date of shipment, share a container with other clients, or even disassemble your truck first (if the costs of doing so are lower than shipping the truck in one piece).
International Freight Rates

Surviving the Customs Process

No one enjoys working with the government. Clearing U.S. Customs can be a major headache on its own.

When shipping trucks overseas, you need to consider how challenging the customs process will be and the various rules and regulations you need to follow.

Here’s what you need to consider:

  • Are you exporting your truck to a country that is restricted for trade?
  • Have you screen your shipment against denied party lists?
  • Do you know what classification codes your shipment falls under?
  • Is your shipment a civilian or military class (something as simple as ball bearings can turn your civilian truck into a military class shipment)?
  • What special regulations does the destination country have on vehicle shipments?
  • Do you have all the proper paperwork to facilitate the shipment?
  • Are you ready to deal with this major process?

Unless you understand the export process, we always recommend that you work with an experienced auto shipping company.

There are too many risks associated with export laws and breaking even the smallest rules can lead to excessive fines and even jail time.

The government takes trade rules very seriously and you will need to familiarize yourself with those rules if you want to do it properly. But if you’re like most people, save yourself the time and stress and hire a shipping company to help you out.

International Sea Shipping Companies

A-1 Auto Transport is here

We don’t want you to feel stressed about shipping a truck overseas. Sure, it’s a long process and there is a lot of paper work. But that’s why we’re here. When you hire us, we do all the paperwork for you, all you have to worry about is who is going to receive your truck when it arrives.

Are you ready to get started? Great. Give us a call and we will get you the best price possible. We don’t overpromise, we just get your truck from point A to point B.

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:

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.