Should You Buy or Ship a Vehicle When Moving Abroad?

1. Take Into Account The Cost
2. Consider The Vehicle Emission Regulations And Driving Laws
3. How Much Time Do You Have?
4. Related Information & Faq

When moving abroad, especially long-term, one of the main decisions that people have to often make, especially if they have a family, is whether to ship their vehicle abroad with them or to purchase one when they're already there. There are certain instances in which it would be better to do one as opposed to the other. Here's what you should consider:

Take Into Account the Cost

We're not necessarily referring to the cost of actually shipping your vehicle abroad. Instead, we're referring to the costs associated with the customs fees and the import tax. In many countries, these costs can be quite high, as it can be in the thousands. Some of this depends on the age of the vehicle itself. If you purchase a vehicle abroad in that country, you can avoid these costs in most instances.

And, on the other hand, if you're not aware of certain regulations and don't have the proper documents submitted, you can face delays at customs and be charged additional fees. There are also many circumstances in which you can avoid certain fees if you meet certain requirements. A company such as A-1 Auto Transport will be able to assist you in avoiding as many of these fees as possible.

Consider the Vehicle Emission Regulations and Driving Laws

If you're from the United States, your vehicle may not meet certain requirements abroad. The environmental regulation standards abroad are quite different than they are in the United States, and you should be aware of that ahead of time.

Also, you will also have to consider some of the driving laws in the country. If you're moving to the UK or Japan, for example, your vehicle may not be suitable for the roads, as they drive on the left-hand side, meaning that the steering wheel is opposite from where it is in your vehicle.

In many instances, you will be able to send your car to a dealership that can make most or all of these modifications for you. But it'll cost a fair amount, meaning that it might not be worth it to ship your vehicle abroad, especially considering all of the other fees that you'll also have to pay.

How Much Time Do You Have?

Planning for your move abroad can be highly stressful. If you have to have a car to commute, this can add to the stress if you're planning on buying one abroad. You will have to check out prices and determine which vehicle you want to purchase. If you have plenty of time and aren't too overloaded with things to do, you should be able to do this without too much hassle. Otherwise, shipping your car abroad gets rid of this problem.

You should consider all of the above factors before making your final decision. Moving abroad can be an exciting time, and by contacting A-1 Auto Transport today, you'll be able to focus on more important matters, as we'll be able to direct you through every step of the process.

Related Information & FAQ

• Take it or leave it? Benefits to shipping vehicles for expatriates