What Is Needed to Ship a Car Overseas?

What's in this article?

If you've decided to move overseas and want to take your car with you, you must be wondering what things are needed to ship a vehicle overseas. Right?

This "taking-your-car-overseas-with-you" thing can be due to several factors. For example, you could be emotionally attached to your car and have sweet family memories related to your vehicle. As a result, you don't feel like selling it out.

And more!

It's also a great option if you think that you have enough time to wait for the delivery of the car at your new destination as the shipping process may take some time. You can afford the shipping cost, plus it is well maintained and in running position.

Above all...

If you have been moving there for a long-time, then you might have made the right decision to relocate your car along with you.

This blog post will get you to know what things you need to transport your car overseas and what steps you need to take to transport a vehicle overseas. Let's begin.

List of Things You Need to Ship Your Car Overseas [Important Documents]

Shipping a car overseas isn't effortless. You need a list of things to get your vehicle onboard. It can also cost you a handsome amount plus a list of

Many overseas movers don't advise shipping a car unless your car is highly-valuable and super expensive. After all, your vehicle will pass the oceans, travel by ship, and cost an extensive amount of money. Hence, it could be more cost-effective than buying a new car once you have reached your destination.

But, as you're in love with your vehicle and don't want to go abroad without your favourite transport, you've got to need some important documents, including your and your car's details.

You'll have to arrange all the required documents by the company you are taking service to ship your car. In addition, you will have to provide the shipping company with a copy of the papers.

Anyhow, here's the list of documents you need to ship a car overseas.

Personal Identification

First off, you'll have to provide your identification credentials. The personal identification documents include an Identity card (issued by the state), your driving license, passport, etc.

Car Title

While shipping the car, you will need to bring two copies of the car title, one for keeping in the car. The second will be required while booking a car shipping.

Ownership Proof

To ship the car overseas, you will have to prove the ownership of the vehicle. In addition, you must show the authorization proof and bill of sale before booking your shipment.

Vehicle Inspection Report

The vehicle inspection report is also known as the vehicle condition report. It's an important document while shipping a car. The vehicle inspection report tells the vehicle's exact condition while being transported.

Before shipping the car, the driver sifts through the exterior of the vehicle, creates a digital or paper report of the vehicle, and the driver signs on the description of the car's condition. Then the information is being sent to the pickup person. Finally, the driver loads the car for shipping.

When the car is successfully shipped, the delivery person unloads the car. He also inspects the vehicle to see any damage and reviews the report.

Finally, he signs the vehicle inspection report.

Bill of Lading

BOL (Bill of Lading) is also considered one of the most important documents while shipping the car. That is a receipt or invoice received by the person who picks up the freight.

Most car carriers combine the Vehicle Inspection report and the bill of lading, but some may separate the documents. The difference between the two is simple to understand. The customer signs the vehicle condition report while an auto transport broker signs the bill of lading.

If you don't know, an auto transport broker is the person between you and the car carriers. The "brokers" are the people who don't own their trucks but get you connected with car carriers or make shipments with the assistance of call carriers.

With that, we have completed the list of much-needed things you'll require while shipping your car overseas. And, if you have any confusion about further proceedings of overseas car shipping. We have cleared the dust for you.

Scroll below and learn about the different methods of shipping a car overseas.

How to Ship a Car Overseas – Your Step-by-Step Guide!

Think shipping a car overseas is a hard nut to crack? Nah! It's pretty easy. (Okay, not too much, but it isn't that hard either.) Just follow our instructions and your car will be soon on its next destination.

Let's walk you through the car shipping process overseas. Here are the steps that you'll have to go through:

Start Your Research

The first and foremost step is carrying out your online research while doing anything. Thanks to the internet! The same is the case with overseas car shipping. If you are shipping your car overseas, research companies first offer overseas car shipping services.

Several companies offer you international shipping, which means you require a lot of time to perform extensive research.

You may do your online research on search engines like Google, Yahoo, or Bing.

Or another great option is to take references from your friends or friends of friends.

While researching international car shipping companies, you should check for the authentic companies that hold the license. Furthermore, they must be insured. Finally, ensure that the company offers services from your location to the EXACT place where you will ship the car.

Some auto transport companies work with third parties. If the company you decide on also works with third parties, they should be licensed.

If the company doesn't hold the license and certification, they are not trustworthy, don't hire them for your task.

If you find companies that fulfil the requirements of registration and certifications, then the next move is to check for their authentication and services evaluation. For this purpose, you may check that particular auto transport company on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. You may check the two crucial numbers like USDOT and MC.

USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) and MC (Motor Carrier) are the government's numbers to track the registration status and other safety records about the moving company.

Request & Compare the Quotes

Now, you have found some authentic companies. Just gather quotes from them. You may ask them for their registration numbers as well.

Getting a quote could also be a great way to get information on the departure time, arrival time, and total expense, plus the detail of necessary documents required for car hauling.

After Receiving the quotations from the different well-reputed shipping companies, you will have to compare the quotes while comparing the one factor that counts much is $$$. Therefore, make sure to examine the passage cautiously. The price and shipping process is mentioned in their website's services section.

Take the following things into account while signing a contract with a company to haul your car:

Are they going to offer you port-to-port shipping, port to door, or door to door?
What method of shipping will they use to ship your car? Roll on Roll off or an Ocean Container?
Are they offering you inland transportation? It includes transportation by roads, inland waterways, and pipelines.
How much are they charging for destination fees?

Determine the Cost of Shipping

Shipping a car overseas can cost you the highest price, but your budget varies. Further, it depends on the shipping method and the period you want your vehicle shipped.

It includes some more factors too, and we will discuss them in detail.

If you want to ship your car quickly in a short time, it may charge you a considerable amount.

Below are some vital factors that determine the price of overseas car transportation.

Methods of Shipping:

First of all, we'll talk about the different ways of shipping.

There are three main modes of car transportation. RORO (Roll on & Roll-off), Consolidated Shipping, and Container Shipping.

RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off)

Roll-on and Roll-off is the cheapest method of shipping your car. It handles all sorts of vehicles, cars, bikes, trucks, etc. However, the charge of your car shipping depends on the weight of your vehicle. Therefore, RORO is the cost-effective shipping method; the cost manually depends on the different factors, including wherefrom -to you are shipping the vehicle, the carrier, and the car's weight all may affect the shipping cost.

Your car is brought into the vessel of the ship. However, it's placed in an open area, where your vehicle may be affected by climatic situations. Moreover, it's one of the slowest shipping processes. Lastly, you cannot keep your personal belongings in the car like spare tires and tire jacks, etc.

Container Shipping

Roll on Roll off the ship is a cost-effective method. On the other hand, container shipping is expensive, but it is accessible throughout the globe. Your car can be transported in any corner without delay on ships. That's the reason most people prefer container shipping.

Your car reaches the destination without damage in container shipping, and it's considered the most secure method. Your vehicle is firmly fixed in the container with excellent protection; it's also protected from weather conditions. It is covered with nylon, ratchet, and chock straps that fix it firmly and do not allow the car's movement.

The additional advantage of container shipping compared to the Roll on Roll off method is that you can keep the different parts of the car or instruments, like tires or some spare parts of the vehicle, in the container. By keeping the extra items, you may save the additional costs. Then, it finally reaches your place of port without any damage.

Air Freight Shipping

It's the most expensive shipping method compared to the earlier procedures. Sometimes its cost can be more than the actual cost of your vehicle. But your car will be shipped in the shortest period to your destination.

Weights and Other Dimensions of Your Car:

Your shipping costs are determined by the size and condition of your car, and if it's not in running condition, you may be charged an additional fee. Getting a vehicle running takes extra effort or entails extra charges if it has to be towed.

Car Shipping Insurance

One additional expense for an internal car shipping insurance includes purchasing a car, which may cost you 1.5% or 2.5% of the car's value.

You may purchase the insurance from the shipping company you are taking services from or contact some other insurance company yourself.

Overseas Taxes & Shipping Charges

You will have to pay some shipping taxes and delivery charges once your car has reached its destination. Some companies may charge you more than 550$, including taxes and delivery fees.

Distance From Your Home to Port

If you are shipping your car from home to the port, you will need other shipping services. Overseas shippers will charge extra if you ask them directly to pick up the vehicle. You are charged for transportation based on the distance from your home to the significant seaport.

Distance to the Destination Country

The shipping cost also depends on the distance of your country to the Destination shipping country.

Prepare Your Car to Travel Overseas

You are finally done with learning the process of shipping your car. Now a bit about getting your car ready for final departure. Before the company's agent picks up the car, remove all personal belongings from the vehicle.

The car should be in good working order and have some fuel or gas in the tank. Plus, remove your car alarm, remove your personal belongings, and get the car washed and super clean.

Don't forget to provide an extra key. Your agent or the shipping company needs it when they drop off your car.

How Long Will It Take Your Car to Arrive at its Destination?

We can't assure you of the fixed duration of how long your car will arrive at your desired destination. Your car's arrival time depends on your method of shipping. If you want your car to come quickly, you need to hire a solo container for your vehicle.

The time of its arrival depends on various factors. For example, what method you have chosen will determine the time of your car shipping.

Suppose you have opted for the solo container. In that case, it may reach the destination without any delay. However, this may charge you an extra amount of payment while booking a solo container for your car. On the other hand, if you go for the tight container that contains more vehicles, the company might want to fill up the container with more cars. All this process may have some delays on arrival. It can take a long time.

Let us explain shipping methods a bit in more detail:

Solo Container:

If you look forward to shipping your car quickly and safely, you are most recommended to book your solo container of 20ft that will carry only your vehicle, and it will send your car with great care to your destination. However, it could charge you more than the tight container.

Consolidated Container:

People often opt for tight containers; your car will be shipped with the other vehicles destined to the same place. It may not drop your vehicle at the final destination but may be at the nearest seaport.A consolidated container is cheaper than a solo container.

RORO Method:

If you opt for the Roll on Roll container, that may be less protective and maybe take more time to ship the car than the tight container. However, this could be a good option for you if you are a budget-minded shipper.

In the Roll-on Roll-off more, the transporters would not secure your car from the weather conditions, and it's exposed to the elements during travel.

You must cautiously choose the better shipping method by keeping in mind the timeline, your budget, and the car's security so that it can reach your destination quickly and safely.

Besides, the timeline of your car transportation depends on the location of your car's arrival. Therefore, the shipping companies can better inform you about delivery time.

Conclusion

We hope this article has provided a good insight into what you will need to do to ship your car overseas. Before hiring a shipping company, make sure to know the laws and regulations of shipping services. Each country has its laws and rules. Abide by them and make sure the company whose services you are taking is legal and licensed.

We wish your car a safe journey!

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