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Whether you own a dealership, have completed a private international car sale, or want to move a vehicle to your holiday home, knowing how to ship a car overseas is an essential part of your planning and preparation. The size, weight, and unique attributes surrounding this type of asset are all contributing factors that mean extra care must be taken to ensure that any vehicle is shipped internationally in a safe, legal, practical, and cost-effective manner
Any vehicle that is to be exported must adhere to the rules and regulations of Form 19 CFR 192.2, as stated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection definitions. A number of international car shipping companies can help you discover how to ship a car overseas through a variety of shipping methods.
The first question that you need to ask when looking into the prospect of shipping a vehicle to another country is whether it’s actually possible. The good news is that the short answer is “yes.” However, as is to be expected with a task as complex as exporting a vehicle overseas, there are many contributing factors to consider.
First and foremost, you must know that the export requirements need to be accompanied by the import requirements of the destination port and country.
Issues impacting the legal situation may include the age and history of the vehicle, as well as the manufacturer or your status within the destination country. For example, in some territories, only registered citizens may import vehicles. Before shipping your vehicle overseas, it’s imperative that you conduct the necessary research into the link between the departure country (the U.S.) and the destination location.
As a rule of thumb, though, most people can use international vehicle shipping to send their vehicles to destinations around the globe. Given that American manufacturers export vehicles to the value of $51.4 billion annually, it should be no surprise that individual dealers, private sellers, and expats regularly use international auto transporters too. However, there are several logistical obstacles to navigate, which is why only the best vehicle shipping service will do.
Whether you wish to export a single vehicle or a fleet of cars, you will be required to complete various logistical obligations. First and foremost, filling out our quote form confirms whether the process is possible and, if so, the anticipated costs and timeframes involved. When a suitable service solution is identified, it’ll be necessary to finalize the booking and confirm a suitable date. This, along with the deposit, will get the process started.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection won’t simply allow the car to leave the country without registration, though. Several documents must be supplied ahead of the exportation process while choosing the right shipping methods is another key responsibility. The vehicle may need to undergo specific preparations to meet safety regulations and protocols for the subsequent transit.
Consignee forms and other paperwork will also be required. Naturally, it’s necessary to start the journey by getting your vehicle to the departure port or wherever it will start the overseas journey. Meanwhile, it’ll be necessary to provide proof of identification and confirmation of where the vehicle is being relocated to. Naturally, the shipping company requires your car keys too.
When searching how to ship a car overseas, you will probably encounter three main shipping methods; roll-on roll-off (roro shipping) services, shipping containers, or air freight. While the latter option can have the vehicle arrive to the destination country either through same day or next day services. When taking the far more common approach of shipping a car via sea, the time taken to reach the destination port is usually between a few days and a few weeks.
A number of factors will impact the timeframes of shipping a car internationally, including;
As an example, shipping a vehicle across the Atlantic to Europe will usually take 2-3 weeks. However, a number of delays may be encountered if you fail to make the right preparations in regards to documentation or vehicle care. Thankfully, with the right auto transportation service for door-to-door transit, you are far less likely to encounter those problems.
Anybody wishing to ship a car internationally must pay attention to the documentation requirements. The U.S Customs & Border Protection teams will need to verify details before the vehicle leaves the country while officials at the destination port will have their own checks and criteria before approving the arrival.
Vehicle owners should possess and supply the original Certificate of Title (or a certified copy) alongside two copies that should be sent with the car to the port of departure. When a new vehicle is being shipped abroad, you will also require a Bill of Sale and an Original Certificate of Origin. If the proof of ownership is not available at the point of pick-up, the vehicle will be unable to leave the country. Worse still, some of the incurred expenses through admin processes are non-refundable.
In addition to verifying the vehicle, governments need to see documentation confirming your status too. From the U.S. perspective, personal identification in the form of a driver’s license and passport are essential. The documentation required by the destination country can be varied, but many territories only allow vehicles to citizens. This could be yourself or, if selling the car, the person buying the vehicle from you. Finally, if you will not be present at the time of departure, it may be necessary to use a power of attorney.
Shipping a car to another country is far easier and more convenient when a Title is in place. Nonetheless, the absence of the vehicle’s original certified documents won’t necessarily put an end to your activities. There are several reasons why the document may have become lost or misplaced over time, ranging from lost in a house fire to not being supplied with one when you purchased the vehicle. With the right shipping company behind you, a solution can be found.
In lieu of the Title, you could supply several alternative documents, including;
Failing to possess the vehicle’s Title does pose a number of problems, which will result in the need for an even greater level of research into the regulations in the location of origin as well as the destination port. A comprehensive door to door international car shipping service can support you with those extra responsibilities to ensure that your overseas vehicle relocation project is handled in the best and most effective fashion.
Shipping an owned car internationally is a challenge, but shipping a leased car takes on added complexities. While taking your leased car abroad for a vacation should be no more difficult than a short-term overseas stay in an owner vehicle, exporting a car that is officially someone else’s property naturally requires their permission. Whether it’s a lessor or another type of creditor, their authorization must be acquired before we receive the car. Otherwise, the vehicle will not be permitted to pass any port by U.S Customs & Border Protection. A shipper declaration form is also required.
If you are a military worker being stationed overseas, it may be possible to ship your vehicle at the cost of the government. However, you will still need to provide your Military orders, a letter from your State authority, and the Title record history from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
For non-military workers, the process for sending your leased car overseas will include the following steps;
The additional letter acquired from the lienholder must be a notarized statement that has been sent via post rather than fax or email and has an original notarized stamp. This should be accompanied by a notarized Title, which can be the original or certified copy. All items will be required at the point of pick-up. As such, we suggest contacting the leasing company as soon as you begin to plan the overseas vehicle shipping process.
When researching how to ship a car overseas, either for personal use or due to an international sale, discovering the financial costs is one of the top issues on your agenda. Sadly, it’s also one of the most difficult factors to consider. The reality of the situation is that, if you want a faster or safer service, you’ll have to pay for it. Likewise, the distance being travelled and the weight of the vehicle will impact the overheads. So, shipping a small car to Europe via a roro service may cost $1,000 while an SUV in a private container could be several times that amount. Meanwhile, a small car moving to Canada may cost under $1,000 depending on the other circumstances.
Ultimately, the costs will vary from case to case, and it’s not all about the port-to-port travel. A comprehensive door-to-door treatment is always the best option at your disposal. Aside from bringing the overall cost down, it’ll remove the threat of hidden last-minute charges. Transparency is key, and R+L Global Logistics can provide an accurate quote at the point of inquiry, allowing you to weigh up the pros and cons of each option at your disposal. Shipping a car won’t be cheap, but we help you find the most cost-effective option.
Europe is one of the most popular destinations for ex-pats to live. If you are preparing for this type of move, transporting your vehicle across the Atlantic to the U.K, France, Italy, Spain, or whichever destination you’re moving too is one of the top items on your agenda. Depending on the freight ship and destination port, you can expect the process to take around 2-3 weeks by boat. This is largely influenced by whether you are based on the east or west coast. It is advised to use a shipping container for added protection on the long journey, especially as you can add other products to the container for transit.
When planning to move your car to Europe, the following steps must be followed:
It should be noted that insurance for a trans-Atlantic vehicle relocation is likely to cost around 2% of the vehicle value. Meanwhile, shipping to the UK is handled independently since the country left the EU. As well as declaring the vehicle at customs, DVLA registrations are needed to confirm whether the vehicle conforms to UK road regulations.
The United Kingdom aside, most European countries drive on the right side. As such, a vehicle imported from the United States is naturally suited to driving in mainland Europe. American cars are permitted to be driven in the European Union with U.S. license plates, but only for a period of up to six months. If you plan to drive the car in EU countries for longer than that, you will need to register the vehicle to the country that it intends to stay in. There are fees and taxes involved, but they are affordable and won’t bump the costs of moving the car abroad by excessive amounts.
Nonetheless, failure to complete the registration in time will lead to financial consequences and can even result in vehicles being crushed. Therefore, working with a logistics company that actively covers this aspect of the car transportation service is a wise move. You need to know that the vehicle can be driven from the day it arrives at the destination port. Regardless of which European port is selected, R+L Global provides the perfect platform to build upon.
Shipping a car from the United States to the Caribbean isn’t only possible, it’s arguably a little easier than exporting to most other territories. Firstly, the distance is a little shorter, which can make the process quicker and, therefore, cheaper. Crucially, the importation regulations set by the Caribbean Government are a little less strict compared to others. You will be required to provide proof of ownership and identity to the Caribbean officials while also paying import tax of around 20%, as well as a small General Consumption Tax. However, the preparations (other than getting your car ready for transit) are fairly straightforward.
A notable exception is the Dominican Republic, where cars must be no older than five years and come with a consular certificate. While your research on how to ship a car overseas will be a little shorter when choosing the Caribbean as your destination, it’s necessary to complete the process in a professional manner. With the right logistics company in your corner, the actual relocation can be completed in under a week, although you’ll need to have the documents in place prior to departure.
Learn more about shipping a car to the Bahamas and auto transport to Trinidad and Tobago.
Shipping a car to South America may sound like an easier task than exporting it to Europe or Asia. However, there are a number of restrictions in various individual territories. In Argentina, for example, Law No. 25,871 states that you are only permitted to ship a vehicle that is under 10 years old. Meanwhile, you will need a consular certificate to avoid being hit with a major tax bill. There are also personal stipulations relating to your residential status within the company.
Other South American territories are hit by similar, albeit varying, restrictions. Chile and Bolivia only accept pre-approved vehicles that are no older than five years. Paraguay and Uruguay set a 10-year limit, Ecuador’s threshold is set to five years, and Peru’s is four. Meanwhile, both Brazil and Colombia, have established nationwide bans on all individually imported cars and motorbikes.
It is possible to ship a car to South America, but only when the criteria of the individual country are met. There is no single union that represents the entire continent, which is why you should always select a global logistics company that boasts a good working knowledge of the destination in question. Otherwise, delays – or even rejections – are a genuine threat.
Transporting vehicles isn’t restricted to exports. There are many reasons why you may wish to import a car to the U.S. Perhaps you’re relocating from another country or want to bring a vehicle over from your secondary home. Maybe you’ve simply found a great model that’s not available in America. First and foremost, you need to check that the car’s emissions levels will be permitted by the DMV. Assuming that this is the case, much of the process is the same.
When importing a vehicle to America, you must be sure to;
Importing a classic car is another option that you may wish to consider. Once again, you’ll need to check the emissions regulations before booking any car shipping processes. You’ll also need U.S. EPA form 3520-1, U.S. DOT form HS-7, and a DOT Registered Importer registration. Bumper and safety standards must be met too.
Meeting the legal obligations related to transporting the vehicle overseas is one thing, but it’s equally important to actively prepare your car for transit. Your vehicle will not be allowed to start its port-to-port journey if those preparations have not been made - even with the right documentation, authorization, and schedule in place. Essentially, you are required to ensure that the vehicle is in a safe condition. In addition to protecting your asset, it is a key responsibility for safeguarding other freight items on the boat.
Before your vehicle is picked up by our experts, you must do the following;
If you are taking the vehicle out of the United States indefinitely, you must notify your state DMV immediately. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) will be required, although vehicles without this can use a Product Identification Number (PIN) instead. It is also your responsibility to read the latest rulings and definitions on the subject to ensure that no legal regulations are broken. The best international car shipping companies will naturally support you through the procedures.
As an exporter of a vehicle from the U.S. You will ultimately need to do the following;
Exporting a car is a significant assignment, regardless of whether it’s a part of your personal emigration endeavors or for other reasons. As the Customs terminology indicates, the expectations can vary slightly depending on whether it is a U.S. Title car or a Foreign Titled vehicle.
The expectations for importing a car also set out by the U.S Customs & Border Protection officials. Any vehicle must meet the rules as per the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988, and Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act of 1972, as well as air pollution regulations. The aforementioned forms must be completed and set to the CBP too. Duties are usually set at 2.5% or 25% for trucks. However, as with exports, Government employees that are relocating back to America can bypass these costs, although they will need to feel out the necessary documents in relation to their employment.
Before committing to any car shipping procedure, you need reassurances to confirm it is the best solution. The most rewarding features are that you get to keep driving the car you love rather than facing the hassle of acclimating to a new vehicle. This also brings the added confidence of driving a model of car that you love and know, which can be very useful in this transitional phase of life. From a financial outlook, shipping a vehicle to another country can work out cheaper than replacing it, especially when you take depreciation into account.
As for using international auto transporters rather than the DIY approach, the rewards are equally plentiful. It’s less stressful, saves time, avoids potential injuries, and ensures that all aspects of the vehicle shipping process are completed under safe and legal protocols. It can also lead to smoother organization and budgeting as this door-to-door approach prevents unforeseen circumstances. Experienced professionals use their skills and unbiased opinions to find the most suitable solutions for your individual auto transportation needs. In turn, you’ll be able to unlock the full potential of relocating your vehicle in the first place.
Regardless of the destination, knowing how to ship a car overseas is a complex topic. However, the rewards of getting it right are simply fantastic. R+L Global Logistics specialize in auto transportation and freight services, helping thousands of clients export their vehicles every single year. Whether it’s a shipping container process or roro service, our professional services and extensive knowledge of regulations across the globe are underpinned by transparent communication and a commitment to finding the most practical solution for you. Aside from satisfying the legal, practical, and financial requirements, our reputation within the industry is sure to provide peace of mind.
So, if you’re looking to ship your car internationally, take the first steps by calling our friendly agents at (866) 322-1381 or filling out an auto transport quote form today!