When you transport your car to another country, it is called international car shipping. You can move your cars safely across borders. You should know the rules, fill the right forms & choose the best shipping method. Costs also vary and depend on: the distance to your final destination & type of transport you choose.
Picking a reliable shipping company is very important during this whole procedure so your vehicle arrives safe & sound. Today’s guide will explain everything you need to know about shipping cars internationally. Let’s dive right into it!
8 Step Process of International Car Shipping
If you want to ship your car to another country, you must know the process of how to do it. The following are the steps to ship a vehicle internationally:
1. Take Time To Explore Shipping Companies
There are lots of companies that offer overseas car shipping services. Choosing the right company for your shipment takes time and research. You have to look for different companies and check their reviews on forums and review sites.
Note: To check the company’s credibility, ask them about their license, surety bond, and insurance. In addition, select a company that is easily approachable to you.
2. Analyze Your Budget
Now it’s time to create a budget plan. The shipment cost depends on the method you choose and the amount of time. If you want your vehicle as early as possible at the destination, it might be more costly.
You can get a general idea of the shipment rates from the websites of different companies. However, the price may change from time to time based on the type of cargo, fuel prices, and the shipping method.
3. Select Shipping Method
The cheapest way to take your car to another country is through RORO shipping. It is the Roll-on/Roll-off method of shipping via ship. The next one is the closed-container method which is more expensive than the RORO approach.
The most expensive approach is shipping by air. You can choose the air freight method if you have a big budget. You can select one of the above methods based on your target time and budget.
4. Request Quotes From Different Companies
After all the research, it’s time to contact four to five companies and ask them for quotes. Now, you are aware of the market rate and it is easy for you to choose the best option. Compare those rates from different companies and choose the economical option.
In addition, also ask them whether they are providing port-to-port or door-to-door service to analyze the cost.
5. Pick a Company & Do All the Paperwork
Now select only one company and make a contract with them. To start the process you have to complete some paperwork and provide copies of necessary documents such as your ID card copy, copy of your sales bill, copy of passport, and vehicle registration number.
Some companies require additional documents based on the final shipment location.
6. Examine and Prepare Your Car For Shipment
Examining your car before handing it to the company is necessary. This will allow you to determine whether your vehicle needs maintenance to function properly. After that, it is important to wash off the car and remove unnecessary things from it.
The company will also examine the car and tell you how to prepare it for shipment. You should check the fuel and tire pressure before shipping it to another country.
7. Drop Your Car At The Terminal
After your car is ready for shipment, drop it off at the port. If you don’t want to go to the port, choose the door-to-door shipping option for your convenience.
8. Receive The Car From Final Destination
Make sure to be in contact with the shipping agent to track your vehicle location. They will tell you when the car reaches the destination port so that you can receive it from there. Again, for your convenience, you can ask for a home-delivery service.
Methods To Ship Your Vehicle Internationally
The following are the methods for overseas shipping of cars.
1. Air Freight
The transportation of your vehicle by plane is called air freight. You can use this method for urgent delivery. In addition, high-valued cars are also transported by means of air with strict supervision and safety. You have to pay a large amount of money to use this approach.
2. Container Shipping
It includes shipping of your car protected in a container through the ship. The vehicle or other items are enclosed in the container and those containers are shipped via maritime. You can choose two options here:
- Combined vehicle shipping: Your car is shipped with other vehicles protected in containers. It is a cheaper option.
- Private shipping container: If you are choosing this approach, get ready to pay thousands of dollars for your shipment. This method involves booking a separate container for your car for transportation.
3. Roll On Roll Off Shipping
It involves transporting your vehicle by sea without being enclosed in containers. It is the most convenient method for shippers as the car is loaded and unloaded onto the ship by driving it. This shipping approach takes one to two months to reach the destination as the ship stops at various ports during its journey.
You can use this approach If you are searching for a budget-friendly option and don’t want urgent delivery. However, this shipping method does not provide proper protection for vehicles as they are open to the environment which will cause damage to it. Continuous exposure to moist air can be harmful to your car.
6 Factors Affecting Overseas Car Shipping
Several factors affect shipping costs and time. Let’s discuss them:
1. Your Chosen Method
The way of transportation you choose decides how much time it takes to reach the final port and how much money you have to pay for it. Therefore, choose wisely according to your budget, time, and the value of the vehicle. If you are transporting a high-value car, choosing the costly option is not a bad idea for safety purposes.
2. Distance To The Target Terminal
It is common sense that the longer the journey, the greater the fare you have to pay for it and the longer it takes to reach your destination. In the same way, the shipment cost is higher for longer routes and vice versa. It also requires time to transit the car to its destination.
3. Weather Conditions
The atmospheric conditions also affect the cost and time of the delivery. Bad weather circumstances like extreme winter or tropical storms can cost you more for the shipment. Therefore, it’s not recommended to transport in the winter season except for urgent needs.
4. Shipping Company & Type Of Product
The cost also depends on the type of company you choose for shipment. Therefore, proper research about the company is needed before starting the shipment process.
In addition, the type of vehicle also plays an important role in determining the cost of transport to another country.
5. Taxation Rate In The Destination Country
Most countries impose taxes on the products crossing their borders. The tax rate depends on the type of product and its value. It is higher for precious and high-value items. Each country has its own rules and regulations for tax rates and the shipper must be aware of these policies before entering any country.
6. Custom Fees
Some customs agencies charge additional charges for handling your vehicles. They also inspect your items which leads to further increases in the shipment costs. The cost may vary depending on the country and the shipped item.
Estimated Time For International Car Shipment
The expected delivery time depends on your bank balance. It takes 1-2 months for your car to meet you again by sea method. But, the time frame can be converted to 1-2 weeks if you burn a hole in your pocket. This means if you choose the air freight option then you can meet your car as soon as possible.
Documents Required For Car Shipment
The following documents are necessary for doing paperwork to start the process:
- A copy of your national ID and driver’s license
- A passport
- Automobile title (original required) and vehicle’s registration
- Sales bill containing all the details
- A notarized attested letter about the shipment
- Double car keys
- EPA and DOT forms
Top Companies That Ship Car Internationally
We recommend you can pick any of these following freight forwarding firms to ship your vehicles. The 1st one is the best international car shipping company if your route is from China to any corner of the world.
1. BanSar China
BanSar China is among the largest shipping companies if your pick-up location is China. It will transport your car from:
- China to America
- China to Europe
- China to Australia
- China to Brazil
- China to Saudi Arabia
- China to Egypt
- China to New Zealand
- China to Africa
- & anywhere in the world you want.
It is a trusted company with insurance and license. They are professional freight forwarders having an experience of more than 12 years in this industry.
2. Montway Auto Transport
Montway Auto Transport is one of the biggest companies that ship cars overseas and provides affordable options. The company also provides an insurance policy within the shipping price. It will pick your car from your desired location & drop it anywhere you want.
3. AmeriFreight
AmeriFreight is also the best option for international shipping. It also provides discounts for a new customer. They can manage domestic and international cargo shipments. So, if you want to ship your car to any corner of the world, you can go with AmeriFreight and take advantage of discounts.
FAQs
What Is The Cost To Ship a Car Internationally?
The cost for international shipment of the car depends on the method of shipment you choose.
- The roll-on & roll-off method provides the cheapest option with the expected price of $1,000 to $3,200.
- The container option takes $1,600 to $4,000 price from you for your shipment.
- The air freight option would break your bank with the price range of $5,000 to $50,000 for the shipment of your highly valued car.
Is a Title Needed For Shipping Cars Internationally?
Yes, you need the title to show the legal ownership of the car. If you are not the legal owner of the car you wish to ship, you cannot do so since legal documentation is required for transferring a vehicle from one country to another.
Is Shipping Cars Overseas Worth It?
Well, it depends on your car’s condition and cost. If you have an old damaged car for transportation, it will be a deal of loss. However, a new and highly valued car pays its worth after shipping to another country. The shipping of your new car is only worthwhile if you have valid ownership documentation.
Wrapping It Up
Shipping your vehicles worldwide involves several essential steps but overall it’s not a complicated process. First, you should find a reputable shipping company that fits your needs. Once you’ve done this, see your budget. This will depend on how soon you need the car & which transportation method you prefer.
Options like Roll-on/Roll-off are more affordable, while air freight is faster but costly. After everything is arranged, your car will be on its way. Finally, stay in touch with the shipping agent to track your car’s journey and receive it at the destination.
