Shipping your car overseas is all about searching for information, planning and calculating. You need to do a lot of thinking to make the right decision. When you know the steps that precede the mere event of shipping, it might get easier to accomplish all this. Pay close attention to what follows. We present you to the basic steps in the process of shipping your car overseas.
Step 1 – Shipping your car overseas – is it worth it?
Yes, is it worth it? Before you get yourself involved in the process of shipping your car overseas, calculate the potential costs. Believe it or not, it might turn out that the shipping will cost you more than a new car. If you are moving to another continent, you need to spend your money smartly. So, decide whether you really want this.
Step 2 – Provide the necessary information related to the shipping your car overseas
This means that you need to start looking for information about shipping companies and their costs.
Looking for the appropriate shipping company
There are numerous options to find a shipping company. It is similar to the situation when you want to find a reliable mover. The best solution is to hire a company on a recommendation. However, this rarely happens. So, search the internet, find forums on the subject, use as many sources as you can find. Make a list of the companies that might be your choice.
Search the internet to find information about shipping companies.
A good shipping company must have all the licenses for the type of services it offers. Plus, it needs to be fully insured, too. What’s more, if the company uses third-party services, they have to be licensed and insured as well.
Getting information on the costs of shipping your car overseas
The costs can be found on the internet, too. You use the information on the internet when you haven’t chosen the shipping company yet. Otherwise, you send the company you have chosen the request for quotes and you get the costs of services of this company.
If you examine the prices of services at randomly chosen companies, you might get incorrect information due to several reasons. Firstly, the website of the company may not be updated. Secondly, companies usually present the information for the cheapest and ideal shipping – no extra charges included. Maybe it is a better option to check forums about this.
Step 3 – Sending requests and providing quotes
Once you have made a list of decent shipping companies, you need to contact them and request quotes. Quotes will show what kind of services companies offer and what the price of their services is. Don’t pay attention just to the final amount. It might turn out that some companies charge more, but they offer more, too.
Quotes usually depend on:
- The type of service you choose. – The options are door-to-door, door-to-port or port-to-port. And, yes, you assume correctly. Door-to-door is the most expensive one.
- The method of shipping your car overseas. – The options here are roll on roll off (RORO), using a separate container or using a container shared with other people’s vehicles.
- Domestic transport. – The company will charge you if they have to take your car from you and take it to the port before shipping.
- Destination fees. – They are always charged and they themselves also depend on the type of service.
Step 4 – Choosing the method of shipping your car overseas
The quicker the method of shipping, the more expensive it is. We haven’t listed here the air freight, which is also an option. You can get your car on the new destination in only a few days. However, it is not worth it, except for extremely expensive cars.
Roll on Roll off (RORO)
This service is offered at an affordable price. It means that your car is driven onto the shipping vessel and then secured. The method has its flaws. To begin with, your car is not adequately protected from the weather and other elements, like strong winds, sea water, etc. Then, these shipping vessels don’t usually go straight to your final destination, but they have to transship. Consequently, it takes more time for your car to get to the final destination. What’s more, you are not allowed to have anything in your car except the standard car equipment. You will have to use a different strategy of moving your possessions overseas.
Consolidated shipping your car overseas
This method means that your car will be in the same container as other people’s cars. It will be more secure than in the RORO method. However, this method isn’t flawless either. It takes some time to fill the container since it won’t start if it’s not full. This might result in a longer period of time needed for your car to get to the final destination.
Consolidated shipping your car overseas means that your car will be in the same container as other people’s cars.
Shipping your car overseas in a separate container
This is the safest method, but the most expensive too. All you need to do is to book a 20-foot container, provide the necessary documents and pay the service. The shipping company does all the rest.
Step 5 – Submitting the documents to the shipping company
The documents you need to submit to the shipping company are the following:
- A copy of your passport
- A copy of your bill of sale or anything that can prove your ownership
- A clear original car title
In some ports or final destinations, you might be asked to fulfill some more forms, but you will be informed about that in advance.
Step 6 – Inspection before shipping your car overseas
It is highly advisable for you to wash and inspect your car thoroughly before shipping it overseas. Taking some pictures is beneficial too. In case of damage, you can make a claim against the company and demand compensation.
It is highly advisable for you to wash and inspect your car thoroughly before shipping it overseas.
Step 7 – Submitting payment to the shipping company
When you pay the shipping company for its services, have patience and wait. Your car will be at its final destination in a few weeks.
Summary
To sum up the above said:
- Choose the company for shipping your car overseas very carefully. Compare the quotes and the services.
- Pay special attention to the insurance in order to protect yourself from any unexpected circumstances.
- Prepare and submit the necessary documents on time. Otherwise, you risk causing delays.
- Inspect your car and take photos.
- Submit the payment and wait for your car at the final destination.
