If you are planning an international move, you may already feel overwhelmed by the number of things you need to do, so you could get your affairs in order. As shipping your current car overseas is much cheaper than buying a new vehicle once you get there, this is likely to also be one of the items on your list. While seemingly quite complicated, the process of shipping a car overseas is actually pretty straightforward. In this guide on how to ship a car overseas, we will try to answer all of the questions you may have about this process. Bear in mind that all of this applies to shipping your car by boat. International air transport for cars is very pricey. This is why it is only recommended if the vehicle you are shipping is very rare and valuable.

Your guide to international car shipping

Here is a breakdown of what you need to do to ship your car overseas.

Research

As cars are among the biggest items you can have shipped, you don’t want to put them in the care of just about anybody. Doing thorough research is the only way you can ensure you are hiring a reliable and trustworthy moving company. Many companies like allseasonmovers.com will offer full services and be your one-stop shop for all of your moving needs. You should start your search online and check the credentials of several different companies. One of the things that is very important to research is whether or not the moving company and its affiliates are fully licensed, bonded, and insured. If you are having trouble finding proof of this, do not be afraid to ask. Also, even if their answer is yes, you want to ask for their licensing number so you can verify it yourself.

Once you have a couple of picks, you can shop around a little. Try to see who can offer you the best deal for your money. Many companies will help you transport a vehicle or relocate anywhere in the world so it would be great to find one that will help you do both.

Documents

So, you’ve settled on the moving company. The next step in your guide to international car shipping is collecting all of the documentation. The two main pieces of paper you will need are the US Customs & Border Protection Vehicle Export Cover Sheet and the original Certificate of Title for your car or a certified copy of the original. You will also need two additional copies of the Certificate. These are the basics, but you can never be too careful. You can consult with your shipping company as well as the Port of Entry to see if you might need to hand in anything else. You have to bring these documents to the Port of Entry your car will be shipping out of at least 72 hours before shipping.

Prepare your car

One of the important things about knowing how to ship a car overseas is knowing what can stay in your car during shipping. The answer will be – very little.

For the most part, the things that you can keep in your car will be the things that are directly related to it, like a spare tire. In most cases, there will even be limits to the amount of gas in your tank. Most companies will allow only as much as a quarter of your tank to be full.  So your best bet would be to fully clean out your car. Make sure no important documents, such as registration or insurance, stay inside. On your way to the United States Port of Entry, you will want to get your car washed thoroughly. The Customs at the border will check your car for pests or debris illegal to bring into the country of import.

The cost

The cost of shipping your car overseas can vary. The final amount will depend on the company you choose and the distance the transport will cover. Usually, you will end up coughing up somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000. This will be the base cost, but expect that some additional costs may arise. Though there is a way to ship a car overseas without additional insurance, we recommend purchasing marine insurance to guarantee the safety of your car in open water. Furthermore, you will need to cover destination charges and customs duty of the country to which you are moving. There may be some additional taxes and fees as well. Your shipping company should be able to tell you what you can expect. All in all, it would be a good idea to budget for a more expensive shipping just to be safe.

Shipping methods

There is a variety of ways to ship a car overseas. The basic one that most people go for is booking a sole shipping container. This is also the quickest way. But some cheaper options are available as well. Consolidated vehicle shipping will cost you less, but it will take longer. This method implies that your car will share a container with other vehicles going to the same destination. The reason it takes longer is because the shipping company only transports the vehicles once the container is full. Another method is roll-on/roll-off shipping, where your car will be shipping on a vessel without a container. While this is cheaper than a sole shipping container, it takes longer and it might be damaging to your car as it is exposed to the elements.

How long will it take for the car to reach its destination?

The time it takes for shipping a car overseas also varies. It depends on how far the destination is and what method of international shipping you choose. In some cases, you will be able to get your car about a week after shipping it out. In others, though, you might have to wait longer. Your shipping company will know how to ship a car overseas and how long it might take. However, bear in mind that going through customs upon entry into the country can last longer than expected.