Shipping Your Vehicle Internationally

You’ve moved to another country and you don’t know how your vehicle will get there? It can be hard to manage the process of international shipping your car on your own. But thankfully, there are professionals who can take care of the job while guaranteeing the safety of your car.

In this era of international car shipping, a reliable vehicle shipping company is an indispensable must-have. To find one, there are a few questions you’ll need to ask yourself: What kind of international shipping services do I need? What will my duties be as the sender? What’s the cost of shipping a vehicle internationally? And how long will it take to ship a car? 

Our guide to finding an expert international car shipping company will help you answer all these questions.

Research

It’s time to collect information. Collecting information about a few companies which offer this service is important, so you can find the right one for you. Look for companies in your city with Google or another search engine. You can also ask people who have moved away from your city for their recommendations if you know someone who has done so.

Always trust licensed, insured companies. Carefully examine their certifications and research their associations to ensure you can trust them. Read reviews about these companies on their social media groups or review forums to determine their credibility.

Compare different quotes

After shortlisting a few companies, request their quote. This will depend on various factors including the condition and weight of your car, your destination, etc. The cost will vary based on the amount of time the company will need to do the work, the type of job that needs to be done, etc.

You can quickly receive quotes online. Just enter your information and you’ll be given a ballpark estimate. If you want to see how much your company will cost before requesting a quote, you can also research for rough estimates on relevant forums. The price of your company changes as per fuel charges so keeps that in mind.

Finalize

Shipping methods include:

• RoRo Shipping: RORO ships are specially designed to transport wheeled cargo like cars, buses, and trucks. The cargo is driven on and off the ship by the individual drivers or with the help of a platform vehicle like a self-propelled modular transporter.
• Sole container shipping: FCL (full container load) service provides you with your own container for transport, meaning that you can store all of the items you want to ship in one location. This saves time and money, as your international shipment will sail on the open seas at a faster rate. Unlike LCL (less than container load), FCL doesn’t need to be completely full before it can leave port; it can leave with just your goods.
• Consolidated shipping: Consolidated shipping is an excellent way for shippers to earn preferred rates. First, the consolidator will put together all of the LCL shipments into one container shipment. It’s then delivered to its destination while still in the full container shipment. Finally, it’s deconsolidated back to where it was before!

To get a moving company, compare the costs and plan of action. Decide on a company, and then book and schedule a move before going through the final payment process.

Documents

To get started, you’ll need to submit a few documents. You’ll need your passport and driver’s license, as well as your vehicle title. Depending on where you live, you might be required to submit other documents like a special power of attorney, if you live in Miami.

Paperwork

Gather and submit the following paperwork:

• Consignee form: A form that collects shipping and vehicle details. You’ll need to fill out the information about your car such as the make, model, value, and country of origin.
• Container list: This form will help you keep track of all the items you’re bringing with you on this journey. Be sure to list everything, including the size and weight of each item.

Inspect your car

To avoid any potential problems, it’s best for you to drop your car off in the right condition. Get it washed and checked thoroughly. Put nothing inside your car. Your company is not responsible if anything goes missing.

Check your car’s running condition and the brakes. Ensure there are no exterior dents or bumps on your car. This will allow you to spot any damage on your car just in time for it to reach its destination.

Transport your car

Now that all procedural steps have been taken, the next step is to drop off your car at the company’s port. Depending on the service you’ve selected, a company driver may pick your car up from your address.

When you get to the port, make sure you make any final payments. Unless you’ve paid for the transport of your car to the port, you will have to show your dock receipt before you can get there. You will be given this receipt when you complete your booking.

Receive your vehicle delivery

To receive your vehicle, please provide the following documents.

• A Bill of Lading must be provided by the shipping company. This document ensures that the carrier is transporting your vehicle with care.
• An ID matching the information you have given must be provided by the consignee. This ensures that they are authorized to collect your shipment.

The process can be a little overwhelming, but there is a solution. Working with an international car shipping company will make the process manageable. It’s important not to delay any steps, in order to avoid any delays in booking or storage costs.