Top 10 Things to Know Before Shipping a Car Overseas | All TransportDepot

Shipping a car overseas is a regulated export process. Therefore, success depends on preparation, compliance, and realistic expectations. For this reason, following the steps below in order will help you avoid delays, inspections, rejected exports, and unexpected costs.

Quick Answer:
Shipping a car overseas requires confirming import eligibility, preparing export documents, choosing the correct shipping method (RoRo, container, or air), and complying with U.S. Customs regulations. Costs, timelines, and inspections vary by destination, which is why working with a licensed exporter is essential.

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STEP 1: Shipping a Car Overseas:- First, Confirm the Destination Country Allows Your Vehicle

First and foremost, confirm that the destination country allows your vehicle to be imported. In many cases, exporters overlook this step and encounter problems later.

Specifically, check:

• Vehicle age limits

• Engine size restrictions

• Emissions and safety standards

• Left-hand vs right-hand drive rules

• Import duties, VAT, excise, or luxury taxes

Importantly, permission to export from the U.S. does not guarantee permission to import abroad. Because of this, always confirm eligibility before booking shipping.

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STEP 2: Next, Understand That the U.S. Government Regulates All Vehicle Exports

Next, understand that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulates every vehicle leaving the United States.Every vehicle leaving the United States falls under the authority of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Specifically, CBP will:

• Verify ownership

• Validate the VIN

• Confirm the vehicle is not stolen or restricted

As a result, missing or late documents can stop an export immediately, even after the vehicle reaches the port. Therefore, documentation accuracy is critical.

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STEP 3: Then, Secure the Original Vehicle Title Early

Then, secure the original vehicle title as early as possible. Without it, export approval cannot proceed.

In practice, Customs requires:

• The original title (not a scan)

• Exact VIN match

• Correct owner name

Consequently, even small errors can halt shipping. For this reason, review the title carefully before moving the vehicle to the port.

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STEP 4: Additionally, Shipping a car overseas-Address Any Lien on the Vehicle

Additionally, if the vehicle is financed, the lender controls the title. Therefore, you must obtain lien holder authorization.

To proceed correctly, request:

• A lien holder authorization letter

• Official letterhead

• Explicit approval for international export

• VIN listed

• Signature and date

Otherwise, Customs will block the shipment regardless of booking or payment.

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STEP 5: Now, Prepare All Required Export Documents

Now that ownership is clear, prepare all required export documents. At this stage, accuracy matters more than speed.

✅ What Documents Are Required to Ship a Car Overseas?

To comply with export law, you must provide:

1. Original Vehicle Title
   Either lien-free or accompanied by written lienholder permission.

2. Bill of Sale
   Especially important for recent or auction purchases.

3. Government-Issued ID
   Passport or U.S. driver’s license.

4. Power of Attorney (POA)
   Allows a licensed exporter to file on your behalf.

5. Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED / EEI)
   Filed electronically through AES by the exporter.

6. Consignee Information
   Name and contact details of the overseas recipient.

Most importantly, never place the original title inside the vehicle or container.
Instead, submit the title separately after the container is sealed.

Need help preparing documents?
👉 Visit www.alltransportdepot.com

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STEP 6: After That, Follow the 72-Hour Export Rule

After that, comply with the 72-hour export rule, which Customs enforces strictly.

Specifically:

• Documents must be submitted 72 business hours before loading

• The rule applies to RoRo and container shipments

• The rule applies to new and used vehicles

As a result, late submission prevents loading, even when vessel space is available.

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STEP 7: Then, Choose the Correct Shipping Method (RoRo, Container, or Air)

Then, choose the correct shipping method based on destination rules, vehicle type, urgency, and budget. At this stage, compliance matters more than speed or price.

Option A: Roll-On / Roll-Off (RoRo)

• Vehicle must be running

• No personal items allowed

• Lower overall cost

• Limited destination ports

• Not available for all countries

RoRo works best for standard vehicles going to ports that allow drive-on/drive-off service.

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Option B: Container Shipping

• Vehicle secured inside a container

• Required for many destinations

• Often required for electric vehicles

• Allows better protection

• Higher likelihood of customs inspection

Container shipping works best when destination laws restrict RoRo or when additional protection is required.

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Option C: Air Freight (Fastest Option)

• Fastest shipping method available

• Used for luxury, specialty, urgent, or high-value vehicle

• Significantly higher cost than ocean shipping

• Strict size, weight, and hazmat restrictions

• Limited to vehicles that meet airline safety requirements

Air freight works best when time is critical and cost is secondary, such as diplomatic moves, urgent relocations, or high-value vehicle deliveries.

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Therefore, destination regulations, vehicle specifications, urgency, and compliance requirements—not price alone—should guide your shipping method decision.

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STEP 8:Shipping a car overseas Meanwhile, Prepare the Vehicle to Meet Port Standards

Meanwhile, prepare the vehicle to meet port and carrier standards.

Before delivery, ensure:

• Less than ¼ tank of fuel

• Fully charged and secured battery

• Working brakes, doors, and windows

• No fluid leaks

• Height under 7 feet

• Modifications disclosed

If the vehicle does not run, notify the exporter in advance so special handling can be arranged.

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STEP 9: At the Same Time, Remove All Personal Items

At the same time, remove all personal items, because federal law strictly regulates vehicle contents.

Specifically prohibited items include:

• Firearms and ammunition

• Hazardous or flammable materials

• Plants and agricultural products

Therefore, before loading:

• Clean the vehicle thoroughly

• Disconnect alarms

• Remove non-retractable antennas

• Remove garage door openers

• Remove all personal items

Consequently, inspections proceed more smoothly.

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STEP 10: Finally, Treat ETAs as Estimates and Plan for Inspections

Finally, understand that all shipping timelines are estimated times of arrival (ETAs).

In reality, delays may occur due to:

• Weather

• Port congestion

• Vessel schedule changes

• Documentation reviews

• Customs inspections, especially for containers

For this reason, do not buy airline tickets based solely on ETA.

Customs Inspections and Costs

Importantly, Customs may inspect any shipment at any time.

When this happens:

• The cargo owner usually pays

• Fees may include labor, equipment, exams, and storage

• Costs can reach thousands of dollars

Meanwhile, freight forwarders:

• Do not control inspections

• Do not set fees

• Do not control timelines

• Do not profit from inspections

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Legal Authority Behind Customs Actions

To clarify, Customs authority comes from U.S. federal law:

• 19 U.S.C. § 1467 – Authorizes cargo examination

• 19 CFR Part 162 – Allows inspections and holds

• 19 CFR § 24.22 – Allows charges to be billed to the cargo owner

Therefore, Customs—not the exporter—controls inspections and costs.

How Much Does Shipping a Car Overseas Cost?

Typical ranges:

• RoRo: $1,100 – $2,800

• Container: $1,800 – $4,500

• Air Freight: $8,000+

Final pricing depends on vehicle size, destination, port, and method.

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Popular Destinations for Shipping a Car Overseas

• • Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa)

  • Europe (Germany, Netherlands, UK)

  • Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia)

  • Caribbean ( Jamaica, PR, Bahama ,Aruba

  • Australia

  • Asia (South Korea, Japan)

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Booking flights based on ETA

• Putting the title inside the vehicle

• Shipping personal items on RoRo

• Using unlicensed exporters

• Delivering to port without TWIC or escort

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Why FMC Licensing Is Essential

Moreover, any company arranging ocean freight must be licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).

As a result, FMC-licensed companies:

• Operate legally

• Carry financial bonds

• Follow federal compliance rules

Accordingly, always verify licensing before booking.

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Why Choose All TransportDepot Inc- When shipping a car overseas

Finally, All TransportDepot Inc stands out as a fully licensed and bonded FMC NVOCC.

Specifically, All TransportDepot Inc:

• Reviews titles and liens early

• Explains Customs authority clearly

• Provides realistic timelines

• Handles RoRo and container exports globally

• Supports gas, hybrid, electric, and non-running vehicles

As a result, clients ship with clarity and confidence.

⭐ BONUS POINT: Door-to-Port vs Self-Delivery — TWIC Cards, Port Escorts & Fees Explained

In addition to ocean shipping options, many licensed freight forwarders and NVOCCs—such as All TransportDepot Inc—offer door-to-port vehicle shipping.

Understanding the difference between door-to-port and self-delivery helps you avoid denied port entry, delays, and unexpected costs.

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Shipping a car overseas-What Door-to-Port Shipping Means

With door-to-port service:

• Your vehicle is picked up directly from your home, dealership, or auction

• A licensed carrier delivers it to the export terminal

• You do not need port credentials

• You avoid port access issues entirely

For this reason, door-to-port is often the simplest and lowest-risk option, especially for first-time exporters.

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Shipping a car overseas-Choosing to Deliver the Vehicle Yourself? Read This Carefully.

If you choose to deliver the vehicle to the port yourself, most U.S. marine terminals require secure access credentials.

In most cases, this means you must have a TWIC card — or arrange a paid port escort.

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What Is a TWIC Card? Shipping a car overseas

A Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) is a security credential issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

A TWIC card:

• Allows unescorted access to secure port facilities

• Requires a background check and fingerprinting

• Is mandatory for many self-deliveries to marine terminals

• Takes time to process (often several weeks)

Without a TWIC card, terminals will deny unescorted entry.

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Shipping a car overseas-No TWIC Card? You May Need a Port Escort (Extra Cost)

If you do not have a TWIC card, some ports allow entry only with a port escort.

Important things to know about port escorts:

• Escorts are not guaranteed

• Availability depends on the terminal

• Escort services are paid by the client

• Fees typically range from $75 to $300+ per visit, depending on the port

• Escorts must be scheduled in advance

• Delays or missed appointments can result in rebooking fees

Because of this, relying on a port escort can become costly and unpredictable.

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Official TWIC Card Resources (Apply or Learn More)

Use these official links to learn more or apply:

• 🔗 TWIC Program Overview (TSA):
  https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic

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Why Many Clients Choose Door-to-Port Instead

Because of TWIC requirements and escort fees, many clients choose door-to-port shipping since it:

• Eliminates the need for TWIC credentials

• Avoids escort scheduling and costs

• Reduces the risk of denied port entry

• Keeps the export process smooth and compliant

In many cases, door-to-port service costs less overall than self-delivery once escort fees, time, and delays are considered.

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Final Tip When shipping a car overseas

If you are deciding between self-delivery and door-to-port:

• Ask whether the terminal requires TWIC access

• Confirm if port escorts are available

• Compare escort fees versus pickup costs

• Decide before moving the vehicle

A licensed exporter like All TransportDepot Inc can help you evaluate both options and choose the most efficient and compliant solution for your shipment.

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Ready to Ship the Right Way?

Therefore, if you want compliance, transparency, and realistic expectations, start with a licensed exporter you can verify.

📧 Email: ship@alltransportdepot.com
📞 Phone: +1 (678) 528-5794
📲 WhatsApp: +1 (470) 791-4497
🌐 Website: www.alltransportdepot.com

In summary:
When shipping a car overseas Verify licensing. Prepare early. Plan flexibly.
Ship with confidence — ship with All TransportDepot Inc.