The most important thing is to Know the laws and regulations of the United States and the destination country regarding what cars may be imported, and what fees must be paid.
- Every country has different laws regarding what types and ages of vehicles may be imported and/or exported, and those laws may change without notice. In particular, many countries do not allow the importation of vehicles over a certain age. If a vehicle can be imported, there are several different calculations of tariffs, taxes, or duties, including the value of the vehicle or the size of the engine.
- S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs) regulates goods arriving and leaving the country to ensure that the goods are legitimate and, for arriving goods, that appropriate duties and fees are paid. Prior to your move, you should check to see the U.S. requirements for exporting motor vehicles.
Summary
- Make sure your POV contains less than one-fourth (1/4) tank of fuel (gasoline or diesel)
- Have in Hand (title and registration), This needs to be delivered to the port with the car or handed to the driver during pick up
- The title must not have any liens, (The exception are military Personnel deployed Overseas )
- Have in your possession one set of keys and hand in the other set to the port or driver during pick up
Preparing Your Vehicle for International Car Shipping
- Wash your car thoroughly. Washing your car clearly reveals the condition of the car, allowing both you and the freight forwarder to take an accurate accounting of any damage.
- Document the vehicle’s condition. Note that dings, dents, scratches, and other cosmetic issues already exist on the vehicle. Take photographs of all areas of the car, with close-up images of damaged areas.
- Remove loose and custom items. Remove loose and custom items on the inside and the outside of the vehicle, such as luggage or bicycle racks, spoilers, removable stereos and GPS systems, and other valuable after-market additions that are not associated with the mechanical operation of the car.
- For Shipments going RORO- no personal Items are allowed in the car
- You can pack your vehicle with personal items if you are sending your vehicle in a Shipping container. However, it will need to be driven in and out so please be sure to keep all the windows and mirrors accessible. We will also require braking systems and or Manuel shifters clear of obstructions.
- Make sure the battery is fully charged.
- Disable alarm/security systems.
- Make sure the tires are fully inflated.
- Reduce fuel level to 1/8 of a tank. Carriers limit the amount of fuel permitted in the vehicle for safety reasons.
- Document mechanical problems. If there are any special instructions required to operate the vehicle, be sure to provide them to the shipping company.
- Resolve or report leaks. Leaks can cause damage to your car or to other vehicles if it is in a shared container, so be sure to fix any leaks or advise the shipping company so the automobile can be stored properly.
- Secure convertible tops. Make sure convertible tops are in good repair and secure them as tightly as possible to avoid issues if there are climate changes or other extreme environmental conditions during shipping.
- Prepare a vehicle for the climate at the destination. To ensure your vehicle remains in its best operating condition, your car should be prepared with engine oil, coolant, and other fluids appropriate for its destination.
Get Rates at www.alltransportdepot.com, Call 678-528-5794, or Email ship@alltransportdepot.com.
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Maria is the operations manager at SoCal Auto Movers, where she oversees the daily operations of their car shipping services. Her efficiency and problem-solving skills ensure that each shipment, whether local or long-distance, goes off without a hitch.