Each year, more than 40 million Americans move, some of them moving overseas. For those who opt to move overseas, there are a lot of things to take into account. One important decision is what to do with their cars.
Is it possible for you to ship your car overseas? It’s one of the most recurring car questions for people relocating abroad.
The simple answer is yes. In this blog post, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to get your car from Point A to Point B, no matter where in the world you are moving. We also include a section on how to budget for car shipping services.
Know the Legal Status of Your Car
The first step when shipping a car overseas is to make sure that your vehicle is legal in the country you’re moving to. There are a lot of regulations surrounding imported vehicles, so it’s important to do your research before shipping your car.
Each country has different rules and regulations, so it’s important to check with the embassy of the country you’re moving to. They will be able to provide you with the most up-to-date information on importing a vehicle.
Find a Suitable Auto Shipping Company
Once you have verified that your car is legal in the country you’re moving to, the next step is to find an international shipping company.
There are a lot of companies that specialize in shipping cars overseas. Do some research and find a company that has experience shipping to the country you’re moving to.
Get quotes from a few different companies to compare prices. You can read about car shipping quotes online to get a good idea of what to expect.
Choose a Suitable Shipping Option
International car shipping companies generally offer two shipping options: container shipping and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) shipping.
Container shipping is more expensive, but it offers a higher level of protection for your car. Your car will be placed in a container and shipped overseas on a cargo ship.
RoRo shipping is less expensive, but it offers less protection for your car. Your car will be driven onto the deck of a cargo ship and secured for the journey overseas. Choose the shipping option that is best for you and your car.
Present Required Documentation
Now that you’ve chosen a shipping company and a shipping option, the next step is to provide the required documentation. The required documents will vary depending on the country you’re moving to, but they generally include things like your car’s registration and proof of insurance.
Your chosen shipping company will be able to tell you what documents are required for shipping your car overseas.
Get Familiar With Customs
Customs can be a tricky process when shipping a car overseas. Each country has different rules and regulations, so it’s important to do your research before shipping your car.
Your chosen shipping company will be able to help you with the customs process. They will have experience dealing with customs in the country you’re moving to and will be able to help you with the required paperwork.
Check Your Insurance
When shipping a car overseas, it’s important to check your insurance policy. Your current policy may not cover your vehicle for international shipping.
Talk to your insurance company and see if they offer coverage for shipping a car overseas. If they don’t, you may need to purchase additional insurance for the trip.
Pick Up Your Car and Pay for Shipping Services
Once your car has arrived at its destination, the next step is to pick it up and make any required payments. Your shipping company will be able to tell you what documents are required for picking up your car.
Make sure you have all the required documents before picking up your car.
Budgeting for Shipping Costs
A big part of successfully shipping your car overseas is budgeting for car shipping costs. International shipping is not cheap, so it’s important to save up in advance.
So, how much should you expect to spend? If you choose to ship by sea, the current average range is between $1,000 and $5,000. However, the final price can be as high as $40,000 if you’re shipping an SUV via plane.
Among the factors that affect the final shipping cost are:
Type of Car
Generally, the larger and heavier your vehicle is, the more it will cost to ship. SUVs and trucks tend to be the most expensive to ship, while smaller cars like sedans are less expensive.
Distance to the Port
If you live far from a port, it will likely cost more to ship your car than if you live close to one. This is because the shipping company will need to transport your car to the port, which can add to the overall cost.
Import Taxes and Duties
When shipping a car overseas, you will be required to pay import taxes and duties. The amount you’ll need to pay will depend on the country you’re moving to.
Pickup Location
The location where you need to pick up your car can also affect the cost of shipping. If you need to have your car delivered to a remote location, it will likely cost more than if you’re able to pick it up from a major city.
Expedited Shipping Costs
If you need your car shipped quickly, you can choose an expedited shipping option. This will generally be more expensive than standard shipping, but it’s important to consider if you’re on a tight timeline.
Shipping Method
You can choose to ship your car in an open or closed container. An open container is less expensive, but it offers less protection for your car during shipping.
A closed container is more expensive, but it will protect your car from the elements and potential damage during shipping.
Now You Have Answers to Your Car Questions
Many car questions abound when you’re planning to move overseas. One of these is whether or not one can ship their vehicle overseas. As you’ve seen, this is a possibility.
By following this guide on how to take a car abroad, you can ensure that your car arrives safely at its destination.
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