People move overseas for different reasons. Maybe you’re relocating because of your job, or you and your significant other are getting married and moving somewhere new together.
Regardless of why moving is on the agenda, the fact remains that relocation can be a difficult process.
Moving is especially tricky if you own a car. Will you sell your vehicle, or is looking for car shipping companies on your agenda? Shipping cars overseas isn’t for everyone. But if you choose this route, there are some things you’ll need to do.
For one, a car warranty can be useful in keeping your car safe on the road. Below are more tips that can help you have a safe car shipping experience and ensure your ride reaches its destination safe and sound.
- Obtain an Extended Car Warranty
Legit auto transport companies have insurance to deal with damage associated with particular circumstances. But if you’re shipping a car overseas, it could get subjected to elements that don’t agree with it. For instance, saltwater could get inside the engine and ruin components. Or, the salt in the air might cause your car’s paint to peel.
Extended car warranty can help keep your car protected from unexpected incidents on its journey. If nothing goes wrong, that’s great, but at least you’ll have peace of mind knowing that if something did happen, repair costs would be covered.
- Determine How to Get Your Car Shipped Overseas
It depends on how you want to transport your car and how much you want to pay to get your car to its destination. In most cases, though, overseas car shipping involves a plane, ship, and truck. Air freight is extremely expensive, and a tractor-trailer will only work if a bridge connects two countries. That leaves ocean transport freight. It can be a budget-friendly option, especially if you use a shared container, as you’ll share its costs with others.
Opting for a shared container can slow the shipping process down to what feels like a mere crawl, though. This is because the shipment could get delayed waiting for items from other clients to get loaded. But, of course, there is another option. You could pay for an individual container. That gives your vehicle extra protection and usually gets it delivered promptly. Be sure to research car shipping companies to ensure they offer the delivery method of your choice.
- Documents, Documents, and More Documents
You’re also going to need to gather some documents when shipping a car overseas. For example, the shipper may ask to see these items:
- Certificate of Title
- Bill of Sale
- Copy of U.S. Passport
- Certificate of Origin
- Shipper Export Declaration
- Declaration of Dangerous Goods
Don’t simply pull up to a shipyard and think your car will be loaded right up. You need to have the proper documentation on hand to get the shipping process started.
- Research to Find a Reputable and Trustworthy Company
Not just any old auto transport company will do. You need the best of the best to take care of your ride. There are plenty of places online to find information, but one place you should definitely look is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. On this website, consumers can view license data, complaint history, and insurance records.
You could also look at the Better Business Bureau’s webpage to gain some insight into a company. And, if all else fails, never underestimate the power of a Google search. You may find all the reviews and testimonials you’ll need through the search engine.
- Confirm the Insurance
While researching auto transport companies, you also need to confirm they have the appropriate insurance if a claim has to be filed. Most reputable shippers usually carry between $50,000 and $1,000,000 in coverage. But if you want to rest easy, you could also check with your insurer to see what’s covered by your auto insurance. Not to mention, you might be able to take out additional coverage to protect yourself from all angles.
- Give Yourself Enough Time
You also need to plan ahead to make sure you leave yourself enough time to ship and receive your car. Shipping a vehicle isn’t like shipping a conventional package. There’s typically no same-day or next-day delivery. Rather, a domestic shipment can take as long as four weeks to complete. Then, there are international deliveries, which are on a schedule all their own. It can take up to eight weeks to ship a car overseas.
The Bottom Line
When shipping a car overseas, you’ll need to plan ahead of time, look into an extended warranty, and gather certain types of documents. Now that you know these six vital items for shipping a vehicle internationally, you can get your ride transported to another country without challenges.
