International Shipping for Your Car: The Guide

Shipping your car internationally like a pro involves perfect planning, attention to detail, and finding the best professional movers. Here’s our guide from experienced movers. 

Get ready for your international adventure with your car! Nothing says road trip like an exotic destination with your Toyota Prius.

• Choose the Right Shipping Type: Make the call between container shipping (safer but more expensive) or Roll-on/Roll-off shipping (always cheaper as it is done in bulk).
• Pick a Trusted Shipping Company: Look for shipping companies with proven track records in international car shipping and great customer reviews. The reviews are critical as shipping a vehicle internationally requires many steps and you will likely be in constant contact with your shipper. You can use iMoving to get a curated list of the top shipping companies with trusted reviews. 
• Understand Costs and Budget: Get detailed quotes including all costs such as port fees, taxes, levies, customs duties, shipping insurance, and more. to avoid surprises.
• Local Tricks: Research your arrival destination to understand if there are any port mafia groups you might need to pay off to safely receive your car.

• Cleaning and Inspection: Clean your car inside and out to be in line with quarantine and customs regulations. Document any current damage with photos for later insurance claims.
• Remove All Personal Items: Empty the car completely to comply with shipping regulations. There is no need to store anything personal in the car as you will be paying by weight and every ounce counts against you.
• Get Your Documents Together: Have all your documents handy including proof of ownership (title), car registration, and any other documents required by the destination country. You will likely need the customs paperwork to be done by your shipping company ahead of time so plan ample time prior to the shipping date.
• Research Destination Regulations: Understand local import laws, taxes, and restrictions. You want to arrive without any additional headaches, so read ahead online as to the local customs and needs.

• The Right Coverage: Confirm that your car is insured during transit. This is not a step to skimp on so we have dedicated an entire section to this. If you can, get additional marine cargo insurance as most cars do get at least slightly damaged when traveling through rough seas.

• Book Early: Schedule shipping well in advance to lock in your dates and allow time for paperwork processing for customs. We would recommend booking at least 3 weeks ahead of time.
• Drop-off and Pick-up: Arrange transportation to the departure port and your personalized plan for receiving the car at the destination port. Take into consideration that shipping your car by sea will give you only an estimated date of arrival. Storms at sea or other issues can delay the delivery so take this into account at your destination and consider renting a car in the meanwhile.

• Car Check-Up: Have a mechanic inspect your car at their shop to ensure it’s in good working condition for the journey. Get a diagnostics report so that if any internal parts of the car are damaged in transit you will be able to prove to the insurance that you are not at fault.
• Fuel and Fluid Levels: Follow shipping guidelines regarding fuel levels. Water and oil levels should be at less than a quarter tank).
• Leaks: Check and patch up any leaks on your car to avoid damage to the shipper’s items.

• Stay in Touch: Your shipping company’s customer service will probably be your best friend by the end of the journey. Keep in touch to check in with your shipping company for updates on your car’s status, any delays, and any changes in the schedule.
• Tracking: You should receive a tracking number for your car or for the larger vessel transporting your car to be able to see its live location. Your insurance provider will likely ask for these details.

• Prep Ahead for Customs: Get all the necessary documents done right by professionals to expedite customs clearance. Pay an agent to handle the paperwork for you. Trust us this stuff gets confusing and sometimes it is better to pay a little extra to get it right rather than have a hassle at the port.
• Pay Required Taxes: Be prepared to pay any applicable duties, taxes, or fees upon arrival.

• Inspect Your Car: No matter how tired you are on arrival, do a thorough inspection of your car both inside and outside upon its arrival to verify its condition matches your pre-shipping condition. If not, file your insurance claim then and there before driving off.
• Drive Off In Style: Coordinate transportation from the port to your final destination, whether it’s driving it yourself or hiring a transport service.

• Professionals are Worth the Money: Really think about using a customs agent or shipping agent to deal with all the complex regulations and procedures of international shipping.
• Track Your Shipment: Use tracking services provided by the shipping company to monitor your car’s journey. Throw your Airtag in the car to be extra sure where it’s located upon arrival.
• Documentation Backup: Keep copies of all shipping documents and paperwork for your records and insurance needs.

By following these steps and best practices, shipping your car across the globe can feel like sipping a coconut on the beaches of Thailand (especially if you book with iMoving and use a customs agent). You can handle international car shipping with confidence, trust us. Your car will arrive on the other side and will have road trip stories to share with you.