The Basics Of Overseas Car Transport

The Basics of Shipping A Vehicle Overseas

It probably comes as no surprise that the process of shipping a vehicle to another country is more involved than shipping within the United States. Not only are the process and method of shipping different, but there’s also more paperwork involved and more requirements as far as paperwork and documents are concerned. In order to help you navigate the process of international car shipping, we’ve put together this post to help explain what’s involved and how to about finding an overseas auto shipper that is qualified to do the job. 

International Transport Methods

When you hire a car shipper to move a vehicle for you within the U.S., it’s typically done on a transport carrier, essentially a truck that is outfitted specifically to haul cars. If you’re shipping to another country, however, cars are almost always moved by boat using one of two methods. The first is called “RORO,” which stands for “roll on, roll off.” When a transporter offers RORO shipping, what they mean is that the car is driven onto a storage area below the deck of the ship where it is then secured for transport along with other vehicles. The second method is container shipping, in which the vehicle is securely stored in a shipping container, with the container being loaded directly onto the ship with other cargo.

While one isn’t necessarily better than the other, it’s important to understand your options since the process is slightly different, though the delivery and end result remain the same. 

Required Documents For Overseas Shipping

There are a number of documents required when you ship a vehicle between two countries. Since the laws and requirements differ by country, it’s important to look into the specifics of the country you’re shipping to. Below you’ll find the most commonly required documents and we encourage readers to visit our international shipping directory for the details of specific countries. 

· Photo I.D., usually two forms such as driver’s license and passport

· Original title and two copies

· Bill of sale

· Vehicle registration 

· Bill of lading

· Lienholder authorization or power of attorney (if applicable)

Some of these documents are the responsibility of the shipping company, such as the bill of lading, and you’ll need to coordinate with the shipper to make sure you have everything in order. Check to see which documents need to be notarized and talk to the car shipper directly if you have any questions about the specific details of shipping a car internationally. 

Finding A Qualified International Auto Shipper

When you initially look for an auto transport company to help you with overseas shipping, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The first is that experience is even more important when you’re shipping between two countries. Not only that, but experience in the specific region or country you’re shipping to will benefit you greatly when dealing with the various aspects of overseas transport. If the website for a shipper you’re considering doesn’t mention international transport as one of their services, there’s a good chance it’s not something they do on a regular basis. If you have any doubts about a particular shipper, it can be helpful to call them and discuss your options with them to see how well versed they are in shipping to the destination your car is headed to.