Your Honest Guide to Car Shipping

Domestic Car Shipping

The auto shipping industry splits its services into domestic and international shipping. Your Honest Guide covers both. We start with domestic shipping, which is the business of moving cars around the United States. To jump to international shipping, click here.

1: Advantages you’re not thinking about

First, having someone else coordinate the logistics, and the convenience of not having to drive (or tow) your vehicle across the county has definite appeal. When you let the experts handle the hassle, you can focus on the rest of your move.

Second, driving a car across the country adds thousands of miles to the odometer that could potentially remove hundreds or even thousands from its resale value. This is especially true for luxury vehicles. The investment in shipping your car could pay for itself if you plan to sell your car or trade up.

Third, eliminating a cross country journey reduces natural wear and tear. Hitching a ride on the back of a transporter saves using the brakes, tires, engine, and electrics on a big trip you don’t need to make. What’s more, depending on the type of car transporter you go with, you can protect your asset from whatever nature has to throw at it. That means no cracked windshields, chipped paint, or unforeseen breakdowns from a long haul exposed to the elements. 

4: Calculating the cost of domestic auto shipping

Distance, of course, is the main factor. Longer distances result in a higher overall price but a lower cost per mile. Vehicle make and model are similarly critical variables. Not because a newer car commands a higher price, but because the approximate weight and length of a vehicle informs the space and positioning it will need on a transporter. It’s more efficient to haul a dozen small sedans than eight bulky SUVs. Likewise, the type of transporter you choose (open or enclosed) informs the final bill as well.

Now, the factors you might not be tracking. 

You’ll get a better price if your car runs, rolls, brakes, and steers. Some companies won’t quote you unless your vehicle is in operable condition. Inoperable vehicles require special equipment to load onto a truck, and that naturally comes with a slightly higher price tag.

Pickup and drop off location also matters. It’s cheaper to ship to and from major cities because these metropolitan areas have plenty of transporters. Think of it like buying an airline ticket. Flying between major airports is usually cheaper than tiny regional ones. It’s simply more expensive to fly fewer people on a less frequent route. The same is true with auto shipping.

If you’re shipping to a remote location, consider meeting your trucker at a designated location for a cheaper quote and faster transport time.

Time of year is the last unexpected factor. Requests for auto transportation services to states like Arizona and Florida heat up in the winter because of the number of retirees and snowbirds traveling to warmer climates. Increased demand drives up the price during peak seasons. 

7: Prepping your car for domestic shipping

Okay. It’s go time. You have your quote, picked your shipper, and today is the day you’re scheduled to load on the transporter. But before handing over your vehicle, make sure you keep a spare set of keys. The shipper will need one, but that should never be your only set. 

Next, make sure your vehicle has a quarter tank of gas. That way your shipper can drive it on and off the truck and move it as needed at its destination.

Third, no automotive shipping company should permit the transportation of personal goods inside a car. Make sure to remove any and all personal items before it ships. When shipping any vehicle domestically, you cannot insure anything inside the vehicle that isn’t attached to it. Shipping companies can even be fined up to $10,000 by the Department of Transportation if caught hauling personal belongings inside a car.

Lastly, inspect your vehicle thoroughly and make a written log of any minor nicks, scratches, and damage. You’ll have the opportunity to reinspect your vehicle upon delivery, too. Your car should arrive in the condition it left.

International car shipping

It’s time to set sail for new shores. The rest of Your Honest Guide shares the stuff you need to know before shipping your car across an ocean or to another country. To reserse back to domestic inland shipping, click here.

8: Securing an international shipping quote

Like inland freight, international car shipping quotes are based on several variables. Your vehicle’s make and model, its current location, the ports you’re shipping between, the country you’re importing too, and the way you ship the car are all critical factors. These inputs determine the additional taxes, charges, and tariffs that can be added to your service fees. 

Taking the time to secure several quotes, asking for advice from a knowledgeable freight forwarder, and ultimately working with an auto shipper you trust will ensure you get the service and price available.

10: Can you ship a car to another country if you don’t live near the coast?

Yes. If you live in Kansas you can still ship a car to Kenya if you want. All you need to do is coordinate domestic shipping from your home to the port. The best advice in this situation is to choose an auto shipping company that can safely collect your car from anywhere in the United States, ship it to any country, and coordinate delivery to its final destination.

11: Choosing the right freight forwarder

A freight forwarder is the technical term for a company that is legally certified to import and export goods, like your vehicle and other commodities, overseas. With the amount and variety of regulations, port charges, and trade tariffs that apply to importing and exporting cars, you should always choose a freight forwarder with specific expertise in vehicle transportation.

What’s more, your freight forwarder should carry maritime insurance and hold a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) accreditation. These are needed to actually place your consignment on a ship and serve as the logistics experts for your cargo.

Any reputable company will be able to show you their licenses which are registered with the Federal Maritime Commission. You can find the entire list of NVOCC companies, including Dalo Shipping, here. 

Lastly, the top freight forwarders negotiate space protection agreements with ports, warehouses, and shipping companies. These arrangements mean they will always have room for your vehicle on major shipping routes. If you want to skip the line and ship your vehicle fast, ask your shipper if they have an agreement like this in place. It could save you weeks in delays.

14: Does your car need a passport?

Not exactly. But there is a lot of paperwork involved in shipping a car overseas. While an experienced freight forwarder will be able to take care of the details, it’s smart to know the basics so you can double-check everything is in order. Generally speaking, this paperwork falls into the following three categories.

Shipping stuff

Forms for the imported and exported cargo.

• Shipper’s export declaration: For items valued at more than $2,500 or require a license to own and operate, the U.S. Census Bureau requires this notification before they can be shipped.
• Declaration of dangerous goods: If you’re shipping a car to Europe, this document notes the potentially dangerous items in the vehicle, like the battery and gas.
• Container list: When shipping a container, you’ll be asked to write down everything inside it, including your car and any personal items.
• Consignee form: Finally, your shipper will ask you to fill out a form that includes your name and contact information, the vehicle and its value, and details about the person collecting the car at its destination.

15: Keeping taxes and tariffs in your rearview

When you export a car from the United States you’re also importing it into another one. That means international car shipping includes paying taxes, port charges, import duties, and customs fees, as well as adhering to the laws and regulations of each country and port. Ghana, for example, determines import duty by engine size and seating capacity. In Kuwait, cars more than five years old cannot be imported into the county.

Every country has its own import rules. And these rules can change from year to year. What you read online may be out of date by the time you’re trying to import your car. Any shipper worth their salt should be happy to share their insights and breakdown these regulations for you. The best way to avoid unexpected fees is to know all the costs before you ship your car.