Transporting a car overseas or over different continents is a process that calls for a lot of planning and organizing. If it is a car that you want to take with you to a new place, a vehicle that you are going to sell abroad, or just a transfer of a car to another location, the first thing that you need to do is to prepare your car for intercontinental shipping so that it can reach its destination in a perfect condition. There are steps that you can take so that your vehicle can even leave the street and still be ready for the long journey.
In this tutorial, we will consider the main steps of car international shipping preparation which involve washing, documentation, and ensuring the good state of the car for the trip. The above-mentioned tips, if adhered to, will result in a smooth process without unnecessary delays and additional costs.
Step 1: Understand Your Shipping Options
It is crucial to understand the shipping options available for your vehicle before starting the prep work. ShippingCars.org provides various methods of transport for international car shipping such as:
- RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off): Your car is driven onto a ship and is “tied” for transport. This is generally the cheapest alternative for vehicles that are in good condition.
- Container Shipping: Your car is taken inside a shipping container, thus giving it more protection against the shipping. This is the choice mostly taken by the value or the vintage of the car.
The selection of the shipping method best suited for your vehicle will have a big impact on the way you prepare it. For instance, with container shipping, more precautions might be required to ensure that the car is secure while with RoRo it might be easier.
Step 2: Clean the Car Inside and Out
The first thing you might want to do when car prepping for intercontinental shipment should probably be a ‘deep’ wash of your vehicle. This procedure is instrumental in serving various functions:
- For the purposes of an inspection: The shipping companies and customs officials have to look at your vehicle prior to its departure. A clean car allows the inspection to be done more precisely, especially when it is checked for the presence of any kinds of damages.
- Avoiding the contamination: There are some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, which impose a strict requirement that the vehicles should be free of dirt, soil, and plant material in order to stop the spread of pests and diseases.
When cleaning, these points should be your focus:
Exterior: In order to get rid of any small stones, and dust you may have picked up from driving on country roads or in the rain, wash off the car’s body, tires, and undercarriage. Don’t concentrate only on the wheels, but also thoroughly clean the wheel wells and the underside of the vehicle.
Interior: A vacuum cleaner should be used for the car’s interior, and all personal items should be removed. It is good for the car and for you that the seats, floors, and the upholstery get cleaned to turn the vehicle into a very presentable one.
Step 3: Remove Personal Belongings
Generally, most international shipping companies like ShippingCars.org will not allow you to carry your personal items in the vehicle to be shipped. The main reasons for this are the safety of the item and the customs regulations. Thus before shipping:
- Remove all the personal items: Get rid of the trunk, glove box, and any other compartments in the car.
- Secure parts that are loose: Remove things that can become loose or cause damage during shipping such as antennas, spoilers, or loose mirrors.
In case you are unintentionally leaving personal items in the car, they might be confiscated by customs officers or the vehicle might suffer extra charges or waiting time.
Step 4: Verify the Car’s Condition
It is absolutely necessary to make sure your car is in good mechanical condition before a shipment is made. A transoceanic cargo can take a few weeks, and your car should be fit enough to go through such a long trip. These are the ‘must-do’ checks:
- Check tire pressure: Tires that are either over or under-inflated can be a source of trouble during the shipping process. Get them filled with the right amount of air—neither too much nor too little.
- Fluid levels: Basically, your car should be fully loaded in terms of gas—yet only up to a quarter tank to prevent spillage, during the shipping. Oil, coolant, brake fluid; make sure to top them up.
- Battery charge: If the battery is not fully charged or in good condition, especially, if the car is going to be driven on a ship (in the case of RoRo shipping), then the situation is not good.
- Functionality: Check the lights, indicators, and brakes to make sure everything is going fine.
However, if your car is in a bad state, it is likely to be turned down for shipping or, you may be asked to pay extra fees. Moreover, there are some ways of shipping that call for the vehicle to be in working condition (e.g. RoRo).
Step 5: Documentation and Paperwork
The subsequent crucial step towards a successful intercontinental shipping is ensuring that all the respective documents are well arranged. This is paramount for customs clearance at the locality and the foreign countries.
Here is what you will require to collect:
Proof of ownership. A title or registration document is a must if you are the owner of the vehicle.
- Shipping documents: These documents will be given to you by the shipping company and will include the shipping method, route, and other details of your shipment.
- Customs documents: Every country has its requirements for imports, and the right customs clearance paperwork must be provided to expedite the process.
- Insurance: Although ShippingCars.org provides vehicle insurance, you should check with your insurer to see if additional coverage will be required during the transport.
If you have any doubts about the necessary paperwork, ShippingCars.org is at your service to assist you with the requirements for the origin and the destination countries, ensuring that everything is ready for a trouble-free customs clearance.
Step 6: Car Transport Safe
After your vehicle is clean, empty of your personal items, and in good mechanical condition, then it is the right time to prepare your car for transport. This would be different depending on the way of shipping:
- RoRo shipping: Since the car will be driven onto the ship, it must be in good working condition and have enough fuel for the loading process. Also, the car should be closed, and any alarms should be turned off.
- Container shipping: The car will be closed in a container, so it is necessary that it is properly tied up so that it does not move along the way. Most of the time this is a job for the shipping company, but you should always be sure.
ShippingCars.org is the place where you can book the service of professional loading and unloading. They will load your vehicle in a secure and safe way for the trip.
Step 7: Think About Shipping Insurance
Particularly for extra tranquility, why not consider the buying of shipping insurance for your car. Though basic insurance is available through Shippingcars.org, you might be interested in taking some more comprehensive coverage to account for both damage and loss of your vehicle while on the move.
In the case of valuable or exceptional cars, shipping insurance is an indispensable safety net that can help in the unfortunate case of any kind of damage.
Step 8: Final Preparations Before Departure
After going through all the steps, the final preparations time is:
Document your vehicle’s condition prior to pick-up. The pictures will be your vehicle’s condition evidence if there is any damage during transport.
Share the shipping company information: Good detailed contact information for both the shipping company and your destination is the key to receiving your goods on time.
How ShippingCars.org Can Help
At ShippingCars.org, we are the specialists in the international car shipping procedure, which is normally quite complicated and stressful, but we are able to make it as simple as possible. We can get you to your destination in the following ways:
- Customizable shipping options: Regardless of whether you are sending off a vintage car or just a regular vehicle, we have the different shipping ways that you can pick from which best fit you.
- Expert advice: We provide you support step by step from paperwork to loading with the guarantee that your car is ready for export.
- Insurance options: If you choose our shipping insurance, you can relax and be absolutely sure that your vehicle is safe during its entirety of the journey.
Conclusion
Preparing your vehicle to be transported overseas is a must if you want your car to get to the other side of the world in perfect condition. Cleaning, checking the fluids, protecting the vehicle, and making sure all the documents are in order, these practical measures will guarantee a trouble-free shipping. At ShippingCars.org, we are with you every step of the way, providing you with the security and the punctuality of your transport.
