Are you transporting a car internationally and are worried if your car transporter is a legit vehicle moving company, or just a car transporting broker trying to make a quick buck? Take a look at this short guide before you go about shipping your vehicle overseas!

There are too many things that can go wrong when moving a car internationally. The vehicle can get stranded at the port due to incorrectly filed paperwork, seized by customs on either end, damaged or even taken into possession by a car transporting company via lien sale. There are many horror stories about shipping companies holding a customer’s vehicle hostage until outrageous storage charges are paid, container sitting at the port due to forwarder’s negligence or unpaid moving charges etc.

Don’t let any of it happen to you. Do not become another example of a car shipping scam that has unfortunately stung a lot of the innocent public in the past! The ten tips outlined below will go a long way to ensuring you are not conned out of your hard earned money.

10 Things to do before shipping a car internationally:

1. Verify if the vehicle delivery company you are going to use is registered with DOT (for domestic auto transport).

2. Confirm the car transporter has current cargo insurance, with minimum liability exceeding the value of your car.

3. A great way to make sure the company is legitimate is by checking the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) if your car shipper is registered with FMC as a freight forwarder or non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC). Also verify if this particular car transporting company has a current bond and shipping license. If you cannot find the company there then you should avoid them at all costs as they cannot legally provide the shipping service you require.

4. Avoid using domestic car trucking companies for international car transporting. Many truckers will offer their customers a “package deal” that includes car transport and overseas car moving as well. Frequently they would offer “savings” and “discount” through their preferred car shippers. These sorts of companies can often be accompanied by extra fees after all is said and done.

5. Before committing to moving your car internationally with the car transporter of your choice, make sure to get the moving quote in writing. Always make sure you look over the small print – hidden charges are not entirely uncommon. A quote should include both the origin and destination whether that’s a residential address, port or unloading warehouse. Also, typical car moving quote must clearly outline services tendered – door pick up, delivery to a certain place (point of export, be it transporter’s warehouse, port or dock), marine shipping insurance, shrink-wrapping (boats), crating (motorcycles), loading, fumigation, container drayage, all necessary paperwork, customs clearance, export declaration, bill of lading, etc.

6. It is always best practice to get a shipping contract drawn up between yourself and the company you are using and it should use the companies letterhead, signed and dated by an authorised employee of the company.

7. Ask if there will be someone (an agent, or customs broker) who could assist with customs clearance and unloading at the country of destination. Customs duties, taxes and toll charges can all bump up the price when the vehicle arrives at the chosen destination – so do your homework and do not feel bad about asking the company any questions you might have.

8. Do an internet search for reviews on a particular shipping company. There are specific websites that may be worth checking. If you are looking for foreign car transporters remeber you might need to search using the appropriate language whether its transporte de coches for Spain or trasporto auto con bisarca for Italy

9. Test the contact details provided by the company website by phoning the telephone number listed and talk to their customer service in person. If at any stage you are not getting the appropriate response, whether because of unanswered questions or delayed answers, you should probably do best to walk away and try somewhere else.

10. Always use your common sense (ie, beware of making payments in advance via Western Union or cash, sending important paperwork (titles, payment) via regular mail, etc).

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