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International Car Shipping

If you're shipping a car or other vehicle overseas you have a few options to consider.

International Moving Company – If you're shipping your furniture along with your car, using an international moving company to ship your vehicles allows you to take car of both your furniture and your vehicles with one company.
Even if you're not shipping household goods overseas with the car, you can still use this method but compare costs with cargo, freight and other types of international shipping companies that handle shipping individual items overseas. In either event, USAAutoTransportGuide can get you free quotes from international moving companies.

International Car Shipping Service – Some auto transport companies have extensive experience in shipping vehicles overseas using their port terminals in major cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, Honolulu, Miami and San Francisco.

Shipping Cars to the USA

Almost all cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, etc. imported into the United States must be certified to meet American safety and emissions standards. Unless exempted, they must meet EPA fuel-emission requirements and the safety, bumper, and theft-prevention standards of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Additionally, the US Customs and Border Patrol regulates importing vehicles into the USA and you may be subject to customs duties.

Foreign-made vehicles imported into the U.S., whether new or used, either for personal use or for sale, are generally subject to Customs duties at a rate of 2.5% for autos, 25% for trucks and 2.4% for motorcycles (although some motorcycles may be imported duty free). Some exemptions are available for "returning" US residents, military and civilian US government employees and for cars that are being imported only for temporary purposes.

US residents importing a new or used car should consult their state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) about vehicle registration requirements.

Shipping a Vehicle out of the USA

If you need to ship a vehicle from the USA to a foreign country, your options are essentially the same as they are for importing a vehicle.

Before shipping your car internationally it's best to check for any special restrictions or requirements of the foreign country. The best place to start might be the destination's embassy or consulate. Additionally, international moving companies, international car shipping companies and export brokers may already have or should be able to get most, if not all, of this information for you.

To export a motor vehicle from the United States, the exporter must provide documents that demonstrate proof of ownership. Typically this is handled by producing a title. Both the original and multiple copies are needed.
If the vehicle is a new car that has never been titled, it can be exported by submitting a document known as a manufacturer’s statement of origin, which may be secured from your car dealer.
The car will be subject to Customs inspection at the time of export. If transport is by ship or plane, both the vehicle and ownership documents must be presented to Customs at least 72 hours before the vehicle is loaded on the transport vessel.

Should you need additional information about exporting your vehicle, contact the Customs port from which you plan to export it. You can find their address and phone number by accessing the Customs Web Site at www.customs.gov.