Guide To Delivering Your Car Internationally And Not Getting Scammed
Posted by Admin at 20 February 2021, at 14 : 22 PM
Are you shipping a car internationally and are worried if your car transporter is a legit vehicle moving company, or just a car moving broker trying to make a quick buck? Don’t ship your vehicle overseas without reading this short guide!
There are so many things that can go wrong when shipping 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 line sale. Companies holding vehicles hostage, outrageous storage charges and plain negligence are just some of the bad experiences that can occur with international car shipping.
You do not want this happening 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 moving a car internationally:
1. Verify if the autotransport 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 shipping 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 shipping. Some companies will offer a “package deal” that combines car transport and international car shipping. 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. You will want to have the quote offered by the car transporter in writing as this will have a lot more traction than a verbal agreement. Read the fine print – many car shippers will hide extra charges behind it. A quote should include both the origin and destination whether that’s a residential address, port or unloading warehouse. Also, typical car transporting 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 moving 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 transporting 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. Make sure to dial the auto transporter’s telephone number found on the company’s website and talk to your customer service rep in person. If your calls are left unanswered, or you cannot get straight answers on moving and arrival dates, transit times, specific requirements for transporting a vehicle overseas, you should probably look for another car shipping company.
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).