Car Shipping Process

International Car Shipping Is Our Specialty

We internationally ship an average of 2000+ cars every month from all over the United States to all over the world. In addition, we ship hundreds of motorcycles, boats, RV’s, and general cargo.

Our own domestic trucking department allows us to provide you with an effortless auto transport experience from pick-up to delivery! Shipping your car internationally from your location is easy- all we need is the address and contact information of where the vehicle needs to be picked up from, and our team gets right on the job. Once the vehicle arrives at one of our port terminals, we prepare for international car shipping. With a network of offices and international car shipping agents throughout the USA, Europe, and Asia, we are ready to assist you every step of the way.

International Car Shipping Rates & Turnaround Times to/from the USA

THE LEADER IN CONTAINERIZED INTERNATIONAL CAR SHIPPING

How Are Cars Shipped Overseas?

Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo): Roro is typically the cheapest way to ship a vehicle overseas, but least secure. In the roro shipping process, the car is physically driven onto the ship and physically driven off the ship. With this method, make sure you do not place additional items in your vehicles as other parties have access to your vehicle. Also, make sure your car can run and drive or you will incur additional costs for the handling of vehicles that cannot be driven.

Shared Container: Although shared container car shipping may take more time due to waiting for the container to be filled, it allows you to share the costs of international vehicle transport. The trucker does a condition report when the vehicle is picked up, and CFR does one when the car is received to be shipped internationally. The loading process is also photographed and recorded, the container is then shut and sealed and not opened until delivered, with the exception of a customs inspection. The car does not have to run and drive, you can also store additional items inside the vehicle so long as you create a packing list.

FCL Container (Private): This service allows you to have a private container to fill at your own time, allowing for faster transit, versus needing to wait for others like in a shared container. The container may be filled with autos and other cargo so long as you create a packing list. This option is also the most expensive as all costs will pertain to you.

Don’t see the country you’re looking for? We work with shipping agents all over the world and can assist you with all your international vehicle shipping needs. Request a quote above, or give us a call at 1-310-223-0474.

Overseas Car Shipping FAQ

How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car Internationally?

The cost to ship a car varies depending on the origin and destination. Terminal to terminal international car shipping prices can start at $749 and go up depending on destination, type of car, and other factors. You can request a car shipping quote using our quote form to quickly figure out your exact car shipping costs and compare them to other auto transport companies.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car Overseas to Europe from the USA?

Many factors may play a role in the cost to ship a car to Europe. Season, port of departure, destination port, shipping insurance, and which car shipping service you choose amongst other factors will determine your exact shipping cost. You can ship a car overseas to Europe for as low as $749 USD depending on the aforementioned factors.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Ship a Car Overseas?

Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) is, in general, the cheapest way to ship a car overseas. However, your international car shipping cost is determined by many factors, as mentioned above.

Each method of shipping cars overseas – RoRo, shared container service, and full container load – has its own benefits. RoRo tends to be one of the more affordable options for international auto transport as you only must pay port charges and customs clearance charges in addition to the shipping charge (compared with shared container shipping or full container service, where you pay a terminal handling, trucking, and unloading charge at the destination port). Your auto will be loaded into the holding area of a large vessel, one which resembles a big parking garage.

There are some drawbacks to RoRo international vehicle transport compared with other shipping options. International car shipping transit time tends to be faster with container car shipping than with the RoRo ship as the containers depart on a weekly basis. With RoRo, the international car transport ship must wait until it is full before departure, whereas overseas vehicle shipping with containers can depart just like other shipping containers. In addition, your car will be held aboard an ocean transport in an open bay with other vehicles unlike with container shipping, where it is sealed in a shipping container before being shipped internationally.

Another method to save money on international car shipping services is to consider that the shipping port in the final destination country of your international car shipment may not be the cheapest option available for import. Take, for example, a comparison of car shipping duties in Europe. Choosing Germany over Holland for your destination port may save you 2% on import taxes on the car – auto transport from the destination port or picking the vehicle up in Germany and driving it to its final destination in Holland could save you enough money on overseas car shipping to make it worth it.

How Do I Ship a Car Internationally?

That depends on where you’re shipping from and where you’re shipping to. When shipping cars overseas, each country will have its own rules regarding emissions and safety, as well as its own import duties and customs clearance process. In general, you’ll need proof of ownership of the vehicle at a minimum, but you may need other documents for international transport such as proof of citizenship or a passport and vehicle homologation forms.

If you’re importing a car to the US, for example, your vehicle must be manufactured in the USA or be older than 25 years, unless it is being imported temporarily, and it must comply with US safety, bumper, and emissions standards. Your car shipping company can help you to meet these requirements to make international car shipping work for you. When the vehicle is processed at the port of entry in the USA, you must be able to provide documentation that includes:

• Bill of Lading
• Bill of Sale
• Foreign Registration
• Any other documents covering the vehicle
• Completed EPA and DOT forms

We recommend that you review our international vehicle shipping guides to ensure that you are able to comply with the requirements in the destination country for your international car shipment.

Do You Need a Title for Shipping Cars Overseas?

You will need to provide a copy of the original title and bill of sale in order to ship a car overseas, so make sure that you have the ability to obtain them. Our international vehicle shipping agents are available to assist you with acquiring the necessary documents in order to prepare your car for international transport.

For a per-country breakdown of car export requirements, auto transport options, shipping quotes, destination ports, and more, you can check out our international car shipping guides above.

Is It Worth Shipping a Car Overseas?

The answer to this question depends on your individual international auto transport situation. Sometimes selling your car and buying a new vehicle overseas is more economically viable than an international car shipping service. In other cases, a short stay in another country may not necessitate you shipping your car overseas at all. Consider the following when deciding whether to purchase international auto transport:

• How long will I be in the destination country?
• Is my car eligible for import to the overseas destination?
• Does my vehicle have sentimental or personal value, such as a classic car?
• Are cars generally more expensive or cheaper in the destination country?
• Would my car be more expensive to purchase in the destination country?
• Would the cost of international car shipping be more than the potential loss between selling my vehicle and purchasing a new one?
• Am I shipping the vehicle from another country? If so, is this the easiest, cheapest, or only way to get the car I want?

All of these questions could impact your decision on international car shipping. For many, the idea of leaving behind a dream car makes the cost of auto transport worth it no matter what. For others, international car shipment is purely an economic decision.

How Do I Choose an International Car Shipping Company?

The most important consideration when choosing an international vehicle shipping service is to watch out for auto transport scammers. There are a few ways to differentiate an international car shipping scam from actual shipping companies. Watch for telltale signs of illegitimacy, such as fake auto transport websites riddled with spelling errors or copied content from another site. Research the international car transport company you’re working with to find out how long they’ve been around and what their reviews look like. Unusually low prices are another giveaway. Compare ocean freight pricing among international car transport companies to get a feel for the typical cost of a professional service.

You can also perform a verification of the auto transport company yourself by asking for some basic information. See if you can get them on the phone. Whether by phone or email, ask for the MC Number, assuming you did not locate it on their site.

You can go to the FMCSA to check that they have full licensing and bonding information for the domestic or international auto carrier. You can also learn more about safety issues and complaints related to the international shipping company. You can look up international shipping companies by name, MC Number, or USDOT number through the agency’s SAFER portal. If you are unsure about a certain international car shipper, you can also contact the FMCSA for assistance.

Last but not least, ask questions of your international carriers to understand your international car shipping quotes thoroughly. Do they offer more than one international shipping method? See if the overseas car shipping company offers insurance coverage on auto transport services, how they calculate rates and fees, and whether your car type affects the quote.

Shipping your vehicle coast-to-coast isn’t what it’s always been.

The same car transporter that’s been shipping high-end classic cars internationally for the last 25 years has taken that tried and true ingenuity and streamlined the flow of transporting vehicles domestically and started CFR Domestic. Trust your vehicle to be transported the same way car manufacturers depend on to move their new cars across the country. In 2013, CFR was selected as the primary auto shipping provider by a major electric vehicle manufacturer and has been ever since.

With impressive ratings compared with other car shipping companies thanks to our quality service, our exclusive network of drivers across the country is dedicated to transporting your car as if it were their own.