It is perfectly reasonable to be worried about transporting a car internationally and express concerns over the legitimacy of prospective companies? Don’t ship your vehicle overseas without reading this short guide!

There are a lot of variable that can go wrong when it comes to transporting 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. Don’t be a victim of car transporting scams! Hopefully, the few tips below will help you to find a small reliable car moving company with a high safety record that is ready to do business with you.

10 Things to do before shipping a car internationally:

1. Make sure the autotransport company responsible for shipping your car is registered with Domestic Auto Transport (DOT).

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 transporting 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. As a general rule stay away from local car transport companies hoping to make extra money by carrying out a large international shipping job. Many truckers will offer their customers a “package deal” that includes car transport and overseas car transporting as well. Frequently they would offer “savings” and “discount” through their preferred car shippers. You should avoid using such companies by all means – international car shipping is complex, and often customers, after paying the trucker for “the whole package”, end up paying extra fees to the actual car transporting company.

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. Make sure the quote includes the following: origin (shipper’s door or port), destination (consignee’s door, 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 shipping insurance, shrink-wrapping (boats), crating (motorcycles), loading, fumigation, container drayage, all necessary paperwork, customs clearance, export declaration, bill of lading, etc.

6. If possible, get a shipping Contract drafted between you and the moving company – it should include all of the above in a more formal way, on shipper’s letterhead, signed and dated by authorized person.

7. If they include this in their service ask to have the help of an agent or customs broker who can help at customs clearance and unloading at the 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. It doesn\’t take too much trouble to search on the internet for customer reviews on any one particular 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 your calls are left unanswered, or you cannot get straight answers on moving and arrival dates, transit times, specific requirements for shipping 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).

Antonino Bruno is a freelance writer creating quality content for websites. His work includes articles about how to shop for and transport motor vehicles and advice ranging between so if you\’re shipping your vehicle internationally, car delivery to Portugal or bike delivery this article will give sound advice.

Antonino Bruno is a freelance writer creating quality content for websites. His work includes articles about how to shop for and transport motor vehicles and advice ranging between so if you\’re shipping your vehicle internationally, http://www.shiply.com/vehicle-delivery/car-transport-to-portugal.php or http://www.shiply.com/bike-transport/ this article will give sound advice.

Author Bio: Antonino Bruno is a freelance writer creating quality content for websites. His work includes articles about how to shop for and transport motor vehicles and advice ranging between so if you\’re shipping your vehicle internationally, car delivery to Portugal or bike delivery this article will give sound advice.

Category: Automotive
Keywords: New car,shipping vehicles,car shipping,car couriers,moving abroad,delivering a car,car moving