There are many different types of international car shipping services to choose from. The one you choose will depend on your delivery time frame and your budget. The distance of shipping will also impact costs of international vehicle shipping.

There are so many variables associated with pricing and costs of international auto transport that it is virtually impossible to get rough estimates without completing detailed price quote information. This article will provide education around how pricing is structured with regard to the three methods below for arranging international automotive shipping:

1. Transporting your car via a shipping container;

2. Hiring an international auto shipping agent;

3. Shipping your car via a roll-on roll-off service vessel.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Arrange for international auto transport via shipping container

With container shipping, your car is sealed inside a 20- or 40-TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) metal container that is only opened once it has reached its destination. Depending on your car's ultimate destination you should expect waits -- some as long as six months. The price of the shipment will depend on the distance traveled, the size of the container used and how full the container is. An online quote request form must be filled out to obtain an approximate cost estimate.

I recommend: Japan Partner, a Japanese car exporter, ships cars to various international ports. As their website's chart details, costs can range from as little as $710 to more than $7,000 and vary according to container size, ports involved, and the size of the car being shipped. Air Parcel Express' online freight calculator will price 20- and 40-TEU containers instantly for international auto transportation.

Hire an international auto shipping agent to arrange the shipment on your behalf

Similar to employment headhunters, international car transport agents are often paid by the company hired to transport the car. These agents require non-refundable deposits to arrange for international car transport. As with other international auto shippers, an online request form must be filled out to get an idea of cost.

I recommend: Official Auto Transport's terms and conditions page details the mandatory deposit requirements. So-called "hidden" fees can be as much as $300 if certain conditions aren't met. With All Star Auto Shippers your price quote includes door-to-door service, insurance and fuel surcharge. They advertise no additional hidden fees with international vehicle transport.

Ship your car via a roll-on roll-off service vessel

With roll-on roll-off (RoRo) vessels, vehicles are stored below deck to minimize exposure to the elements. RoRo offloading fees are generally about half that of containers. While RoRo shipping service is cheaper and more cost effective if you have only one car to transport, it is not as widely available as container shipping. In most cases, the price range will depend on your car size, but similar to container pricing, you will need to complete an online price request to get an estimate.

I recommend: All America Auto Transport states on their website that roll-on roll-off price quotes are based on cubic feet measurements. Sefco Export Management's RoRo Rate Grid Index allows you to click on the country or continent for which you want approximate RoRo rate ranges, which can be as little as $1,000 to as much as $3,000, depending on port of embarkation and destination.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most methods of international auto shipping do not guarantee air-tight transportation, making them subject to whatever the weather may bring -- including moss growth on your upholstery. It is suggested that you cover your car seats and rugs with a cloth or a sheet to protect them.

International auto transport can be nerve racking if you don’t have a grasp on import and export laws. Thus, you should leave your international vehicle shipping to the experts.

Ask logistical questions of your international vehicle shipping provider. Determine if they offer brokerage services, or if you will need to inquire about those on your own. You'll also need to make sure that you have proof of ownership to ship the vehicles, either a copy of the original certificate of title or if it is a new car the manufacturer's statement of origin will do.

To make sure that you cover all of your international auto shipping needs:

1. Determine if you have less than a container full or if you have a full container load to ship for your international car shipping.

2. Determine if your international auto transport carrier offers pickup and delivery services to and from the warehouses. If not, you’ll need to budget those services in separately.

3. Ask about insurance on your transported material. Does your international car transport carrier provide those services, or do you need outside coverage on your load?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start online for your international auto shipping agent search

You can find a variety of international vehicle shipping companies on the web.

I recommend: Allstates Worldwide offers national and international auto transport services. National Transport, LLC offers you door-to-door services, online car tracking, as well as guaranteed pickup and delivery dates. You can easily look up a quote for Rinkens as well.

Find quick online quotes for international car transportation

Search sites like ExtraTowing.com and shipmyvehicle.com offer you a one-stop locator engine to find international car transport companies.

I recommend: ExtraTowing.com gives you thorough transporting tips to help you with your move. Shipmyvehicle.com has special services for continental U.S., Hawaii/Alaska, Puerto Rico, Canada/Mexico, and international.

Think about international car transport direct

Auto Transporters Direct helps you cut out the middleman.

I recommend: Auto Transporters Direct work with certified auto transporters, and they work to help you save time and a finder’s fee. They are also a Better Business Bureau member.

Consider enclosed international auto shipping for greater vehicle protection

Global offers you their enclosed international car shipping services.

I recommend: Global also comes to you with a Worldwide Auto Transport Excellent Rating as well as offer you door-to-door, door-to-port, or port-to-port service globally.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are not going through a broker for your international automotive transport, contact the embassy of the respective country to determine if you pay import duties and sales taxes.
• •  Consider roll-on roll-off services as opposed to a container. This service is where the cars are stored below deck, but not enclosed. This method is a cheaper option because of the lack of cost on the container itself as well as roll-on roll-off fees are usually about half of container offloading fees.
• •  Since shipping containers are not airtight, cover your seats with a sheet or cloth to avoid mold growing on your seats or other upholstery from the humid air conditions.

There are many laws and regulations associated with international vehicle shipping, also known as international auto shipping or international auto transport. Each country's customs department dictates specific rules around how a car can leave and enter a specific country.

When it comes to international car transport via roads or international car shipping via the open seas, your vehicle will be subject to specific rules and regulations concerning everything from the condition of the car when it leaves the country to the condition of the car when it arrives at a country. Additionally, there is specific paperwork required by international auto shippers to transport your car abroad. It is important that any international car transport companies you work with be familiar with the following where international auto transport laws and regulations are concerned:

1. International vehicle shipping paperwork required by U.S. Customs;

2. Any vehicle condition regulations required for international auto shipping;

3. Destination country specifics in order for an internationally shipped car to be accepted by the foreign country.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Ensure all international vehicle shipping paperwork is in order

U.S. Customs is very strict when it comes to the paperwork that accompanies any vehicle coming or going from the country. Make sure that any international auto transport services you hire has all the paperwork in order prior to loading your car onto a truck into a container for shipment abroad.

I recommend: Scroll down to "Avoiding Common Mistakes" on the Amid Logistics page to get general Customs requirements for shipping vehicles overseas. All American Auto Transport's article about overseas auto shipping service discusses the required paperwork involved in RORO (Roll On, Roll Off) service, a viable option for shipping your car abroad.

Be aware of all vehicle condition regulations required for international auto shipping

There are very strict regulations regarding the condition of a car prior to its being secured into a container or onto a transport track. Any company specializing in international vehicle transport must be familiar with all these details, which include everything from how much gasoline is in the tank to what is in the trunk.

I recommend: The first paragraph of ABC Article's Directory article about shipping cars internationally discusses the required condition of any vehicle prior to being placed on a container for shipping. Scroll down to "prepare your vehicle" on the Tropical Shipping and Construction website to find out the steps required by the U.S. government for a car to be secured for shipment abroad.

Ask about country specific regulations when questioning international car shipping firms

Regulations about the condition of a car and any additional required paperwork are dependant on the country to which the vehicle is being shipped. Be sure to ask about any country specific laws or regulations and make sure the firm you pick is familiar with them.

I recommend: Over's International details in its second to last paragraph the requirements that a car being shipped to Australia must meet before being allowed into the country. The Horizon Services Group website contains information about regulations when moving vehicles between Canada and the U.S. and Mexico and the U.S.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For as many international auto transport laws and regulations that exist there are probably nearly as many laws and regulations just within each U.S. state. If you are shipping a car from abroad to the U.S., it is important to be familiar with the regulations of the state where your vehicle will reside. Each state has specific weight, size and emissions requirements for vehicles to be allowed to be driven on its roads. This information can be obtained from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.

When a business needs to diversify its strategy for selling an auto inventory, or when it's just the natural order of business, international auto transport is a solution for getting all of the cars and trucks to market in any international destination. International auto transport has its own necessary provisions, and business leaders can brainstorm about their needs with some basic key terms for options in implementing international auto transport for a short or long-term shipping methodology.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Broker

Because of the complexity of price in taking cars from one country to another, a lot of firms dealing in international auto transport go through a brokering party that can arrange for more transparent and agreed upon fees and logistics for getting autos to their destination.

I recommend: See more on the common use of brokers in international auto transport at All American Auto Transport online.

Roll-on/Roll-off and container shipping

Businesses shipping vehicles overseas have two common options: roll-on/roll-off and container shipping. Both will generally offer overhead protection for vehicles (rather than leaving them exposed to the elements) but businesses will want to evaluate both for an auto shipping plan.

I recommend: See more on roll-on/roll-off and container auto shipping at Accord Overseas.

Auto transport insurance

Auto transport insurance is a special policy that covers shipping of a vehicle, or several vehicles. These types of policies may cover the general wear associated with shipping, including accidental tire or axle damage.

I recommend: See more on international auto transport insurance at 123Movers.

Door to door service

Door to door service is when an auto transport company can provide full transport, so that no middle party needs to move the vehicles additional distances, which can be tricky according to the situations involved.

I recommend: Learn more about door to door service options for auto transport Car Shippers online.

Online car tracking

A feature that international auto transport firms can provide is online car tracking so that the company can see where vehicles are at the press of a button. This has become an element of international auto transport that is very much in demand, and many carriers will post information about their proprietary tracking services online.

I recommend: Get details on what is involved in online car tracking from companies like Auto Moving.

Driveaway service

Another option for vehicle owners is a driveaway service where a professional will drive a vehicle where it needs to go. This kind of auto transport is more common for domestic purposes, but it can be effective for some international auto transport solutions as well.

I recommend: See more on driveaway and other options at Go Movers.