Overseas Car Shipping

Before shipping your car overseas, make sure to contract a reputable carrier. Many things can happen beyond control when shipping internationally. In most cases, overseas car shipping involves more than one company.

It may, in fact, involve a number of shipping companies that belong to a network of car shippers. Because of such alliances, you would need to contact only one shipper and their partners will handle the rest of the way, guaranteeing continuity in shipment from one port to another, one country to another, until your car reaches its final destination.

In overseas car shipping, it is always best and most practical to contract a shipper in the country where you are. You can have better control over negotiation and in the event of loss or damage it would be much easier to solve the problem with the main office near you. Imagine how difficult it would be to report a damage and negotiate a resolution if your shipper was based in Japan and you’re home in the US.

Also, a shipper in Japan (or any other country for that matter) may not be subject to US laws or the laws you are familiar with in your own country. Today, negotiations are mostly done online. Overseas car shipping will literally take your car for a ride. Take a look:

1) If the point of origin is not anywhere near a local port, you might need to drive all the way to the port or separately contract an overland car mover. Again, because of the networking of car shipping companies, your car shipper may offer an overland service as well. Overland movers or car transporters are usually single-car movers or open truck carriers that can handle up to 16 cars at one time.

2) At the local sea port, your car is loaded into a protective shipping container and onto a cargo ship. Car containers are stacked on top of each other during overseas car shipping. Your car will be secured inside a 20 ft to 40 ft steel containers, fastened to the container floor by straps and wooden boxes to avoid movements. Overseas car shipping companies guarantee that all the cars are securely blocked, braced and strapped down in absolute security while being transported. Another benefit is that you can actually load other personal items inside the container with your car.

3) Overseas car shipping may take several weeks or even months to reach its final port of destination depending on the following factors: a. shipping schedule b. number of transfers c. distance

The price for overseas car shipping is determined by: 1) shipping schedule 2) distance 3) weight and volume 4) urgency of the shipment.

The most common and cheapest method of overseas car shipping is the RORO Shipping (Roll-On Roll-Off), in which vehicles are transported on the RORO vessel car decks, securely tied and strapped. Honda, GM and most major car manufacturers ship their cars overseas this way. However, aside from spare tire and accessories, you can’t ship personal items into your car when using the RORO.