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How Much Does Shipping A Car Overseas Cost, Today's Prices
By some standards, looking into having your car shipped to destinations abroad can become a complicated affair. Companies that specialize in international shipping of privately owned vehicles [the freight forwarder or NVOCC - 'Non-Vessel Operating Carriers'] do not all seem to have the same capabilities, even when transferring a vehicle from terminal to terminal.
To simplify things, basically, each container has an allowable weight load and space limit. Two common containers in use being:
- The 20 foot container with a 61,200 pound net load and 1,100 cubic foot dimension1
- The 40 foot container with 57,700 pounds net load and 2,300 cubic foot dimension.2
[there is a high-cube version about a foot taller]
Though what matters greatly in terms of cost efficiency being carried on to the consumer is having the containers filled. While the ship order may include personal items, along with the vehicle, while not exceeding these specified limitations. Although under some arrangements such items may not be stored outside of the car as it is being transported.
Cheapest is sending smaller vehicles. Shipping the subcompact/compact car will have the least expensive tab. And so it is often among the more practical cars to pay to have shipped. For deliveries on to European destinations; on the low end begin at $800 to $900. Graduating up to larger vehicles, a $2,200 to $2,400 bill is more like it (such as for intermediate/full size utility vehicles or SUV's), with standard size vehicles falling in-between including coupes, sedans, smaller utility vehicles and the minivan. Extended or modified vans possibly more.
Additional Fees
Unless the chosen shipper handles the vehicle pickup via an auto transporter, there too may be a fee for the inland shipping of your car to and from terminals, that will depend on your proximity but which starts at $125 to $150 for the nearest situations, on up to $800 and more for when coming from central states in the country. Normally the terminals are located at the major west coast ports of San Francisco and Los Angeles, and at the east coast ports that include New York, Baltimore, Norfolk down to Miami although there are others.Insurance: shipping companies are typically liable for $500 coverage per vehicle. Purchased additionally, shipping insurance will run about two percent based on the estimated value, or about $700 for a $35,000 automobile, give or take. There may be taxes, such as European entry taxes or import duties. And there are the declarations forms, notarized titles and documentations although these are usually nominal figures. Lastly, there may be temporary storage fees for when and if the vehicle stays for periods of waiting at standby.
Tips for Oceangoing Vehicles:
- Consider driving the car to the shipping terminal and make arrangements for likewise on arrival for lowering the total bill.
- Investigate an auto container transfer by rail for the inland leg of the journey. An intermodal container will likely be required (as well as for transporting by truck) as will be an exclusive container.
- Don't leave the vehicle ready for shipment filled with gas The tank should be 1/4 full. Anything more will be removed prior to setting sail.
- If buying a new car to be shipped it often makes sense to consider sales tax. Shipping trans-pacific to Hawaii from California will incur much greater sales tax, often greater than a thousand dollars due to the comparably higher CA rate. Though cost of buying new might be higher at the HI destination, and that is to say nothing of paying taxes when re-registering the vehicle. All of which depends on where the car is being shipped to and from.
- Depending on trip duration, and the value of your vehicle, you may wish to gain quotes to ship by RoRo (Roll on Roll off) to keep the vehicle below deck, under the salty air and weather.
1, 2 Figures rounded for convenience. Since apparantly there is widespread contradiction on these limits, it is always best to verify details with the shipping company or freight forwarder.