Are you moving a car internationally and are worried if your car transporter is a legit vehicle moving company, or just a car shipping broker trying to make a quick buck? 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 shipping 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.
Don’t let any of it happen to you. Don’t be a victim of car transporting scams! The ten tips outlined below will go a long way to ensuring you are not conned out of your hard earned money.
10 Things to do before moving a car internationally:
1. Verify if the autotransport company you are going to use is registered with DOT (for domestic auto transport).
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 moving company has a current bond and transporting license. If the company is not listed there, it means they cannot legally provide transporting services whatsoever and you should avoid using such companies.
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 shipping as well. Frequently they would offer “savings” and “discount” through their preferred car shippers. These sorts of companies can often be accompanied by extra fees after all is said and done.
5. Before committing to transporting your car internationally with the car transporter of your choice, make sure to get the transporting quote in writing. 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 transporting 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 car movers any questions you might have.
8. Do an internet search for reviews on a particular transporting 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 or relevant terms whether its car transport to Portugal 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 transporting and arrival dates, transit times, specific requirements for shipping a vehicle overseas, you should probably look for another car moving company.
10. Common sense is your best friend - payment via Western Union should always ring alarm bells especially if in advance of the service as should sending paperwork and payment via the post.
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