International car transport is not for cowards. It takes planning, preparation, patience and money. It is an expensive undertaking. Even if you do everything right, there are potential pitfalls that can't be anticipated, such as the case of the military family who tried to send their car home after a mission abroad and were told by the shipper: "We haven't lost your car. We just don't know where it is." A real nightmare.
But in most cases, if you do your homework and plan carefully, your car will end up where you want it.
Some transport companies are aggregators that work with multiple car carriers and help you compare prices. Aggregators are responsible for vetting individual carriers and will often show you consumer reviews and individual price quotes, so you understand exactly who will transport your vehicle. They also tend to offer standardized insurance packages that work across their network.
We selected these companies based on over 30 data points and an extensive secret shopper initiative to ensure clear and unbiased results. Our main objective is to get the most useful information for our readers based on the central ideas below.
Reputation - Companies that maintain a strong review score and industry reputation on trusted review platforms.
Cost - There are many individual factors that can affect the cost of car transport, including location, timing and value of the car. We took all of these factors into consideration when examining each company's cost structure.
Consumer reviews - Individual reviews from current and past customers who have used the company and have a personal experience to draw from.
Longevity - How many years a company has been operating, growing its business, getting reviews and building trust within the industry.
Services offered - These services can range from international shipping, closed options, open container options and more.
What is the best way to ship a car internationally?
The best way to ship a car internationally depends on your priorities. If you want to save money, Ro-Ro with port drop-off and pick-up is best. If you want to protect your car, it's best to upgrade that Ro-Ro to a container. Finally, if you want the ultimate in convenience and speed, choose door-to-door air transport.
How much does international car shipping cost?
Prices for international shipping vary widely. Sometimes you can find a deal for just under $1,000, but it's more likely you'll spend 4 figures - sometimes more than 5 thousand, depending on when and how you ship it.
How long does it take to ship a car overseas?
If you ship it overseas, it can take a few weeks, up to a month or two, plus time at both ends for unloading, packing/unpacking and customs clearance. Exactly how long it takes depends on variables such as shipping schedules, weather conditions, port crowding, etc.
If you send it by air, it will arrive there on the same day the plane takes off, but you will have to wait for port clearance, just like in seaports. Count on 2 or 3 days before you can get your car back.
Factors and considerations when shipping a car internationally
The first thing to consider is whether you should. For many cars, it makes more sense to sell the car in one country and then travel to a new country and buy another car. On the other hand, if it is a rare or valuable car, or if it happens to be more expensive to buy the car where you are going than where you started, then shipping becomes a more financially sensible option.
You need to check what import laws you are dealing with in the destination country. You need to make sure that anything they do not allow in their borders is not in your car. One thing that universally should not be in your car is too much gasoline; make sure the needle is under a quarter tank before it goes to the shipper.
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