When moving to a new country, it’s a good idea to travel as lightly as possible. If you’ve had your vehicle for a while and really want to bring it, you certainly can ship your car. Just make sure you follow all the rules on moving your registration and insurance.
Pair It With Your Possessions
If you are moving to a country that will allow you access to a mechanic, a parts source, and a matching steering wheel placement, moving your vehicle with your other possessions can save you some cash. Do make sure you follow the requirements for safe international car shipping. For example, a vehicle with a leak may not be allowed to be transported without certain measures in place.
Shipping your personal possessions with your vehicle can be quite cost-effective. However, make sure you check in with the rules of your home country; there are fees and requirements of many nations that will force you to change your registration before you put your car on the boat.
Consider Conditions
If you’re shipping a sports car, be aware that you may still have to buy an all-wheel drive vehicle if you’re moving to snow country. If you’re shipping a large SUV, be aware that you may have to deal with extremely high fuel prices in your new country.
Carefully review the condition of the vehicle to be shipped. You may be required to fulfill some mechanical repairs and you will certainly need to burn gas from the tank to load and ship the vehicle safely.
Make sure to discuss your options with your shipping agent. You may be able to save money when shipping in bulk. Also, make sure to schedule your shipment in advance. Doing so can save you money later on by avoiding expedited shipping fees.
Choose Open Transport
Your best option for an affordable vehicle move is to move your vehicle on an open ship deck. If your vehicle is a classic or is any other way collectible and funds are tight, you may be better off storing your vehicle for a year and saving cash until you can move your vehicle overseas under cover.
This covered transport will cost up to 40% more than you would pay for open deck shipping. Of course, if your vehicle is a luxury item or a vintage vehicle, the extra fees may be entirely worth it.
Keep in mind that environmental factors can cause damage to vehicles in an open transport setting. Salt in the air when shipping over seas, hail, dust, and sun damage can all be avoided by opting to ship your vehicles in an enclosed container.
Expedited Shipping
In the event that you need to move a car quickly to your new business location, there are expediting services that will get your vehicle delivered quickly. In addition to being a priority pickup client, you will get updates on your phone and via email with your pickup time.
When hiring an expedited car shipper, check if you can stash one suitcase inside the trunk. Some shippers allow this for an expedited vehicle. Of course, the shipper will need a key so they can inspect any vehicles that seem overweight.
Other Options
If you’re moving to another city, the decision to move a car needs to be carefully considered. It may be much cheaper for you to either sell your new car and either use public transport or buy another vehicle when you get there.
For those on very tight budgets, it’s a good idea to also take a hard look at your other possessions. If you must have your vehicle but can rent a furnished property, selling or storing your current furniture can lower your moving costs and worry.
Check The Requirements
Any government entity that requires you to register or pay tax on your vehicle will likely require you to let them know when you’re leaving. Depending on when you registered your vehicle last, you may qualify for a discount or a refund when you move out of state.
Carefully check the rules in your new home as well. If you just bought a brand new car, be aware that some countries require you to have owned the vehicle for a minimum of 12 months to ship the car in. Carefully check the import permits to make sure you are not breaking any rules that could make it hard to get your car loaded and shipped.
Why?
When looking to ship your business vehicles internationally, keep in mind why your business is looking to pursue these endeavors. Perhaps your business is expanding to another country. Expansion is a great way to grow your business branding. Although many businesses may find it convenient to simply rent or purchase new vehicles at their target destination, there are many pros to bringing your current inventory with you.
If you have vehicles with company branding and advertising already adhered to your vehicles, you can save money by bringing these vehicles. The cost of designing, printing, and wrapping your vehicles may be greater outside of the country.
Take into consideration the condition of your vehicles. Maintenance costs from use of the vehicles may be cheaper in the states. Make sure to take advantage of your insurance benefits while you are in the US to get major repairs done by trusted mechanics rather than relying on mechanics outside of the country.
Many businesses tend to travel outside of the country for promotional purposes on a seasonal basis. If this is the case for you, sending your vehicles in bulk can save you lots of money, and ensure that your employees have reliable transportation for business purposes. When pitching to investors outside of the country, your company can make a solid presence by having a fleet of flashy, quality vehicles ready for business operation. There are many creative ways to promote your branding and make a statement of excellence with a uniformed fleet of vehicles.
Depending on your business and your intentions, shipping your car can be a great deal. If you’ve got an international logo and your fleet features a custom color setup, changing out your vehicles could be a waste of money. Do carefully review the rules of your new country regarding the age of your car.
