Four Things to Do Before Shipping a Car Internationally

International auto shipping can become very murky at times. It implies that you will have to trust someone miles and miles away to deliver your car. Bad things may sometimes happen, but the good news is that with the right information and preparation, you can avoid all the horrors of international car shipping and get a very smooth experience. Consider the factors stated below if you want to have a smooth ride when shipping cars internationally:

Get the shipping quote in writing

The first step towards a smooth international auto shipping experience is to get the shipping quote in writing. Once you get the quote, there are a few things you should confirm to ensure that you will not be getting a raw deal. Read the fine print to confirm the shipper’s origin, the destination, the specific services tendered, delivery schedules, etc. Be careful to ascertain that the shipping company has not inserted extra charges which might make you spend more than what originally thought. Also, ensure that the terms and the modes of payment including the initial deposit are well indicated in the quote.

Don’t use domestic car trucking companies for international shipping

It may be tempting to use the services of a domestic car trucking company for your international auto shipping needs, but this may be an ill advised idea. When you use the domestic car shipping companies, they will act like brokers in such a case, in that they will have to contract another international shipping company to deliver your car from the port of origin. It thus makes very little sense to travel this route when you can approach international auto shipping companies directly; plus, based on the company they may deliver your car to your doorstep if that is what you want.

Know how to get help with the custom

International shipping can be very complex, especially when it comes to clearing the car at the ports of origin and destination. It is highly likely that you will travel to the port of origin to clear the paper work with the customs and so it is important to know who will help with such tasks in advance. In most cases, the shipping company will offer to help, but in case they don’t they can link you up with a broker who will then offer the necessary help with the customs. Simply ensure that you have all the necessary documents and you know the various fees likely to be charged in the clearance of the car at the ports of origin and destination.

Read reviews on the shipping company

Don’t be naïve to consider shipping your car with an international auto shipping company whose reviews you can’t find in the internet. Search for the reviews and read them in depth so that you can have an idea of the kind of experience to expect from working with the company. If you do not like the things you read in the reviews, simply don’t trust the company. All it means is that past clients were not happy with the services they received, and there are chances that you will not like them as well.