There are many reasons why you may need to ship a car, motorcycle, or other vehicles internationally: moving abroad, going on an extended vacation, or even showcasing your classic car in an auto show. However, the process of vehicle shipping from Vancouver to another country may seem complicated, confusing, or overwhelming.
We aim to fix that by making the process as stress-free, clear, and simple as possible.
To help you feel totally confident in our process, we’ve answered some common questions about international vehicle shipping below. If you don’t find your answer here, feel free to reach out to us with any additional questions.
(Already familiar with the process? Click here to request a transparent price quote now.)
How Does Vehicle Shipping Work
After a decade in business, our process has been thoroughly streamlined—which makes it a more organized and calmer experience for you. To make sure that the shipping process is as smooth as possible, you’ll first want to consider these important points about your vehicle and your international shipping needs.
Next, you’ll want to prepare your car for shipping. After that, you’ll sign your shipping order and prepare your vehicle’s paperwork. Once we’ve received that, we’ll work with you to schedule when it’s best for you to drop off your vehicle at our facility, based on the shipping order dates you provided us. We can also arrange to pick up your car for you, but most people choose to drop off their vehicles themselves.
When you drop off your car, it will be inspected on the bill of lading, which you and the inspector will both sign (you’ll receive a copy of this document). Your vehicle will then be taken to the designed ship or plane, depending on if you chose ocean freight (recommended for international vehicle shipment) or air freight.
The most common method of shipping an automobile is in a 20’ or 40’ foot container on a cargo ship; however, depending on the size of your vehicle or if you are shipping multiple vehicles, we do offer RORO services (Roll On/Roll Off). You may also choose air freight to ship your vehicle.
The driver will call you in advance to let you know when your car will be delivered to you. Your vehicle will be dropped off at your chosen location, along with the bill of lading, which you can then use to reinspect your vehicle. (Please note: In the unlikely event of any damage, be sure to note it on the bill of lading and have the driver sign it. If the damage is not noted at the time of delivery, a claim cannot be processed, so it’s important to inspect your car right away.)
That’s it! We follow all shipping regulations, so once the car is in our hands, you can sit back, relax, and trust that we are following the proper procedure—and are working hard to get your vehicle back to you. After all, we know how much care about your car or motorcycle, which is why we always treat it as if it were our own!
What Does International Vehicle Shipping Cost?
We understand that moving or traveling internationally can be expensive and that you want to be aware of all costs up front. Because of that, we offer transparent price quotes that help you budget and prepare, unlike other shipping companies that may hit you with hidden fees and charges.
Thanks to our 35 years of combined experience in international shipping, we’ve developed an extensive network that allows us to offer lower prices than our competitors. The price of shipping can vary based on the size of your vehicle, how many vehicles your shipping, and your exact destination. We’ll help you go over all specific costs so that you have a clear picture of what your final charge will be.
Ocean freight, in addition to being the more common method of international vehicle shipping, is also the less expensive option. However, if a fast delivery time is more important to you than lower costs, then shipping via air freight may be the smartest choice for you.
Whichever option you choose, we’ll help you figure out the total cost before you commit.
Where Can I Ship My Car or Motorcycle
The world is getting smaller, and we want to help you explore it all! On top of lower costs, our experience has also helped us a build up a vast network of locations we can ship to. We’re proud to say we have contacts with all major steamship lines, opening up more of the world to you than ever before.
We offer vehicle shipping service to any major international port with smooth and effective routes, including locations in Europe, the Middle East, and even Australia. No matter where your vehicle needs to go, we can likely get it there!
How Long Does Vehicle Shipping from Vancouver Take
While transit time depends on distance, you can typically expect it to take about 10 to 14 days. We also normally require at least a 2-to-3 business day window to pick up your vehicle, so be sure to keep that in mind when requesting shipping dates.
It’s also important to note that since uncontrollable factors—such as weather, traffic conditions, or border delays—may impact overall transit time, all shipping times are estimates. However, you can rest assured that we will do our very best to get your vehicle delivered to you on the estimated date.
Ready to start your next adventure? Click here to request your price quote.