How Much to Ship a Car Overseas

Posted On Thursday, 18 February 2021 20:37

While the United States is a fantastic country, many Americans are curious about what the world has to offer. Because of this, it should be no surprise that around 10 million Americans currently live overseas.

Maybe you're also going to be an expat soon. Whether you're moving for love, work, or fun, there's one thing you need to figure out: shipping a car to another country.

In this article, you'll find out the answer to the question, "How much to Ship a car overseas?" So read on to learn more!

How Much to Ship a Car Overseas?

Just like with domestic auto shipping, there's no 1 singular definitive answer to how much it'll cost you to ship your car overseas. The amount you'll pay will depend on several things, such as time of the year, type of car you have, and more.

Most importantly, it'll depend on which country you're shipping your vehicle to! For example, transporting it to a far and remote country will cost a lot more than a nearby and accessible one.

Here are some general prices for shipping your vehicle to several common destinations:

• Europe: $850 to $5,000
• Germany: $900 to $3,900
• West Africa: $1,500 to $2,500
• Australia: $3,000 to $5,000

As you can see, bringing a car overseas with you can cost anywhere between $850 to $5,000.

Factors That Affect Car Shipping Prices

Considering there's such a huge price range, you probably want to know what will affect pricing. That way, you'll have a better idea of what auto transport companies will quote you.

Below are some important things to consider.

The Distance

Of course, the farther you travel, the more it'll cost.

But the pricing will also depend on how close you are to a major port. For example, if you're located in San Francisco, you won't have to pay much, as there's a major port right there. You can probably drive straight to it yourself, with little trouble.

But if you live in a landlocked area, it'll cost a lot more for your car to be transported to a port. Before it can even cross the ocean, it'll need to cross considerable land first.

For those living near a port, it'll cost you $100 to $300 to get your vehicle transported to a port. Otherwise, you can expect to pay up to $1,000.

If you want to avoid these fees, you can always try and drive out on your own.

The same goes for when your vehicle arrives at your destination. You can save a little money by picking up your car and driving it home or you can pay extra to have it shipped door-to-door.

The route the shipper has to take will influence pricing too. If it's a popular journey, you'll enjoy some cost-savings. On the other hand, if the route is rarely traveled, you'll have to pay a lot more.

Your Car

The bigger your car, the more you'll have to pay. This is because it's heavier to ship, which will cost more in fuel for the shipping company.

The condition your vehicle's in will matter as well. If it can't be started up and driven, you'll have to pay more since the shipper will have to use equipment to move your vehicle. This will also eat up precious time.

The Type of Container You Choose

Like with domestic shipping, you can choose between open or enclosed containers for international auto transport. Open containers are shared with other vehicles, which makes it a cheaper option.

But if you really want to protect your precious car, you should go with an enclosed container. It usually costs double, but you'll get peace of mind knowing your vehicle is within its own container.

The Service You Choose

Again, like with domestic shipping, you can select services based on how flexible you are.

For instance, if you're not on a tight deadline, you can choose economy or standard pricing. This is the cheapest but it'll take a while for your car to reach your destination. You'll generally have to wait anywhere between 3 to 12 weeks.

If you can't afford to wait for such a long period of time, you can always opt for expedited shipping. This will cost significantly more, but it'll guarantee that you'll get your vehicle in less than a month.

But to save yourself some money, you should book overseas shipping services in advance so the 3 to 12 weeks will be negligible. That way, you'll receive your car in time and you won't have to pay an arm and a leg for the service.

The Import Taxes

Unfortunately, countries will charge you import taxes when you bring your car when moving. Make sure you do your research beforehand so the price doesn't come as a surprise to you.

If you're lucky, the country you're moving to charges just a small fee. But do be aware that some can charge so much that it's even more than the shipping cost itself!

This is why it's wise to research and gather quotes way before your move. That way, you can weigh up your options to see if they're worth paying. If not, then you'll have plenty of time to sort out alternatives.

Ship a Car Overseas Without a Hassle

Moving to a new country can be both exciting and daunting at the same time. So if you've been stressing out about logistics, we hope this article has helped ease your worries about shipping your car by answering the question, "how much to ship a car overseas?"

You have an exciting new life chapter coming up, so don't let anxiety overshadow these awesome times.

Did you find this article on the cost to ship a car across countries helpful? Then make sure you check out the rest of our blog section too!

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Realty Times

From buying and selling advice for consumers to money-making tips for Agents, our content, updated daily, has made Realty Times® a must-read, and see, for anyone involved in Real Estate.