Q: How will my car be shipped?
A: You have three options for shipping your car overseas.
Roll On Roll Off (RO/RO) & Container shipping:
Roll On Roll Off is the least expensive, but is more suceptible to damage since your vehicles is exposed to the elements.
Container shipping is more secure and managed by our proffessional staff.
Q. What is the difference between ocean container shipping and roll-on roll-off shipping?
With ocean container shipping the cargo is loaded inside the metal containers and containers are transported by ocean vessel carriers. The containers have the standard sizes throughout the world and the most common ones are 20′ long containers and 40′ long containers. International container transportation is widely available to most of the ocean ports worldwide.
Container Ship
With roll-on roll-off ocean shipping no containers are used. Ro/Ro ships are designed as enclosed parking garages with multiple levels. They are used for carrying vehicles, boats, trailers, machinery, construction equipment, etc. The cargo is rolled on the ship at the port of loading and rolled off the ship at the port of discharge.
Roll on Roll Off Ship
What is the duty rate for personal vehicles?
2.5% of the invoice value is payable to US Customs for vehicles that do not have a US Title of Certificate or a U.S. Certificate of Origin.
What documents do I need to complete?
The documents required for an importation depend on the type shipment and residency status. A power of attorney, copy of a personal Identification (Passport ID, Drivers’ license, or Passport Id), among other Customs forms are required for most importations.
What documents are required for an importation of a vehicle?
The following documents can be used to import a vehicle:
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Copy of US Vehicle title
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Copy of US Certificate of Origin
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Letter of compliance from the manufacturer
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For vehicles older than 25 years, a copy of the foreign registration and bill of sale
*There are several other documents required but the most important are listed above.
How long does it take for a vehicle to be released by US Customs?
About 3 to 5 working days after vessel discharge. If the vehicle is placed on hold by US Customs the release can be delayed.
When will my car be ready for pick up?
The vehicle will be available after US Customs released your vehicle.
Why is my vehicles on hold by US Customs?
Vehicles arriving on Roll on Roll of vessel or containerized shipments are often placed on hold by Customs. Sometimes the hold is a random selection or there is a discrepancy on the documentation provided.
What is a Customs hold?
A hold/restriction for a shipment not to be released placed by US Customs or other government agency for a shipments arriving into the United States.
What types of Customs hold are most common and what are they about?
VACIS Exam– is an X-ray done to container placed on hold for a non-intrusive inspection.The container will be released once CBP has completed the exam and deems the vehicle or freight to be admissible. All charges generated from Customs holds are paid by the importer.
Intensive Exam/Container examination– Customs may want to physically inspect a container if a VACIS exam is not sufficient. This involves having to transport a container to a Customs designated warehouse for unloading. The container will be released once CBP has completed the exam and deems the vehicle or freight to be admissible. All charges generated from Customs holds are paid by the importer.
Non- Intrusive inspection– Vehicles arriving on Roll on Roll off carriers are often subject this common hold. This involves having a Customs inspector go to the port and physically inspect the vehicle. The vehicle will be released once CBP has completed the exam and deems the vehicle or freight to be admissible.
Agriculture Hold– Department of Agriculture may request to have your vehicle washed at the port in order to be released. This measure is taken in order to prevent foreign soils to have a negative effect on US grounds.All charges generated from Customs holds are paid by the importer.
Who pays for the charges generated after a customs hold?
The importer is responsible for paying all charges generated from a Customs hold.
Q: Is my car insured while in transit overseas?
A: Ocean carriers do not carry cargo insurance, and by law are not liable for more than $500 per vehicle. We strongly recommend that you purchase Marine insurance.
We offer three types of Marine insurance:
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All Risk Coverage with a $1000.00 deductible
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All Risk Coverage with a $500.00 deductible
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Total loss of the entire vehicle