Understanding the Cost of Auto Shipping Services

Whether you are selling your car to an overseas company or moving from the USA to an international location with your vehicle, it’s a good idea to take a look at the fees attached to auto shipping services. Several factors are going to influence just how much you pay to ship your car overseas from the United States. They include:

• The destination
• The size of your car
• The shipping method you choose (ocean container vs.”roll-on/roll-off”)
• The type of ocean container you select (individual vs. multi-vehicle)
• Additional car shipping services you request, such as door-to-door, door-to-port, and port-to-port
• Insurance coverage
• Port fees
• The cost of customs clearance

The size of your vehicle is one of the largest factors dictating the shipping charges. If you are having your car shipped to Europe, a small vehicle costs about $800 to ship overseas, while a full-sized SUV can cost as much as $2,000 to ship.

If you intend to ship the car even farther such as to Africa or Australia, shipping charges go up dramatically. For example, shipping fees for a compact car being transported to Africa or Australia begin at approximately $3,000, while a larger vehicle might cost as much as $5,000 or more to ship.

In general, an individual ocean container is less expensive than a multi-vehicle one to use, so you may be able to save money by choosing that option. However, “Roll-on/roll-off” service is usually less expensive than choosing to ship via an ocean container.

The cost to have your vehicle delivered or picked up at the terminal depends on the distance involved. A short trip may only cost $200, while a longer journey can rise as high as $1,000 for auto transportation services to drop off or pick up your vehicle at the terminal.

Of course, these prices are all estimates. They provide an idea of what you can expect to pay. Your destination, size of your vehicle, and many other factors influence your shipping costs.

The estimate you receive is only going to be good for a certain number of days. If you wait too long before making arrangements for auto transportation, you may need to obtain a new shipping quote. The port fees and the cost of customs clearance depend on the destination you have chosen. You can get those figures from the shipping carrier when you make your arrangements.

If you are comparing shipping quotes, it is important to make sure that all of the fees are included in the estimate you are given. Otherwise, your comparison is going to be biased in favor of the auto shipping company that does not disclose all of the fees attached to this type of transportation service.

Some of the required paperwork may need to be notarized. Each copy should cost approximately ten dollars for notarization.

The price of shipping insurance is contingent upon the type and age of your vehicle, the distance to be traveled, and the shipping method you’ve selected. Be sure to get several quotes for this service if you want to save money on this expense.

While discounted shipping prices aren’t usually available, it is possible that you might be able to obtain one if you are shipping multiple cars. The only way to find out is to call the shipping company directly and ask.

The expense of shipping a car overseas from the United States is costly, particularly if you choose air freight. However, you can save money if you select “Roll-on/roll-off” or ocean container shipping services. Nonetheless, it is important to understand why you are being charged as much as you are, so you should speak directly to someone at the shipping company to get the answers you need.