How to Arrange for Car Transport Abroad San Francisco CA

If you're planning on moving overseas, you might choose to sell your current car or motorcycle and then use your profits to purchase a new one once you move to your new home. However, if you intend to transport your vehicle with you overseas, then here are some guidelines to help you:

• Schedule in advance. Since there's a lot of paperwork and planning involved when it comes to international shipping, especially with regard to heavy equipment such as vehicles, it's best to prepare for the transport at least four weeks in advance. The main things you will do during this time include finding companies that specialize in shipping vehicles, researching about the duties and rates you'd have to pay once your vehicle touches down on foreign soil, and documenting your vehicle's condition. More details on these preparations are found below.
• Do comparison shopping. To find cheap and affordable rates, make sure that you obtain accurate quotes on transport services while in the process of choosing among auto transporters (or motorcycle transport). Information you need to have on hand to get as accurate price quotes as possible include the distance between the place of origin and the destination, your departure date, the type and weight of vehicle, and type of automobile transport service you need (for example, you need them to deliver your car to the exact address or if you just need them to transport it to their warehouse overseas and you will take it from there). Make sure to ask for the total or bottom-line price of shipping and ask if there are any additional fees that you have to pay, what they are and what they're for.
  
  Expect some differences in payment schemes. Some auto transporters will require you to give a 10% (or higher) deposit while some require full payment in advance.
  
  Ask information on the transport details. For example, will the cargo container used for your car be open or enclosed; how long will the delivery process take; what are their contact numbers in case you want to find out the actual location of your car at any given time during the move overseas.
  
  Make sure that the automobile transport service you hire is certified by your country's national transportation agency; in the United States for example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the one who licenses auto transporters.
  
  Obtain a directory of reliable car carriers from the Internet, from the yellow pages or from the Better Business Bureau. The BBB will also be able to provide you with ratings and reviews that would help you with your choice.
• Research on other fees and dues. Find out about the fees and duties you have to pay once your car reaches foreign soil. These rates will vary depending on that particular country you're shipping your car into. You may obtain such information from the automotive transport company you're hiring (since it's part of their job to be updated on the laws and regulations related to shipping); you may double-check with the country's consulate or research for yourself via the Internet.
• Accomplish the required paperwork. Paperwork varies from country to country. Once again ask this from your transport company or from that country's consulate. Typically you have to show a copy of your car's title.
• Take safety and precautionary measures. Make sure that you photograph your car so that you would have proof of your car's condition before the transport. Prepare a description of your car in detail (including mileage, pre-existing damage such as dents and scratches on exterior), as many car carriers will ask you to include such information in the condition report. Once the vehicle reaches its destination, make sure that it's thoroughly inspected for damages during transport. Know that a bill of lading will be signed during the vehicle's point of pickup and delivery.
  
  Obtain a copy of the company's insurance coverage in case damage occurs due to mishandling. You could also verify with your existing car insurance if it covers auto transport.

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