Buying a car from the USA
Discussion
I've recently won an auction for a classic based in the USA and am currently looking into the practicalities to get the car here.
Could the wise people of PH please give me some advice on these items:
Alex
Could the wise people of PH please give me some advice on these items:
- Can you recommend a good and affordable shipping company?
- How did you go about payment? The seller understandably wants their money before releasing the car, I'm a bit cautious about transferring a chunk of money abroad and having the faith that all will go as planned - What is the best way to go about this? Can shipping companies act as intermediaries and provide the funds to the seller at the time of pick-up?
- What else should I take into account?
Alex
Church of Noise said:
- Can you recommend a good and affordable shipping company?
https://www.schumachercargo.com/uk/car-shipping-to...
I've imported three cars ( (911 & 356's ) from the USA - used Kingstown Shipping each time.
http://www.kingstown-shipping.co.uk
excellent service every time and arranged for cars to be delivered to my door - arranged everything, very easy and competitively priced.
http://www.kingstown-shipping.co.uk
excellent service every time and arranged for cars to be delivered to my door - arranged everything, very easy and competitively priced.
aeropilot said:
Church of Noise said:
- Can you recommend a good and affordable shipping company?
https://www.schumachercargo.com/uk/car-shipping-to...
Were good.
R1
If you are exporting from the West Coast then California Connection have transported two cars for me
http://www.apincorporated.com/
Family business - Dad, Max, in the desert outside of Los Angeles, daughter, Miranda, based in a farm in Derbyshire - all very helpful
http://www.apincorporated.com/
Family business - Dad, Max, in the desert outside of Los Angeles, daughter, Miranda, based in a farm in Derbyshire - all very helpful
I have used CFR Rinkins to bring cars in from both coasts. Nor the cheapest. but good service. Trying Carshippingmadesimple as they can ship from Seattle without having to truck to LA or SF.What their service is like....wait & see....fingers crossed.
Beware dock staff at both ends. Get Photos of both despatch & arrival
Keep a record of EVERYTHING
David
Beware dock staff at both ends. Get Photos of both despatch & arrival
Keep a record of EVERYTHING
David
Church of Noise said:
Would like to, but I'm on the continent and IIRC both only ship to UK sadly :-/
Speak to Kingstown. Most container ships dock at Rotterdam, and when 'full VAT' had to be paid on importing classics, one method used to reduce costs was to unload at Rotterdam and clear it in Holland, Germany etc where VAT rule application was different. What I'm saying is these container ships come across the atlantic and when they arrive at the UK, they then go on around the World until they are back in the States again.
I know this as I lost a car in a batch of four once (they forgot to unload it) and the next stop after Rotterdam was in Japan. I got it evertually....
I had a car shipped from Miami to Felixstowe last year.
I used CFRRinkens.
Went with them as they use special containers for cars which use a metal ratchet ramp and strap system. Amazingly most others still nail cars in to containers with blocks of wood, not very efficient and takes time hence cost.
They collected the car from an address about 200 miles from Miami (I was there at the time) and I picked it up in Felixstowe about 6 weeks later.
Things I learnt:
Paperwork must be spot on, clean title and bill of sale or the car won't be let out the US.
Don't put anything in the car (or if you do make sure it's declared on the paperwork) everything is checked by customs on arrival and if they find anything loose, even spare old panels, it's a world of pain and cost.
And don't even think of including "hazadous" stuff like synthetic oils - even though they are so much cheaper over there.
Finally, if going to collect with a trailer, take a high viz jacket or they won't let you in the loading area at the docks.
And don't forget the UK NOVA paperwork.
I used CFRRinkens.
Went with them as they use special containers for cars which use a metal ratchet ramp and strap system. Amazingly most others still nail cars in to containers with blocks of wood, not very efficient and takes time hence cost.
They collected the car from an address about 200 miles from Miami (I was there at the time) and I picked it up in Felixstowe about 6 weeks later.
Things I learnt:
Paperwork must be spot on, clean title and bill of sale or the car won't be let out the US.
Don't put anything in the car (or if you do make sure it's declared on the paperwork) everything is checked by customs on arrival and if they find anything loose, even spare old panels, it's a world of pain and cost.
And don't even think of including "hazadous" stuff like synthetic oils - even though they are so much cheaper over there.
Finally, if going to collect with a trailer, take a high viz jacket or they won't let you in the loading area at the docks.
And don't forget the UK NOVA paperwork.
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