Shipping a car to the USA

[RetroTed]

Hi all
Has anyone had any experience on shipping a car from the uk to the USA ?

Are there any companies that would collect from your door and arrange all of the paperwork and transportation, just weighing up whether it’s worth the hassle

Many thanks

[CarKing]

RetroTed said:

Hi all
Has anyone had any experience on shipping a car from the uk to the USA ?

Are there any companies that would collect from your door and arrange all of the paperwork and transportation, just weighing up whether it’s worth the hassle

Many thanks

Shipping a vehicle from the UK to the US, on average, can take 2-4 weeks. But that can depend on various factors, like say, the shipping method. For a non US resident, the RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping allows you to count on a reliable departure and arrival date especially if you want your car to arrive at the same time as you. You can even qualify for a duty-free import, but not always. These should be the steps
Find a shipping company, obtain the shipping rate by providing your vehicle’s age, make, model, and current location.

Next, choose the method of shipping. I know RoRo shipping is the least expensive and the ships are equipped with roll-on/roll-off ramps for cars to be driven on and off the vessel, hence the name. To be able to ship your car via this method though, the car must be in driving condition. Once aboard the RoRo vessel, the vehicle will be stored below deck with protective covers to keep it safe from harsh marine conditions and external factors. After that is done, you have to arrange for the transport to the port. Liverpool and Southampton ports are popular for shipping to the US.

Once the car arrives at the US port of your choosing, you can either pick it up or have it picked up for you.

[andrewcliffe]

Yes have recently assisted with export of a car from the UK to US.

It was sent in a container.

Cost of transport from cars location to shipping company depot
Export paperwork (circa £ 150)
Container freight (approx £ 2000)
Arrival handling (approx £ 1500)
Customs clearance (approx £ 500)
plus onwards delivery.

You can apply for temporary import which lasts 1 year. I'm not sure if you have to lodge any bonds anywhere which in theory you should get back once the car has been exported again.

If shipping it permanently
import duty - 2.5% of value of vehicle
harbour fees 0.125%
customs surety bone 0.525%
merchandise processing fee 0.3464% to cap of $ 500

This was via a specialist classic car exporter. If you take the view that cargo is cargo and providing its lashed down securely it doesn't need specialist overseeing, then the shipping cost can probably be reduced somewhat.

Ro-Ro is cheaper.

Marine insurance is typically 1% of value subject to £5k excess.

[okenemem]

andrewcliffe said:

Yes have recently assisted with export of a car from the UK to US.

It was sent in a container.

Cost of transport from cars location to shipping company depot
Export paperwork (circa £ 150)
Container freight (approx £ 2000)
Arrival handling (approx £ 1500)
Customs clearance (approx £ 500)
plus onwards delivery.

You can apply for temporary import which lasts 1 year. I'm not sure if you have to lodge any bonds anywhere which in theory you should get back once the car has been exported again.

If shipping it permanently
import duty - 2.5% of value of vehicle
harbour fees 0.125%
customs surety bone 0.525%
merchandise processing fee 0.3464% to cap of $ 500

This was via a specialist classic car exporter. If you take the view that cargo is cargo and providing its lashed down securely it doesn't need specialist overseeing, then the shipping cost can probably be reduced somewhat.

Ro-Ro is cheaper.

Marine insurance is typically 1% of value subject to £5k excess.

woah

[roadsmash]

Not cheap OP.

At least 4 figures.

Depends what your objective is, what you’re trying to do with the car etc., that will decide if it’s worth it or not.

[Charlie Croker mk2]

https://www.hertz.co.uk/p/car-hire/usa

Better + cheaper + your UK stays in your garage safe and sound !

[Jagmanv12]

Cost and shipping time will also depend on where you are sending it. East coast, Gulf, West coast?

[RetroTed]

Thanks for all of your help guys

[shakotan]

Also bear in mind that if your car is less than 25 years old, the cant import it into the USA unless its a model that's already undergone Type Approval, so if it was never sold there, you're on a hiding to nothing.

[hernybilling26]

Hey buddy, I am from US, Here we generally ship our car through Citizenshipper service . Unless there is some good reason to chose others.
i shipped my car using them quiet a few times. Don't know whether they ship international or not. You can check that.
You can also check on shipoverseas There pricing is also very much good for international shipping.

[mariopepper]

My friend used to. He has shipped his car from UK to Florida. As I know he used howtotransport services and it wasn't the only time he worked with that company. So I can certainly say it's good option if you're wonder how to ship a car across country or into.

Edited by mariopepper on Monday 26th October 16:36