From research to legal processes and more – what you need to do before shipping a vehicle overseas.

‍A few things you will need to do before you ship a vehicle overseas

There are certain circumstances in which you might be looking to transport a vehicle to another country, such as if you will be moving there to start a new life. However, the thought of trying to ship your vehicle abroad might seem somewhat more daunting than the task of doing so for smaller items. 

The good news is that vehicle freight shipping doesn’t have to be overly challenging or complicated from your point of view, as long as you are suitably prepared and informed. 

So, here are some of the steps that you will need to take to ensure a relatively trouble-free experience when shipping a vehicle to another part of the world. 

Do extensive research on the requirements 

Knowledge is definitely (horse)power when it comes to transporting a vehicle abroad. A good starting point for this will be the government website of your vehicle’s destination, which should provide in-depth information on the requirements and processes for importing a vehicle. 

It might be the case, for instance, that some jurisdictions will only allow you to permanently import a vehicle into their territory if it is a certain age and/or specification. You may also need to secure an import permit for the intended destination country, and it could take a while for you to be issued with this. 

Such requirements could make the difference between whether you are or aren’t able to proceed with your planned vehicle freight shipping, so you really do need to be meticulous in your research. 

Get together all the paperwork for the vehicle 

If there’s anything that might threaten to make the process of transporting a vehicle overseas a bit… boring, it’s this element! Still, as is the case with many “boring” aspects of vehicle freight shipping, you will be thankful for having brought together all the documentation for your vehicle to prove it is actually yours, given that this will help ensure a smooth shipping experience. 

So, be sure to gather both originals and copies encompassing proof of your insurance for the vehicle, registration information, your passport, driver’s licence, and the bill of sale for the vehicle (or an alternative form of evidence that it belongs to you). 

Record any existing damage to the vehicle 

If you make all the right moves – including partnering with the right vehicle freight shipping specialist – it is unlikely that your vehicle will sustain any new damage during the transportation process. 

However, to stay on the safe side, it is a good idea to take clear images of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, to provide documentation of any existing damage such as chipped paint, dents, or scratches. Such images will enable you to assess the condition of the vehicle when you pick it up in the destination country. 

Follow the relevant legal processes before shipping 

If you have carried out the research that we mentioned above, you will hopefully be well-informed on this point. If, for instance, you are looking to export a vehicle from the UK, you will need to notify the DVLA of this once it has been delivered to the UK port of exit. 

As skilled and experienced vehicle freight shipping professionals here at KTL UK, we can help ensure your compliance with the pertinent regulations, including in relation to custom clearance and NOVA. 

To learn more about the comprehensive freight solutions we can provide if you are interested in shipping a vehicle, whatever the origin country and destination country, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. 

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