Do you want to import your personal car or do you want to start your very own auto importing business? Well, there are certain requirements that are standard to importing a vehicle.

The U.S. standard includes certain vehicle characteristics such as the car bumper, emissions test and other safety rules. Since the United States has its own rules and specifications, that means cars outside of the U.S. do not conform to these rules and must be conforming at the time of import. So you have to make sure that each individual car meets the U.S. import standard and specification.

If you are importing cars from Japan, for example, to the U.S. they have to meet the required safety rules as indicated by the DOT Safety1966 Safety Act. This Safety Act was revised in 1988 to include the control of air pollution as well as to the standards of the vehicle’s bumper as included in the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Saving Act of 1978.

If you are moving to another country or you want to send your U.S. vehicle to another country, there are certain standards and guidelines you have to follow. You have to show that you are the owner of the vehicle through the appropriate documentation. The certificate of title is usually the document required. The U.S. Customs requires two certified copy before the vehicle can be shipped.

If your vehicle is going through a shipping port, the required document has to be presented as much as three days before vehicle is shipped. Again, on the day you will be exporting the vehicle, you need to show the U.S. Customs your vehicle and the documents of ownership.

The U.S. Custom officials will inspect your vehicle at that time. If you are shipping by ship, the car and documents of ownership must be shown to the custom officer within three days and an inspection will also be conducted. The custom officer will stamp the title for the vehicle to show that it has been exported.

OWNERSHIP DOCUMENTS

You cannot export a car if you don’t have full ownership of the vehicle. If you owe the bank money on the car, that means you are not the full owner of the vehicle. The bank would have to agree in writing that you are allowed to export the vehicle and in most cases, this will not happen.

Make sure you check with your custom office before you export your vehicle on what are the required documentation to legally ship a car outside of the United States. You want to be safe; not sorry.

When you are selecting a boat shipping company, quality, customer service and dependability are the key ingredients. You should also find someone how is an industry leader in shipping boats like yachts, sail boats, power boats, jet skis and house boats. W

You will need a boat shipping company that ships both internationally and nationally. Transporting a yacht internationally and nationally is also important to boat shipping. You need to investigate what services are offered and getting a free boat shipping quote is necessary before you make the actual shipping schedule. Find out the boat transport procedures for all the different types of boats.

Your shipping company should have special trucks and trailers as well as power units to pull the boat. Find a boat shipping company with enough expertise and experience to move all kinds of boat in all fifty states and worldwide.

Make sure your boat transporter includes any type of permit you may need, licenses and any other additional services. Be sure these prices are in your quote. Find out about the proper insurance with the boat transport.

Be sure that the boat shipping company provides an experienced driver who is trained to load the boat properly. Find out if they can handle any oversize loads and if they offer tow service.

Your auto transport must provide adequate standard services including making sure that you know the exact procedure of shipping your vehicle. Find out about the drop off and the pick up schedule and terminal to terminal service. Finding an auto transporter who understands your needs and will provide transport to all terminal locations. You should have a shipping company for your vehicle that offers national and international transport. Be sure you are offered a selection of open or closed car transportation and insurance coverage for your vehicle transport.

You should be given enough options to make your auto transport experience smooth. If you need an enclosed carrier, guaranteed shipping, expedited service, door to door delivery and pick up or same day shipping, your auto transporter should be able to fill that need. So make sure you do your research to find an auto transporter that provides a host of different transport service. 

To prepare for your auto transport, make sure your vehicle is in working condition and safe condition. check your vehicle for any fluid leakage or damage before you ship the vehicle. A vehicle that is being shipped should be no more than seven feet high. If it is more than seven feet tall, you have to let your shipping company know beforehand. For clearance, your vehicle should be no lower than 4 inches off the ground so that the driver can load it on and off the vehicle easily.

If you have made any changes to your vehicle before the day of the transport, be sure to let your auto transporter know this. Clean your vehicle before the initial inspection. Before auto shipping, make sure that your gas tank is about quarter tank or less. Your alarm system should not be connected. Remove any radios, CD’s, car phones or cassette decks. Remove any antennas on the vehicle or personal belongings in the vehicle. Depending on where the car is going to be shipped, be sure to let your shipping company know so that they can make the determination of any inclement weather. Your car may also need transmission fluid or engine coolant for the trip to a destination that has bad weather.

Your car will be inspected before the trip. Inspection will take place when the vehicle is being transported and after the vehicle is transported. Inspection is a part of the preparation process. At both origin and destination you will be asked to sign the bill of lading and condition report. You have to be presented when the vehicle is being inspected at both locations. If you can’t be present, then someone from the auto transporter company can represent you.

You are responsible for any damage to your vehicle so if you are not present at the inspection, you have to accept the car in its condition. Be sure you notice the bill of lading that will specify if there is any damage to your car.