Small details make all the difference when preparing your car for shipping. While you may be well aware of what to do when it comes to the contract, the delivery and the insurance, here are other things to keep in mind:

Taking photos of your car is a great way to protect yourself. It will ensure that there are no new scratches or paint chips on your vehicle at the time of arrival. Make sure the photos are clear, taken in good light.

While some companies will remind you to disconnect the car alarm, others will make nothing of it. If you think leaving it on is a good idea, consider the possibility of the alarm going off during transport and wearing your battery out. Or causing delays because the driver needs to stop and contact somebody in order to disable the alarm (driving with a blasting alarm behind your ears is not a comfortable experience).

Companies may not know exactly what kind of taxes you’re expected to pay at the destination port. If you’re shipping your car internationally, it’s important that you take it upon yourself to contact the embassy or destination custom office to find out what charges to expect. Taxes can be higher if you don’t have all the right paperwork with you at the time of pick-up.