If you’re shipping your car internationally, there is a chance you may need to keep the vehicle in storage for a period of time. This can mean a nice, climate-controlled place in a storage unit, or it can mean a metal container on the dock. To make sure your car survives the storage process with no problems, there are some things you can do in advance:

1. Make sure the gas tank is not empty. That can cause condensation and lead to engine problems.

2. Find out where vehicles are stored and whether there is high humidity in the area. If so, ask if you can disengage the parking brake. Some companies may refuse, but if they don’t, this can help you avoid corrosion.

3. Make sure the car is clean. Wash it and wax it before shipping. This will protect the paint more than any other thing you do.

4. Ask whether the company can disconnect the battery for you at the destination port. Only do this if you expect the car to be in storage for over a month. It will keep the battery from draining.

5. Don’t put things in the trunk. Many companies will not allow this anyway, but even if they do, avoid storing things that can break, freeze or otherwise cause damage to your car.