When it comes to shipping your car, some things apply to everybody: inspections, contracts and paperwork. If you’re shipping your car internationally, however, there are some special considerations that need special attention to make sure the trip is as uneventful as possible (and that’s definitively what you want when it comes to shipping your car!).

Do you speak the local language at the arrival port? If not, it probably makes sense to spend some extra money and have an agent meet you at your destination to help with the pick up of the car. This is especially important because there will be documents to sign, which you should only do after close inspection.

Make sure you know what you’re getting. International shipping is usually not door-to-door. Instead, you will be expected to show up at the port and process the receipt of the car on your own. Sending somebody else on your place usually not acceptable, so make sure you will be there in time to take the car.

Find out what taxes you will be responsible for at the destination port. Ask the shipping company first, but don’t count with them knowing the exact details or amount. If you get conflicting information, contact the port yourself or talk to your local embassy to see if they have a direct number you can use.

Will you be there to pick up the car? Rules may be different in other countries, and while you might be able to choose somebody to accept the delivery within the US, this option may not be available elsewhere.  

Is car shipping always a good idea? Most of the time, the answer is yes. However, there are a few occasions on which doing so can actually not be a good choice.

• If you need your car delivered on a specific date. Car shipping companies will give an estimate, but they can’t promise you a specific date (and you should be wary of any company that does so).

• If you won’t be available to pick up your car ASAP. After 24-48 hours, storage fees will start running.

• If you have a really expensive, unique car but are not willing to pay for enclosed shipping. An open carrier is not a good choice for a custom-made car. You need protection from the elements.

• If you’re not willing to do your homework. You shouldn’t sign up with the first company you talk to. This will not only end up costing you more, but it will also shortchange your chances for negotiation regarding price, warranty coverage and pick up and delivery issues.

• If you can’t bother to get your car ready. You will need to take photos of your car (to compare its condition at the time of delivery), clean out the trunk, tighten or remove lose objects and empty the car of fluids (almost but not completely). You need to put some time into getting your car ready for pick up in order to avoid complications later on.

Most payments related to car shipping are handled on a partial basis: a percentage when you turn the car in and the rest upon delivery. How much the initial deposit is depends on a lot of factors, including the total cost, the destination and the insurance or taxes to be paid. As an average, you will be expected to pay around 20 percent of the total cost when you drop off the car. If there are any additional costs, such as taxes or pick-up charges (especially during international shipping), these are usually not included in the bill and will be your responsibility at the time of delivery. Terminal pick-up usually means you will be able to pay with a credit card, which is not the case if your car is delivered right to your door. In that case, drivers will most likely only take cash or a cashier’s check. Money orders may be ok depending on the situation, but you need to check this in advance.

One of the most important things to keep in mind regarding payments is whether the price you are given is an estimate or a final bill. In the first case, it makes sense to keep additional money handy in case of extra charges, or make sure you are given a firm invoice at the time you sign the contract.

The bill of lading is a contract between you and the car shipping company that shows you both agree on the sending and receiving condition of the vehicle as well as the price rates and other terms and conditions. Watch the video for more information.

Whether you are shipping a motorcycle, boat, truck or a car, on average, it normally takes up to 24 hours for you to receive a quote. See, this is what will happen after you fill out a form for a vehicle shipping quote, a representative will contact you via email or telephone. Depending on how busy the company is will determine how long it will take for someone to get back to you with a quote. That’s why its so important to contact at least 3 to 4 companies rather than waiting for each company to contact you before contacting the next company for a quote. If you need an immediate quote, simply contact the car shipping company directly during their regular business hours. Some companies even offer online chat where you can speak with a representative instantly from your computer.

Important Tip: Make sure that you have all information such as the size, make and model of your vehicle. Remember to tell the representative if your vehicle is inoperable. And don’t forget that the rep will be giving an estimate - not the final cost of your car shipping order.