Looking to export a vehicle but don’t want the stress?
Millions of vehicles are shipped worldwide every year to buyers searching for certain models or importing luxury cars from abroad.
The issue?
Nine times out of ten, these vehicles aren’t prepared for export.
Shipping a car internationally isn’t as simple as driving it to the docks. Without taking the correct preparation steps and having the necessary paperwork, your vehicle could sit at customs for weeks… or even be refused entry!
Fortunately, preparing a vehicle for export is easy.
Once you learn how it’s done, you can easily avoid the simple mistakes that cost people thousands of pounds each year.
Let’s take a look.
What You’ll Learn
- Why Preparation Is Important
- Vehicle Export Documents Needed
- Preparing Your Vehicle For Export
- Finding The Right Export Company
- Export Vehicle FAQs
Why Preparation Is Important
Exporting vehicles is a huge industry.
Statistics from the SMMT show that approximately 77% of all vehicles built in the UK are exported to international markets. That’s a huge number of cars and vans crossing borders every year.
However…
Exporting a vehicle that hasn’t been properly prepared is a recipe for disaster. Whether it’s an expensive Range Rover being shipped to Ireland or a vintage Jaguar being sold in the Middle East, preparation is key. By working with trusted vehicle exporters, you can ensure all the boxes are checked prior to exporting your vehicle.
If not prepared correctly, you could end up waiting:
- Weeks for your vehicle to be released by customs.
- Additional fees or penalties.
- Damage incurred during transit.
- Fail inspection at the port of destination.
It’s pretty cut and dry when you look at it like that. Prepare your vehicle for export correctly and the rest is simple. Don’t, and you’re opening yourself up to a very expensive headache.
Vehicle Export Documents Needed
Documentation can make or break your export.
If you’re missing even 1 document, you will have delays.
Essential documentation needed to export a vehicle include:
- Vehicle registration document (V5C): The V5C certifies who owns the vehicle. This is needed by HMRC before the car can leave the country, as the DVLA needs to be informed that you’ve exported your vehicle permanently.
- Certificate of Export: A certificate of export informs the DVLA that your vehicle has been exported. Without this document, you may still be liable for UK tax on a vehicle no longer in the country.
- Commercial Invoice: Used to provide proof of a vehicle’s value. Needed for customs clearance both leaving and arriving at the destination country.
- Bill of Lading: This acts as a shipping document. The bill of lading is the contract between you and the shipping company, and will double up as a receipt once you export your vehicle.
Depending on where your vehicle is being exported to, there may be additional documents required. Emissions certificates or pre-passport safety inspection certificates may be requested.
Keep in mind that…
All documents should be filled out correctly! Even small errors on your commercial invoice can lead to major delays at the border.
Preparing Your Vehicle For Export
Shipments won’t accept vehicles that are poorly prepared.
Ensure that your car is presentable and ready for the journey by following these steps.
The first thing you should do is carry out a comprehensive vehicle inspection.
Check every inch of the vehicle over and document it. Take photos of all the exterior panels, the inside of the car and the engine bay. This is always recommended when shipping your vehicle as it provides proof of the condition your vehicle was in prior to loading should any damages occur.
Once you’ve verified the condition of the vehicle, ensure that it is in good working order too.
Top up any fluid levels, give the battery a charge and inflate the tyres if needed. Make sure there are no spare parts, removable trays or personal belongings left in the vehicle.
A lesser-known tip is…
Reducing the amount of fuel in your tank to around a quarter full. Shipping companies request this for health and safety purposes. Not only does it reduce weight, but it also limits risk should something happen during transit.
Remove any aftermarket accessories and secure loose items. Roof racks, if not removed, should be properly secured to avoid falling during shipping.
Finding The Right Export Company
This is where most people fail.
By opting for the cheapest vehicle export company, you’re likely to get what you pay for.
Exporting your vehicle is not like buying a washing machine from eBay. You should be sure that you’ve partnered with a company who cares about your vehicles as much as you do.
Not only will your chosen company handle your customs clearance, but they’re also responsible for the safe handling of your vehicle at both ends of the journey. The goal should always be to make the process as easy as possible from initial inquiry to collection of your vehicle at destination.
Industry statistics from the recent SMMT report show that 89% of all luxury and sports vehicles built in the UK are exported abroad to over 120 markets.
When you consider that a high percentage of these vehicles are being shipped around the world each year, you can imagine the level of experience the shipping company will need to have under their belt.
When looking for a vehicle export company, check they specialise in what they do. There’s a huge difference between a company who ships vehicles as part of a general freight forwarding business, and one who specialises in just vehicles.
Export Vehicle FAQs
You’ll find that any questions you may have about exporting your vehicle fall into these commonly asked questions.
What cars can I export?
In theory, you can export any vehicle. However, there may be restrictions if you’re exporting older vehicles for example. You should always check your vehicle’s import/export requirements as early as possible.
Can I export a vehicle with a mortgage on it?
You can, but you’ll need permission from the finance company that holds the mortgage on your vehicle. Always check before assuming that this won’t be an issue.
Can I drive my car after importing?
Yes, in most circumstances you’ll be able to drive your vehicle. Upon arrival at destination the vehicle may be temporarily taxed, however you’ll then be able to tax your vehicle as normal.
Can I export a car quickly?
Where possible, allow yourself as much time as possible when exporting your vehicle. There’s no fixed timeframe on when your vehicle will arrive at destination as factors such as shipping schedules and customs processing can affect the overall delivery time.
It’s also worth mentioning that if you rush the process there’s always more room for mistakes to happen. Allow enough time for everything to happen smoothly and you shouldn’t encounter any issues.
Wrapping Up
Preparing your vehicle for export really is simple.
There are two main areas that you need to cover.. Preparation of the vehicle and the associated documentation.
As long as you’ve nailed these two factors, the process will sail through without a hitch.
To export your vehicle you should…
- Prepare all necessary documentation and double check they’re filled out correctly.
- Physically prepare the vehicle for transit.
- Work with an experienced vehicle export company.
- Check import regulations at the destination country.
- Allow enough time for the process to complete.
It’s a simple process when you break it down. Vehicle exports happen all over the world everyday and by following these steps your experience should be plain sailing.
