Transporting a car overseas can seem like a grueling task, especially to clients that do not have experience with international automobile shipping services. However, with K International Transport, the process can be easy and efficient. With K International Transport’s overseas car transport services, shippers can transport automobiles of all makes, models, and years, including contemporary vehicles, vintage cars, classic autos, trucks, and buses to ports in Europe.
A reliable international shipping company like K International Transport can help clients understand the ins and outs of the international shipping process to Europe, no matter what type of car the client decides to transport.
Shipping to Europe
Europe generally is a very popular destination for automobiles that are transported from the United States. Western Europe particularly imports more automobiles than any other region in the world. K International Transport can help clients ship from all ports in the United States, including New York, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Texas, California, and Washington, and some popular ports for overseas car transport to Europe include:
- Southampton, UK
- Bremerhaven, Germany
- Livorno, Italy
- Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Zeebrugge, Belgium
- Constanta, Romania
- Valencia, Spain
- Piraeus, Greece
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Barcelona, Spain
Transporting to Europe is usually very affordable, with western Europe offering the lowest costs. However, clients should be aware of the various tariffs on automobile imports, as well as the requirements imposed on imported cars.
Things to Consider
Classic and vintage automobile imports to European countries are often the most expensive because roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessels often cannot be used because vintage autos are typically nonrunners or require a bit more protection from the elements. Because of this, vintage and classic cars must be loaded onto the vessel once it is in a container, rather than simply driven onto the vessel. However, an important benefit to shipping with a container is that other personal effects, such as household goods, may be loaded in the container as well and can travel with the automobile! Containers can be 20 feet, 40 feet, or even larger. Clients can typically get their own personal container with Full Container Load (FCL) services or can share a container with another shipper with Less than Container Load (LCL) services to save money.
Many countries and ports also impose other tariffs associated with vintage automobiles. Luckily, these costs are sometimes refunded once the automobile leaves the country again. Cars transported to Europe can also face up to 10% in import duties and an approximately 20% value added tax depending on the country, the port, and the age and make of the vehicle. Clients may also need to retrofit their automobiles to European specifications, including various registration and licensing requirements.
Other regulations imposed on imports may dictate the maximum age of the automobile that can be imported and the make or model of the vehicle. Additionally, the tariffs can be placed on various factors; sometimes the value of the vehicle is considered, and sometimes the size of the engine. A common example of shipping difficulties that can arise is with the import of automobiles into the United States, because of the country’s strict laws and regulations regarding which vehicles can be used and driven in the United States.
However, clients often do not need to know each of these rules and regulations fully and completely. With a reliable and experienced international shipping company like K International Transport, a knowledgeable agent can inform clients of possible issues before they arise.
Beginning the Shipping Process
Certain aspects of transporting automobiles to Europe are very similar to standard international automobile shipping services. Therefore, clients can benefit from understanding the basic procedure of overseas auto transport before delving into the various difficulties and differences that exist specifically within the realm of transporting cars to Europe. With basic automobile shipping services, clients will be asked for several documents prior to shipping, including:
- the original title of their car
- their full name, address, and photo identification
- the consignee’s identification and contact information
- prepayment in full
- proof of the commercial value of the automobile
- a signed power of attorney form to allow the freight forwarding company to legally manage the shipment.
Additionally, the company will need to know the desired date of shipment, the car’s location in the United States, as well as any other goals that the client has for the cargo. To prepare the automobile for transport, clients should clean the car and ensure that the gas tank is neither completely full nor completely empty. K International Transport will handle the rest!
Who Should I Call to Get Started?
Although clients may be overwhelmed by the concept of transporting often valuable automobiles, a reliable international shipping company like K International Transport can help demystify the process. K International Transport is a leading expert company in the freight forwarding field and can relay important information regarding port and customs regulations to clients to minimize the burden.
Contact K International Transport today for questions or a international shipping quote to the Middle East, Europe, Africa, South America, Asia, or Australia. Call us at 212-267-6400 or email us at inquiries@kinternational.com. You can also reach out to us on Skype at kinternationalny. We look forward to working with you and shipping your automobiles to virtually any port int the world!
