Avoiding Damage with International Car Shipping

Avoiding Damage During International Car Shipping: A Proactive Guide

Shipping your vehicle overseas is a significant investment, and its safe arrival is your top priority. While professional carriers are highly skilled, the journey involves multiple handling points and exposure to the marine environment. At Ship Cars Ltd, we believe that prevention is the best form of protection. This definitive guide outlines the proactive steps you can take to significantly minimise the risk of damage to your vehicle during its international transit.

Understanding the process and preparing accordingly is the most effective way to ensure your car arrives in the same condition it left.

Understanding the Shipping Environment: RORO vs. Container

The first step in risk mitigation is understanding the journey your vehicle will undertake. The shipping method you choose—Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) or Container—directly impacts the type of risks involved.

Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) Shipping

In RORO shipping, your vehicle is driven onto a specialised car carrier and secured within a large, multi-deck garage.

• Potential Risks:
  • Cosmetic Contact: The primary risk in RORO is minor cosmetic damage from being in close proximity to other vehicles during loading, unloading, or if securing straps shift in heavy seas.
  • Environmental Exposure: While largely protected, vehicles on open-deck levels can be exposed to salt spray.
• Inherent Protections: The vessel is designed for vehicles, and crews are trained in professional securing techniques. Your car is not physically lifted by machinery.

Container Shipping

Your vehicle is loaded into a standard shipping container, either alone (dedicated) or with others (shared).

• Potential Risks:
  • Lifting and Handling: The container itself is handled by cranes and heavy machinery at the ports. While secure, this is a point of movement.
  • Internal Contact: In a shared container, despite being separated by wooden battens, there is a minimal risk of contact if battens fail.
  • Condensation: A sealed container can experience temperature fluctuations, leading to moisture buildup and potential condensation on the vehicle.
• Inherent Protections: A container provides excellent protection from the elements, salt spray, and direct physical handling. A dedicated container offers the highest level of security, acting as a private metal garage.

Choosing the Right Method: For a standard, operational vehicle, RORO is excellent and cost-effective. For a high-value classic car, a non-runner, or a vehicle requiring ultimate protection, a dedicated container is the superior choice.

Your Pre-Shipment Damage Prevention Checklist

The majority of damage prevention happens before your vehicle even reaches the port. Diligent preparation is your first and most powerful line of defence.

1. The Essential Deep Clean: Clean and Dry is Mandatory

This is not just about aesthetics; it is a critical protective measure.

• Why it Matters:
  • Baseline Condition: A spotlessly clean car, both inside and out, allows for an accurate pre-shipping condition report. This is your legal evidence of the vehicle’s state prior to shipping, which is crucial for any insurance claims.
  • Corrosion Prevention: Salt, road grime, and dirt are abrasive and corrosive. If left on the paintwork and undercarriage during a weeks-long sea voyage, they can cause lasting damage. A thorough clean removes these contaminants.
  • Biosecurity: For countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the USA, a professionally cleaned undercarriage is a non-negotiable requirement to prevent the import of foreign soil and pests. A dirty vehicle will be held and cleaned at your expense, causing significant delays and handling.
• Action Plan:
  • Exterior Wash: Give the car a full exterior wash and dry.
  • Undercarriage: Pay special attention to the wheel arches, chassis, and undercarriage. A professional steam clean is highly recommended.
  • Interior Vacuum: Vacuum the interior thoroughly, including the boot. Remove all loose dirt and debris.
  • Engine Bay: A light wipe-down of the engine bay to remove excess grime and oil is advisable.

2. Comprehensive Photographic Evidence

Before you hand over the keys, become your own detective.

• What to Do: Take clear, high-resolution, date-stamped photographs of your vehicle from every possible angle.
• Key Areas to Photograph:
  • Front, back, and both sides.
  • All four wheels and wheel arches.
  • The roof (often overlooked).
  • The interior, including dashboard, seats, and trim.
  • The engine bay.
  • Close-ups of any pre-existing scratches, dents, or chips in the paintwork.

These photos are your independent evidence and should be taken in addition to the official condition report.

3. Mechanical & Physical Preparation

• Check Fluid Levels: Ensure there are no active leaks from the engine, gearbox, or cooling system. A leaking vehicle can be refused for loading.
• Disable the Alarm: To prevent battery drain and unnecessary activation during transit, disable any alarm or immobiliser system.
• Retract External Features: Fold in the wing mirrors and retract any radio aerials.
• Fuel Level: Adhere to the strict rule of a ¼ full tank or less to minimise fire risk.
• Remove Valuables: Take all personal belongings, including documents, sat-navs, and other items from the glove compartment and cabin.

4. The Pre-Shipment Condition Report

This is a formal, documented inspection carried out by us or the shipping agent.

• Do Not Rush It: Be present during the inspection if possible, or review the report carefully. Point out every minor scratch and dent to ensure it is recorded.
• It’s Your Proof: This signed report is the primary document used to assess liability for any damage discovered at the destination. A thorough report protects you.

The Role of Insurance: Your Financial Safety Net

Even with the best preparation, incidents at sea can happen. Marine insurance is not just an optional extra; it is an essential part of your shipping budget that provides a critical financial safety net.

• What it Covers: Marine insurance specifically covers risks associated with the ocean voyage, such as fire, sinking, collision, and falling overboard, which are not covered by your domestic car insurance policy.
• Types of Coverage We Offer:
  1. Total Loss Cover (1%): This is the basic level, covering you only if the vehicle is a complete write-off due to a major incident like fire or the vessel sinking.
  2. Comprehensive Cover (1.5%): This is the recommended coverage for peace of mind. It includes total loss and, crucially, also covers cosmetic damage such as dents, scratches, and paint chips that can occur during handling. (Note: For comprehensive cover, the vehicle must be under 10 years old and a condition report is mandatory).

Investing in comprehensive insurance means that even if the unexpected happens, you will not face a significant financial loss.

Final Checks Upon Vehicle Arrival

Your proactive role continues when your vehicle arrives at the destination port.

• Inspect Upon Collection: When you collect your vehicle, do a slow and meticulous inspection using your pre-shipment photos and the condition report as a guide.
• Check for Moisture: If you used container shipping, check for any signs of condensation or moisture inside the vehicle.
• Note Any Discrepancies: If you find any new damage, note it immediately in writing with the delivering agent before you drive the vehicle away. Take photographs of the new damage on the spot.

Summary: Your Action Plan for a Damage-Free Shipment

1. Choose Wisely: Select RORO for cost-effective shipping of standard cars. Opt for a dedicated container for maximum protection of high-value or non-standard vehicles.
2. Prepare Meticulously: Deep clean your vehicle until it is clean and dry, inside and out. This is your first and most important step.
3. Document Everything: Take comprehensive, date-stamped photographs and ensure the pre-shipment condition report is accurate and detailed.
4. Insure Comprehensively: Protect your investment with comprehensive marine insurance to cover both total loss and cosmetic damage.
5. Inspect Diligently: Conduct a thorough inspection upon collection at the destination against your pre-shipment records.

By following this proactive guide, you move from being a passive customer to an informed partner in the shipping process. This significantly increases the likelihood of your vehicle arriving safely and in pristine condition, ready for you to drive away on new roads.

Ready to ship with confidence? Contact Ship Cars Ltd today for a quote and let our experts guide you through a secure and reliable shipping process.