How to Ship a Car from the UK to the USA: Full Guide

Transporting a car to the USA is an operation that involves a lot of planning, knowledge on the customs and the choice of the mode of shipping. It does not matter whether you are moving, buying a car in a foreign country or you are shipping a vintage car over the Atlantic Ocean, this guide will give you all the necessary details to get it done successfully and ship the car out of the UK to the USA.Ship Cars Ltd  

Why Do People Ship Cars from the UK to the USA?

People or companies may decide to export cars in the UK to the USA due to a number of reasons. Other individuals are permanently relocating and they would like to carry their own car along. The others can include collectors of imported classic British cars or dealerships to satisfy overseas orders. Moreover, other American fans just like having some of the UK models of vehicles that are either scarce or not found in the United States.Whatever the motivation, international car transport is a convenient and safe means of moving the car without driving it across the continents or buying another one on arrival.

You may also like to read 10 Mistakes People Make While Shipping Car International.

What Are the Main Methods of Shipping a Car from the UK to the USA?

In the case of transportation of your car in the UK to the USA, there are two major modes; Roll on/Roll off (RoRo) and Container Shipping.RoRo shipping is a means of transporting the car on a special car ship. When shipped, it is left on deck and pushed off on arrival. This happens to be the cheapest and the simplest way, which suits the working cars that have no personal effects in them.

Container shipping, though, entails the use of a secure shipping container in which your car is placed and its usage is either shared with other cars (to save cost) or used exclusively with your car. This option gives better coverage against the elements and can carry your personal property in it, so it is better to use it in the high-value or classic cars.

Which Documents Are Required to Ship a Car from the UK to the USA?

 

International car shipping involves documentation. In order to export a vehicle in the UK to the USA, you are likely to require:

• Original Vehicle Registration Document (V5C).
• Evidence of ownership (e.g. a bill of sale or invoice)
• Copy of your passport or ID
• Send freight forwarder shipping invoice.
• Import approval documents (to the USA)
• EPA and DOT compliance forms (discussed further below)

All the documentation must be correct and comprehensive because a lack of paperwork will result in either a delayed shipment or even seizure of your vehicle upon entry into the country.

You may also get benefit from reading How To Choose Right Car Shipping Method.

What Are the US Import Rules for Cars from the UK?

The car importation in the United States is more regulated than in a number of other nations. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) have stringent guidelines on the safety and emission standards.

Overall, vehicles that are below the age of 25 years have to meet the safety and emissions standards of the US. This implies that they need to be changed or certified to EPA and DOT standards. Nonetheless, cars that are above 25 years are not subjected to the regulations and are typically far easier to introduce.

In case your car does not comply with the US standards, it will need adjustment or will have to be imported with special exemption. You need to employ shipping or importation specialist that can help in compliance documentation and the fact of whether your vehicle is worthy.

You may like to read Important Things to Remeber When Shipping a Car.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to the USA?

Shipment of a car in the UK to the USA costs differently depending on several factors:

• Shipping mode (RoRo or container)
• Vehicle size and weight
• Departure and arrival ports
• Insurance coverage
• Customs and handling fees
• Other services (such as inland transport or documentation service)

The cost of  Roll-on/Roll-off  shipping, on average, is between £1,200 and 2,500 and container shipping is between 1,800-3,500. These are approximations that can vary based on the fuel price, congestion at the ports and availability of services.

The UK departure ports that are popular are Southampton and Felixstowe whereas the popular ports in the US are New York, Baltimore, Miami and Los Angeles.

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car from the UK to the USA?

The duration of shipment depends upon route you choose, schedule of the ports and clearance procedures. Overall, it takes 2 to 4 weeks of sea transport between the UK and the USA. You must however also consider extra time to be spent on documentation, conloading, unloading, and customs clearance on both ends.

The delays can happen during the peak shipping seasons, because of port delays, or because some documents were not completed. That is why it is better to plan your shipping at least several months or two before.

Do You Need Insurance When Shipping a Car Overseas?

 

It is a very good idea, no doubt, to have your car insured when exported abroad, and it is an obligatory aspect of the export business in most areas. Despite all precautions of professional shipping companies, accidents, theft or natural events can take place.

Shipping insurances are usually designed to cover damages in transit, however it is important to read the policy. You have an option of basic cover and full comprehensive cover. The price is normally given as a percentage of your car value.

What Happens When Your Car Arrives in the USA?

After delivery of your vehicle into a US port, it will need clearance by the customs. When you have a full and correct documentation, it normally takes a number of days. Depending on the value, age and the use of the car, you might be required to pay import duties and taxes.

The importation of cars into the USA normally attracts import duty in the form of:

• 2.5% duty on passenger vehicles
• 25% duty on trucks
• 2.4% duty on motorcycles

With a clearance, you can either collect your car at the port or the vehicle can be delivered to your place of residence through a local auto shipper.

Is It Better to Use a Shipping Agent or Handle It Yourself?

Although one can handle the process by themselves, it is strongly advisable to employ a professional car shipping firm or import agent. International car shipping presupposes the interaction with various agencies, customs and shipping plan.

One can leave all the paperwork and booking to customs clearance and insurance to a professional agent. They will also make sure that your car is in all the required regulation criteria even prior to departure and would save you the hassle of delays or making expensive mistakes.

Can You Ship an Electric or Luxury Car to the USA?

Yes, it is possible to car shipping services  and electric and luxury cars across the UK to the USA, but you have to make sure that they are up to US standards. Transport of luxury cars must be made in containers so as not to encounter any exposure to the environment or risk of damage. Additional requirements of electric vehicles include battery regulations and should at all times be stated properly in shipping documentation.

This is since these cars are usually of high value and therefore insure them adequately and select a reliable shipping company that has dealt with such cars previously.

Final Thoughts: Is Shipping a Car from the UK to the USA Worth It?

Exporting a vehicle to the United States of America can be a satisfying and economical choice, particularly when moving to the country, or where individuals own certain model vehicles in the UK or have purchased them. Although it is paper work, regulations, logistics, the achievement is usually worth the effort.

The important thing to do is to select the appropriate shipping technique, prepare your paperwork, and cooperate with an international shipping company that would be able to deliver your vehicle to the American soil safely and without any legal issues.Are you going to ship your car in the UK to the USA? Find out your research, pack your papers well in advance and select a shipping company which is knowledgeable about both the UK and the US laws, so that your transportation proceeds smoothly and successfully.ship car