Is it Safe to Ship an Expensive Car Overseas on a Roll-On / Roll-Off (Ro/Ro) Ship?

When looking for overseas car shipping service you have three options: shipping by container, shipping on a roll-on / roll-off (ro/ro) ship or shipping by air.  The most affordable option to ship your car internationally is using ro/ro service.  However, the misconception is that shipping an expensive car using ro/ro service is not safe.  Today we will help debunk the rumors on international ro/ro car shipping service.

Rumor #1: International Ro/Ro Shipping is Only for Inexpensive Cars

Did you know that ro/ro vessels not only carry cars but they also carry heavy duty trucks, construction equipment, and other heavy machinery.  Most of these items are worth in excess of tens of thousands of dollars.  Therefore, if it is safe to ship a $125,000 Caterpillar excavator on a ro/ro vessel, it is safe to ship a $125,000 Maserati.

Automobiles aren't the only type of cargo loaded on ro/ro vessels.  Ro/Ro vessels can also accommodate trucks, buses, construction equipment and over-sized heavy machinery.

Rumor #2: I Heard if I Ship my Car on a Ro/Ro Vessel it Sits on Top of the Vessel and it is Exposed to the Elements and Can Easily Fall Off

The ro./ro vessel has come a long way since the introduction of car ferries in the 1800's.  Although some car ferries around the world are still open-air, most first-class international ro/ro steamship lines have specialized enclosed ro/ro vessels.  Today's international car and truck ro/ro carriers are nicer than your garage.  The vessels are climate controlled and your cargo is protected from the elements.  Cars are driven into the belly of the ship and safely secured.  This is how the world's car manufacturer's ship their brand new vehicles around the world, on ro/ro ships.  

Most people think of car ferries when they think of shipping their Lamborghini on a ro/ro vessel.  This is NOT what a typical first-class ro/ro vessel looks like.

Cars loaded on a ro/ro vessel are inside the ship, protected from the elements and safely secured.  You can safely ship your expensive Bentley, Maserati, Mercedes, BMW or Lamborghini overseas from the USA on a ro/ro vessel.

 Rumor #3: Shipping my Expensive Car in a Container is Safer Because there is No Risk of Damage

While shipping your car overseas in a container is a safe option, and an option several customers prefer, it does not guarantee your car will arrive without a scratch.  Our professional warehouses specialize in loading vehicles inside containers, however what happens on the other side of the ocean is another story.  One of biggest issues customers who ship their car internationally in a container face is finding a reliable warehouse overseas who can safely unload their vehicle.  Inexperienced warehouses in another country may damage your vehicle during the unloading process if they have no clue what they're doing.  Typical damage includes scratches along the side of the vehicle, damaging windows, and blowing out tires during the unloading process.  If you prefer to ship your car abroad from the USA in a container, you should make sure you employ an experienced professional in the arrival country in order to avoid the risk of damage to your vehicle.


Do you have more questions about the safety and reliability of shipping your car overseas using roll-on / roll-off (ro/ro) international shipping services?  Contact our office at 212-267-6400, on skype at kinternationalny or by email at inquiries@kinternational.com for more information.  We can also provide international car shipping quotes for ro/ro service from the USA to almost any destination in the world.  

Ship a Cadillac Escalade to Dammam, Saudi Arabia!

Many of our customers come to us to find out how to ship their prized vehicles overseas, especially luxury cars. Recently we have helped customers ship a Cadillac Escalade to Dammam, Saudi Arabia, or other ports in the Middle East. It is important to employ an experienced international shipping company like K International Transport if you want to use roll on / roll off service to ship your Cadillac Escalade from the United States to Dammam, Jeddah, or other places in the Middles East. Roll on / Roll off service is a safe and cost effective method to ship cars overseas. Now is a great time for buyers to get a great price on a Cadillac Escalade, since you can find a Cadillac Escalade through online auction sites like eBay, or from a seller directly.

A stunning  2009 Cadillac Escalade in black!

If you are transporting more than one vehicle, then it is perhaps more economical to ship vehicles in a container to Dammam, and the Middle East. Even if you only have one car, shipping a Cadillac Escalade in a 20' shipping container is the most secure way to go and more ports are serviced.

Al Khobar waterfront in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

If you want to get in contact with us to request an international car shipping price quote, please send an email to inquiries@kinternational.com, call us at (212) 267-6400 or go to our online rate request form. We can also offer international shipping Marine Insurance, to add to your peace of mind.

Simple Instructions for International Ro/Ro Car Shipping Service from the USA

Have you combed the internet looking for simple instructions on how to ship your car overseas?  Exhausted every question board, blog and article on international car shipping but still confused on how to ship your car from the United States?  Trust me, international car shipping from the US is a relatively simple procedure.  Instead of waxing poetic sentences on the ups and downs of international car shipping, we will break down the procedure into 7 simple steps.

7 Simple Steps to Ship Your Car Overseas From the United States

Step #1: Get a Car Shipping Quote 

Send an email or call the international shipping company to receive a free overseas car shipping quote

I already know you're an expert at Google searches, so if you came across a couple of good international car shipping companies here's what information you will need to provide to get a quote:
-Year, Make and Model of the car
-Origin (the car's location in the United States)
-Destination (desired country, city and/or port overseas)
-Whether you will need the overseas car shipping company to pick-up your car and deliver it to port or if you can deliver it yourself

To make it even simpler, you can click here to fill out a international automobile shipping rate request.

Step #2: Get Your Documentation and Information in Order Before you Ship your Car Overseas

Shipping your car from the USA doesn't require a mountain of paperwork....I promise

In order to ship your car from the United States you will only need the following documents and information:

-Original title to the vehicle.  If your car still has an active lien you must provide an original letter from your car financing company granting you permission to ship your vehicle.  If your lien was satisfied within 6 months of you shipping your car overseas, you will need a letter from the car financing company indicating the lien has been released and the date it was released.

-Export Power of Attorney - allows the company to ship your car on your behalf

-Details for the consignee (receiver) of the vehicle in the country overseas including a name, full address and telephone number.  You should also find an agent in the receiving country to help with import procedures.

-File for an EIN number in order for the freight forwarder to file a Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) on your behalf.  If you are a foreigner you can use your foreign passport # and will not need to file for an EIN.

Step #3: Pay to Ship your Car Overseas

There's no such thing as a free lunch in this industry, so make sure you pay your bill on time in order to avoid delays in releasing your vehicle

  

I know, I know, this seems like a simple step.  But so many customers do not pay for their shipping costs until the car reaches overseas, and the forwarder holds your car hostage until you pay.  Check with the international shipping company what their payment terms are.

Step #4: Prepare Your Car for International Ro/Ro Shipping

Make sure you car is clean and ready to go before you ship.  Make sure to remove any personal items including boxes, clothing, children, pets and other items from the car before you ship it overseas.

When using international roll-on / roll-off car shipping service be sure you prepare your car in the following ways:

-Car should be free of dirt and clean on the outside

-Car should be empty - you cannot ship personal items including suitcases, furniture, children and pets inside your car!

-Car should be running and have working brakes

-Car should have no more than 1/8 tank of fuel

If a car carrier is picking up your car and delivering it to port, your international car shipping company should give you a copy of the dock receipt.  The dock receipt will be needed for the carrier to enter and deliver your car to the port.

Step #5: Car Arrives at the Port and Title Clears Customs

You are one step closer to shipping overseas!

Once your car arrives at the port, it waits for the booked vessel to arrive and also for the title to clear customs.  If the title clears customs in time the car is loaded on the vessel, if there is an issue with customs clearance your car could be delayed.

Step #6: Car Ships Overseas

Your car clears customs, loads the vessel and ships overseas!

After weeks of planning and spending 5 minutes reading this blog, all your hard work has paid off and your car loads the vessel and ships overseas!  Now to only clear customs in the destination country....

Step # 7: Receive your International Shipping Documents for your Car

The overseas car transport company should send you any original shipping documents as soon as the car sails

In order to claim your car at the overseas port you will need a few documents from your international car shipping company:

1). Bill of Lading - a document issued by the steamship line needed to claim your cargo.  This document confirms your car was shipped and all details for the shipment.  The agent in the overseas country will need this document or else they cannot give you your car.

2). Original Car Title- if the car shipping company cleared your title for you they should send it with the bill of lading.  You might need the title in order to register your car in your new country.

So there you go...seven simple steps to ship your car overseas.  Not as difficult as you thought, right?  Just to recap, here are the seven steps:
  

• Step #1: Get a Car Shipping Quote 
• Step #2: Get Your Documentation and Information in Order Before you Ship your Car Overseas
• Step #3: Pay to Ship your Car Overseas
• Step #4: Prepare Your Car for International Ro/Ro Shipping
• Step #5: Car Arrives at the Port and Title Clears Customs
• Step #6: Car Ships Overseas
• Step # 7: Receive your International Shipping Documents for your Car

 If you still have any questions or are looking to receive international car shipping quotes send us an email at: inquiries@kinternational.com or give us a call at 212-267-6400.  With over 40 years of experience shipping cars from the USA, you are in good hands.  We provide some of the best overseas car transport rates from the US to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia  and Australia.  You can also reach us on Skype at: kinternationalny

Click below to reach us on Skype:

K International Presents: House Hunters International - International Moving Services to Brazil

With over 40 years of experience in the international shipping industry, we have helped move thousands of customers from the United States to countries all over the globe including Italy, France, Sweden, Costa Rica, Panama, Argentina, Thailand and Brazil.  Every year businesses send workers from the United States to new offices in Brazil.  Our international moving services to Brazil from the USA are among the best.  In order to demonstrate what our customers have experienced while moving to Brazil we present a House Hunters International situation: Moving from Brooklyn, NY to Brooklin, Sao Paulo, Brazil!

Ana and Roberto were a young couple living in Brooklyn, NY and they both worked at the same building development firm. They enjoyed riding their bike, walking over the Brooklyn Bridge and having picnics in Prospect Park. Their time in Brooklyn was coming to an end though.  When their firm decided to open a new office in Brazil, they turned to Ana and Roberto to help get the office moving.  After their company agreed to pay for their international moving expenses to Brazil, they decided to make the big leap and move from the USA to Brazil!

Ana and Roberto enjoyed their life in Brooklyn, NY, but they were excited for their move from the USA to the vibrant city of Sao Paulo, Brazil

While preparing for their move overseas to Brazil from the United States, they needed a reliable international moving company to help them decide how they should ship all of their personal belongings to Brazil.  Their move to Brazil was only temporary so they turned to K International Transport to help guide them on the best way to ship to Brazil.  K International told Ana and Roberto they could ship their furniture and other personal belongings in a shipping container from their door in Brooklyn, NY, USA  to Santos, Brazil, the closest port to Sao Paulo.

Under their work visa Ana and Roberto were able to ship their furniture and other personal items to Brazil free of duty.  They provided K International with a packing list of items they wanted to ship to Brazil including Ana's pilates and exercise equipment and Roberto's architectural equipment he needed for his job.  K International Ana and Roberto know they could ship their equipment, furniture and tools in a 20' container.  As part of the professional international shipping services offered for customers moving abroad from the United States, K International offered to have a container delivered to their door and they could load the container with all of their items.  The international freight quote they received for their overseas moving and shipping was very affordable!  Roberto and Ana packed their belongings and prepared to load their container.

Ana wanted to make sure she could ship all of her exercise equipment to her new home in Brazil.

After loading their container with their furniture, kitchen equipment, exercise equipment and tools, K International shipped their container overseas to Santos, Brazil.  While waiting for their container to arrive, Ana and Roberto started looking at apartments in Sao Paulo. They wanted a place that had enough room for Ana's exercise equipment and an office.  Since they were from Brooklyn, NY they decided the ideal place to live in Brazil was in the Brooklin area of Sao Paulo.  Ana and Roberto's real estate agent got to work right away to find the perfect apartment.  

The first apartment Ana and Roberto visited in the Brooklin neighborhood was in a busy location and had an extra room for an office, but the room was very small.  The apartment had city views but they were hoping for views of the Pinheiros River.  The second apartment they visited in Brooklin had plenty of space for all of Ana's exercise equipment and for Roberto's work equipment, but again there were no good views.

The first two apartments in Brooklin were in a crowded area and did not have river views

 The third apartment was in a newly constructed building with two bedrooms and amazing views of the river.  The two bedrooms were large enough to hold Ana's exercise equipment and Roberto's work equipment.  Although the apartment wasn't as big as the other two, it had the best river views in Sao Paulo and was the most updated.

The third apartment had fantastic views of Sao Paulo's Pinheiros River.

A few days later Ana and Roberto's 20' shipping container of their furniture, exercise equipment and household items arrived in Brazil from the USA.  Although relocating to Brazil was sometimes stressful, using one of the best international shipping companies specializing in moving abroad and relocation services, really made their experience easier.  Ana and Roberto looked forward to starting their new life in Brazil including enjoying carnival and watching football (soccer games).

Ana and Roberto looked forward to their new adventure in Brazil!

Are you like Roberto and Ana and are moving to Brazil?  If you are moving abroad to Brazil we can help you ship all your personal items from the United States to ports in Santos, Suape, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, Paranagua and Rio Grande!  Whether you are moving abroad to retire or have been transferred for your job, we can help with your international moving needs!  If you are moving or relocating abroad we can help ship your furniture, cars, personal items, motorcycles and more from the United States to almost any country. To receive international shipping quotes send us an email at inquiries@kinternational.com or give us a call at 212-267-6400.  You can also reach us on Skype: kinternationalny

Use a Skilled International Shipping Company for Cars to Ship Your Ford F-250 to Lagos, Nigeria

Purchasing a Ford F-250 in the United States and shipping it to Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa is not difficult if you choose a skilled international shipping company for cars, like K International Transport, Co., Inc.. Recent customers have shipped Ford F-250s to Lagos,  Nigeria for both commercial and private uses!

Ford F-250s can handle most commercial jobs, and are great for individuals as well.

If you are shipping multiple vehicles, it may be more efficient to ship your cars in a container to  Lagos,  Nigeria. If you are only purchasing one Ford F-250, Roll On / Roll off shipping would be the option with the lowest price for shipping cars to Lagos, Nigeria.


Service to Lagos is the best out of U.S. East Coast base ports like New York, Baltimore, Savannah, Norfolk, and Jacksonville. Roll On / Roll Off service to  Lagos,  Nigeria is particularly economical out of Baltimore and Jacksonville ports, with Baltimore usually the quickest in giving export customs clearance for Ford F-250s and other cars. 

Lagos, Nigeria's skyline!

Please do not hesitate to send any request for international car shipping quotes to inquiries@kinternational.com, or use our request form. Alternatively you can call us at (212) 267-6400 or skype us at kinternationalny.


We hope to hear from you soon!

How do you ship a car without a title overseas?

There are many reasons why a vehicle would not have a title, but thankfully there are ways to export a car without a title. The documents required and export customs regulations that are applicable depend upon the reason the car is without a U.S. Title. In general, if you are trying to ship a car overseas without a title, you will need alternate documentation that proves legitimate ownership.

1. For used, self-propelled vehicles that are registered or titled abroad, the owner must provide to Customs the original document that provides satisfactory proof of ownership (with an English translation of the text if the original language is not in English), and two complete copies of that document (and translation, if necessary). 
2. Newly manufactured vehicles, issued a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (SO). For newly manufactured, self-propelled vehicles that are purchased from a U.S. manufacturer, distributor, or dealer that become used and are issued an SO, but not issued a certificate of title by any jurisdiction of the United States, the owner must provide to Customs at the time and place specified in this section, an original SO and two complete copies of the original SO.
3. Newly manufactured vehicles not issued an SO. For newly-manufactured, self-propelled vehicles purchased from a U.S. manufacturer, distributor, or dealer that become used and not issued an SO or a Certificate of Title by any jurisdiction of the United States, THE OWNER MUST ESTABLISH THAT THE JURISDICTION FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE COMES DOES NOT HAVE ANY OWNERSHIP DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS REGARDING SUCH VEHICLES and provide to Customs an original document that proves ownership, such as a dealer’s invoice, and two complete copies of such original documentation.
4. Vehicles issued a junk or scrap certificate: for vehicles for which a junk or scrap certificate, issued by any jurisdiction of the U.S., remains in force, the owner must provide to Customs the original certificate or a certified copy of the original document and two complete copies of the original document or certified copy of the original.
5. Vehicles issued a title or certificate that is not in force or are otherwise not registered. For vehicles that were issued, by any jurisdiction of the U.S., a title or certificate that is no longer in force, or that are not required to be titled or registered, and for which an SO was not issued, THE OWNER MUST ESTABLISH THAT THE JURISDICTION FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE COMES DOES NOT HAVE ANY OWNERSHIP DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS REGARDING SUCH VEHICLES and provide to Customs the original document that shows the basis for ownership or right of possession, such as a bill of sale, and two complete copies of that original document. Further, the owner must certify in writing to Customs that the procurement of the vehicle was a bona fide transaction, and that the vehicle presented for export is not stolen.

Please keep in mind that if none of the above situations applies to your vehicle, and the Original Title has been misplaced or destroyed, you will have to apply for a replacement Original Title from the relevant Department of Motor Vehicles.


K International Transport is an experienced international transport company for cars in particular, and we have successfully exported vehicles with a variety of title issues. It is important to us that your vehicle is exported correctly, and in accordance with all U.S. Export Customs regulations, so if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us by:


Phone: (212) 267-6400
Email: inquiries@kinternational.com
Skype: kinternationalny


You can also visit our international car shipping quote request page, and include any questions about your vehicle's title status that you have.