We do not provide import/export/shipping services. This guide is for information only.
Whether you are planning a move cross-country or found a car you want to buy from another state, you might be considering having the vehicle shipped. While there are some logistics to figure out, shipping a vehicle isn’t usually a big ordeal. After reading these helpful tips, you might even be able to save some money in the process.
You might catch us saying “car” in this article but rest assured that this information applies whether you’re shipping a car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, or even a powersports toy. This article discusses the process of shipping a vehicle within the continental United States – if you’re looking to export to another country, consult our guide on that topic.
Find a Trustworthy Company
The first step to shipping a car is to find a company or individual to handle transport for you. This is the area that you need to be most careful with as there are plenty of people out there willing to rip you off. Conversely, there are plenty of professional individuals operating their own businesses as logistics experts – people who will take utmost care with your precious cargo.
If you don’t find a trusted shipper, you could be in trouble when it comes time to get your vehicle. Saving a few bucks is never worth the risk of using a second-rate company, so do your homework and pick the right shipper the first time.
Confirm Your Insurance Coverage
After you find the company you want to go with, make sure you call your insurance company. You need to verify your car’s coverage prior to having it shipped. You’ll also want to confirm that the carrier has their own coverage above and beyond what your policy covers.
Empty the Vehicle
Before you load up the vehicle, you need to empty it. The shipper isn’t going to allow you to pack any goods inside the car because that compromises the safety of your vehicle and the others around it. The only thing you should leave in your car is some gas in the tank. Some carriers might also request that you disconnect your car’s battery, so ask in advance what their policies are.
Exceptions might be made for neatly packed vehicles, vehicles with cargo carries, or motorcycles with panniers. Call your chosen company to confirm their restrictions.
Inspect the Vehicle for Damage
When the carrier picks up your vehicle, or when you drop it off, you will need to conduct an inspection for damage. You should look for any dents and scratches and document them before your car goes on the truck. It’s wise to videotape your vehicle ahead of time for additional protection. If you’re buying the vehicle from someone else, have them do the inspection for you.
When the car arrives at its destination, be prepared to do another examination (or have one performed on your behalf). The company will provide you with its Bill of Lading, their official inspection report. If you agree with the company’s statement as to the vehicle’s current condition, you will sign it and be on your way. If you need to file a damage claim, start that process before you sign any delivery paperwork.
Allow for Extra Time on Both Ends
You can’t ship your car like a Christmas card and expect it to show up a few days later. Your car is expensive, bulky and takes time to load and unload. Some domestic deliveries can take a few weeks. Ironically, shipping a vehicle within the continental United States is often slower than shipping something overseas. Plan on the process taking at least 2-4 weeks for distances outside a local area.
Make sure you allow yourself enough time for loading, delivery and processing time. Delays are a standard part of the shipping business, so don’t be discouraged when they occur. You also want to make sure that someone will be available to accept the vehicle once it arrives. The last thing you want to do is leave the carrier alone with your car waiting for you to show up.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Vehicle in the United States?
Several factors determine the total cost of shipping a vehicle. These factors are calculated based on the driver’s current cargo capacity and how your shipping route factors in with the routes of the other vehicles onboard.
1. Shipment time and distance
This is the most substantial cost associated with your shipment. The shipper will charge based on how far the origin and destination are apart from one another. The further you need the car to travel, the more you can expect to pay – and, naturally, the longer it will take.
Of course, shippers also tend to charge less per mile on the longer distance shipments. In general, you can expect a driver to travel about 500 miles per day. The company needs to reimburse his time, the fuel expense, cover wear and tear on the vehicle and still make a profit at the end of the day.
2. Length of the vehicle
An average modern car measures just over 15 feet long. If yours is shorter than that, or if you’re shipping a motorcycle, your business becomes more desirable because the carrier can arrange your vehicle with other cars and make more money.
If your car is longer than 189 inches, or just over 15 and a half feet, the auto transporter may need to arrange it differently with the vehicles around it. That’s the main reason vans, SUVs and trucks tend to cost more to ship than passenger cars – that and height.
3. Height of the vehicle
In the same regard, the height of the vehicle affects the shipping price. Coupes and sedans usually measure under 57 inches tall, while full-size SUVs can exceed 73 inches in height. Transporting a taller vehicle means that the shipper needs to fit a smaller car above or below it – they might even be forced to leave that space empty. This loses them money, so it only makes sense that you are charged more as a result.
4. Ground clearance
The lower your vehicle is, the more likely it is to get damaged. Reputable shippers keep this in mind and charge you accordingly. Many companies prefer to ship any vehicle with less than four inches of ground clearance in an enclosed container. This helps them to treat your property with gentleness, but also increases your rates in the process. Additionally, there are companies which specialize in shipping high-dollar exotic vehicles in specially designed trailers.
5. Total weight
The heavier your vehicle is, the more you can expect to pay to ship it. Your transport carrier needs to stop at weigh stations while traveling. If your vehicle is hefty, that equates to less weight the driver can carry elsewhere, so they lose out on valuable profits. Not only that, but heavy vehicles cause the transport trucks to use more fuel.
6. Overall condition
Does your car run or are you looking at shipping a classic that you want to restore? If your vehicle can’t drive on and off the trailer, you’ll probably have to pay more to have it shipped. The carrier isn’t interested in spending all their time muscling cars around, so it’s only fair to compensate them for their efforts. A non-running vehicle introduces a higher chance of damage being caused as well.
Shippers also don’t want to transport filthy vehicles if they can help it. If the shipper uses an open car carrier, for example, and you provide them with a car that’s covered in debris, or parts are hanging off of it, they might not accept your vehicle due to the chance that something could fly off and hit another car – be that a transported car or a vehicle in traffic behind them.
Dirt and dust are okay, just make sure the vehicle can travel at 70 MPH on an open trailer without anything flying off of it.
Conversely, more care might need to be applied to transport a vehicle you don’t want people to so much as breathe on.
7. Carrier type
Most often, people shipping cars will go with open transport. This means that the car is loaded on a trailer and is exposed to the elements at all times. This is how most new car dealerships receive their cars and it’s the least expensive method to choose.
The other option you have is enclosed transport. If you have a luxury vehicle or something you don’t want left in the weather, you should choose this style instead. Enclosed transport does increase your price by up to 50% so you need to keep that in mind and determine whether your car is worth the extra price.
8. Time of year
Just like anything, shipping a vehicle is dependent on the time of year. As snowbirds move from the north to the south during the winter, you’ll see an increase in rates to California, Arizona, Florida and Texas. In the spring, northern states will see a rise of prices as those same people ship their cars back home. If you are flexible with your plans, ask the shipping company when the lowest-priced season is and plan your trip accordingly.
9. Location and destination
The last factor in determining a car’s shipping price is the location. If you are shipping to or from a densely populated area, your costs will be minimal. That’s because the company will be able to pick up or drop off other vehicles on the same trip. If you want to ship your car to somewhere that’s out of the way for the company’s existing route at the time, you’ll likely be looking at premium rates.
The vehicle will need to be delivered in an open space, so dead-end roads and cul-de-sacs are rarely an option. Identify a large parking lot nearby that you can have the car picked up in – and the same goes for delivery, too.
You Can Trust the Shipper
When you want to ship a car, you generally don’t have a lot on your plate. Aside from finding a reputable company and protecting yourself from being ripped off, there’s little you can do to adjust the pricing and schedule of shipping a car. Just know that the company is not in the business of damaging people’s stuff – you have avenues to fix any problems or damages that arise.
In our experience, independent contractors are just as dependable as big-box shipping companies. Just make sure you use a shipper with a solid reputation, modern equipment, and sufficient insurance.
If you have ever had a car shipped before, we would love to hear from you. Let us know about your experience and share some advice on shipping a car for other readers in the comments below.
If you need to get a new title before shipping your vehicle, let us do the work for you. Dirt Legal provides titles, license plates, and registrations for legally imported vehicles through our Imported Vehicle Titling Service as well as domestic vehicles and just about anything else with wheels. Pair with our LLC Formation Service for a tax-free experience and add our Automatic Registration Renewal to keep things hassle-free and eliminate the DMV altogether. We also offer VIN Checks to help you gather the facts before you buy a vehicle you intend to have shipped to you. Click the links to learn more about our services.
** We do not provide import/export/shipping services. This guide is for information only. **
We are not attorneys. This article is not legal advice. Cover image source
There are several documents you’ll be required to have when you export a vehicle from the United States. It’s always best to get everything sorted before attempting to coordinate shipping, so here are the documents you will need.