Documents Needed to Ship a Vehicle

So you’ve made the decision to ship your car overseas. You’re probably wondering, what’s next? What documents do I need to ensure the smooth shipping of my vehicle to Africa or wherever else you’re sending it? The paperwork process can seem overwhelming at first but it’s really not. We assist you in all phases and guide you every step of the way to make sure your vehicle gets to its destination safely, on time and in an efficient manner. The last thing you – or we – want is for there to be a hold up at the destination port. That’s why we offer help in obtaining all the right documentation.

First and foremost, you’ll need an original Certificate of Title of Ownership, without any liens recorded on the title. You should have this on hand. If not, obtain it from your local department of motor vehicles. If the vehicle is used or pre-owned, the existing Certificate of Title can be endorsed by the seller to the new owner. Keep in mind, proof of export will be given to the seller if requested, with no sales tax payable to the seller. In addition, you may need a Bill of Sale or a Notarized Bill of Sale, depending on which port the vehicle is scheduled to sail from.

 

International Shipping Rates

There are a few special notes to make. If you are a member of the military, government or state service and have a vehicle title with a lien against it, you must seek permission from the lien holder in order to export the vehicle. This is an extra step that’s not really as much of a hassle as it sounds. Just obtain an original letter from the lien holder, along with three certified copies of the Certificate of Title. In addition, you’ll have to show your military orders or a letter from the government or state authority, plus a copy of the Title Record History from your Department of Motor Vehicles. It sounds like a lot but this process goes rather smoothly in most cases. It’s also a very important step that can’t be overlooked. In the event that you purchase a new vehicle, you’ll need an Original Certificate of Origin and Bill of Sale from the dealership—essential to getting clearance by Customs. In some cases, such as within select Florida ports for example, you will also need a Power of Attorney that gives agents permission to clear your documents on your behalf.

If we handle the clearance for you in the United States, you will get back all documents that you provided for US Customs clearance of your vehicle, sent to you after the vessel has sailed. Or, you could opt to have them mailed via the post office or FedEx. So there it is in a nutshell. Easy, right? We think so. And again, we help you with every step of the process, so don’t ever feel like you’re on your own.

Leave a Comment