Moving a Car Overseas

Relocating your car to another country from Tampa, Florida, will be easy once you find the right shipping company for the job. To do so, you first need to conduct a thorough Internet search and find your available options. When researching, you’ll want to check that any company you’re considering is licensed, insured, and bonded. Companies that operate as freight forwarders will have FMC licensing, and others should have a special license if they operate as a Non Vessel Owning Common Carrier (NVOCC). If a NVOCC utilizes purchases space from a Vessel Owning Common Carrier (VOCC) or uses third-party services, you’ll want to make sure that they’re fully licensed and insured as well. Additionally, reading customer reviews will give you an idea if a company is reliable and easy to work with.

Once you’ve found some licensed and reputable shipping companies, you can begin requesting price quotes. Read each quote carefully to ensure you understand what services the price covers. Some companies only deliver port to port while others deliver door to door. Every port in the world will have destination fees, and it’s important to ask if these will be covered in the price so that there are no surprise costs later on. Also, checking to make sure that the company offers insurance coverage is important for your peace of mind while your car travels over the water.

Your two choices for shipping will likely be roll-on/roll-off (RORO) or consolidated vehicle shipping. RORO is cheaper and will arrive at the other port more quickly than consolidated vehicle shipping in most cases, but the car will be more exposed to the elements in the ship’s hull. With consolidated vehicle shipping, your car will be stored in a container with other vehicles, which helps reduce the risk of damage. It’s recommended that you service and take pictures of your car beforehand so that you have a record of your car’s condition.

After you’ve found the best quote from the most reliable company, you’ll need to complete any necessary paperwork. Depending on the type of shipping you select, you’ll have to submit either the original or a copy of the car title, as well as copies of the bill of sale and your passport. Every port will require other types of documentation, and the shipping company can assist you with figuring out what documents you need to provide.

If you would like assistance with finding a shipping company that can transport your car from Tampa, FL, to another country, contact Atlantic Relocation Systems today. We’ve been in the relocation business since 1966, and our relocation coordinators can provide you with the proper resources you need to get the job done.