Shipping car to Europe

[Axeman]

Hey everyone,

I'm buying a Porsche for a family friend in Germany and need to ship the car from Long Beach to Rotterdam. I've never shipped a car before, would appreciate some info on what to do after I buy the car, who's name do I put on the pink slip, do I need to do anything with the DMV, and any recommendations you might have regarding shipping companies etc.
I have also bought him a set of wheels that I would like to ship along with the car, is it ok to just put them inside the car?

Thanks in advance for any info!

[twistoffat]

Its okay to put the wheels in the car. The Bill of Sale needs to have the actual buyers details in Europe on it. Customs in the US will check out the title etc on the car before letting it go. Most of the vessels going to Europe leave the east coast so you need to figure out how to get it there otherwise the costs rocket. The best was to transport the car is in a 20´standard container. Its probably better getting the end receiver to fiond someone here in Europe to do the transport because that company can also take care of the import regulations here. By the way if the car is 30years old and unmolested there is a waiver of the import duty in Rotterdam

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by twistoffat

Most of the vessels going to Europe leave the east coast so you need to figure out how to get it there otherwise the costs rocket. The best was to transport the car is in a 20´standard container.

Not true at all about the vessels. The Wallenius Wilhelmsen leaves the Port of Long Beach up to once a month to Bremerhaven Germany. A "RoRo" ship is a lot cheaper than shipping a container no matter if you ship the car by truck to the East Coast or ship it by water all the way. The car has to be drivable and the battery needs to stay up for 2 weeks.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen

[Joeaksa]

I have done it both ways, a RORO (roll on roll off) or container.

If you can afford the money, put it in the container. Every time we did a RORO everything inside the car that could be taken or unbolted, was. They stole anything they could so would be really careful about what you put inside the vehicle.

[Axeman]

Thanks for all the info guys. Do you recommend any particular shipping companies?

[ttweed]

Originally Posted by Axeman

Do you recommend any particular shipping companies?

I have used California Shipping in Stanton and been happy with their service.

HTH,
TT

[pplkook]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

I have done it both ways, a RORO (roll on roll off) or container.

If you can afford the money, put it in the container. Every time we did a RORO everything inside the car that could be taken or unbolted, was. They stole anything they could so would be really careful about what you put inside the vehicle.

Are you talking they stole the radio, toolkit, spares, seats and floormats? Or did you have other items in your car to reduce shipping costs?

-just curious. I have a dream of shipping my cab to europe to do a one month tour...

[911jettat]

Hi Mike! (thanks for the headlights!)

JuiceRSR has done it, and fortunately for us wrote a nice story about it... I hope to do it for the next Classic LeMans in two years...


here's a direct link to some of the shipping details (East Coast):

Targa to Sicily

A lot of people think that getting your ride to Europe is expensive and complicated, but is actually quite reasonable and straightforward, but there are a few hoops you have to jump through. I'll go through the steps i took, which i sort of built on from my experiences with shipping motorcycles over there for touring excursions over the last several years.

First, find a good and reliable shipping line, preferably one that services a port near where you live, as this will allow you to simply drive your car there and they 'roll it on' This will allow you to save money from having to have the car shipped to the port, if you can cajole a friend into following you there to drive back. I use the port of Charleston, SC, which is an easy 3 hour drive, and simply rent a one way car rental home. The shipping company which i use has been dead reliable in the past, and is Wallenius-Wilhelmsen out of Sweden/Norway Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics - worldwide ocean transport, inland services, supply chain solutions, terminal services They ship from numerous east and west coast ports to just about anywhere in the world, and handle most of BMW's shipping from the US to Europe. They are very professional and efficient, and have a great tracking system which is realtime, to see if there are any delays en route.

Unfortunately, unless you have a special shipping license, or permit or something which i do not have, you have to go through a shipping 'broker'
While they charge a fee for their services, it is worth it, as they handle all of the paperwork required, including customs documents, the bill of Lading, and working directly with the shipping company. Again, find a shipping broker that you feel comfortable with, and whose fee is not too exhorbitatant. I use the John S. James company John S. James Co. who have been in biz in the south for over 60 years.

The shipping company will get you to fill out a POA (power of attorney) form to allow them to act on your behalf to fill out customs paperwork, and will then generate a shipping quote, which cannot be done until 30 days prior to the shipping departure date. Also, you must send them copies of the title of the car, you drivers license and passport, and registration. On the day the car is to be shipped, you will need to give the broker the original title to show to customs.

Important: In years past, individuals only needed to put down a Social security number. Either due to 9/11 or the IRS, the government is more closely tracking shipments, so you will need to apply for an EIN, or Employer identification number that must be listed on your shipping records. This rule litteraly came into effect as i was getting ready to put my car on the boat (August)! Luckily, i already had an EIN from my business, and was able to use this, otherwise i might have been screwed as it takes may take some time to obtain an EIN from the IRS. Make sure you apply for this wayy in advance so that you dont get surprised.

The cost of shipping will be determined by the dimensions of your car and the weight. Sorry to inform you guys with super-light, sub 2000 lb Carbon-fiber,etc go-karts, the weight is less important than the dimensions, so all 911's will cost about the same. No discount for less weight!

Most shipping companies require you to get your car to the port one week prior to sailing, to clear customs, etc.

From the east cost, the average time to get to most European ports is 10-14 days. Keep in mind that, like the bus, ships stop at multiple ports to divest cargo, and that your port may be at the end or beginning, so check the schedule carefully. Also, keep in mind that ships are subject to delays of weather, etc, so the day they are due to arrive may be 2-3 days later than scheduled, so plan your trip accordingly. I got 'stuck' in Paris for a week waiting for my motorcycle to arrive in Europe two years ago when a storm delayed the boat. I lost a week of my trip, but if i had been anywhere else, it would have been a bummer.

Important: When u drop your car off, remove the license plate!! For some reason, US plates are in demand in Europe as souvenirs or something, and a lot will 'disappear' from your car by the time it get to europe (ask me how i know) The plate will not be needed while the car is en route

What can you keep in the car when it's being shipped? Not much. the gas tank must be no more than 1/4 tank, and only the stuff which the car came with (jack, spare tire, air compressor, etc) is allowed. U will not be allowed to keep fluids (oil, brake fluid), spare parts, or anything else, nor would you want to, as sticky fingers could get them while en route. (i did put the 'smugglers box' to it's named use by stuffing in a spare oil filter, plugs, fuses and relays tho!!). i removed the face plate to my stereo, and left a fire extinguisher under the drivers seat, which the customs guy said was ok.

Also, as i am anal, i taped a message on the dash of the car addressed to whoever would have to more the car, letting them know to let the car warm up a minute or two prior to driving, a sticky drivers side pull door strap, etc as nuances of the car just to inform.

That's pretty much it. On the day your car is to be shipped, simply drive to the port (dont forget to take a copy of your original title), stop by the broker office to pick up the customs paperwork, and then drive to the port. A customs guy will the check your paperwork, and then look over the car (perfunctorily in my case, he was very cool) and that's it.

You get the official bill of lading and your original title back in the mail several day later from the shipping company, which will be needed in order to pick the car up in Europe.

The shipping company maintains an office in each port which will assist you in picking your car up. However, you must go through the customs office in each port in order to actually pick up the car, and while the EU has streamlined regulations, each country maintains slightly different rules for picking up a US registrered vehicle. (Keep in mind that everything that i am talking about applies to civilians... you guys in the military have everything handed to you on a silver platter when shipping the car and picking it up)

Standard items required for picking the car up include a port 'fee' and taxes of around Euro 150-200 (cash) that is paid directly to the customs office when u arrive. You must also present the bill of lading and ORIGINAL copy of the title.
Note:One of the small differences that i found out exists, occurs in Germany. I was originally planning to pick my car up in Bremerhaven, Germany. However, i found out that in order to pick your car up, German customs requires you to deposit an amount in cash equal to the 1/3 the value of the car as 'collateral' that will be returned to you when you ship the car back out of the country!!!!!!! This means that if you plan to ship out of another port, you have to go through probably a mountain of paperwork to get this considerable amount of $$$$ back. Furthermore, as i had an older car not listed in the blue book they use to determine 'value' there was no telling how the German customs Gestapo could screw u for. Needless to say, i bailed on entering through Germany, and opted for Antwerp, as Belgium (thus far) has no such regulation. The lesson learned here, is that when u decide on where u want to ship your car, demand to know in advance what you will have to actually do in order to get your car. As they say, the devil is in the details.
Finally, you have to show your Insurance 'Green Card', which brings us to the main thing required to drive your car in Europe - Insurance valid in Europe.

Most people dont realize that you can easily and legally drive your US registered car in Europe. EU laws allow you to drive you US registered car for up to six months as a tourist, as long as you have European insurance. European insurance can easily be obtained from several US insurance agents....

Ran out of allowable text...MORE IN THE THREAD.
Targa to Sicily

[tcar]

Originally Posted by Axeman

Thanks for all the info guys. Do you recommend any particular shipping companies?

Re-read Milt's post...

They are very good.

[flatsixjunky]

Shipping Co.'s are rated here:

Transport Reviews.com - Ratings and Reviews of Auto Transport Companies - Your Source For Finding a Quality Auto Transporter!

I thought this might help. In any case don't use "TITAN".

[Axeman]

Wow that's a lot of info! Thanks a lot guys and thanks Udo for the long write up from JuiceRSR, definitely a lot of good info. I'm going to start calling some of the companies you guys mentioned and get some quotes.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by tcar

Re-read Milt's post...

They are very good.

Willenius was the shipping line I used on the way back from Europe. Stereo was missing on arrival from "quite a few" cars on that trip - including mine. I have no idea why - it was an 80's Kenwood that I wouldn't have given $20 for in a yard sale.

Quick walk-around inspection showed the air cleaner was also semi-removed, both bolts having been backed out of the throttle body over an inch. That's not exactly easy to do on a 930 motor - it's right under the parcel shelf with about an inch to work in.

The tools were untouched in the smuggler's box, so I bolted it back on - took me 20 minutes - before driving away - only to discover that one of the front brake calipers felt very strange indeed. I suspect someone had been abusing the car, like dragging it up and down until they overheated and semi-seized.

On the way over to Europe, I used a shared container and was extremely happy with that service (Aladdin Freight in Oakland). Much less so with the agents who did the unpacking/Customs clearance on the other side in Chatham.

Guy who drove the car until they ran it out of gas (once I signed the papers and paid, they just handed the keys over and left me to my own devices), told me it was a powerful car, but that something was wrong with the throttle. I sat there puzzled waiting for RAC to turn up with a can of gas, moving the linkage and thinking "feels fine to me".

Realized months later he'd got the car up to boost transition (with a 3DLZ, this gives a weird "elastic throttle" feeling from the non-linear throttle response). In a dockyard with a 5MPH speed limit, broken concrete, railway ties and scrap iron littered about everywhere.

I'd strongly suggest a valet program or a 3000 RPM rev limiter whoever you use. I'm sure there's many fine people who work on ships/at the docks, but I've been somewhat disappointed so far - what with 2 out of 2 rated "that sucks".

[Kraftwerk]

They stole my tire gauge. My friend with a Ferrari said they took his wheel caps. It became such an annoyance
that he only uses a container now, but he has a bit more coin than the average guy. He vacations with his car annually.
The Ro-Ro is the budget way to go and is really not that difficult. Good information here on that.
If I were to do it again I would take everything out that is removable including carpets and cigarette lighter.
I purposefully left an unopened pack of cigarettes as a kind of 'gift' so they go away and don't mess with the car further.
Potential nightmares,
I guess i made out ok compared to some. Maybe better to leave a whole carton.

Would love to do a Europe trip with the car again someday.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by pplkook

Are you talking they stole the radio, toolkit, spares, seats and floormats? Or did you have other items in your car to reduce shipping costs?

-just curious. I have a dream of shipping my cab to europe to do a one month tour...

Sorry for the delay, been busy with work.

If it was not bolted down, or even sometimes if it was, they stole it. Anything inside the car, original equipment or not, is fair game. Emblems on the outside of the car or even hubcaps, as well may or may not be there when it arrives.

Just be careful and if you can put it in a container.

Joe