Sending a car to Europe

Vincent 911 · 05-05-2008, 08:53 AM

I need to send my SC to Europe in a couple of months.
Does anyone have experience transporting a car from the US (MI) to Europe (France)?
Any good or bad experiences?
What would be your recommendation?

Thank you in advance.

Vincent

david dolan · david dolan's Garage

Hi,
Moved to Sweden 8 years ago and all our household goods plus the car were shipped in a container from Los Angeles, without a hitch. Any reputable shipping company should be able to help you, there are even some that specialise in shipping cars only.
Once customs was satisfied that the car matched the documentation, the real work began. That was getting insurance and that making sure it functioned according to Swedish traffic regulations, changed to a kph odometer/speedometer, changed parking lights from orange to clear, also needed the rear European light lenses.
It was a bit of a pain, but went OK in the end.
Good Luck!

Vincent 911 · 05-05-2008, 09:34 AM

I have forgotten to mention that my SC is already a European car: European VIN + lights + speedometer in kph.

stevemfr · 05-05-2008, 10:03 AM

Haven't done anything as of late - last was in the early 90's. The freight forwarders we used were ATEGE and EH Harms, but that's because they're in Munich and Baltimore and so was I.

Shop around, I don't think it should be too difficult finding someone reputable via the internet. Just one piece of advice: if you possibly can, go via container - not RoRo. The guys who roll the cars on and off the ships are in a hurry, out to have fun, not necessarily the creme de la creme of society etc. I watched brand new Nissotas or the like screaming at the rev limiters while being rolled off a ship more than once.

If you do decide to go RoRo, remove anything and everything that can easily be unscrewed starting with the radio/etc.

Good luck! Give an update on how it goes - and how registering the car went. I've heard some horror stories about France. Up to now I've only imported from Germany to France, but I've got a car at my parent's that I might want to bring over. Where in France are you going, BTW?

shahram · 05-05-2008, 12:26 PM

I shipped a car two weeks ago to Europe from LA. Shipping was about $1100 + $400 for insurance. You have to calculate approx. 350.-Euros for a "port-fee" and another 150.- Euros for custom clearance. Custom itself in European union will be around 10% of the value of the car and add 19% TAX of the value of the car + shipping charges. The shipping company usually takes care of everything and will send you an invoice for all that fees, custom fees and tax. It takes between 6-10 weeks. BTW, you don't pay that 10% custom + 19% TAX if you are relocating or actually moving from US to Europe. Container is a good thing but more expensive and the guys at the port will move and touch your car either way, roro or container.

911teo · 05-06-2008, 01:40 AM

I shipped 4 cars from New Jersey to England. I used Fromm America. The service was fantastic and the cars arrived in perfect condition.

The shipping company dealt with all the paperwork and custom issues.

I used 2 40ft containers with only my cars in them. The receiving crew waited for me to be there before opening the containers.

I would give Mark Fromm (Fromm America) a call for all the details/.

cljsf · 06-19-2008, 06:58 PM

shahram - which company did you use? I probably need to get my 911 from San Francisco to the UK later this year (I'm happy to drive it from SF to LA to begin with

)

shahram · 06-19-2008, 10:49 PM

Charlie, I used Ship ASI (www.shipasi.net). But make sure you have an insurance and make a lot of pictures when you hand over the car. My car arrived on time, custom and everything else was fine but the roof of the car had scratches from container ceiling. Now I have to deal with insurance company to get it painted.