Top 10 Tips for Stress-Free Car Shipping

Shipping your car abroad sounds worrisome, but it is actually a fairly straightforward process. The key is preparation, and here are our Top 10 Tips to help you:

Start planning as soon as possible, and allow at least one month before the ship date to get everything ready.

Make sure you research shipping companies thoroughly before choosing one as they will be crucial in making everything go smoothly. Get quotes from 3 different shipping companies, but remember that you get what you pay for so don’t base your decision on price only and look for a company which is experienced and has a good reputation.

Your car may need to be upgraded to comply with New Zealand road standards so take it to your mechanics to have it checked.

A vehicle won’t be allowed to ship unless its fuel tank is less than a quarter full, so you may need to partially empty it.

Upon arrival, your car will be meticulously inspected for organic material on biosecurity grounds, and won’t be released if it is contaminated. Make sure it is cleaned before you leave, interior and exterior.

Inner cargo will delay Customs clearance so it is advisable to ship your car empty.

By law, you must declare any inner cargo shipped in your car.

For shipping routes going over the equator, moisture absorbers placed in the pockets of the car seats will prevent the upholstery getting damaged.

Most shipping companies will organise comprehensive marine insurance but double-check this is the case, and if not, arrange it yourself.

In case of damage, you will need to provide evidence to make an insurance claim, so take plenty of detailed pictures of your car before it ships, inside and outside.

For further information on vehicle shipping, contact us, phone us on +64 9 303 0075, or get a free quote.

Click here to see our reference guide to making car shipping stress free with our tried and tested 1-2-3 step process.