The process of moving your car from one country to another is lengthy, especially when it comes to shipping car to middle east from USA and if you do not know what is the process, what you need to prepare for shipping, what company you should choose and what is the cost of shipping car to middle east from USA, it can take much longer than expected. Here is a step-by-step guide and everything you need to know about car shipping complexities in order to save time and money.
How to ship car to middle east from USA
Nowadays shipping cars to the middle east is easier than ever but there are steps that customers still must be aware of to have safe and efficient shipping. In the following, I will review and explain the most important steps of this process.
Expert company
There are many shipping companies but not all of them are suitable for you. You need to spend time researching the company which considers your needs and is the right match for you. Make sure that the company works in both locations (Middle East and USA). The right shipping company must have several characteristics. Having insurance and a license is the most important thing, so you must check their reputation and if they are capable of providing services before choosing a shipping company.
Cost to Ship Your Car Overseas-Different Methods
You have different shipping options to choose from like RORO, Full container, shared container and plane and all of them have their own pros and cons.
Roll On/Roll Off
Among these options, RORO is more popular because of cost effectiveness and convenience. By using a specialized platform vehicle, the car drives onto the vessel and is located in the open space of the vessel, therefore it is likely to be damaged. These vessels stop at different ports; For this reason, the departure might take longer, which is between 30 and 60 days, and costs something like 1,000 to 4,000 dollars. There is no additional cost because there is no container packing. In addition to that, if your car is oversized and the standard containers are not suitable, this option is perfect for you.
Enclosed Container Shipping
This method is done through water like the previous method, but the difference is that your car is placed in a container, and this prevents the possible damage of the previous method, especially in long distances. In this method, the vessel stops at different ports and the delivery time is long and the cost is around 1600 to 4000 dollars. When you are choosing a shipping company, make sure they are using the right size of container.
Shared container
Shared container is perfect for small vehicles and its price is different per shipping container and it is charged based on the cargo volume in cubic meters. This option is cost effective because you are paying only for the space your vehicle is using.
Plane
shipping a car to the middle east from the USA by plane is the fastest way but also the most expensive. Compared to previous methods, transportation by plane takes only two weeks, mainly for the registration and transfer process. Hiring a company and shipping a car to the middle east from the USA costs between 5,000 and 50,000 dollars.
Compare them
Choose three to five of the companies and call them. Ask the shipping company to provide a price estimate and ask them how much they estimate for the car you want to bring to the middle east from the USA and then see which one is more compatible with your budget. USG Shipping can help you from the beginning of the journey and help you to find the best method with the competitive price and deliver your car safely to any destination in the Middle East. You can check the online reviews of customers or ask them to connect you with their previous customers to discuss their experiences.
Documents need for shipping a car
Basically, the specific documents depend on the destination country, but you’ll typically need certain documents, such as:
● Car registration, Title.
● Proof of purchase, Bill of sale or invoice.
● Photo ID.
● A valid driver’s license.
● Customs and Border Protection Vehicle Export Cover Sheet
● a bill of lading
As we said, the required documents may vary depending on the destination. To avoid any issue in the process of shipping, it’s better to ask the company you have chosen for shipping for details and guidance.
Get Your Car Delivered
What you have to do is to specify a day for the delivery of your car and be sure to call for coordination. To deliver the car, you may need to hire an agent to clear the car from the port and pay a separate fee, and if the shipping company you chose provides this service, you can trust them to handle these matters.
Factors That Affect International Car Shipping Costs
Distance
Many factors affect the cost of international car shipping, one of the most important factors is distance. The cost of shipping a car increases as the distance between the origin and the destination grows. There are additional factors that affect the cost of car shipping, which we will cover in the following.
Method
We checked the car shipping methods in detail and said that the RORO method is the most economical method for car shipping, but maybe it is not a suitable method for a long distance like the USA to the Middle East because it is a long distance and your car is in the open space and the risk of damage is higher compared to other methods. The Enclosed Container Shipping method protects your car from potential damages because it is inside the container, but the cost is higher compared to the RORO method. Car shipping by plane is the most expensive method, but it has a shorter delivery time.
Pick-up and Drop-Off Location
Usually, when your car arrives at the destination port, you have to pay more for customs clearance and transportation. You need an expert to clear customs because you are not allowed to do this yourself. The company you choose for car shipping has expert representatives to provide this service, but you need to pay more for it. You can talk to the company and see if the specific fee is mentioned on your contract or you need to pay a separate fee.
Time of Year
Another factor that can affect the overall cost is weather conditions. If you choose shipping methods like RORO or Enclosed Container Shipping, there is a high possibility that they will face a storm in the cold seasons of the year, and you will probably have to pay more in addition to the longer waiting time. In order to avoid additional expenses due to bad weather conditions, you can choose the warm seasons of the year for car shipping.
Expedited Shipping
Usually, ocean shipping is considered a cost-effective way, but it is not time-saving because the waiting time is between 30 and 60 days at best. But you can receive your car in the shortest possible time (about two weeks) through plane shipping and pay about 20-40% more in return.
Marine Insurance
Shipping companies typically provide car insurance plans, because your car is inside a container on the water to cover any risk during the shipping. contact the company to ensure your car is covered by insurance or if you need to pay more for additional coverage. It is possible that your shipping company does not provide marine insurance which in this case you need to arrange separate coverage. However, with one call you can get essential information about the insurance and whether additional coverage is needed.
Customs Duty
Items shipped internationally are subject to customs duties and the amount depends on the destination. Basically, a small percentage of the total value of those items is charged for customs duties, which can be high in the case of a car. In order to know the amount of customs duty of the car, you must contact the port of destination and give the information of the car in order to know the percentage that you have to pay as customs duties.
Essential Questions to Ask When Considering International Car Shipping Companies
In order to do the necessary research about the company you have chosen, you need to ask them some basic questions.
● Are you licensed and insured? Having a car shipping agent is one of the most important points that shows the level of experience of that company in car shipping. Regarding insurance, you should ask if they insure your car. And is the cost included in the contract or should it be paid separately.
● Is marine insurance included? Before you sign the contract, make sure that the marine insurance is also applicable and you don’t have to pay a separate fee for it during shipping (from two weeks to 60 days based on the method you choose).
● Can the quoted rate change? As we said earlier, there is a possibility of accidents occurring during the shipping and it can affect the overall cost. Or the waiting time may be longer. make sure to discuss these subjects with the company you have chosen to prevent any unforeseen expenses.
● Who is handling the transport? Choosing a company alone is not enough, it’s important to know which company will be in charge of the clearance process once the vehicle arrives at the destination port. Also, make sure to research the company’s performance and the expertise of its professionals.
Conclusion
In this article we provide a step-by-step guide of shipping cars to the Middle East from the USA. USG Shipping can help you to get your car delivered to the destination at a reasonable price without any hidden fees. USG Shipping offers worldwide shipping without any concern about cost or delivery time.