Thinking of a prolonged visit or even moving to Europe? The decision to ship your vehicle can be overwhelming. Europe is an entire continent constructed for driving with regions such as the Amalfi Coast and the historic streets of Prague to explore. But is shipping your car a good enough investment? With USG Shipping, a US-based fully licensed and bonded international shipping firm, the procedure is stress-free, easy to understand, and structured to offer you comfort. Thanks to USG Shipping’s vast experience and extensive network of shipping destinations, your vehicle will be properly cared for no matter if you are going to France or Germany. In this article, everything that you need to know about shipping your vehicle to Europe will be covered, including the methods and their costs, the required paperwork, and the local regulations, all with the help of USG’s elite services.
Why Ship Your Car to Europe?
USG Shipping enables you to transport your vehicle to Europe which grants you superior comfort and lets you organize your trip freely while cutting down on rental expenses for long periods. Nonetheless, you have to consider whether the benefits outweigh the inconveniences. If you use USG Shipping, here are some reasons why they could be your best option:
• Comfort and Familiarity: Since no details are hidden from you when it comes to your car, such as its handling and maintenance, travelling in Europe can become less stressful.
• Cost Benefits for Extended Visits: For visits that last a few months, renting a car gets pricier especially during the tourist high seasons. In such cases, it may be more cost effective to ship your car.
• Guaranteed Availability: Your personal vehicle spares you the drivability issues that come with lacking rentals.
• No Stress with USG: USG Shipping’s established history enables them to deliver fast communication and affordable prices and live shipment tracking which functions like a smooth car ride.
Public transportation in Europe operates efficiently because skilled drivers operate the system yet drivers must handle expenses for fuel and tolls and parking which influence their selections. USG Shipping operates through providing direct price information which enables clients to create well-informed choices.
Step-by-Step Guide to Shipping Your Car with USG Shipping
Shipping a car overseas is an intricate task, but USG Shipping makes it a lot easier to deal with. Here’s an outline:
1. Retrieve a Complimentary Estimate
Begin by retrieving a complimentary estimate from USG Shipping. Make sure you mention your car’s year, make, and model, the pickup zip code or departure port within the USA, and the destination country in Europe. USG offers service to a broad selection of European countries, including Germany, Albania, Spain, and the UK. The estimate will take the following into consideration:
• Region of Departure: shipping your car from the East Coast (like New York) is often less costly than from the West Coast (such as California).
• Vehicle Size: Small cars cost less to ship than bigger SUVs or trucks.
• Shipping Method: Choices include Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo), grouped container, one-use container, or air lift. To give you a clear price that fits your money plan and time needs, USG’s team, based in LA with smaller places and store spots across the USA and Canada, will handle the details.
2. Choose Your Car Shipping Method
USG Shipping has many ways to send your car, each with its good points:
• Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo): The most cost-effective option, starting at competitive rates. Your car is driven onto a dedicated ship and secured below deck. Ideal for functional cars but does not qualify personal items inside. USG loads and tracks your vehicle securely for transportation.
•Consolidated Container: Good for its cost-protection ratio, this choice includes sharing a container between vehicles to reduce costs. Our shipping company’s quantity of large shipments enables competitive consolidation rates with additional services including all-risk insurance.
•Private Container: Suitable for precious cars or moving household goods together with your car. It is the safest and most versatile option but the costliest, priced at about $2,900–$4,200 for a 20ft or 40ft container.
•Air Freight: The fastest but priciest means, used for urgent shipments or display cars. Transit time is about 2–3 weeks, whereas ocean freight takes 22–38 days.
USG experts will guide you to the most appropriate means based on your specifications, be it shipping to a big port such as Rotterdam or an inland location such as Switzerland.
3. Prepare Your Paperwork
Proper documentation is critical to avoid delays. USG Shipping handles most of the customs paperwork, but you’ll need to provide:
• Original Title: Proves ownership. If the car is new, your name must be listed as the registered owner. For sold vehicles, both buyer and seller must sign the title.
• Bill of Sale: Required if the vehicle was purchased within the last six months.
• Valid ID: Photocopy of your driver’s license or U.S. passport.
• Shipper Export Declaration and Declaration of Dangerous Goods: USG will prepare these.
• Power of Attorney: May be necessary for the port of loading.
Send documents at least 72 hours before shipping to be cleared by U.S. Customs Service. USG global partners offer smooth customs clearance at destination ports and pass all documents along to you on delivery.
Also, get an International Driving Permit (IDP) from AAA or AATA for approximately $20. This converts your U.S. license to 10 languages, making it compliant in 150 nations.
4. Prepare Your Vehicle
USG Shipping gives complete instructions on how to prepare your vehicle for shipment:
• Service Your Car: Make sure it’s in sound condition at an approved garage.
• Clean the Exterior: Photograph the car in high definition, reporting any existing damage.
• Verify Fuel and Battery: Leave fuel tank with ¼ of the capacity and an installed and charged battery.
• Turn Off Alarms and Remove Accessories: Remove antennas or roof racks to prevent damage.
• Leave Extra Keys with USG’s crew for RoRo: They will use them to drive the car on and off the vessel.
5. Monitor and Retrieve Your Vehicle
USG real-time tracking enables you to monitor your car’s journey from pickup to delivery. Bremerhaven, Antwerp, and Rotterdam are congested European ports where shipping is normal. Land destinations like Austria or Hungary have their shipping organized from the closest port by USG, conserving time and money. You can choose to pick up the car yourself at the port to save money or go for door-to-door delivery for convenience.
Costs of Shipping a Car to Europe
The starting price for ocean freight car shipping to Europe through begins at $850 when using shared container service which depends on various factors including Distance from Pickup to Port and Destination Country and Vehicle Type. The transportation cost of your vehicle to a U.S. port such as New York or Los Angeles will increase by $200 to $1,000 depending on how far you are from the main terminal. The shipping expenses to the UK typically start at $900 but Spain requires $2,200 because of its extended delivery times which span 22 days from New York and 38 days from California. The price of SUVs exceeds that of smaller vehicles because of their bigger size. The transportation of non-working vehicles needs container shipment which results in higher expenses.
Car Shipping Methods: RoRo is the cheapest, then comes consolidated containers. Exclusive containers and air freight are more costly. The insurance provider USG provides all-risk coverage which costs between 1.5% and 2.5% of your vehicle’s worth. The insurance expenses for a $20,000 automobile will range between $300 and $500.
Destination Charges: Import duties and taxes (e.g., 10% duty + 20% VAT in France) are separate from shipping costs and average $550 per car. Users should visit USG website to get an exact estimate by filling out their online quote form or they can contact a professional at +1 (310) 326-2200 for assistance.
Navigating European Regulations before car shipping
Driving in Europe on U.S. plates is permitted for six months under temporary importation rules, except for students and professionals. Consider the following:
• Authorization: U.S. citizens require online authorization and a fee since 2021 to drive in the EU on U.S. plates.
• Insurance: The standard coverage of American vehicle insurance fails to protect drivers in European territories. You should talk to your insurance company about obtaining temporary coverage for the European Union region and check with the US embassy about foreign area requirements.
• Vehicle Compliance: Make sure your vehicle fulfills all European safety standards together with emission requirements. Visitors who plan to stay long-term must modify their vehicles by changing their speedometer from mph to km/h and modifying their headlights to match the European standard. Vehicles which exceed 25 years in age tend to be exempt from these regulations.
• Local Laws: Use the GoingAbroad application to learn about driving regulations within the European Union. Some nations, for example, require special tires or wipers based on weather conditions.
USG’s staff advises on country-specific necessities so as to make your vehicle roadworthy upon arrival.
Shipping to Inland Europe
For landlocked countries like Switzerland or the Czech Republic, USG Shipping uses major ports like Bremerhaven or Rotterdam as entry points, then arranges inland delivery. This is an economical way of delivering a car compared to delivering directly to a closer but smaller port. USG’s global network delivers door-to-door with ease, whether you pick up your car or opt for door-to-door delivery. Apart from cars, USG Shipping also handles vans, trucks, RVs, boats, and even helicopters. Their European moving services also cover household goods, making USG a one-stop shop for your moving needs.
Why Choose USG Shipping company to ship car?
USG Shipping maintains its distinction after providing:
• Proven Experience: USG maintains unmatched reliability and competence after operating for multiple years throughout hundreds of worldwide destinations.
• Upfront Pricing: Our pricing system presents clear and budget-friendly rates which adapt to your requirements.
• Customer Support: The USG team based in Los Angeles stands with you through the entire shipping process from initial quote until final delivery. USG provides ready-to-go vehicle shipment services from Los Angeles to Europe.
Reach out to USG Shipping through phone or visit our website to obtain your free shipping estimate. USG takes care of your shipping requirements while you plan your journey to Europe.
