Vehicles are often used to carry goods overseas. Sometimes, however, they are the goods being exported. When this happens, it’s important to follow the correct process to ensure the journey goes smoothly.
Here FleetEx, global suppliers of premium ex-fleet trucks share their expert tips to help get you started.
Make sure you understand the law
Some countries have export restrictions. In the UK, it’s highly unlikely that these will apply to standard vehicle exports. It is, however, important to check. On the flip side, it’s almost guaranteed that the receiving country will have its own import regulations.
At a minimum, customs officials are going to want to see documentation confirming the vehicle’s specifications, origin, and end recipient. They may also have legal standards for vehicles that you will need to meet. For example, many countries now have minimum safety and sustainability standards.
Check shipping options and their (estimated) costs
The default shipping method for most vehicles is Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) shipping. Container shipping is also quite popular. Flatbed shipping, rail freight and air freight are all more niche options.
RoRo shipping: With RoRo shipping, the vehicle is driven on and off the ship (hence the name). RoRo shipping is the default option for vehicle shipping because it’s the most cost-effective option. It is, however, not suitable for all vehicles.
Container shipping: With container shipping, the vehicle is loaded into a shipping container. This is then loaded onto a vessel. Container shipping provides added security and protection for the vehicle. It is, however, typically more expensive than RoRo shipping.
Flatbed shipping: With flatbed shipping, the vehicle is loaded onto a flatbed truck. This is then transported by road or rail. Flatbed shipping is typically used for smaller vehicles going short distances.
Rail and air freight: smaller vehicles can be transported by rail or even by air. This is very niche and very expensive (particularly air freight). With that said, if speed is a high priority, these options may be worth considering.
Choose a reliable shipping company
Your first step is to find out which shipping companies operate in the areas that interest you. Once you have your contenders, you need to work out which is the best option for you.
Cost may be the deciding factor. It should, not, however, be your first consideration. Your first consideration should be to find shipping companies with relevant experience, transparent communication, and a solid industry reputation.
Experience
Shipping vehicles overseas is a niche service and more complex vehicles such as trucks are very niche. It therefore generally best to use a shipping service that has specific experience in this area.
Firstly, they will usually be able to give you guidance on what requirements you need to meet. Secondly, they will probably have had a lot of practice both in avoiding problems and in dealing with any problems that do arise.
Communication
A check of a business’ website should give you a reasonable first impression of its general ability to communicate. If it looks good, you can then put it to a more serious test by reaching out to the business.
If the business passes this test, you can keep them on your list of contenders. If, on the other hand, they don’t, then it’s advisable to remove them immediately. Shipping vehicles overseas is complicated enough. You don’t want your choice of shipping partner to lead to additional complications.
Reputation
These days it’s fairly easy to research a business’ reputation through the internet. Not only can you see reviews, but you can also see how the company responds to them. In the unlikely event that the business does not have reviews, you can ask around the people you know. You can also do this as an additional check on businesses that do have reviews.
Make it a priority to sort out the necessary paperwork
Shipping vehicles overseas typically requires a lot of paperwork and some of it can be very complex. Even if you’re working with a great shipping company, you may find it helpful to use a customs broker as well. You’re certainly going to need to complete customs documentation. This needs to be 100% accurate to avoid delays (and associated costs).
You’re also going to need all the usual paperwork such as title documents and bills of sale. You’re probably going to need documentation to show the truck is legal in the receiving country. For example, you may need a certificate of conformity with safety regulations. You may also need an export permit although this is unlikely in the UK.
Prepare the vehicle for shipping
Properly preparing a vehicle for transit will do a lot to ensure a smooth journey and a safe delivery. Here are the key points you need to cover.
Make sure you undertake any necessary modifications
It’s vital to prioritise these as they take time to complete. Right now, this is particularly important due to the difficulty of getting parts.
Remove any items that do not belong with the vehicle
This may seem like stating the obvious but it’s surprisingly easy to overlook. Check the boot glove compartment and any other storage areas such as cubbies on the sides of doors. At a minimum, you’ll lose items you wanted to keep (or have to pay for them to be returned). At worst, these items could create problems crossing borders.
Clean the vehicle thoroughly inside and out
This is a courtesy to the recipient. It also gives you a second chance to pick up anything that should not be in the truck. This includes waste, particularly food debris. Again, this can create issues when crossing borders.
Secure (or remove) loose or protruding parts
If there’s any likelihood of it either falling off or causing damage either secure it or remove it. Zip ties are usually the best option to secure loose items. If you remove an item, then it’s courteous to include information about where it is and how to replace it.
Disable the alarm system and remove the battery
Being transported can trigger vehicle alarms. To prevent this, disable the alarm and also remove the battery. Per the previous comment, just put this somewhere safe and leave information about where it is and how to replace it.
