To ship a car internationally, confirm first that the destination will allow the vehicle to be imported and used, then arrange transport, customs clearance, and the paperwork for both ends of the route. A carrier’s ability to move your car does not mean the destination country will admit it or approve it for road use. The rules, charges, documents, and post-arrival steps depend on the countries involved, the vehicle, and whether the import is temporary or permanent.
Check whether the car can be imported before booking transport
Import eligibility is a customs and vehicle-compliance question, not just a shipping question. Some countries’ rules depend on the vehicle’s age, whether it meets local standards, and the reason for import; rules can also change. Check current requirements with the destination’s customs, environmental, and vehicle-registration authorities before committing to a shipment. The Federal Maritime Commission’s guidance on shipping a vehicle overseas also advises checking the laws of both the United States and the destination country.
Be precise about the route and purpose. Identify the origin and destination, the vehicle, and whether you are importing it permanently or bringing it in temporarily. Do not assume that a rule for a temporary visitor, a returning resident, or a particular vehicle age applies to your situation.
Confirm who handles customs and what the quote includes
Ask the shipper in writing whether it handles export and import declarations or whether you must hire a customs agent and arrange clearance yourself. The FMC specifically recommends clarifying who is responsible for customs clearance. A transport booking alone does not establish that customs work is included.
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Request an itemized quote and confirm the handoffs: where the car must be delivered, who takes custody at each stage, and where and how it will be collected. Ask the provider to separate transport and terminal charges from customs-agent fees, import duty or tax, storage, and insurance. There is no route-neutral shipping price or transit estimate established here; actual amounts and timing depend on the route, service, vehicle, and current local charges. Check insurance policy wording and exclusions directly rather than assuming a standard level of protection.
Check documents with the carrier and both countries’ authorities
There is no universal international car-shipping document checklist. The FMC identifies an original title and/or registration as documents that may be required, but destination authorities or the carrier may require additional paperwork. Confirm the exact requirements for your vehicle and route before handing it over.
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- Ask the carrier and relevant authorities whether they require the original title, registration, or other proof of ownership.
- Confirm which identity, export, customs, and vehicle-compliance documents apply to your circumstances.
- Ask who must submit each document, when it is due, and whether an original, copy, or particular form is required.
Compare shipping providers on the details that affect your route
Ask each provider the same questions so you can compare the actual service rather than just the headline transport price.
- Route and vehicle acceptance: Does the provider serve your exact origin and destination and accept your vehicle? Separately verify that the destination permits the import.
- Transport method and custody: What transport method is available, where must you deliver the car, who handles each handoff, and where do you collect it? Ask for the process for your specific route; do not rely on a general comparison of shipping methods.
- Customs scope: Which export or import declarations and clearance services are included, and which must you arrange separately?
- Charges: Which transport, terminal, agent, duty, tax, storage, and insurance costs are included in the quote, and which could be billed separately?
- Arrival requirements: What inspection, compliance, approval, registration, tax, and insurance steps must be completed before the car can be driven?
Plan for the destination’s import and road-use process
Importing a car and making it legal to drive are not necessarily the same step. The requirements below illustrate why the destination and import purpose matter; they are not interchangeable rules for other routes.
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| Example | What the guidance says | Key qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent vehicle import to Great Britain | The import process includes a declaration, any applicable VAT and customs duty, notification to HMRC, vehicle approval, DVLA registration and tax, and insurance before road use. GOV.UK’s vehicle import guide sets out the steps. | This example is for Great Britain. Northern Ireland and temporary visits have separate instructions. |
| Vehicle import to the United States | CBP directs importers to check EPA and DOT requirements. Its general rule for permanent imports is that a vehicle less than 25 years old must meet applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. CBP’s import requirements guidance discusses relevant EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7 filings. | The 25-year period is measured from manufacture and concerns DOT safety standards, not every import requirement. Importer-specific rules and EPA documentation still matter. |
Great Britain: permanent imports
- Make the import declaration. GOV.UK says the shipping company or customs agent makes the declaration. VAT and customs duty due are paid at the border; the shipper or agent may apply for relief if you qualify. See GOV.UK’s declaration guidance.
- Tell HMRC the vehicle has arrived. Under the current GOV.UK guidance, you must notify HMRC within 14 days of a permanently imported vehicle’s arrival.
- Complete vehicle approval and registration. Follow the applicable approval process, then register and tax the vehicle with DVLA.
- Arrange insurance before road use. Do not assume the car can be driven immediately after it clears customs; complete the required steps first.
These steps describe permanent imports to Great Britain. Check the separate guidance if the destination is Northern Ireland or the vehicle is entering temporarily.
United States: compliance and importer-specific rules
CBP says importers should check Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements before importing. Its general rule is that a vehicle under 25 years old, measured from manufacture, must meet applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards for permanent import. CBP says vehicles at least 25 years old can be imported without regard to those DOT standards; that does not remove the need to address applicable EPA documentation or other import requirements. Where the manufacture date is not apparent, supporting documentation may be needed.
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CBP’s guidance describes EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7 as relevant to the import process. Its personal vehicle guidance also covers particular nonresident and returning-person situations. One exemption described there applies to nonresidents who will export the vehicle within one year; it is not a general exemption for other importers or routes. Check current instructions with CBP, EPA, and NHTSA for your circumstances.
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Without the origin, destination, vehicle identity and age, import purpose, and transport method, it is not possible to establish the exact cost, taxes, permitted status, transit time, documents, or registration process. Before shipment, obtain current requirements from the relevant authorities and ask the carrier or customs agent to confirm responsibilities and charges in writing. That is the point to resolve any mismatch between what the shipper can transport and what the destination will admit or permit on the road.
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