by Jeff Parker, Negosentro.com |
When you decide to ship your car overseas, you need to have a clear idea about the total cost involved in it. Many elements contribute to the total cost of transportation besides the charges paid to the shipping lines. To understand the factors that determine the total cost of shipping, you should have complete knowledge about the process. Knowing the details will make the project more feasible. If you are sending your car to some other country across the sea for the first time, it is even more important for you. Find out which activities contribute to costs and the factors that influence the same.
The impact of sea distance on cost
Crossing the water is the longest distance that the car travels during overseas shipping. It is common belief that the farther you send your car more, it will cost you as it would happen if you send your car by road across destinations in the USA. Surprisingly, the idea does not hold good for overseas shipping when you want to ship overseas Europe or any other continent. The usual way of working transportation cost based on distance and fuel consumption is not applicable in this case.
Overseas shipping rates are driven by the mode of transportation, whether it is booked on a roll on roll off basis or in a container, and the rates are determined based on prevailing standards at the destination port. If shipped in a container, the car and container size also impacts the rate. The popularity of the harbor affects the rates favorably because charges are higher for ports that are less popular and it has no relation to distance.
Shipping rates are dependent on the car size
Shipping smaller cars cost less because they occupy less space and allow more cars to fit in one container. Better consolidation leads to lower rates. This is the reason that vehicle shipping companies ask for year make and model of the car along with the destination country and the location of the car. The destination determines the taxes and duties, whereas knowing the location of the car helps to work out the cost involved in collecting the car and taking it to the port of loading.
Collection or delivery – cost saving option
Although shipping companies arrange to collect the car from your home, it might cost you more than driving the car to the port. Consider your convenience of doing it, as this is a money saving option. Similarly, at the destination, you can collect the car from the port instead of paying for delivering it to your address.
Check if you are at all required to pay customs duty and other fees unless you are sending the car for commercial purposes. If you are returning to your native country, you need not pay customs duty on the car. Check the laws that are applicable for you to know if you will receive an exemption from payment of taxes and obligations.
Author bio: Jeff Parker owns a car dealership that specializes in classic cars. Most of his customers ship overseas Europe, and he is well conversant with the process and its intricacies. His love for educating customers has driven him to share his knowledge about overseas shipping.
