The process of preparing your Car for International Moving requires a lot of collaboration with your moving company in order to make it as smooth as possible. The key thing to note is that preparation starts long before shipping, so you had best get your ducks in a row as early as possible to allow you ample time to take care of any surprises.
Here are 12 tips on how to prepare your car for international moving:
1. Decide how to move your car
There are two main options for shipping cars overseas: transporting through the Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) vessel or container. Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages and your moving company will help you determine which choice is better depending on the circumstances.
RORO is usually the cheaper option for auto relocation since the loading process is very simple as the car is pushed right onto the vessel. However, non-driving cars and vintage cars are exempted from this method.
Container shipping on the other hand can be great for clients transporting vintage cars or those who are looking to transport goods and personal belongings together with the car. Unlike RORO, clients can transport other items in the shipping container with their car. Containers are also great to protect the automobile from the elements. Both options are good and the best option will be explicit to the client’s needs and circumstances
2. Prepare the Required Documents for moving a car Internationally
Get the necessary documents ready and available for access if need be. Call your insurance company for proof of insurance, or the necessary government body that will give you the proof of ownership title for the car. The documents include: –
- Certificate of Ownership
- Copy of the initial logbook of the vehicle
- Vehicle valuation report
- Proof of insurance
- Your unexpired identification (i.e. driver’s license or passport)
- Police inspection report. This is not needed in all countries but it is always important to check with your moving company ahead of time
Documentation is important for auto relocation to avoid the risk of running to legal trouble in the country you are moving to. The documents and process involved in obtaining them minimize the risk of moving stolen cars.
3. Determine the Applicable Restrictions and Regulations
The next step is to find out which restrictions and customs regulations are applicable depending on the country to which the car is being shipped, and how to navigate the legal yellow tape. Otherwise the shipper could be left spending more money in unexpected fees.
At this stage, it is also important to consider insurance for your vehicle during transit. Ask your mover about their insurance covers and how they apply to moving your car internationally. If they don’t have an insurance cover in place, look into getting cargo insurance for your vehicle.
4. Clean your car outside
Dirt and dust can easily conceal dings, dents and scratches. Before having your vehicle picked up by the moving company, wash it thoroughly. With a clean vehicle, you are better able to spot any damage caused during the shipping process.
5. Clean the car inside
Your vehicle can get jostled a bit during transportation. So as to avoid things being thrown around inside your vehicle, clean the interior and remove everything that is not secured. Declutter and remove anything that might be of value stored inside the car. Also, remove all your electronics and the cables / chargers they support. Ensure it is completely dry before handing it over for shipping.
6. Document the vehicle’s condition
The importance of tips one and two helps you to clearly determine your car’s condition and verify any pre-existing damage. This will help you assess your car’s condition before and after shipping.
7. Empty the gas tank
Your car is being transported, not being driven so it’s unnecessary to fill up your gas tank. Furthermore, having a full tank of fuel can endanger the shipment.
Instead, leave as little fuel in the tank as possible (a quarter full or less) that is enough fuel to drive it on and off the transport truck.
8. Check for leaks/spills
Check the undercarriage for any visible leaks before your car gets loaded onto the truck. If there is an offensive leak in your car, make a point to fix it before shipping. Due to safety concerns, most moving companies will not ship a vehicle with any leaks.
9. Check the tire pressure
Under-inflated or over-inflated tires are just as dangerous in transport as on the road. By not getting your tires inflated properly, you increase the risk of tire damage.
Tire damage is more likely to occur during loading and unloading so you won’t have a problem if your tires are fully inflated.
10. Do any other necessary maintenance
Check that your car battery is fully charged, note your car’s mileage before moving and after delivery and top off your car’s fluids (oil, brake, coolant, power steering, and washer).
11. Disable alarms and anti-theft devices
This will enable the people handling the transportation to access the car in case of any issue. Some car alarms also tend to go off when the vehicle is jostled in transit, which can cause disturbance and drain the battery.
12. Take off customized accessories
Be sure to remove any custom parts or accessories before the vehicle is loaded onto the truck to avoid the possibility of a spoiler and/or other special accessories breaking in transit because of their unusual size.
Preparing your car for International moving is a process that requires a guiding hand. Pay close attention to the instructions given by your movers, and keep the above pointers in mind so as to make your auto relocation process a breeze.
As always, should you need help moving your car in Nairobi, Kenya or East Africa, we at Nellions is available to make it happen smoothly and stress-free.
