While shipping any large item, such as a car, truck or yacht, can be challenging, shipping cars to Italy can be easier with the help of experienced shipping-services companies. If that isn’t your choice, it would be wise to work with the advice of someone who has shipped vehicles to this region, so that you can avoid delays and make sure all the documentation is in order.

From the beginning you should consider a few major details:

• Will you be shipping cars to Italy door-to-door or will you be shipping port-to-port?
• Will it be necessary to reserve a closed container or will roll on/roll off be right for your purpose?
• Do you have the vehicle registration in order, along with tax and license documents?

One of the facts you should know about shipping cars to Italy is: if you are a resident of a European Union country you should be able to import a vehicle without paying duty costs if the vehicle is six months old or older and has more than 6,000 km on the odometer. Those who are not an EU national must have documentation showing that they have owned the car for a year or longer to avoid the duty costs.

Shipping cars to Italy without traveling to the United States, for example, can be a rather smooth and safe process if all the important details are covered. With an experienced shipping-services or freight company these items are covered from start to finish. But the vehicle owner should always learn as much as possible about the process, even if the shipping is in the capable hands of professionals.

It is important to:

• Do some research to find the most efficient and reliable method of moving your vehicle on land and on the sea. The best choice might not be the least expensive.
• Settle the details of vehicle registration and taxes before the car moves from its original location.
• Make sure you have finalized details for storage and handling at the port/dock on both ends of the trip.
• Be sure to have sufficient insurance for the vehicle as well as for your own protection (liability).

There may be some particular requirements for various countries. This is essential information for the owner and it should be clear before the car moves to the dock. The Italian government liaison for transportation and commerce should be able to provide this information about shipping cars to Italy or should direct you to the correct office.

In the past two or three years the cost of shipping cars to Italy from the east coast of the United States has been about $1,500 for roll on/roll off and as low as $1100-$1200 inside a shared container. While this seems like a ferry trip the vehicles are secured and protected from the elements. Be sure that there are no liens or limitations on the vehicle title that could delay movement of the car.

Preparing your vehicle for car shipping to Germany is very important when you have decided to import your car to Germany. Depending on the place from which your car is shipped, you need to provide winter protection for your car. For example, if your car is shipped from Alaska, batteries and radiators must be prevented from freezing. The tank must be half filled so that your car can be driven to service station if needed. Never leave any of your personal items in your car to prepare your car for export to Germany. Alarm systems and other removable components must be removed.

You have to find moving companies that provide car shipping to Germany on dates comfortable for you. Operable cars are moved by any moving company, but if your car is not in an operating condition, then you should inform your movers about it. Make sure that ground clearance is done for your cars. Also, cars in Germany follow European standards and it is your responsibility to make sure that the car you intend to export to Germany meets the standards. In Germany, cars are driven on the right side of the road and measurements are kilometers and kilometers per hour.

The moving companies provide both roll on and roll off as well as container shipping service for car shipping to Germany. You need to inform the moving company if you want the car to be stored at terminals before taking your car to home. You have to allow at least three to four weeks for the car shipped to arrive at the destination port in Germany. Adequate shipping insurance must be purchased to cover losses and damages to the car you intend to ship.

In Germany, not many restrictions control car import. Regardless of the age or make of the car, all cars can be imported to Germany. Also, the cars are treated equally in terms of duties and taxes which mean that you will pay the same import tax duty irrespective of whether the car is old or brand new. The import duty is 10% of the purchase price of the car and the freight costs to the German port are additional. You will also have to pay additional import tax for the freight insurance. Value added tax is 15% of the price of the car along with freight cost and import duty. If your car is a vintage car or a collectible piece, an additional 7% tax duty is applicable. You don’t have to obtain prior permission for exporting a car to Germany, but it must be registered at the German port. You need to get German license if you want to drive your car in Germany for more than one year.

Customs clearance requires vehicle registration and title documents. You need to give originals of these documents to the movers. Creditor notarized statement is required if your car is under credit or lease. You should also have ownership document for the car. Customs clearance hassle is handled by the moving company that ships your car to Germany.

Many Americans move from their own country to another for professional and personal reasons. In any country, you need a car to drive on the roads, but the decision of shipping cars from America shouldn’t be taken without considering all the possibilities. Almost all countries in the world allow tax free import of old cars as old cars are considered as a part of the household. If you don’t qualify for such duty free import of cars, you have to pay hefty import duty and it may become expensive. You won’t have another option rather than car shipping if you own an expensive or a collectible car.

Shipping cars from America is not complicated. You have to provide proof of ownership of cars to export cars from America. You need to submit the original title issued by department of motor vehicles in your state. Manufacturer’s statement of origin, salvage certificate, or scrap certificate can also be submitted if you don’t have ownership title. Older vehicles with no title from US need to submit the registration plus notarized bill of sale at the customs office during export. You don’t have to pay tax for your vehicle as long as your vehicle is motorized or towable.

Additional documents may be required for shipping cars from America if your car is financed and you are making the move. Your creditor should give letter of authorization to export the vehicle and notarized copy of the vehicle title. Bill of sale and identification proofs such as passport copies may be asked by the customs officials.

Many international car shipping companies in America provide RO/RO and container shipping service for vehicles transported from America. You can choose Roll on and Roll off shipping service to safely ship your vehicle at a lower cost. However, the availability of RO/RO is dependent on the destination to which you are shipping cars from America. Container shipping is the safest way to transport your car, but you have to pay more for this type of shipping. You can load the container with other household goods along with the car.

You need to hire an auto transport company to ship your car from America. Trucker will come to your home and move the car to the port where your car will be loaded in containers. Export customs clearance must be completed at the American port from which your car is loaded. Then, the container will be shipped to the destination. The shipping company which ships your car will give you bill of lading and ownership documents will be returned to you.

You should make yourself or your agent available on the date of delivery of your car. From RO/RO vessel, your car will be unloaded directly at the port and containers will be delivered to the warehouse. Storage fee will be added to your bill if you delay pickup of your car. Before picking up your car, you should clear customs by paying necessary fees and taxes and submit necessary documents. You should check with the destination customs office to be clear of the paperwork and your shipping company will help you with this.

While many people have to look at shipping personal items overseas when they are transferred by their employer, there is a significant part of the population that needs expert handling of international car shipment for another reason. If you live in a European country, for example, and want to bring a treasured U.S. automobile over from the United States, there are a number of companies that can help you. Of course, you may be able to take care of all the shipping details personally. If you do, make sure you do some homework first to find out just what you will need to do.

Fortunately, the competition for your business in international car shipment is very high. Not only do land and sea shipping companies want your business, but professional service companies and freight-forwarding companies also specialize in the movement of vehicles from the United States to foreign countries. These service providers are eager to provide the assistance you need to get your prized possession to your door.

Let’s get an overview of what may be involved in international car shipment, from the seller’s location to your front door.
You should first make sure that all registration documents are in order, including vehicle title, tax forms and licenses. You will also need to have the vehicle transported to the port or dock facility. Moving to and through this location will require coordination with customs agencies in both locations. An individual wishing to ship a classic car or a new car should also plan for the expense of the actual shipping journey. Roll on/roll off auto shipping will probably be the least expensive.

Car shippers should have the correct documents in hand or with the vehicle when it arrives in the destination country. Requirements vary from one nation to another so it would be wise to understand the particular requirements of the country the vehicle will arrive in. International car shipment doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive but there will be several associated costs that an individual might not plan for if he or she doesn’t consult with an experienced shipping service company or a person who has taken this step previously.

It may be tempting to go with the least expensive option when choosing a company that specializes in international car shipment. But it would be smart to go with the most reliable and/or the company with the longest record of satisfied customers. Some of these experienced service companies can plan and set up your shipping program with a minimum of information from you.

As you begin planning your international car shipment, allow three to four weeks lead time for the actual departure date. Plan for your car to be in transit for about 2-5 weeks before you expect it to reach land at or near your destination. Prices vary depending on ship availability, length of trip on the water and land transit requirements. So an individual planning for international car shipment should do some comparison shopping and ask plenty of questions before deciding on the best route to get that prized automobile across the ocean.

One of the best ways to learn how to import a classic auto to the Netherlands is to go right to the “horse’s mouth” so to speak. If you plan to bring a car or motorcycle into the Netherlands “it makes no difference whether you are importing it from an EU or a non-EU country,” according to information from this nation’s government (available on the embassy Web site) www.netherlands-embassy.org. You will be required to obtain a permit to get it into the country tax-free.

When you import a classic auto to the Netherlands, you will be required to declare your vehicle to Customs authorities, a task that you can handle on your own by visiting or contacting the Customs office or by enlisting the help of a shipping-services company. The Netherlands also has a road tax and strict registration requirements. *Be sure your insurance is in order and up to date.

Anyone buying, selling or importing a vehicle should contact the RDW and its Center for Vehicle Technology and Information. This agency monitors the quality of all cars, trucks and motorcycles in the nation. This is a good place to start when you plan to import a classic auto to the Netherlands. Though it is now an independent agency it was once a part of the central government of the Netherlands. As most anyone knows when they purchase a classic vehicle and plan to bring it to this country, vehicles and their owners are tracked quite closely.

Classic cars have been purchased in other countries and brought to the Netherlands before, so there is no need to fear the process. In fact, one of the experienced shipping-service companies or freight companies will probably have the information you need, since it’s a good bet they have helped others import a classic auto to the Netherlands.

Among the standard details you will have to cover are:
• All registration and license information in place before the vehicle is ready to ship
• Customs clearance at both ports
• Required insurance for vehicle and for liability
• Arrangements for land transportation and storage if necessary
• Driver’s license and identification for receiving person, driver etc.

RDW agency headquarters are in Zoetermeer, but there are a few regional offices and several stations around the country. When you decide to import a classic auto to the Netherlands keep in mind that, even with all the requirements mentioned, the government tries to make the country attractive for business and commerce. The country established a new tax system in 2001 that may or may not affect the importation of a classic vehicle. However, make sure you understand all the tax requirements if you plan to sell vehicles after importing them.