Military families often have to move overseas, and they can find it difficult to ship their vehicles along with them. There are a lot of logistical details that need to be taken into consideration when shipping a vehicle overseas; every country has different regulations, and the process can be complicated.
To help make it easier, we’ve put together this guide for military families who need to ship their vehicles overseas.
Know the Regulations Before You Go
Before you even think about shipping your vehicle overseas, you should familiarize yourself with the regulations in the country where you’re going. Different countries have different rules for importing vehicles, so it’s important to do your research ahead of time. This will help ensure that everything goes smoothly when it’s time to ship your vehicle. Be sure to look into any registration requirements or taxes that apply in your destination country as well, since these could affect how much you ultimately spend on shipping your car.
Choose the Right Shipping Method
Once you know what regulations apply in your destination country, you’ll need to choose a method for shipping your vehicle overseas. Depending on where you’re going, there may be a few options available; sea freight is usually the most cost-effective option, but air freight may be better if time is of the essence or if the distance is shorter. You should also consider whether or not you want an open or enclosed container for shipping; open containers offer more protection from weather damage, but they also tend to be more expensive.
Ship Your Belongings Alongside Your Vehicle
When shipping your car overseas, don’t forget about all those other items that go along with it! Many companies offer full-service packing and shipping services for personal belongings alongside vehicles. This can save you a lot of hassle since all of your belongings will arrive safely at their destination in one shipment—no more worrying about tracking multiple shipments from multiple locations! Make sure that any company you work with offers door-to-door delivery so that all of your belongings arrive at their final destination without any issues.
Items That Can Be Shipped in Your Vehicle
Moving is never an easy task, especially when you’re making a cross-country move with the military. If you’re packing to move, it can be tough deciding what to ship and what not to. Thankfully, some items are allowed to be shipped in your vehicle during such a move.
Such items include furniture, fully packed suitcases, mattresses and box springs sealed in waterproof containers, electronic equipment such as laptops and flat screen televisions, important documents stored inside a fireproof container, and all pet supplies necessary for your furry friends’ safety and comfort.
Planning ahead of time regarding what you can bring will make for a stress-free shipment and arrival at your new destination. In the end, even crossing the country is possible when you know exactly what items can come along for the ride.
Shipping a vehicle overseas can seem like an overwhelming task—but with proper research and planning, it doesn’t have to be! Knowing the regulations in advance is key; once you know what needs to be done, selecting the right shipping method and packing/shipping service becomes much easier.
Armed with this information, military families can rest assured knowing that their vehicles will arrive safely at their new home abroad without any major headaches along the way.
