Export Your Car From The USA: Easy Way

Step 1: Choosing the Right Warehouse and Loading Facility

The first step in your car exporting journey is selecting a suitable warehouse or loading facility. This isn’t just about finding a place to park your car; it’s about ensuring its safety and security.

Ask potential facilities about their storage options. Can they accommodate your specific vehicle type? Do they offer secure yard storage or, for high-value vehicles, a closed, secure warehouse? Remember, exported cars often aren’t loaded immediately.

They need to be stored safely while awaiting container availability and the loading team. Secure storage is paramount, especially for luxury, sport, or million-dollar cars.

Step 2: Gathering the Necessary Documentation

Proper documentation is the backbone of any successful car export. You’ll need the following:

• MSO (Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin): This document, obtained from the dealership, proves you purchased the car.
• Title: If you don’t have an MSO, a title is the next best option. It establishes car ownership, a crucial detail for U.S. Customs validation. Be mindful of any liens on the title (e.g., from bank financing). If a lien exists, you’ll need a document from the bank confirming it’s been paid off.
• Bill of Sale: This document proves the transfer of ownership, especially important if the car has changed hands before export. For high-value vehicles, U.S. Customs might also require proof of wire transfer to the dealership as further confirmation of ownership.

Step 3: Choosing Your Mode of Transportation

With your car secured and paperwork in order, the next step is deciding how to ship your car to its destination.

• Ocean Freight: The most common method, utilizing 20-foot, 40-foot, or 45-foot containers. A 20-foot container typically holds one car, a 40-foot container holds two, and a 45-foot container is necessary for larger vehicles like long-bed trucks. Shipping costs vary depending on factors like fuel prices and market demand. As of October 2024, shipping a car to Asia from Long Beach is roughly $3,000, but this can fluctuate. Shipping time also varies by destination, ranging from 18 to 30 days.
• Air Freight: A faster but more expensive option. Airlines charge based on volume and weight, with a minimum weight of around 5,000 kilos. Expect to pay between $12,000 and $15,000, depending on the destination. Air shipping is significantly faster, taking 1-2 days to Hong Kong and 4-5 days to other Asian destinations (often requiring a transfer in Hong Kong).

Step 4: The Physical Loading Process

This stage involves meticulous care and attention to detail to prevent damage to your vehicle.

• Attire: Loaders must wear sweat-absorbing shirts and pants without buttons or metal elements to avoid scratching the cars.
• Fuel Draining: Gas tanks are drained to one-fourth capacity to comply with dangerous goods regulations.
• Securing the Vehicle: Inside the container, the car’s battery is disconnected, and the vehicle is secured with crisscrossed orange straps and wooden blocks bracing all four tires. This ensures stability during transit.
• Exiting the Container: Due to the tight space, loaders exit through the rolled-down windows and the trunk, again taking precautions to avoid scratching the car.