Before you start
- The overall term consists of several separate stages.
- Plan your route based on the location of the lot, documents, and condition of the car.
- Specify included costs, insurance, and liability in writing.
Count the time from a specific event
There is no single time frame for shipping a car from the USA that works for every lot. It is important to find out what the proposed number of weeks means: time from purchase, from documents being ready, from loading, or just the time the ship is en route. You can compare offers after their starting and ending points match.
Create a roadmap with milestones. For each milestone, ask for an estimated interval, dependencies, and responsible person. This will help distinguish between a normal wait for the next milestone and a delay that requires action. It is best to plan for a pick-up date with a margin, especially if the vehicle is needed for a specific event.
- Payment and permission to issue a car.
- Documents ready and pick-up from the site.
- Export procedures, loading and shipping.
- Arrival, port operations and ground delivery.
- Customs clearance and transfer of the car to the recipient.
Specify the fence from the site and the path to the port
Before bidding, provide the carrier with the exact location of the lot. Find out if the vehicle rolls, steers, and can be loaded in a standard manner. If the wheels are locked or the suspension is damaged, the equipment requirements and the price of the pick-up may differ from the initial estimate.
Ask to determine who approves the release and monitors the free storage periods, if any, provided by the site. Do not assume these periods are the same for all purchases. When collecting, it is important to record the condition, completeness, keys and visible damage to have a clear point of reference.
Separate auto readiness from export readiness
Physical presence of the vehicle at the port does not mean that the documents are ready for export. CBP has specific export information and document submission requirements for used self-propelled vehicles, including advance submission deadlines. The specific procedure should be agreed upon with the exporter and the port of departure.
Ask who verifies ownership, prepares the submission, and confirms completion of this stage. If the document is delayed, clarify where the car is stored and possible additional fees. This situation is better to consider before buying, especially if the card indicates a waiting period for documents.
Coordinate the sea and land parts of the route
The offer must include the port of departure, port of arrival, and further route to Ukraine. Specify the method of transportation and restrictions for the damaged vehicle. For an electric vehicle with impact marks in the battery area, the carrier's requirements must be clarified separately before booking.
Ask for a list of documents to track the shipment and how to notify them of a schedule change. The booking number and the actual shipment are different events. Clarify when the shipment is confirmed, what is known about the arrival, and what actions are required from the recipient at the next stage.
Compare prices and insurance coverage
Check if the price includes port handling, shipping documents, ground delivery and unloading. Ask separately about storage, downtime, re-movement and other costs for plan changes. The quote should include currency, validity period and terms of its revision.
If insurance is offered, ask for coverage terms, exclusions, deductibles, and damage claim procedures. Compare them with the original condition of the car. Upon receipt, check the VIN, completeness, and photos, and document any noticeable discrepancies according to the agreed procedure before closing the acceptance.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to deliver a car from the USA?
The time frame depends on location, documents, available shipment, port operations, and land route. Request intervals separately for each stage and specify which event starts the countdown.
Why do two identical cars have different delivery prices?
They may be in different locations, have different loading statuses, or travel different routes. Also compare the services included.
Is customs clearance included in the delivery cost?
It depends on the specific offer. Transportation costs, broker work, and customs payments should be seen as separate lines, even if they are organized by the same company.
