Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[3xpendable]

A friend of mine might be moving to the USA with work and is thinking of shipping his car over with him. So far he's had quotes of over £5000 just for a 20ft container to contain his car. I said i'm sure I read a magazine article a few years ago that highlighted someone shipping some Rossian metal (Possibly Volga's?) to the US at a fairly reasonable price. Does anyone recall this or know about where to get good shipping quotes?

Thanks in advance
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2013 Dodge Durango R/T Hemi
1965 Ford Anglia 106e Estate (LHD)
1964 Ford Anglia 105E 1500 GT (Dad)
1980 Porsche 911 SC Targa (Uncle)
1971 MGB GT (V8 project) -SOLD 2016
2005 MINI Cooper S JCW - SOLD 2016

[47p2]

Shop around, the price for USA was around £2k a couple of years ago and £1.5k 9 years ago
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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars

[MVPeters]

1500GBP should cover the basic shipping costs, even today.

But make sure it's really worth it. Aside from customs fees, duties, port fees & so on, cars are generally cheap over here. I'll generalise dangerously & say that many UK cars simply aren't suitable for the US climates; & spares & servicing are other issues to consider. Only L/R & Jag have sold here in volume in recent years.

See if you can find someone who has done it, & talk to a 'Freight Forwading' company.

Hope this helps
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Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net
2002 MINI Cooper 'S'

[3xpendable]

Thanks guys, I know the car is sentimental to him thats why he wants to take it. Its value means nothing to him but its been in his family for 40 years.
_________________
2013 Dodge Durango R/T Hemi
1965 Ford Anglia 106e Estate (LHD)
1964 Ford Anglia 105E 1500 GT (Dad)
1980 Porsche 911 SC Targa (Uncle)
1971 MGB GT (V8 project) -SOLD 2016
2005 MINI Cooper S JCW - SOLD 2016

[Mog]

He has to make sure the car is secure in the container. If the ship goes through heavy seas, the car will end up on a side wall. When we sent equipment in a container , it was chained down and had 3 x 2 timber nailed across the floor, both ways to stop any movement.

[Julian]

[Peter_L]

Unless it is a really valuable and pristine vehicle, then putting it in a container is a waste of money.

Google international shipping and get some quotes. Around $1500 U.S is ballpark. However, once in the U.S it will have to be transported from the port of entry to destination and then be certified for use there.

At 40 years old it is likely to avoid some of the modern stringent requirements.

I work at a large vehicle compound, it handles 500 vehicle per day, and we receive new vehicles manufactured not only in North America but from Europe, and Asia. Now and then we get older classics, they come with reams of documents. Also, as tempting as it seems, vehicles are generally shipped empty, in fact some road hauliers and rail companies refuse to transport units that contain any personal effects. Also, if it is an older car, you may wish to include driving instructions. Make sure you keep an extra copy of every single document and at least two sets of spare keys.
Photograph it from every angle and in every detail, including the tires.
You may find that insurance may have a $500 excess, so there can be no claim for minor damages.

You don't say where in the U.S it is going, but if it is in the winter, check on local weather at destination. Fuel, oil, coolant etc needs to be fit for the purpose when it arrives.

Proper research is the only way to go about this, I am afraid that homespun ideas and bar room experts could lead you down a very expensive and disastrous route. I have seen vehicles held "in bond" here for weeks and months because destination and port of entry documents didn't match. If the vehicle is trapped in transit, you may have to pay a third party to put things right this adds storage and admin costs.

I hope that if you do decide to move it, then all goes well.

[3xpendable]

Thanks all.

The value of the car isnt an issue, its hugely sentimental so he wont be selling it, but i'll let him know.
_________________
2013 Dodge Durango R/T Hemi
1965 Ford Anglia 106e Estate (LHD)
1964 Ford Anglia 105E 1500 GT (Dad)
1980 Porsche 911 SC Targa (Uncle)
1971 MGB GT (V8 project) -SOLD 2016
2005 MINI Cooper S JCW - SOLD 2016

[Mog]

Depending how long he is going for, he could put personal effects in the spare space in the container. The container could be shipped to the town or city that he is going to and then unpacked at a local depot.