How to Prepare a Car for Overseas Transportation

1. Inspect your Automobiledriven short distances during the transportation.
Before you make any shipping arrangements you6. Check for Leaky Fluids
should inspect the vehicle carefully from top to bottom.Many international auto shipping companies will hold
You will want to make sure and look over every singleyou personally responsible for damage caused by
part of car including the car including the outside, thefluids leaked from your vehicle. Therefore, you will
engine, the wheels and tires, etc. Be sure to takewant to make sure and inspect your vehicle for leaks
notice of any imperfections.a few weeks before you intend to have it shipped. If
2. Take Photosyou do not know how to identify or locate leaks, then it
By taking pictures of your car before shipping it you willmight be good idea to have a professional check for
be able to document the exact condition it was inyou.
before the transport. That way you will have proof in7. Remove All Electronics
case your automobile is damaged during shipping.You should always take out any removable
3. Remove Accessories and Antennaselectronics before shipping your car overseas. This
Nearly all automobile transporters will require that allincludes un-mounted radios, CD or cassette players,
detachable antennas be removed prior to shipment.Mp3 players, cell phone chargers, etc.
Additionally, you may be required to take off custom8. Early Climate Preparations
accessories such as spoilers or specialty lightingIt is always a good idea to prepare your vehicle for
systems.the new climate prior to shipping. This can include a
4. Disconnect Alarm Systemsnumber of things such as adding engine coolant, or
If you are going to ship your vehicle you need totransmission oil, etc.  
disconnect any and all alarm systems. Even if you9. Gather Documents
intent to ship items inside your vehicle you will beA few weeks before you take your car to the auto
required to disable your alarm before a shippingtransporter, you will want to make sure that you have
company will take your car.all of your essential paperwork together, such as the
5. 1/8 Tank of Gasolinecar’s title. That way you have time to request a
When you drop off your vehicle it should have about 1copy from the DMV before it is too late. You will also
8 of a tank of gas. More than 1/8 of a tank will addwant to make sure any liens have been removed and
excesses weight to your vehicle, but you do want tocleared from the title.
make sure there is enough fuel for your car to be