Preparing Your Car For Shipping: What You Need To Know

Date: 28th November, 2018
Category: Simba Shipments
  • blog details img1

When shipping your car from the UK, it is paramount for you to have everything lined up for quick hassle free shipping.

This guide will take you through how to prepare your car for international car shipping from the UK.

Fuel, brakes & driving: When shipping a car via RoRo, ensure your fuel tank is at no more than ¼ full. For container shipments, it is required that your tank is ⅛ full. This is the maximum fuel required.

Moreover, ensure that your vehicle’s brakes are in working condition and that the car can start, be driven and has a fully charged, working battery.

Items in the car: Please ensure that you remove any items save for the car jack, spanner and spare tire. If your car is loaded with personal items, (We advise against this for RoRo shipping because the safety of your stuff is not guaranteed, and recommend container shipping as the preferred method for household & personal items you want to ship) please prepare two lists of all the items loaded in the car. Send one list to our offices, and leave another on the front seat of the car.

NB: (Any items loaded are loaded at your own risk)

Keys: Ensure you provide all keys needed for the ignition, the fuel tank if need be, and any other compartment that needs to be unlocked. Failure to which, if UK customs officers need to inspect your car and cant unlock a compartment, the car may not be shipped.

Valuable Items in the car: We highly recommend removing any valuable items in the car. In case these items are stolen, they are not covered by insurance.

Anti-Theft Alarm System: Ensure that your vehicle’s alarm system is disarmed prior to vehicle collection and delivery.

Fluid & Oil leakage: Ensure that your vehicle has no oil or fluid leaks.

Operational Instructions: If your car requires maybe a different way to start it up or just any special procedure needed prior to shipping, ensure these instructions are taped to the steering wheel or dashboard to make it easier for the people loading the vehicle.

Documentation: Before vehicle collection or delivery of your car to the port, ensure you have a shipping note from your shipping company.

NB: DO NOT LEAVE CAR REGISTRATION BOOK-V5 /LOGBOOK IN THE CAR.

Take note of your car’s condition: Take note of any dents, scratches or marks on the car prior to delivery at the port. In the event that your car is insured and you need to file an insurance claim, this information will come in handy.

Regulations: Know the rules and regulations of the destinations you are shipping your vehicle to. Some countries, Kenya for instance, have laws on vehicles being imported such as age restriction. Please familiarise yourself with the regulations of that country.

Following these rules will ensure that you have a hassle free vehicle shipping experience free from any shipment delays and additional costs.

NB: Your vehicle shipment does not include Marine Insurance. Get in touch with us for advice and an affordable Marine Insurance quote. Read about why you need vehicle insurance here.