There are many reasons you may want to move to another country. You could be relocating because of love, work, education, retirement, or a pre-booked long-term vacation. Regardless of whether your move is temporary or permanent, you might want to bring your car along with you for convenience or cost-saving purposes, as ride-hailing services can rack up considerable costs.
While you might have shipped your car to another state, overseas shipping presents unique trials and mishaps a shipping provider must navigate. For one, there’s an increased chance of delays as compared to shipping your vehicle domestically. Why’s that? When shipping your car internationally, the driver will have to jump through the hoops set by relevant customs agencies.
However, to simplify the process, customers can hire experienced auto transportation providers like Guardian Auto Transport to meet your international car shipping requirements. For a minimized risk of delays, partnering with a reputable auto shipping provider is critical. To ensure your auto transportation company is well-reviewed and reliable, consult online reviews for more information.
Causes of delays during overseas car shipments
While shipping your car overseas won’t come cheap, it’s a cost-effective alternative to buying another vehicle upon arrival. Even though an international shipping company will handle the shipping logistics, vehicle owners must understand factors known to cause delays in the overseas shipping process. Otherwise, these customers may not budget enough time and miss crucial deadlines.
Weather conditions
Every shipping company is inclined to follow pre-prescribed safety precautions. When severe weather like hurricanes or strong windstorms strike, delays are inevitable. In most cases, shipping companies have no other choice but to wait for the weather to calm.
Trade wars
Trade tensions are likely to lead to delays in shipments. For example, Brexit-related issues and the existing tension between the US and China have introduced delays to the supply chain, affecting auto transportation companies nationwide. Political differences and uncertainty lead to trade restrictions that escalate into the clearing and forwarding process.
Health concerns
Pandemics and disease outbreaks have led to delayed shipping as countries introduce additional precautionary measures, negatively impacting the shipping process. A prime example is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has successfully delayed shipment due to the need for increased medical testing.
Customs
Customs clearance is one of the notable causes of shipment delays. Lack of proper documentation can exacerbate these delays. Should a driver fail to present the requested documents, custom authorities may inspect your cargo and possibly detain it, which can push back the arrival date by several weeks.
Mechanical challenges
Shipping vessels, just like cars, can develop mechanical issues that disrupt the movement of cargo. Depending on the severity of the malfunction, it could take a few days to resolve, preventing the operator from resuming their duties.
Fortunately, your auto shipping company will notify you when the departure of your cargo is delayed. Being in the know can calm these customers’ worries when they notice shipment is taking longer than anticipated. Generally speaking, a reliable shipping provider will maintain a sense of transparency from the second your vehicle leaves the dock to the moment it arrives at your destination.
Intermodal issues
Sometimes, shipping your car to its final destination can necessitate the use of more than one mode of transportation. For instance, your shipment could combine ocean shipping and truck shipping methods. While convenient, in such circumstances, the risk of shipping delays skyrockets.
Unexpected delays
Shipping arrangements operate under strict timelines. Your auto shipping company operates within specific schedules, which they must adhere to. Otherwise, any deviations will automatically lead to delays in shipment.
What would be the cause of unexpected delays? Unexpected issues at the port could force the vessel shipping your vehicle to skip your final destination’s closest port to make it in time for the next port. Aside from the risk of scheduling conflicts, mechanical problems, fire outbreaks, and industrial strikes at the port could lead to delayed shipment.
How to avoid shipment delays
Most vehicle owners give their cars tremendous sentimental value, which is why most customers scour the web for shipping providers that promise the soonest delivery dates. As a result, any cause of delay could be unsettling. While some of the delays are outside of your control, taking the following measures could eliminate some of the potential causes.
Provide the correct documentation
Have registration documents for the vehicle ready to avoid customs delays. Failure to provide these documents could result in a customs clearance refusal.
Exercise due diligence when picking the shipping company
There are many shippers out there claiming to be industry experts. However, the truth is that there are scams lurking in the dark corners of the internet that don’t possess the necessary experience to guarantee damage-free delivery.
Improper insurance coverage
Any authentic shipping company should have adequate insurance coverage to cover your vehicle in case of damage. Before settling on a shipping company, inquire about their insurance policy provisions. Chances of things going south are minimal, but in case your vehicle sustains damage, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Poor communication
Establish proper communication with your shipper so that they can understand your expectations. Good communication also helps when the shipper anticipates any delays. Once you build a relationship with a shipper, they will feel more inclined to update you on foreseeable and unexpected shipping delays.
Final word
While it’s true that you nor your shipping provider can control certain elements (like the weather), it’s prudent to prepare for potential speed bumps your shipping provider might encounter along the way. As you plan to ship your car to your destination, it would help to recruit a credible auto shipping company with ample experience in maneuvering delays that could affect your shipment. For those vehicle owners who choose savings over reliability, brace yourself for week to month-long delays.
