From: leggett@cernapo.cern.ch (Charles Leggett )
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Exporting cars to Europe
Keywords: exporting, europe
Date: 25 Sep 92 13:53:41 GMT
Organization: CERN European Lab for Particle Physics

There has been a sudden spate of articles asking about exporting cars to 
Europe, so I'll try to answer some of the questions here.

   Back in June, I shipped my car from the states to France. I needed to get
it from Detroit to Geneva. I ended up shipping it from Baltimore to Le Havre.

Shipping: There are two ways to ship (by sea) a car. Ro-ro (roll on, roll off)
or in a crate. Ro-ro is much cheaper, but you run the risk of some damage. You
also have to get it to the port and pick it up at the other side yourself, or
make some arrangement with a freight company to get it to/from the port. Crating
a car is much more expensive, but it might save you some hassels. By much more,
I mean a factor of 4 to 5.
    If you live a long way from a port, you might seriously consider driving it
to the port. This is because the overland costs are FAR more expensive than the
overseas costs. I found out that shipping my car all the way from Detroit to 
Le Havre (a port in northern France) was more than double the cost of Baltimore
to Le Havre. I didn't even bother to ask about Le Havre - Geneva.
    You will also find that shipping prices varry by a factor of 5. Some companies
have experience shipping cars, some don't, but will try anyways. I was quoted
prices of $380 to $2000 for Baltimore - Le Havre. Let your fingers do the walking -
phone around and find the best deals. Also try to find a company that has shipped
cars before. Have the dimensions and weight of your car handy.

Insurance: Get some. Don't get the insurance that the shipping company offers -
they will rip you off. Find a reputable marine insurance company. I used Lloyds 
of London (or actually an insurance agent who used Lloyds). Some contracts will
not cover 'minor dings and scratches'. Forget those, since those are the sort
of things that most likely WILL happen to your car, especially if it is ro-ro.
It is very unlikely that a crane operator will drop a heavy crate on your car from
50 feet. It is very likely that the guys who take the car on and off the ship will
try to have some fun with it, or simply just won't be too careful.

Export duties: None that I know of. Just make sure that the car's title is clear
and in your name. Otherwise you are up a tree.

At the Port: When you deliver your car, make sure you have the Bill of Lading 
(original with you). If you do, things are easy. If you don't, your life will
be hell. Also make sure that someone inspects your car (inside and out) for all
the little scratches, bumps and dings. Otherwise if something happens to the car,
and you don't have one of these in your hand when you complain, they will laugh
at you. Make sure your car is totally empty. You can't bring anything in it,
unless the car is in a crate. If you do happen to leave something in it, it won't
be there when you pick it up.... Make sure that everything is unlocked (ie glove
compartment, and trunk. Customs has to inspect it. Finally, fill up with a full 
tank of gas. It will be the last tank of cheap gas you ever get.

In transit: Find out how long the journey will take (mine took about 3 weeks). On
the day the ship is due in, call the port and ask if it is there. If it isn't, 
call once a day till it gets there. They say that they will call/write you when 
it gets in. Don't believe them. When they do bother to send you a note, it will
probably be about 2 to 3 weeks later.

On the other side: Now comes the fun part. Picking up the car. First of all,
be prepared to pay a port fee, which the shipping company hasn't told you about.
This is usually on the order of $50, but it can varry wildly. Make sure that you
have all the papers with you, especially the title and Bill of Lading. Then
you have to take it through customs. Depending on what you want to do with it
later, you will either have to pay a duty, or not. You don't have to pay a duty
if you import it as a tourist. The easist thing to do is import it as a tourist,
and once you have it back where you want to be, then worry about puting local
plates on it. Otherwise you will be in for a lot of paperwork at the port customs,
most of which they probably won't tell you about till you're already there and
it's too late to get. Show up early and be prepared to wait. DON'T show up at 4:30
on a Friday afternoon. Once you get your car, INSPECT EVERYTHING. Compare the
car with the copy of the inspection report that you got at the first port. If you
find the slighest difference, MARK IT DOWN. Take it for a short spin in the lot,
just to make sure everything works. They might laugh at you for being so meticulous.
Don't listen - if you make a claim, you will need all the ammunition you can get.
Also bring some solvents to get all the crap they stick on your windshield off.
Without a doubt, they will always put it where it interferes with your vision the
most. Of course, they glues/markers are not water soluble.


Type of cars: Be sensible. If you are going to use it, make sure it is a car that
is sold here. Otherwise you will be up the proverbial creek when it runs into
problems and needs to be fixed. Some places do deal in american cars, but they
tend to be the higher end stuff (caddies and what not). Likewise, you will have
to dish out lots if you bring your car there to be fixed. If you want to bring a
car to Europe to sell, these are usually the good picks. Corvettes, Caddies,
Lincons, and Mustangs do well. Even Eagle Talons (though the Mitsubishi Eclipse
would be a better pick since it is sold here and thus easier for you to sell. Some 
Japanese cars are also good buys, since the tarrifs are much higher here than 
in the states. If you plan to make a quick buck, stay away from Bimmers and 
Mercedes for obvious reasons.

    That's all I can think of now. If you have further questions, drop me a line.

			charles.

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Charles Leggett                      |   "Unto each man is given the key that 
                                     | will open the door to Heaven. The same
leggett@cernapo.cern.ch              | key unlocks the gates of Hell."
University of Michigan  at CERN      |              - ancient Buddist proverb
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