Export Desk
How a car crosses an ocean
From the moment a unit is sourced to the day it is delivered, an export follows five stages. Knowing them saves weeks.
By MZ Editorial · 4 min read
Every export starts with sourcing: confirming that the unit exists, that its history is clean and that the seller can release the title. Only then is a price agreed and a deposit placed.
Inspection comes next. An independent inspector photographs the vehicle, reads the diagnostics and checks the VIN against the documents. The buyer approves the report before anything is paid in full.
“The paperwork travels faster than the car, and it should.”
Then the documents: the title, a bill of sale and the export declaration. The title is released to the shipper, not the buyer, so the vehicle can leave the country.
Shipping is either roll-on, roll-off, where the car is driven onto a vessel, or a container, which suits high-value units and allows several cars or parts to travel together. RoRo is usually quicker and cheaper; containers add protection.
Finally, arrival: the destination port, customs clearance and registration under local rules. A good export plans this last step first, because it decides which specification and model year are allowed.