If your international auto transport needs require you to ship a vehicle from the USA to another country, the requirements may be similar or they could be very different depending on your vehicle's destination country. Before you transport your vehicle to another country it would be wise to check any special restrictions or requirements of the destination country. The best place to start would the destination country's embassy or consulate. Additionally, international moving companies, international auto transport companies and export brokers may already have or should be able to get this information for you.

Here's an overview of what you should know:

• To export a motor vehicle from the United States, the exporter must provide documents that demonstrate proof of ownership. In almost all cases, this will be the certificate of title. Both the original documents and multiple copies will be needed.
• Only the original certificate of title, or a certified copy of the original, is considered valid proof of ownership. If the car has a lien or is leased, the exporter will have to attach to the certificate of title a letter from the lien holder or lease holder authorizing the vehicle to leave the country.
• If the vehicle is a new car that has never been titled, it can be exported by submitting a document known as a manufacturer’s statement of origin. The manufacturer’s statement of origin may be obtained from your car dealer. The original and two copies must be presented to Customs.
• Some very old used vehicles and some foreign vehicles purchased abroad may not have a certificate of title, or a junk scrap certificate in force and a manufacture’s statement of origin may not have been issued. In these cases, a bill of sale, sales invoice, right of possession, or other documents sufficient to prove lawful ownership may be used. In addition, the owner must certify in writing to Customs that the procurement of the vehicle was a bona fide transaction and that the vehicles presented for export is not stolen. Again, the original and two copies must be presented.
• If you are exporting through a land border port, you must submit the ownership documents to that port at least three days before export. On the day of export, you must present the vehicle to U.S. Customs to verify that the car being exported is the one described in the ownership documents.
• The car will be subject to Customs inspection at the time of export. If international auto transport is by ship or plane, both the vehicle and ownership documents must be presented to Customs at least 72 hours before lading, at which time Customs will conduct its inspection.
• The vehicle will be authorized for export only after Customs has inspected it and certified that the ownership documents are in proper order. Your original title will then be stamped or perforated to show that your vehicle was exported from the United States.

Additional International Auto Transport Considerations

• Don't put anything except a spare tire and jack in or on the vehicle.
• Vehicles must not have more than 1/4 tank of gasoline. Any RV propane tanks need to be emptied.
• Regardless of how you're transporting your vehicle, you'll probably be asked to provide a Power of Attorney in case your shipper needs to complete some paperwork on your behalf.
• Expect to pay port fees at your destination. You may also be charged customs duties.
• Once your car arrives at the destination port, you'll want to remove your license plates and retain them.
• Your destination country may require permits or pre-inspections. Some international auto transport companies may offer to handle this for you, but you may have to take responsibility for this item yourself.
• Have your shipper or carrier notify you of the vehicle’s arrival date so you can make arrange to get it processed through Customs. Shipments are cleared at the first port of entry unless you arrange for a foreign freight agent to have the vehicle sent in bond to a Customs port that's more convenient to you.
• You may also decide to employ a commercial customs broker to handle your entry.