Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Shipping Vehicles Internationally

Shipping a vehicle overseas sounds exciting on paper. You find a good deal on a car in one country, line up a shipping company, and imagine it rolling off the dock thousands of miles away, ready for its new life. But anyone who’s actually been through the process will tell you it rarely goes that smoothly. Between paperwork snags, hidden fees, and unexpected delays, international shipping can test even the most patient person.

I learned this lesson when I helped a relative ship a used SUV from the United States to Lagos. We thought we had everything sorted—car purchased, shipper booked, paperwork in hand. But we overlooked one crucial detail: the vehicle hadn’t been properly cleaned before loading. Customs at the destination flagged it for inspection because of dirt and plant material under the wheel arches. It cost us extra money, not to mention a week-long delay. That small oversight taught me something important: international shipping is a game of details, and missing just one can set you back.

So, what are the common traps people fall into? And how do you sidestep them without losing your sanity—or your wallet? Let’s walk through them one by one.

Choosing the Wrong Shipping Method

One of the first big decisions is whether to ship by container or roll-on/roll-off (RORO). Each has its place, but mismatching your method to your needs is a mistake I see over and over.

RORO is often cheaper and simpler. Cars are literally driven onto the ship and secured on deck. But here’s the catch: you usually can’t ship personal belongings inside the vehicle. That means if you’re hoping to stuff spare parts or household goods into the trunk, you’re out of luck.

Container shipping, on the other hand, allows more flexibility. You can ship multiple cars together or load personal items alongside your vehicle. The downside is the cost—it’s often several hundred dollars more. And containers aren’t always available at smaller ports.

I once met a buyer who tried to save money by using RORO for a luxury car loaded with spare tires and tools. When the shipping company told him the car had to be emptied, he had to scramble for an expensive air freight solution for the extra items. A little research upfront would have spared him that headache.

Underestimating Paperwork

Paperwork is where international shipping often unravels. Missing one form or filling it out incorrectly can grind the whole process to a halt. Depending on the destination country, you may need the original bill of lading, export clearance, import permits, proof of purchase, and even emissions or safety certificates.

What complicates things further is that requirements aren’t uniform. A document accepted in one port might not fly in another. And rules can change without much notice.

A Nigerian importer once told me his worst nightmare was assuming a photocopy of the title was good enough. When the shipping line insisted on the original, he had to arrange an express courier across the Atlantic. That delay cost him storage fees at both ends. Lesson: always double-check the destination country’s requirements, and never assume copies will do.

Ignoring Hidden Costs

The sticker price of shipping—say $1,200 for RORO or $2,000 for container—can look manageable. But the real expense often lies in the hidden extras: port handling fees, trucking costs, storage charges, insurance, and customs duties.

One friend thought he was being clever by choosing the cheapest shipping line from New Jersey to West Africa. What he didn’t realize was that the destination port had notoriously high clearing charges. By the time he paid all the extras, his “cheap” option turned out more expensive than a slightly higher upfront rate from a different port.

The tricky part is that shipping companies don’t always highlight these hidden costs in their quotes. It pays to ask pointed questions: “What are the port handling charges at both ends?” “What happens if my car arrives earlier than expected—are there storage fees?”

Poor Vehicle Preparation

This is one of those unglamorous details people skip over, but it matters. Shipping lines and customs agencies have rules about what condition your car needs to be in. Leaving fuel in the tank, failing to disconnect the battery, or shipping with personal items scattered inside can all create problems.

There’s also the cleanliness factor. Some countries are strict about preventing pests and soil contamination. I’ve heard of vehicles being sent for fumigation or steam cleaning because a little mud was clinging to the undercarriage. Not only does that delay delivery, but it also adds a bill you didn’t budget for.

Spending an afternoon cleaning your car and following preparation guidelines may feel tedious, but it saves you from far bigger headaches later.

Trusting the Wrong Shipping Company

Not all shippers are equal. Some are reliable and transparent, others… not so much. Picking the wrong company can mean poor communication, surprise fees, or even your car ending up on the wrong vessel.

I once dealt with a “budget” shipping broker who promised fast delivery and rock-bottom rates. What they didn’t mention was that the ship they booked didn’t go directly to Nigeria. My car took a detour through Spain, adding nearly a month to the timeline. The savings on paper weren’t worth the stress.

When evaluating a shipping company, look for more than price. Check how long they’ve been in business, whether they have physical offices, and if they’re responsive to questions. Reviews from past customers—especially importers who ship frequently—are gold.

Overlooking Insurance

It’s easy to assume nothing will go wrong. But accidents happen at sea. Ships face storms, fires, and even piracy in some regions. While rare, cars do get damaged or lost.

Standard shipping contracts usually cover only the carrier’s liability, which is often limited. If your car is worth $20,000 and something happens, the payout might be a fraction of that.

Spending a few hundred dollars on marine insurance may feel like an unnecessary expense until you need it. I know a dealer who once shipped three cars together, and one was severely damaged when another vehicle broke loose during rough seas. Insurance saved him from a financial disaster.

Misjudging Timelines

Shipping a car isn’t like mailing a package with guaranteed delivery. Transit times can vary widely depending on the route, the carrier, and even weather conditions. A ship scheduled for four weeks might take six or seven if there are delays at transshipment ports.

I remember someone who booked a car for a customer in Lagos and promised delivery in “about three weeks.” When the ship was delayed, the customer was furious and threatened to cancel the deal. The seller hadn’t factored in that shipping schedules are often more optimistic than realistic.

A better approach is to communicate an estimated range—say, four to six weeks—and be upfront about possible delays. That way, no one’s caught off guard.

Failing to Plan for Customs Clearance

Getting your car across the ocean is only half the battle. The real test often comes at the destination port. Customs clearance can be a maze of paperwork, inspections, and fees. If you don’t have a reliable clearing agent, your car could sit at the port racking up storage costs.

I once heard of a buyer who assumed he could handle customs himself to save money. After several frustrating trips to the port office, he finally gave up and hired an agent—only after paying two weeks’ worth of storage. Sometimes outsourcing isn’t just convenient, it’s economical.

Not Checking Import Restrictions

Every country has its own rules about what kinds of vehicles can be imported. Some have age restrictions, others have emissions standards, and a few ban certain models altogether. Shipping a car that doesn’t meet those requirements can leave you with a vehicle that’s stuck at the port—or worse, ordered back to the country of origin at your expense.

For instance, Nigeria has restrictions on cars older than 15 years, while Kenya enforces stricter age limits of around 8 years. I know someone who bought an older SUV for a bargain, only to find out it couldn’t legally be imported to the destination country. That “bargain” ended up stranded at the port, unsellable.

Always verify import rules before buying the car. It sounds obvious, but plenty of people skip this step in the rush of a good deal.

Relying on Assumptions Instead of Research

If there’s a theme running through all these pitfalls, it’s this: assumptions are dangerous. Assuming paperwork will be fine, assuming costs are straightforward, assuming the ship will arrive on time—these shortcuts often lead to expensive surprises.

The people who succeed in international vehicle shipping are usually the ones who ask questions, do their homework, and double-check every step. It doesn’t guarantee perfection, but it drastically reduces the chances of being blindsided.

Final Thoughts

Shipping a vehicle internationally is a complex process with plenty of moving parts. From picking the right port and shipping method to preparing paperwork and budgeting for hidden costs, every step comes with potential pitfalls. The good news is that most of these traps are avoidable if you slow down, ask the right questions, and plan ahead.

If there’s one piece of advice I’d offer based on my own experiences, it’s this: treat the process like a long road trip. Don’t just focus on the destination—pay attention to the stops along the way. Because in international shipping, it’s often the small overlooked details that cause the biggest detours.

Published on: Sep 07, 2025

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