Step-by-Step: Preparing Your Car for Export from the USA

When I shipped my first car overseas, I thought it would be as simple as buying a ticket for the vehicle and waiting for it to arrive on the other side. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The process was full of paperwork, cleaning requirements I never imagined, and even last-minute calls from customs officials. If you’re planning to export a car from the USA—whether to Nigeria, Ghana, Germany, or anywhere else—it helps to have a roadmap.

Here’s the step-by-step guide I wish someone had handed me before I started.

Step 1: Understand the Rules Before You Start

The U.S. doesn’t just let cars roll out of its ports without conditions. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires that exporters provide original documents proving ownership. That means you can’t rely on a photocopy of the title or a bill of sale scribbled on a napkin. They want the real thing.

What tripped me up was how different states treat titles. For example, if you financed your car, chances are the bank or lender is holding the title. You’ll need a written letter from them clearing you to export. This back-and-forth with lenders can stretch out for weeks, so don’t wait until your ship date is around the corner.

And just because CBP has its rules doesn’t mean the destination country won’t have extra layers. Nigeria, for instance, has very specific import duties and age restrictions on vehicles. Ghana recently raised import tariffs for certain car models. The European Union has emissions standards that could disqualify some older American cars. It’s worth spending a few evenings cross-checking both U.S. export rules and the import laws of your car’s new home.

Step 2: Choose Your Shipping Method

This is where most people get stuck: should you go with RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) or a container?

I learned the hard way that RoRo, while cheaper, leaves your car exposed. It’s driven directly onto the ship’s deck, parked alongside hundreds of other vehicles, and strapped in place. No personal belongings are allowed inside. It’s convenient if you just want the car out quickly, but if you care about scratches or weather exposure, you’ll feel the pinch.

A container, on the other hand, gives you a locked box. Your car goes in, the doors shut, and it stays untouched until it arrives. Containers also allow you to load some extra items—tires, spare parts, maybe a couple of boxes of household goods. Of course, the cost is higher, but many people find peace of mind worth the price.

When I shipped my second car, a 2018 Toyota Highlander, I went with a shared 40-foot container. It meant splitting space with someone else’s vehicle, which cut costs while still giving me the protection of a container. It felt like a sweet middle ground.

Step 3: Clean the Car Thoroughly

This part caught me by surprise. CBP officers will actually inspect the car for soil, seeds, and even leaves. They want to prevent invasive species from hitching a ride abroad. That meant I had to take the car through a deep cleaning service—inside, outside, and even under the wheel arches.

It may sound nitpicky, but one officer told me he once stopped a car from being shipped because it had clumps of mud stuck under the chassis. Imagine the delay and storage fees if your car gets held up for something that small.

Beyond the environmental side, cleaning also helps with inspection photos. If your car is spotless when you drop it off, you can clearly document its condition. That way, if scratches or dents appear after shipping, you’ll have proof they weren’t there before.

Step 4: Gather and Organize Your Documents

This is where people lose patience. You’ll need:

The original vehicle title (or a certified copy with lender’s authorization if financed).

The bill of sale or invoice if the car was recently purchased.

Photo ID, usually your passport.

Shipper’s Export Declaration (filed through the Automated Export System).

Power of attorney, if you’re using a freight forwarder to handle the process.

The golden rule is: two sets of everything. One set for U.S. Customs, another for the shipping line or port authority. I kept mine in a binder with plastic sleeves—call me old-fashioned, but it saved me from digging through papers in a panic.

And here’s a tip I learned from a freight agent in New Jersey: always carry a digital backup. Snap photos of each document and keep them in a cloud folder. Sometimes a port clerk may “misplace” your copies, and having a backup on your phone can keep the process moving.

Step 5: Remove Personal Items

You may think throwing a couple of suitcases or an old TV in the back of your car will save shipping costs. Don’t do it. For RoRo, it’s strictly prohibited. For containers, it depends on the carrier and destination.

I once heard about a guy who packed his car with electronics before sending it to West Africa. By the time it arrived, the customs bill was astronomical. Every item was taxed, and some were even seized. What he thought was a clever way to save money ended up costing more than buying new items locally.

Strip the car down. Remove toll tags, loose accessories, garage remotes, even spare change. If it’s not bolted in, assume it shouldn’t be there.

Step 6: Prepare the Car Mechanically

Think of this step like prepping a car for long-term storage. Shipping lines usually recommend:

Keeping fuel at a quarter tank or less.

Disconnecting the battery.

Checking tire pressure so it can roll on and off without issues.

Topping up essential fluids (oil, coolant, brake fluid).

My shipping agent once told me, “The ship doesn’t care if the car doesn’t start, but the dockworkers do.” If the car won’t start or roll, you’ll be charged extra handling fees.

I also recommend photographing the odometer. It’s rare, but there have been cases where dockworkers test drive cars more than they should. Having proof of mileage at drop-off protects you if something looks off later.

Step 7: Book Your Shipment Early

Ports in New York, Baltimore, Savannah, and Los Angeles get crowded. If you’re exporting during peak seasons (like summer or the end of the year), vessel slots fill up fast. Some routes to Africa, for example, may only run twice a month.

Booking early not only secures a space but also gives you time to fix issues if paperwork or inspections hit snags. When I booked late once, I had to wait an extra six weeks for the next vessel. Six weeks feels like forever when you’re stuck without a car abroad.

Step 8: Drop the Car at the Port or With a Freight Forwarder

Dropping the car at the port can be intimidating. Picture massive shipping yards with thousands of vehicles, forklifts zipping around, and officers checking paperwork at every turn. If that sounds overwhelming, using a freight forwarder makes life easier.

A forwarder acts as your middleman. They handle customs filings, book the shipment, and sometimes even arrange inland transport from your home to the port. Yes, they charge a fee, but when I had my car shipped from Dallas to Lagos, the forwarder saved me countless headaches by managing the entire chain of custody.

Step 9: Track and Wait

Once your car is on the ship, you’ll get a bill of lading and tracking details. It’s like a package tracking number, but for your vehicle. Ships move slower than planes, so don’t expect daily updates. Still, most carriers provide estimated arrival times and port updates along the way.

The waiting period can test your patience. My ship once hit delays in Antwerp because of a labor strike. Another time, bad weather forced rerouting. Remember, international shipping is not Amazon Prime—it’s an exercise in patience.

Step 10: Prepare for Pickup Abroad

When the car finally lands, the process isn’t over. You’ll need to clear customs in the destination country, pay import duties, and sometimes hire a local clearing agent.

Each country has its quirks. In Nigeria, expect a hefty customs duty that depends on the car’s age and engine size. In Ghana, prepare for long inspection lines. In Europe, emissions testing may be part of the clearance.

I found that hiring a trusted clearing agent at the destination saved me both money and frustration. They know which forms matter, who to talk to, and how to avoid unnecessary storage fees.

Common Mistakes People Make

Looking back, I’ve noticed a few recurring traps that first-timers fall into:

Underestimating time: Paperwork alone can take weeks.

Forgetting lender approval: If you financed the car, this is non-negotiable.

Ignoring destination rules: Just because the U.S. lets you export doesn’t mean the other country will let you import.

Leaving personal items inside: This almost always backfires.

Skipping documentation photos: Evidence matters if damage occurs.

Final Thoughts

Exporting a car from the USA isn’t rocket science, but it’s not a one-day errand either. It’s a mix of paperwork, logistics, and patience. I like to think of it as preparing the car for a long journey—because that’s exactly what it is.

If you approach the process step by step, with the right documents in hand and realistic expectations, you’ll avoid the biggest pitfalls. And who knows? After doing it once, you might even become the person friends call when they need advice about shipping their own cars.

Published on: Sep 07, 2025

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