Answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about exporting new cars from the USA…

A beautiful sight – The unloading of an international delivery!

1. How can I tell if I am dealing with a professional company who practices legitimate business?
2. What documents do I REALLY need to have before I can legally purchase and export a new car out of the US?
3. How can I be sure I’m fully prepared to get my newly purchased vehicle successfully through US customs without any hang-ups?

These are just a few of the Frequently Asked Questions we get asked on a weekly basis about new vehicle export. The first thing you need to know is what you want. Finding a car with the specific options you need, in the right color is a good start. Sometimes this can be a feat in itself, especially for international buyers shopping in the US – having to take things like time zone differences and specific state laws and policies into consideration when calling around makes it a bit harder to get ahold of the average 9-5 salesman at a dealership on a regular basis, among other things. But that isn’t where you want to be anyway. If you’re calling up a run of the mill dealership asking them to help you export a brand new car they might either one laugh, or second perhaps rudely turn you away.

However, sometimes you may be able to find one loose cannon at a dealership who is willing to take the risk and break the “rules” to sell you a new car for export – but in turn, that is exactly what that situation is: RISKY. If you are entrusting someone you do not know who is willing to knowingly enter into an agreement that could possibly cost them their job or high penalties then that person isn’t likely to stick with you if you need additional assistance, of if your transaction hits any snags. They would be more likely to, if something goes wrong, send you back your money and cancel the deal all together.

Thankfully, there are many more options nowadays when it comes to export. The internet is teaming with opportunity, and if you know how to look for it, you can find the right people to help guide you through this venture.

There are lots of online companies you can turn to who offer vehicle export services from the USA, but BUYER BEWARE! When dealing with anyone over the internet you should always exercise caution, especially before sending them ANY money. Know who you are dealing with BEFORE you buy. You might have a lot of issues ahead if you don’t do some research and choose wisely.

You should always make your best attempt to find a company who has a lot of experience with the standard services that you know you will need to source throughout the export process (such as dealership communications, document handling, price negotiations, handling of purchase agreement, paperwork and documentation handling for MSO/MCO/Title/Registration, FedEx/UPS/USPS courier services, ground transportation from dealership to port or holding yard to port, as well as documents for customs to clear your new vehicle to leave the US!). You don’t want to be stuck working with someone who can’t help you handle these services- it would be near impossible to manage a transaction successfully from overseas without some sort of assistance, especially if you aren’t yet working with an experienced company.

Finding a company who has clients from all parts of the world is another good idea. A company with 20 global clients, compared to a company with 100 global clients tells you that the second company probably has a lot more to offer you in areas like customer service and shorter delivery times. One way to get an unbiased review on how a company does business would be to ask the company directly for the reference of a customer who does consistent business with the company. The company would, of course, need to prove business correspondence with this person to you in order for you to verify it is an actual client and therefore a reliable source for an unbiased review.

It is always a good idea to speak with someone who has gone through the purchase experience with the company in question. If the company tends to take longer with certain things like vehicle delivery, or if they tend to overcharge or are hard to keep in contact with – you should know about it before you enter into a binding agreement. Nobody likes working with someone who is unreliable.

When you finally decide on an online company to help guide you through the export process you should know that you will get premium quality assistance and reliable customer service. As long as it’s a RELIABLE company, you shouldn’t run into any problems. Since this type of purchase is usually an up-front deal (meaning that the buyer must pay in full in order to initiate the transaction) the trust of the company should play a major factor in your selection.