Spain International Auto Transport Quotes
You can read auto transport reviews from major companies in Spain to see the services offered by each company, read testimonials from their customers, and compare quotes side-by-side instantly. In addition, you can get detailed information about shipping to Spain or get professional advice for shipping from Spain to the United States or elsewhere in the world.
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Reviews of Spain International Shipping Companies
Car Shipping Between the US and Spain
Both the United State and Spain allow individuals to import cars for personal use. Each country has its own set of requirements governing the import of foreign cars. While most international shippers can help you navigate these rules, it, generally, is a good idea to familiarize yourself with all relevant regulations before attempting to ship anything between the two countries.
Door-to-Door and Door-to-Port Shipping
Many Spain international shipping companies offer door-to-door shipping services. You can have them pick up and drop off your car at any location within either country. Auto shipping companies in Spain typically use the ports of Huelva, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao to ship cars to the United States. Cars are picked up from inland locations and transported to these seaports via road or rail. They are then shipped either on a container ship or a Roll on Roll off vessel. International transporters tend to charge more for container shipping compared to RoRo services. However, most of them also permit you to transport your personal belongings in the same container as well.
Customs and Technical Inspection Services
Generally, international car shipping companies in Spain offer services to help customers clear their vehicle through customs. Many offer freight forwarding and storage services. Some even offer pre-purchase and pre-shipment technical inspection services. You can take advantage of these services to verify that your car meets all safety and quality requirements before it is shipped.
Shipping Brokers and NVOCCs
Before choosing an auto shipping company to transport your car between Spain and the United States, make sure to obtain and compare price quotes from multiple vendors. Sometimes, it may be more beneficial for you to go through an international shipping broker or Non Vessel Operating Common Carrier. An NVOCC is a company that works with multiple shipping companies to arrange transportation of cars and other goods between international destinations.
Often, such companies will be able to negotiate a better price on your behalf than you would be able to secure on your own. Remember that the prices quoted by Spain international shipping companies typically do not include insurance protection. Be prepared to pay extra if you wanted maritime insurance for your car while it is in transit between the two countries.
Shipping Between the US and Spain
Shipping companies take between three and four weeks to import a car to Spain from the US. Generally, shippers take a longer time to ship a car from the US West Coast than they do to ship it from the East Coast. Cars shipped from the US typically arrive at Barcelona, Bilbao, Huelva or Valencia, the four biggest ports in Spain. They are then transported by road or rail to their final destinations. Many Spain international shipping companies offer door-to-door shipping between the US and Spain.
International Car Shipping Options
You basically have two options for shipping a car to Spain via sea. You can ether have the car transported in a container or on board a Roll on Roll off vessel. A container is usually a good option for importing a car to Spain because many shipping companies will allow you to store your personal belongings and household goods in the same container as the car. However, if you only want to transport a car to Spain, a RoRo service is usually the better option because it is cheaper. The cost of shipping a car to Spain varies depending on the shipping option you choose. On average, you can expect to pay between ,500 and ,500 to ship a car from door to port.
Import Requirements
Regardless of the manner in which you ship the car, the legal requirements for importing a car to Spain remain the same. All cars from the United States that are four years or older are required to undergo the Inspección Técnica de Vehículos (ITV) or road-worthiness test. You will then have six months to have the vehicle registered in Spain. Usually, the shipping company, or one of its agents, can help you fill out the documentation required to complete the process.
Technical Inspections
When you ship a car to Spain from another country, you will also need to make sure the vehicle meets all safety and technical requirements. You will be required to obtain what is known as a Ficha Tecnica card showing all the technical details of your vehicle. Often, in order to import a car to Spain from the United States, you will need to modify the vehicle.
Container Shipping and RoRo Services
Spain international shipping companies typically transport cars in containers. Most allow customers to store and transport their personal belongings in the same container. Cars are usually shipped from port to port, unless you specifically request door-to-door service when shipping a car from Spain. In such cases, the shipping company will usually also act as your authorized agent to clear your car through US Customs and technical inspections. You can also use a Roll on Roll off (RoRo) service to import a car from Spain. A RoRo service is typically cheaper than container shipping. However, RoRo services typically operate on a less frequent basis that a container service.
Shipping Costs
The cost to ship a car from Spain to the United States ranges between ,500 and ,000. On average, shipping companies require between three and four weeks to transport a car between the two countries. Most shipping companies use the four major ports of Barcelona, Bilbao, Huelva and Valencia to ship cars to the US Cars from Spain arrive at ports along the east and west coasts of the United States.
US Inspections
The biggest issue to keep in mind when importing a car from Spain to the US is the vehicle’s technical standards. The US has very strict quality and emissions controls requirements. In most cases, cars that are not specifically designed for North America will need extensive and expensive modifications before they are permitted into the country. Many shipping companies offer pre-shipment inspection services to let you know if your vehicle can pass US standards. It is generally a good idea to take advantage of these services before attempting to import a car from Spain.
If your car does not meet US standards, you will need to work with a Registered Importer (RI) to bring your car into compliance. Again, ask your shipping company if it can help you find and work with an RI on compliance modifications. Importing a car from Spain can be challenging, but it is a task that can be accomplished with the right planning.