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How do I obtain a quotation?
How is the shipment cost calculated?
What is included in the quotation?
Do I need a certificate of export?
When should I contact shipping companies?
What do you require upon delivery/collection?
Will the vehicle require steam cleaning?
Am I allowed to ship personal effect inside the vehicle?
Will I have to pay VAT?
When do I pay for my shipment?
Can you collect my vehicle from anywhere nationwide?
What method of shipment is best for my circumstances?
Are you able to store my vehicle until I am ready for it?
Can you offer insurance for the vehicle?
What happens following shipment?
What happens when the vehicle arrives in the destination country?
How do I know that the local agent is reputable and reliable?
What happens if there is a problem?
If you have a question that has not been answered here please contact us and we will be happy to help.
How do I obtain a quotation?
Simply click on Quotation Request and complete the online form, a representative for our vehicle-shipping department will respond to your e-mail or telephone you with any questions. Remember, your quotation is free of charge without obligation.
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How is the shipment cost calculated?
Sea freight is calculated on the space your vehicle takes up within the container. As a general rule the larger the car the higher the shipping costs.
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What is included in the quotation?
• Receiving at our depot
• Completion of a pre-shipment Condition Report, for insurance purposes
• Silica gel moisture absorbent to avoid interior deterioration
• Free shipment of personal effects in the vehicle
• Loading and securing in the container
• Container haulage to the port of departure
• Export customs formalities
• UK and destination port charges
• Shipment to arrival at the destination port
The quotation excludes storage at origin or destination, demurrage or quay rent at the destination port if arising, import duties, taxes or any other sums due to government departments; for example, Goods and Services Tax where applicable, quarantine examination or steam cleaning fees, if ordered in Australia and New Zealand or Ad Valorem Wharfage charges in South Africa, which are assessed on the declared value of your shipment. For information on destination customs formalities please click on Customs Guides. Alternatively contact your embassy or consular office. Our sales consultants will be happy to advise on destination charges payable at common destinations, including import duty computations
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Do I need a certificate of export?
If you take your vehicle abroad for more than 12 months, it is regarded as a permanent export. Before you export your car you must complete the V5 Vehicle Document which indicates the intended date of exportation and return it to the DVLC or to a Vehicle Registration Office (VRO). In its place you will receive a Certificate of Export V561 as confirmation of your vehicle's registration.If you apply in person to a VRO you will normally be issued with the Export Certificate over the counter, provided you can produce the V5 Registration Document. If you do not have the V5 Registration Document or if you have the green V5/2 New Keeper's Supplement, you will need to complete an application to a VRO or send it to DVLC, Swansea.
If the application is made in person to a VRO you will need to provide proof of identity such as a driver's licence, passport or utility bill which indicates your name and address. Unless you are already registered as the keeper of the vehicle, checks for entitlement may have to be made before an Export Certificate is issued. If the VRO is unable to issue the Certificate, the application will be forwarded to DVLC, and dispatch of the certificate may be delayed while entitlement is established.
The VRO will not accept an application more than 14 days prior to the intended date of exportation. Please note you may be required to surrender the Export Certificate to the foreign authority when the vehicle is registered abroad.
Vehicle Registration Offices are located in the telephone book under "Transport, Department of".
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When should I contact shipping companies?
It is never too early to make a start. There are many issues to consider when shipping a motor vehicle to a foreign destination such as the suitability of the car to the local environment, the availability of spare parts, local import duties and taxes etc, so leave yourself plenty of time.
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What do you require upon delivery/collection?
We will require a copy of your registration document or Certificate Of Permanent Export (if you have already notified DVLC) and your purchase invoice, as proof of ownership. Please note you will need to obtain the necessary vehicle import approval from the relevant government department prior to importation. Please click on documentation to download shipping and insurance forms.
We will require the code to deactivate an alarm system or immobilizer operated by a numeric key pad, if applicable. There should be no more than a quarter of a tank of fuel in your vehicle upon delivery to our depot.
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Will the vehicle require steam cleaning?
If you are shipping to Australia or New Zealand the Quarantine department will inspect your vehicle for cleanliness upon arrival and may insist that the vehicle is steam cleaned. We therefore recommend you thoroughly clean your vehicle prior to shipment, paying particular attention to the wheel arches, underside and engine compartment. The interior passenger and boot compartments should be vacuumed.
Simpsons International can arrange to steam clean your vehicle prior to shipment at a cost of £35; we cannot, however, take any responsibility should the vehicle fail the Quarantine Inspection.
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Am I allowed to ship personal effect inside the vehicle?
Personal effects may be shipped in the rear passenger compartment or luggage compartment but must be packed in cartons or other suitable receptacles such as suitcases or bags. Simpsons can supply any export cartons required. Personal effects must not overload the car nor obstruct the driver's view. Upon arrival at destination your effects will be customs cleared independently of the vehicle and you will be responsible for the fees arising.
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Will I have to pay VAT?
Shipping costs are exempt from VAT if the ultimate destination is outside the EU. VAT only applies at the current rate if the vehicle is being shipped to a destination within the EU.
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When do I pay for my shipment?
We ask for a small deposit to be paid at the time of your booking, the amount varies depending on the size of your final shipment. The balance of your account is payable on completion of packing at origin at which time we will issue you with a final account. You may make payment by personal cheque, credit or debit card, direct transfer into our account or, by special arrangement, in cash. Cheques will require clearance prior to despatch of your shipment. We will make an administration fee for ALL credit and debit card transactions.
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Can you collect my vehicle from anywhere nationwide?
We can arrange nationwide collection of your vehicle by reputable car transporter service from anywhere in the UK or continental Europe.
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What method of shipment is best for my circumstances?
There are a number of considerations when selecting the most appropriate service for shipping your vehicle. Urgency of delivery, insurance considerations and budget all play a part in choosing the service that is right for you. As one of the largest container operators Europe, Simpsons obtains preferential rates and service from shipping lines to virtually any destination. We utilise our buying power carefully to negotiate the best possible rates and service for our customers and monitor all shipments in transit.
We offer two container options for shipping motor vehicles. Both involve containerising your vehicle at our depot, thus avoiding handling at the port of departure.
GROUPAGE (OR SHARED) CONTAINER SERVICE
Groupage is a cost effective solution for motor cycles and smaller saloons as your vehicle shares container space with consignments of personal & household effects bound for the same destination. Your vehicle is carefully loaded & stowed within the container and a sturdy timber frame is constructed around the vehicle for protection. Moisture absorbent bags of silica gel are placed in the passenger & engine compartments to prevent condensation.
Transit time to arrival at destination port varies typically from 8 to 12 weeks to common destinations.
EXCLUSIVE (OR FULL) CONTAINER SERVICE
This involves loading and stowing the vehicle within its own container. There is no requirement for a protective frame as your vehicle is carefully stowed by means of chocks and/or retaining straps between the towing points or axles and floor mounted ringbolts, which prevent movement in transit. Moisture absorbent bags of silica gel are placed in the passenger & engine compartments to prevent condensation.If budget is not a major consideration we strongly recommend the FCL option for speed and safety as this method does not depend on the availability of other consignments or potential hazards when erecting or dismantling the timber frame which is otherwise required; this is reflected in the lower insurance premium available. FCL is the recommended solution for shipping 4WD vehicles, large saloon cars, panel vans, trailers, boats and/or caravans, dimensions permitting.
As a ready reckoner a standard container has an internal height of 268 cms and an internal breadth of 228 cms. Larger "High Cube" containers are available on certain routes. Sufficient headroom must be available to permit the vehicle to ride on its axles in stormy conditions and a sufficient corridor left either side of the vehicle for stowage.
Transit by exclusive container varies typically from 2 to 4 weeks to North America, to 5 to 7 weeks to Australasia.
ROLL ON - ROLL OFF
Where the dimensions of your vehicle exceed those of a container (eg trucks, buses, coaches etc) you will be required to deliver the vehicle to the port of departure for under deck shipment by specialist car carrying vessel. Please note the shipment of personal effects is prohibited. Owing to the increased handling entailed this method is not generally recommended for vehicles that could otherwise be containerised at our depot.
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Are you able to store my vehicle until I am ready for it?
Many countries will require your presence to clear your vehicle through customs. You may therefore wish to store it at our depot prior to shipment, following which we will arrange delivery to coincide with your arrival at destination. Alternatively, we can arrange storage at destination if required.
Competitive terms are also available for long term UK storage. Our storage facilities are HM Customs approved, fully bonded and protected by 24-hour security.
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Can you offer insurance for the vehicle?
All due care is taken to ensure safe delivery at destination. Nevertheless, it is advisable to insure your vehicle to its full destination replacement value, including the removal costs, import duties and other taxes that could result in the event of re-shipment.
Our comprehensive policy is underwritten by Lloyds of London and insures against All Risks of loss or damage in transit, covering everything from a scratch to a major calamity. Insurance cover commences from receipt of the vehicle and is valid for 60 days following discharge at the destination port, or collection, whichever is sooner. An insurance proposal and summary of cover will accompany your quotation.
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What happens following shipment?
Following shipment we will immediately courier your shipping details to our accredited destination representative and forward our certificate of shipment to your next available contact address.
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What happens when the vehicle arrives in the destination country?
When your vehicle arrives at the destination port our appointed representative will contact you to arrange customs and quarantine clearance, storage (if required) and a suitable date for collection. Vehicles shipped as groupage are available to collect from our destination representative's depot. Vehicles shipped by exclusive container service are available to collect from the container terminal.
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How do I know that the local agent is reputable and reliable?
Through our affiliations to the prestigious International Furniture Movers Association (FIDI) and the annual vetting by Ernst & Young auditors of its 400 fully bonded members worldwide, you are assured that our appointed destination colleagues conduct their business to exacting standards. Our representatives are all carefully selected to ensure continuity in service levels and in most instances our directors have visited their facilities to ensure they meet our demands. By constantly monitoring the performance of our representatives we are able to maintain a global network of the finest companies in the overseas moving industry.
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What happens if there is a problem?
In the unlikely event of any matter requiring our attention, you can rely on our continued commitment to act in your best interests. At Simpsons we thrive on repeat business and personal recommendations and therefore have a vested interest in everything being completed to your total satisfaction.
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