What Documentation is Required for Shipping a Car?

Upon shipping your car, you will be required to provide various documents. The most important document is the Bill of Lading. This will confirm the car shipment specifics, including destination, car make/model, and pickup and drop-off locations. It will also list the condition of your vehicle at the time of pickup and delivery.

Bill of Lading

The Bill of Lading is one of the most important pieces of documentation when shipping a car. This is essentially the contract between you and your auto transport company, stating the type of vehicle being shipped, its quantity, and its destination. It also records your vehicle’s condition at its pickup and delivery point. This will be used to identify any damage that may have occurred during transit and is the basis for claiming compensation from your carrier should any happen.

Your BOL will typically include the transport company, driver’s name and contact number, pickup and delivery dates, and the vehicle’s description (year, make, model, color, etc.). A signature is required at both pickup and delivery locations, which serves as your acknowledgment that you have received the car as described in the BOL.

Some companies will ask for a photo ID, although this is generally more to ensure that the person signing for the vehicle is you and not someone else. Additionally, if your shipment is going through a port, you’ll need additional documents such as lienholder authorizations and absent owner letters that need to be notarized.

If your shipment is being transported to and from a different coast, you will need to have an inland and ocean BOL. An inland BOL is used for shipments transported by land, while an ocean BOL is used for shipments that go overseas.

You’ll also need to provide a vehicle condition report and a bill of lading. The vehicle condition report is used to record any nicks, scratches, or dents that your car may have before it is loaded onto the transporter. This is then compared to the vehicle upon its arrival at its destination. This is the only way a customer can claim damages against their transporter; should anything occur, you’ll have the necessary paperwork to do so. Fortunately, most cars ship without issue, and these documents are rarely needed. However, it’s always a good idea to have them on hand just in case. This will save you time and hassle if you ever need to file an insurance claim.

Title & Registration

If you have ever shipped anything before, whether it be a package or an automobile, you know that there is always some sort of paperwork involved. While car transport isn’t quite as extensive as some other types of shipping, it requires some official documentation for safety and efficiency.

One of the most important documents for car transport is the Bill of Lading. Also known as a BoL, this document is essential for any car shipment because it records the car’s condition at both pickup and delivery. It’s also an excellent way for the carrier to note any damage that may occur during transit so the customer can be reimbursed if necessary.

The other main piece of paperwork is the vehicle title and registration. While not every auto transport company requires these documents, it’s best to have them in case of an emergency or unforeseen circumstances. This will allow the transporter to verify that the vehicle they are taking custody of is indeed the customer’s property.

In addition to the title and registration, some transport companies will also ask for a photo ID from the vehicle’s owner. While this isn’t necessary for most shipping services, it’s a good idea to keep this information on hand in case of any complications during the transportation process.

Lastly, some transport companies will also need a gate pass in order to ship the vehicle to a port or auto auction. This is usually only required for domestic shipments that are being sent to or from these locations, but it’s still a good idea to have this document on hand, just in case.

Finally, some car transport companies will also require a consignee form and container list. The consignee form is an official document that will include the booking number, vessel details, and the country of destination, along with a detailed description of the vehicle to be shipped. The container list is another official document that will record the car’s condition at both pick-up and delivery. Both documents are essential for international shipping and will help ensure a smooth transition.

Insurance Documents

One of the most important aspects of any transaction is documentation. Every agreement, transaction, and process has official paperwork that must be recorded, signed, dated, stamped, etc. Auto transport is no different, and certain pieces of documentation are required to complete the process.

The first and most obvious piece of documentation is the Bill of Lading or BOL. This is a document that records the car shipment and is an essential piece of information in case any damage occurs during transit. It lists the vehicle, customer, and carrier along with a description of the shipment, including any damage or special instructions.

Another crucial piece of documentation is the original title and/or registration for your vehicle. These documents prove that you own the vehicle and are legally able to ship it. They are also needed by the car shipping company to verify the condition of your vehicle before and after transport. The car shipping company may need the original or a certified copy of these documents as proof of ownership and to ensure the car is insured during transport.

In addition, any reputable car shipping company should be able to provide their insurance documentation for you to review before making your decision to work with them. This is a great way to confirm that the company has adequate coverage in the event of an accident or any other unfortunate incident during transportation.

It is also a good idea to consider purchasing supplemental insurance. This is not always necessary, but it is an extra layer of protection to help protect your investment and make the claims process easier should any damage occur during shipping. Talk to your carrier, independent insurance agents, or brokers who specialize in shipping insurance for guidance on the best supplemental insurance options.

Lastly, you should be able to provide a notarized letter from the lienholder authorizing them to ship the vehicle. This is only required if your car is still financed or under a loan and only applies to ports in Hawaii, but it is an important step that should not be overlooked.

Container List

The Container List is a document that lists the items shipped in your vehicle. This is important because it ensures that all the items you have in your car are accounted for and can be tracked during transport. It also helps in preventing damage to your belongings by ensuring that no item is left behind. The Container List can be viewed from the Search screen or from within the Shipping Details window. You can view the Container List in a variety of ways, including sorting by container, date, entry, folder, and location. To perform an action on a Container List, select the checkbox next to the container and choose an option from the Action menu.

The requirement of this paperwork depends on the car transport company you hire and where your shipment is going to and from. For example, when shipping a car to Hawaii, the company will need a lienholder authorization from your financial institution. In general, however, the required paperwork will be minimal and depend on your circumstances.

Besides the bills of lading, other documents you may need to ship your car include proof of ownership and insurance coverage. Some car shipping companies also require a photo ID, but this is usually only used for their internal database and not for the actual transport process.

Creating an inventory list of all the items in your car before shipping is also a good idea. This will help avoid any issues that might arise from the items shifting during transport and could result in damage to your car or its contents. Lastly, it is important to follow the weight limits set by your car shipping company, as overly heavy vehicles will cost more to ship and can cause additional damage to your car.

With the exception of a photo ID and some stipulations on the bill of lading, most car transport companies will not require any additional documentation to transport your car. However, if you are shipping to a remote destination or an area that requires special security measures, the extra paperwork can help in the smooth transition of your vehicle to its new home.