Shipping Cars to Africa

Summary

What is the process of shipping cars to Africa?
Shipping cars to Africa from USA: What documents are needed?
How will your car be picked up for shipping?
How is the vehicle loaded into the ship?
Is shipping RoRo to Africa possible?
What is the cost of shipping cars to Africa?
How to use the international car shipping cost calculator?
How to ship car parts to Africa?
What are the items that are not accepted when shipping cars to Africa?
Shipping cars to Africa from Canada
What is the process of shipping cars to Africa from Canada?
How to choose the shipping company for shipping cars to Africa?

Looking for comprehensive information on shipping cars to Africa from the US?

Whether you are moving to Africa and wish to take along your car, or you travel frequently to auto shows, you require a reliable way of shipping cars to Africa.

If you are shipping cars to Africa for the first time, you may be concerned about the elaborate documentation or other procedures involved. You may be also worried about the possibility of your precious car getting damaged while being shipped.

A quick internet search can give you a host of blogs that talk about shipping cars to Africa.

However, piecing together bits and pieces of information from across the blogs is not only an exhausting process but will end up giving you half the information.

The good news is that shipping cars to Africa need not be an ordeal. Arming yourself with accurate, comprehensive information on all aspects of shipping cars to Africa is the first step towards achieving your goal.

In this article, you will get detailed insights into the process of shipping cars to Africa, the shipping cost, documents and other requirements, and much more.

What’s the process of shipping cars to Africa?

Shipping cars to West Africa from the USA is hassle-free when you work with the best international car shipping company.

The first step is to contact the shipping company and speak to a knowledgeable representative. You can also use the form on their website to know how much does it cost to ship a car internationally. Just fill in the destination, origin, size of the shipment/container, vehicle information, and your contact details to get instant international car shipping prices.

For shipping cars to Africa with RoRo shipping specify the type of vehicle, number of vehicles, and size. For container shipping choose either Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL).

Select the container size (20’, standard 40’, and 40’ high cube containers).

If you need door-to-port transportation when shipping cars to Africa you can select that.

The next step is to prepare and review the documents needed for shipping cars to Africa.

Shipping to Africa from USA: What documents are needed?

The experienced agent well-versed in vehicle shipping to Africa will work with you to explain the necessary documents required for shipping to Africa.

This includes the

shipping order,
bill of sale
title of ownership of the vehicle with no Liens,
power of attorney.
Bill of Lading
Consignee form

The BoL or bill of lading is issued by the shipping carrier that contains details on the quantity, destination, and type of goods being carried. It has to be signed by the representative from the shipper, carrier, and receiver.

The next step is to fill and sign the consignee form. The shipping company representative will review the paperwork and confirm your booking for shipping cars to Africa.

Your vehicle will be picked up from your address through either open or enclosed shipping mode.

Another document that you will need to provide is the CTN (Cargo Tracking Note) when shipping cars to Africa. The CTN, according to AfricaCTN, should be inserted into the Bill of Lading. Some shipping lines will continue to accept and load cargo not yet covered by CTN, but CTN must be provided by the time of final bill of lading instructions.

How will your car be picked up for shipping?

The international shipping company that you choose will pick up your vehicle at the doorstep for shipping cars to Africa. They can do this either by open or enclosed auto shipping methods.

With open auto shipping, your vehicle will be loaded along with other vehicles in a transport truck that can typically carry between five to ten cars at a time. As the truck is filled to its capacity, the international car shipping rates get dispersed among the cars, lowering the overall shipping cars to Africa cost for you.

Open auto shipping is cost-effective and safe when you are shipping cars to Africa such as minivans or sedans.

Enclosed auto shipping is ideal when you have a high-value, exotic, or luxury car or a specialty/vintage car. While being more expensive, the cost is worth it as your vehicle is enclosed, handled with extra care, and not exposed to external elements.

For most high-end cars USA international shipping companies prefer to use enclosed auto shipping.

How is the vehicle loaded into the ship?

One of the attributes of a reliable company that specializes in shipping cars to Africa is that they have extensive knowledge about container loading and container capacity.

A company experienced in shipping cars to Africa optimally packs vehicles as per the size, use and destination requirements. While classic cars require more racking, space and safe handling provisions, smaller vehicles are suited for RoRo or consolidated shipping.

Once inside the container, the battery of the vehicle is disconnected while the vehicle is braced securely.

The shipping company specializing in shipping cars to Africa handles the US Customs Clearance and ensures safe delivery at the destination.

Is shipping RoRo to Africa possible?

Companies that ship cars internationally typically offer a Roll-on/Roll-off method of shipping cars to Africa. To ship your car with RoRo, ensure:

the car is in running condition as it has to be driven on to and off the ship.
that there are no personal belongings in the car to be shipped
the car is clean and has no more than one-fourth tank of gas when it is picked up at your doorstep
that you have the Certificate of Title and MSO (Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin) for customs clearance in the U.S.

What is the cost of shipping cars to Africa?

The costs of shipping cars to Africa will depend on many factors including:

Shipping method – For those looking for cheap car shipping to Africa, RoRo shipping is the best solution. Shared container shipping is cheaper than exclusive container shipping. As per AES Shipping’s international car shipping quotes, shipping a sedan from Red Hook, New Jersey to Lagos, Nigeria can cost $950. According to ConsumerAffairs, the average car shipping rates international shipping companies charge to ship to Africa ranges from $1,500 to $2,500.
The weight, volume/dimensions of the shipment – International car shipping companies use CBM or cubic metres to calculate shipping cost. The formula to calculate CBM is Length x Width x Height. The carrier can base the rates on either the CBM or the weight, whichever is greater.

Typically, when shipping cars to Africa or overseas, lighter cargo is charged on CBM calculation while heavier cargo rates are based on their weight

Customs fee and paperwork involved – This includes customs clearance fees, documentation fees, cargo dues and local handling charges.

Other factors that impact the cost of shipping cars to Africa include the extent of protection required for the car, the time limit for shipping, and insurance cost.

How to use the international car shipping cost calculator?

You can find out the costs of shipping cars to Africa by using an international car shipping cost calculator such as this one.

Choose the shipping method
Select the origin and the destination
Fill in the type of commodity to be shipped (in this case, cars)
Select the load and type of container
Add insurance

Many international shipping companies that are shipping cars to Africa offer an easy form that you can fill to get an instant quote.

To get an instant quote for shipping cars to Africa, choose whether you need only ocean freight or a combination of land and ocean transport. Fill in your address (origin ), overseas destination, vehicle information, the condition of the car, and your contact details.

How to ship car parts to Africa?

Companies that ship cars internationally may have different regulations about the car parts they can send. However, some rules are almost universal. You cannot send liquids or components that contain liquids. It is a component with fluid or an engine, it should carry a purge certificate indicating the part has been purged of fluids.

If you intend to ship these car parts apart from shipping cars to Africa you will need a purge certificate:

Radiators
Fuel tank
Engine
Fluid reservoirs
Gearbox
Differential

Most shipping companies will ship these auto parts:

Wheels
Deflated tires
Exhausts
Doors
Lights
Body panels
Bumpers
Infotainment displays
Bonnets
Sat-Navs
Headlights
Steering wheels
Seats

Car parts that are made of glass including windscreens, windows, and wing mirrors, may incur certain surcharges if the carrier’s insurance does not cover these.

When you are shipping cars to Africa or car parts, it is important to contact the best international car shipping company in the U.S. This will help you to find out which car parts you can ship to Africa.

You can also check with the company involved in shipping cars to Africa about the restrictions on the weight and size of auto parts packages. This will help you avoid additional charges while ensuring the car parts are not stopped at customs.

What are the items that are not accepted when shipping cars to Africa?

The Federal Maritime Commission, lists the materials that cannot be shipped when shipping cars to Africa. These include:

Flammable liquids and solids
Explosives
Gases
Toxic substances
Organic peroxides
Corrosives
Substances that upon exposure to water emit flammable gases
Oxidizing substances that carry the risk of fire

Shipping cars to Africa from Canada

Most international shipping companies ship vehicles to Africa from Canada.

When you are looking to ship your car to West Africa from Canada, you will need to keep certain documents ready with you. The documents and information the shipping company needs include:

The car’s chassis number
The vehicle make and model details
Year of manufacture of the model
VIN or vehicle identification number

Make note of the fact that Nigeria does not allow cars aged more than 15 years.

What is the process of shipping cars to Africa from Canada?

Here are the steps to follow for shipping cars to Africa from Canada:

Choose the method of shipping cars to Africa- RoRo shipping is convenient, faster and economical when you have a sedan or a minivan. You can drive the car to and out of the ship. If you have a luxury, exotic or vintage car, it is better to opt for container shipping.
Fill up the dock receipt which is a form the shipping company provides. Fill the details of owner and sender and the car credentials.
The shipping company will process the dock receipt and send it back with information on the port at destination where your car will be shipped.
Make several copies of the dock receipt
Take your car and the documents or have your car picked up by the shipping company.
Make copies of bill for lading and send them to the agent in Nigeria (or your destination)
Your shipping company will handle the delivery and intimate you on customs clearance.

How to choose the shipping company for shipping cars to Africa?

Choosing a reliable company is key to ensuring the process of shipping cars to Africa is hassle-free, on time and safe. Check on these aspects before you finalize a shipping company:

Relevant licenses -A reliable shipper is one who is licensed by the FMC (Federal Maritime Commission).
Shipping services offered – The best companies offer a range of shipping methods including RoRo, shared container, and exclusive container shipping.
Years of experience – the more the company’s experience in shipping cars to Africa, the better
Documentation support – From consignment form to CTN, check if the company offers comprehensive documentation support
Transparency in pricing – an upfront quote and pricing policy
Customer support and real-time tracking updates

Conclusion

The process of shipping cars to Africa begins with arming yourself with all the aspects of shipping your car overseas. Before hunting for an international shipping company that specializes in shipping cars to Africa, get all the documentation ready. Choose the shipping method (RoRo, exclusive, or shared container shipping) as well as the land transport method. Use a handy international shipping calculator to get an instant quote. From picking up your vehicle, transporting it by road, loading it onto the ship to delivering it to the destination, the shipping company handles the rest.