Hurricane Irene appears to be heading towards the East Coast exactly as predicted which is going to be causing delays to all of our current shipments to/from the USA as well as those awaiting loading at the port

We would like to stress all shipments are as safe as can possibly be, the Port Authorities are preparing well for the arrival of the storm. All shipments with ShipMyCar are fully insured.

After its intensity held steady for about a day, Irene is deepening as it pulls away from the northwest Bahamas, on a collision course with the North Carolina Outer Banks. Although its maximum sustained winds of 115 have not (yet) increased, its central pressure has dropped (to 942 mb). Typically, a drop in pressure is followed by an increase in wind speed.

Hurricane Irene

Irene’s satellite presentation, shown above, has improved. The eye has become better defined and the storm’s outflow appears healthy on all sides. What’s striking about its appearance is the sheer size of the storm. Tropical storm force winds extend 290 miles from the center, and hurricane force winds extend 80 miles from the center.

Many large boats are heading at least 50 miles upriver to escape Irene’s swath, Veit said. Crews will latch down smaller boats at the harbor.

“We’re as ready as we’re going to be,” Veit said. “There’s nothing you can do beyond a point, so we’ll see what happens.”

Car Shipping from New York

For updates or information regarding your shipment please email us at info@shipmycar.co.uk

ShipMyCar can assist you with your car shipping requirements from the import of a car from USA to the UK, through to providing official shipping partnership with some of the biggest car events around such as the Gumball 3000 Rally.

This year the Gumball 3000 Rally starts from London (26th May, Covent Garden) and ends up in Istanbul, Turkey.

Gumball 3000 Official Shipper

ShipMyCar are proud to be this year’s Official Shipper of the Gumball 3000 Rally, providing shipping for many of the participants vehicles from all of the world to London and then returning their very special vehicles back to them straight afterwards.

The cars we have been trusted to work with include an Aston Martin One-77, Bugatti Veyrons, Ferrari Californias, one-off Artist Design Audi R8, Bentleys, Porsches and more.

Veyron in our Houston Depot prior to flight

We handle all import requirements into the UK for the Gumball participants ensuring their vehicles clear customs once their car has arrived via sea/air and deliver their vehicle to our storage depot in London prior to rally start, or to whichever destination they choose such as their hotel

After the Rally has finished we will be collecting vehicles straight away in the highest quality car transporters, fully enclosed and insured to £20m per truck. Vehicles will then be delivered back to Gumballer addresses around the world via sea, air and road.

Car Shipping for Events

If you are holding an event and need assistance with shipping the vehicles please do not hesitate to call us, no event is too big, or too small

t: 01908 887 917
ShipMyCar.co.uk

Car shipping can vary in price, quality, speed and safety more than many other services, this short guide to car shipping is designed to help you select the best way to ship your car and the quickest way to obtain a car shipping quote…

Car Shipping by Air

The quickest way to move your car a long distance is by air. We reguarly consign vehicles to destinations by air as we work closely with both high net worth individuals who reguarly travel, events and show teams who are on tight schedules. We can load cars into chartered aircraft, freight aircraft and also the cargo holds of commercial passenger jets. Generally for shipping by air, your vehicle is loaded onto pallets and securely strapped down to avoid any movement, be aware that associated costs for air freight are generally worked out by the kilogram in terms of calculating unloading, loading and storage charges.

Car Shipping by Sea

Three main methods of shipping by sea:

• Container – safest method is to use your own container, we provide either 20ft/40ft containers to many destinations across the world
• Shared Container – also known as ‘groupage’ or ‘consolidated’ – this is where you share the container with another customers vehicle, we only recommend sharing containers with multiple vehicles, not vehicles and personal effects which can fall and damage the cars inside. Using this method is the best combination of safety and price
• RORO – or Roll-on-Roll-off – basically a car ferry either inside the vessel or on open deck. Not the safest of methods by a long margin and your vehicle is driven onto the vessel by the staff at the port, if you do not want your vehicle driven or it is a non-runner, this option may not be best for you

Our consolidated container prices are roughly the same as RORO prices and so this is our prefered method of sea frieght if budget constraints make sole use container out of the question.

Shipping by road

We ship many cars across Europe and the world by road. If you are travelling a long distance, are shipping a valuable car or are shipping a car with easily removed items / possessions inside, we recommend enclosed transporters where the vehicles inside are safely secured.

Car Shipping Insurance

We always ensure every vehicle is fully insured before car shipping commences – our insurance policy covers vehicles not just for the unfortunate bump or scrape, but also total vehicle loss. If damage does occure we help you through every stage of making a claim.

Car Shipping Documentation

Each country varies from a passport and vehicle title check to having obtain a police export authority form. Ensure you check before booking your car shipping as some countries require authority to bring the car for import prior to shipping is started

Car Shipping Import Duty / VAT

Again each country varies on the requirements for import duty and VAT, some countries do not allow vehicles to be imported over a certain age and others impose high taxes for gas guzzlers or certain other cars. For more information keep an eye out on our site or contact us to discuss your requirements

Car Shipping Quotes

It can be hard work obtaining car shipping quotes as many car shipping companies are still very old fashioned in the way they operate, luckily ShipMyCar.co.uk pioneer the instant quote facility provided for your convinience on our website – our huge database of vehicles, countries, import / export requirements is growing every day and allows you to obtain a full breakdown of all the cots involved in importing or exporting a car to/from the UK with just a click of the mouse, and all for free!

Car Shipping Advice

Whatever your car shipping needs, feel free to call us anytime for a no obligation chat with one of our shippign experts – you can also contact us using Live Chat to save on call costs, by using the Live Chat button at the bottom right of our website

Tel: 00 44 1908 887 917
Web: ShipMyCar.co.uk
FB: facebook.com/shipmycar
TW: twitter.com/car_shipping_uk

So you have decided to make the journey and are relocating to the UK, you have organised a container to carry all of your personal effects back and your chosen shipping company say they can bring your car back for you too… but have they told you the full story about importing a car to the UK? Merely shipping a car to the UK, and shipping a car to the UK for use on UK roads are two completely different challenges.

What is required for importing a car to the UK?

• Firstly, if you are shipping with a relocation company who do not specialise in the full service import of cars to the UK, ensure they have provided the correct marine insurance for your vehicle – you want all risk insurance which covers you not just for total vehicle loss, but also those bumps and scrapes which can be costly to fix in the UK if not insured.

Parts such as tyres or brakes can be cheaper your country to purchase – make sure you buy IVA test friendly parts though – call us for more info

• Customs clearance and unloading for cars is different to personal effects and must be done correctly using either a C384 or C104A form to ensure you a) do not pay any import duty / VAT if you do not need to and b) have the correct forms for DVLA registration sent to you
• IVA Testing – This is the main ‘hidden’ cost that you may find your relocation company did not make you aware of – this is the test required for all cars under ten years old. It is run by the organisation VOSA and is a tricky one to get through in some cases. The list of things they check can be extensive, expensive, and dangerous for your cars electronic systems if not carried out by an experienced IVA engineer. Using a company like ShipMyCar.co.uk means your car will be safely converted for UK road use, will look as similar to standard as possible (sometimes we can provide completely invisible IVA modifications), and will be carried out as cost effectively as possible
• MOT Testing – this is another test for all vehicles over three years old and checks the roadworthiness of your vehicle for example worn tyres, suspension, rust etc
• DVLA registration – to drive the car here in the UK it will need to be registered and taxed, this is a tricky procedure if you do not like paperwork!

How do ShipMyCar help?

We take over the complete process for you from door-to-door. We collect the car from your address in the USA, put it safely in a container, straped and chocked properly to avoid movement and with no other items to fall on the car during transit. We then correctly insure the vehicle for transit, unload it in the UK carrying out correct customs procedures, carry out all neccesary testing, registration and road tax. We even fully valet the car, provide you with ancillary services such as audio conversions, handsfree driving kits, servicing etc prior to you collecting the vehicle.
It is illegal to drive in the UK whilst using a mobile phone, let us fix your car with a handsfree kit
We do this all as one package, so you only have one contact to speak with throughout the entire process. We take away all the hidden costs, worry and stress of importing your car over here

We deal with many large companies who relocate their employees and so can provide full VAT invoices for ever component of our service.

If you have already shipped the car to the UK, we are more than happy to take over the process in order to assist you to drive the car here in the UK as quickly as possible.

For an instant, free and no obligation quote please use our instant quote system at ShipMyCar.co.uk by selecting your vehicle make and model on the right hand side

The latest video from the guys at Porsche Silverstone shows Mark Webber taking the new 911 GT2 RS round their track – the Porsche Experience is a great day out and excellent gift idea – highly recommended by ShipMyCar

Shipping a Porsche to UK

Generally shipping a Porsche to the UK is no problem at all, you benefit from just £50 duty instead of 10% as they are classed as EC Returning vehicles.

Porsche Shipping import to UK

For IVA testing the headlights, if HID, will require changing for UK units – we have good contacts for this to make it as cost effective as possible. On some of the GT3 RS’s we have imported they require new tyres as the previous tyres were too worn.

Shipping a car from the USA to the UK? We offer an instant quote for your import

ShipMyCar is well known for their superb car shipping instant quote system.

We have spent many years building up a comprehensive database of American cars, the shipping requirements for each, the IVA modifications needed when the vehicle arrives in the UK, whether new OEM lights are needed for particular vehicles for IVA test, common MOT failures for certain imported vehicles and more….

The quote system provides users with:

• US Transport costing – we collect the car from any address in the USA and transport, fully insured, to the nearest port
• US Handling charges – port storage, container loading and customs documentation
• Port-to-port shipping – from USA we ship via consolidated container – get an instant, accurate costing for any make/model
• Marine Insurance – prices instantly given for fully comprehensive marine insurance cover
• UK unloading and customs – estimates provided of your import duty and VAT, instant quote takes into account the age of the car, manufacturing origin of car, and your personal circumstances i.e. do you have to pay any import tax? Get an instant answer…
• UK Transport – transport costs from the port to our workshop on a car transporter, again fully insured
• IVA Modifications and test – instant price for any make/model of US car and up to date pricing of IVA test fee – ShipMyCar quote system accurate for any make/model of US car and price includes taking the car to the test for you and a full tank of fuel
• MOT Test – instant quote will determine if this is required for your particular vehicle and price accordingly
• DVLA Registration and road tax – get an instant and up to date cost for any make / model of car with the quote system selecting the correct road fund license for your vehicle
• Numberplates and full valet – quote even includes fixing number plates to your vehicle and a complimentary valet

All of this is sent instantly to you and displayed on the screen, your email will include a PDF copy of the quote for printer friendly viewing and for certain makes/model a complimentary import guide is also emailed.



Car Shipping Quote

We are always developing our quote system however, 2011 sees some bigger improvements than usual including – automatic, instant quotes from many more countries to the UK including enhanced IVA testing requirements, Thatcham alarm fitting and more plus development of our new instant export quote system.

If you are looking at importing a car from the USA to the UK please try our unique instant car shipping quote system anytime at ShipMyCar Instant Quotes

Our quote system is developed in house by our developers at LookPRO

The clever engineers at ShipMyCar have created a Light Control Unit (LCU) which is a universal control box to safely power the lighting modifications needed for IVA / SVA / MOT testing requirements here in the UK

IVA Light Control Module

The new control module works in modern canbus powered vehicles and provides safe connection for the additional lights required e.g. Rear Fog Light, Reversing Light, Side Repeater Indicators…

IVA, SVA and MOT requirements in the UK require imported vehicles to have an ‘e’ marked rear fog light, side repeater indicators, and amber indicators which are separate to the brake lights – wiring these incorrectly can damage the cars ECU / Smart Junction Box – a common problem in Camaro’s, Corvettes and Mustangs Shipped to the UK

We strongly advise against carrying out IVA modifications yourself – our engineers are trained in IVA modification requirements on all makes/models of vehicles.

ShipMyCar Smart Control Box

The ShipMyCar LCU incorporates sensitive relays with diode protection and easy to reach fuses to protect the circuits and your vehicle.

Should you require any information on car shipping or the IVA modifications required to ship a car to the UK, please do not hesitate to contact us

This year’s Gumball 3000 Rally will be taking the following route:

May 25th – Launch Party
May 26th – London Start
May 26th – Paris
May 27th – Barcelona
May 28th – Monaco F1
May 29th – Monaco F1
May 30th – Venice
May 31th – Zagreb
May 31st – Belgrade
June 1st – Sofia
June 1st – Istanbul

Gumball 3000 Transport

Each year the Gumball 3000 team do an incredible job of organising the rally – the logistics of carrying out a rally across multiple countries will never be a simple affair, and this year ShipMyCar will be providing assistance by getting cars to London for the start and then back from Istanbul to owner’s houses, or on to the next event.

Contact us any time if you have any questions regarding shipping cars for motorsport events, film, TV or relocation purposes

ShipMyCar provide all the shipping requirements for shipping Cervini cars back to the UK including the Cervini C-300 Mustang and F150 models

Cervini Mustang Shipping UK

We can deliver cars to the UK including IVA testing and DVLA registration

For more information on shipping a Cervini to the UK please click here

So 2011 has started with a nice rise in VAT to 20% – petrol prices are up at 125p and diesel up to 130p a litre, but we have made the decision to freeze all of our prices from 2010 in order to help if you are planning on shipping your car to the UK

This means our containerised shipping cost from New York is still an unbeatable £695 and all modifications for IVA remain at our highly competitive 2010 prices.

We at ShipMyCar wish everyone a very happy new year

We have expanded our car freight forwarding service to soon cover most countries in the world for exporting your car or vehicle from the UK. You are now able to obtain an instant shipping price for these destinations straight off our website

Services include RORO, container and consolidated container to ensure we get you the best deal for your vehicle movement

For more information please visit:

ShipMyCar – instant quote for imports and now exports from the UK
Tel: 01908 887 917

It looks like it’s going to be the 05-09 Ford Mustang is going to take the crown this year

Mainly again the V8 version…

If you are importing a car into the UK that was originally manufactured in the EU, rather than paying the usual 10% of vehicle value (+shipping) to customs for import duty you just pay a flat fee of £50

We ensure your correct customs procedure is carried out and help you obtain proof from vehicle manufacturer or official owners club which customs require to confirm flat fee import duty

Sadly you still can’t escape the VAT but not paying duty on your new Bentley will certainly save a few pennies….

For more information please call 01908 887917 or visit us at ShipMyCar

RORO shipping is the acronym for ‘roll on roll off’ and is the (sometimes) cheaper choice to move your car internationally

In some cases you will only be able to ship RORO for example is the vehicle you are shipping is too big to physically fit in a container.

We at ShipMyCar do not ship by RORO unless shipping bigger vehicles. Our preferred method is shared or consolidated container shipment and preferably if your budget allows, single use container shipment where just your car is in the container. We ship so many vehicles our container prices are similar and often even cheaper than RORO

RORO is very similar to a car ferry, thousands of cars are lined up at the docks, usually with the keys left in the ignition for a number of days prior to departure.

Dock workers will then drive your vehicle onto the ship and strap it down ready for sailing.

Unloading fees in the destination port are often cheaper than container as you do not need container handling services

For more information and an instant quote for international vehicle shipping please visit us at ShipMyCar

We are the only site I have found in the car shipping industry that has implemented a mobile platform for visitors browsing the site through an Apple, Android or other mobile device

Try it now by visiting ShipMyCar.co.uk on your mobile – you will see the screen resizes in a familiar Apple layout to enable you to enter instant quotes and find the information you need easier on the move

The October container cargo count at the Port of Long Beach, California, was 613,621 units, up 33.5% from the year-ago month, according to the port authority. Units are measured in 20-foot equivalent containers. October is the 11th consecutive month of volume increases at the port, which serves Los Angeles and southern California, in the year-to-year comparisons, according to a port statement late Monday.
Bunker prices did not respond to the increased traffic, prices in the port during October averaged $470.88/mt for 380 CST, while September averaged $456.64/mt, a 3.1% increase, according to Platts data.
“I don’t think there is a correlation between bunker prices and increased units,” said one Los Angeles bunker supplier. “If you look at what crude did during the same time, I think you’ll see bunkers followed crude higher.”
NYMEX crude averaged $81.89/barrel in October, up 8.9% from $75.17/b in September.
A total of 303,168 equivalent container units, also known as ton equivalency units, or TEUs, were imported through the Port of Long Beach in October, a 33.5% increase over October of last year. It is only the second time since November 2007 that imports have topped 300,000 units in a month.
Exports were up 26.3% to 150,581 TEUs.
Empty containers, mostly outbound overseas for refilling, was up 50.6% to 159,872 TEUs.

Source: Platts

We ship cars regularly from Long Beach – if you would like an instant quote please visit ShipMyCar

As we all know, VAT is set to rise in January 2011 to 20%

How will this affect your import? Well mainly your import VAT will cost you another 2.5% of the vehicle value, quite a sizeable amount if you are importing an expensive car…. Your shipping charges should not be affected as freight forwarders do not charge VAT on shipping etc however any UK modification such as IVA mods and UK transport may rise

So what can you do? Well, firstly obtain an instant quote from us at http://www.shipmycar.co.uk and get things moving straight away!

We can upgrade your shipment to single container which may leave quicker or the more expensive air freight option, which for certain high value vehicles may pay for itself

Thanks to advances in LED technology we can now offer ‘Invisible IVA’ modifications on most vehicles requiring IVA testing.

As petrol heads we understand that the worst thing about bringing a car back to the UK is the modifications for the IVA test – lights bolted on, holes drilled, horrible looking extra lights cut into bumpers etc etc

At ShipMyCar we always make our IVA modifications not only as safe on the vehicles delicate components as possible but also with as few modifications to the original look as we can manage and now we can go a huge step further….

Believe it or not, this Camaro has amber indicators and has passed a UK IVA test. Much nicer than those aftermarket clear lenses…..

What are invisible IVA modifications
New LED technology enables us to create amber bulbs which flash through red lenses, LED strips to hide away in wing mirrors and much more. By Invisible IVA we mean the car will look just like it did when it rolled off the production line

Why LED?
LED, or Light-Emitting Diodes have a very high intensity output, do not get hot and last up to 100,000 hours (basically the life of your car and then some). They are also highly directional which means they can shine straight through a red light cluster and give an amber light – perfect for IVA testing. With such a long life span they will never need changing except in very rare circumstances

Are they easy to change?
Our engineers at ShipMyCar have developed a method of fitting directional LED’s into adapted bulb holders so changing them is just like changing a normal car bulb, i.e. very very easily!