Shipping your car overseas is an exciting but complex process. Proper preparation helps avoid costly delays, damage, or customs issues. At San Diego Select, we specialize in international car shipping and guide you through every step to ensure your vehicle arrives safely.
Whether you drive a Ferrari, Range Rover, or Mercedes, following these expert tips will make your shipping experience smooth and stress-free.
International car shipping involves moving your vehicle across borders using either container shipping or roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) transport. Each method has pros and cons regarding cost, security, and speed.
Your destination’s import rules also affect the shipping process. San Diego Select’s Team understands these complexities and offers personalized advice. We serve multiple Locations including Hillcrest, North Park, and Golden Hill to meet your needs locally and globally.
Before shipping, gather essential paperwork such as your vehicle title, registration, and proof of ownership. Customs paperwork and import permits vary by country, so check your destination’s specific requirements. Don’t forget insurance documents to protect your investment during transit. Staying organized prevents customs clearance delays. Learn more in our Testimonials about how organized clients avoid complications.
A thorough vehicle inspection is vital. Clean your car inside and out—remove all personal items to avoid loss or damage. Check for leaks, battery charge, tire pressure, and fluid levels to meet shipping requirements.
Your car’s fuel tank should be about a quarter full to reduce hazards. Extra care during inspection is critical. San Diego Select also offers Ceramic Coating and RV Detailing services to keep your vehicle in top condition before shipping.
Container shipping secures your vehicle inside a container, protecting it from weather and road debris. Roll-on/roll-off is more affordable but exposes your car to elements. Choosing the right method depends on your budget, timeline, and vehicle type.
Clearing customs can be complicated, with strict import regulations varying by country. Understanding restrictions, taxes, and documentation helps avoid fines and shipment delays. We guide you through every step, ensuring compliance with local laws.
Whether you’re shipping from Hillcrest, North Park, or Golden Hill, our expert knowledge eases this process for you.
Insurance is essential to protect your vehicle during international shipping. Options range from basic liability to full coverage. If damage occurs, knowing how to file a claim quickly is important.
San Diego Select works with trusted insurers to offer peace of mind. Our Fleet Wash and Wash Memberships services ensure your car looks great after transit, too.
Start preparing early by organizing documents and scheduling inspections. Keep communication open with your shipping company for updates. San Diego Select is here to support you through the entire process, making international car shipping easy and reliable.
Ready to ship your car internationally? Contact San Diego Select today to learn how we can help with every detail, from inspection to delivery.
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Perfection & Protection.
Frustrated with everything that the car wash leaves behind?
Does your paint not shine like it used to?
In love with your car and want to preserve your investment for the long term?
That is why we are here. Not only do we leave you with flawless results, but we make sure that your paint, leather, and other materials are protected for years to come. We will treat your car (and you) like one of our own.
The shampoo and hot water extraction is the best possible care for your FABRIC seats.
We will bathe your seats in thick foam shampoo, agitate it with a fabric brush attachment on a drill, and then extract all the grime, dirt, stains and contaminant from the seats with hot water at 210ºF. If your seats need a refresh, this is as good as it gets. Because the service takes 45 minutes on average, and only a small percent of vehicles need it we charge extra for it. Don't worry - its only $50 extra. Totally worth it.
Do you have any little scrapes and scratches that bother you?
We can handle it.. to an extent. We are polishing experts - so if the scratch isn't too deep, we can get it out. Ever heard of "The Fingernail Test", this is a great way to know if your scratches are fixable. If you feel the scratch will your fingernail and you can feel a groove in the paint, it it probably a little bit too deep ~in the sections where the groove is~
A clay bar is exactly what it sounds like, a little ball of malleable puddy.
This is used in the decontamination phase of the detail to prepare your paint for protection. Clay Bar Detailing is essential for preparing your vehicle's paint for protection by ensuring it is free of contaminants.
Every exterior detail has 3 phases: 1. Wash 2. Decontaminate 3. Protect. The decontamination stage is responsible for removing from the paint everything that doesn't come off from the wash.
Remember when you bought your car and the paint was smooth to the touch? That is the goal of this stage. Remove all the crusty junk that is stuck to you paint. This way, when we apply sealant (protection) to your paint it will adhere to the paint itself, rather than the junk sitting on the surface. This will give the sealant its longest possible useful life.
For the same reason that you get an oil change. Engines are expensive to replace (8-15K) so we take good care of them. So is your paint - the average paint job costing around $5,000. If you don't protect your paint with some type of ceramic, wax, or sealant, your paint WILL fail.
In San Diego, our biggest enemy is the sun, or the salt if you live near the beach. Next time you are in a big parking lot, look around at the hoods of the vehicles. You will notice around 1/6 vehicles have completely delaminated clear coat.
That means the paint looks like dead skin on the surface and you could peel it off with you fingers. Not pretty. There is a simple solution to ensure your vehicle never ends up like this. Exterior Detailing. Bonus points for a ceramic coating with is the best protection possible.
