Transporting your vehicle outside of your home country for a tour or historic rally can be the beginning of a dream come true. However, like any travel adventure, it starts with careful planning. In this case, that planning includes answering several questions.

How long will your vehicle be out of the country?

Where will it be stored and driven?

Next, you'll need to contact your insurance company and talk to forwarding agents or domestic transporters capable of delivering your car to the port of your choice.

If you need your car shipped in two or three days, your only choice will be by air. By ship could take 10 to 15 days from the East Coast and at least 20 days from the West Coast. Plan on between $1,500 and $2,500 by sea from port to port one way, and between $7,500 and $12,000 one way by air. Inland transportation adds to the cost. Although prices vary, these estimates should give you an idea of what to expect.

When you take your car out of North America, border and customs agents are much more likely to scrutinize all documentation than officials at the Canadian and Mexican borders. Appropriate insurance is mandatory, and you'll need to show proof of ownership for virtually any country you enter - even when you arrive back home. And when you return your vehicle to the United States, you'll also have to be prepared to show that you've paid all taxes and duties. When returning a car from Europe, Customs Clearance and duty is typically rated at 2.5 percent of the value of the vehicle plus administrative charges.

WHAT IS A FORWARDING AGENT?

When shipping a car out of the United States you need a forwarding agent who will also help you make any arrangements to bring the car back in. Think of a forwarding agents as a general contractor on a building project. The agent lines up the people you need, handles the paperwork, and provides a number of services to help you through the many procedures required when shipping your vehicle. A good freight forwarder will address the many details of shipping.

Here's what most forwarding agents can do for you:

• Book passage for your car on the ship or plane
• Complete the necessary forms
• Arrange a customs broker if the forwarding agent does not have the ability to handle customs brokerage
• Assist you in securing the proper insurance
• Arrange for storage while your car awaits your arrival
• Arrange for pre-shipment condition reports
• Oversee proper packing of your car when containerized

When contacting forwarders, be sure to ask:

• What services can this particular forwarder provide?
• Are references available?
• What process is used for resolving disputes with the forwarder or shipping company?
• Does the company specialize in collector cars?
• Is the person working with you an old-car hobbyist?

Very often, forwarding or shipping agents who are experienced in handling collector vehicles or who are enthusiasts will be more likely to anticipate and address your concerns and questions.

One of the functions a forwarding agent will perform is to prepare a Shipper's Letter of Instructions (SLI). The SLI is a form commonly used that details your vehicle ownership and where your vehicle is to be delivered. The forwarding agent can also prepare the six copies of the Dock Receipt (similar to a bill of lading) you'll need.

In addition, you should have the following:

• The original Certificate of Title
• Bill of Sale if you live in a no-title state
• Original letter from your finance or leasing company authorizing transportation of your car if it's leased or if there is a loan on it
• Copy of driver's license

You'll also want to tak the forwarding agent whether you'll need an ATA Carnet Bond or Temporary Import Bond for the value of your vehicle. The Carnet Bond acts like your car's passport to help eliminate some delays at border crossings. It can also ease the process of returning to the United States. The Carnet is good for a year and may be used for multiple movements. However, the Temporary Import Bond is used when you're moving the vehicle just once. Your forwarding agent can recommend which is best for your situation. 

Hagerty can help with all aspects of insurance if you're taking your car overseas for a collector car hobby event. You can purchase additional coverage that will extend physical damage coverage to your vehicle while overseas. Hagerty can provide liability coverage while driving in a foreign country. Surprisingly, while onboard a ship, the liability of all steamship lines is limited to $500 per vehicle. Overseas cargo shipping coverage is strongly recommended in order to provide the proper physical damage coverage whether your car is being shipped by air or by sea.

The unique feature of an ocean cargo policy is coverage for the "general average." This is unique to maritime law and applies when the vessel is peril and cargo must be jettisoned to save the ship. Regardless of your car's value, according to the general average, each cargo holder is responsible for his or her proportionate loss to the vessel and the jettisoned cargo. Because of the potential liability exposure, it's important to be properly insured with overseas cargo shipping coverage while the vehicle is in transit, whether your car is inside the container or secured directly to one of the ship's decks (roll-on/roll-off).

In a container

When a vehicle is loaded into a container, wooden braces are secured to the floor around each tire and nylon straps are attached to the container walls to prevent lateral movement. Those experienced with shipping cards by container stress that it's best to secure the car using wheel braces and ratchet tie-down straps. Your car should only have a gallon or two of gasoline in the tank.

Although not usually recommended, you may leave personal property in the car, as well as original equipment such as the spare tire, jack lug wrench, owner's manual, floor mats and the factory tool kit. Whether the personal items are in the car or on a pallet in the container, a complete listing of the additional contents must be provided.  The obvious advantage to using a container is greater protection for your vehicle. Keep in mind the cargo hold is not climate controlled, so make sure your auto's antifreeze offers proper protection.

Roll-On/Roll-Off

If your car is in good running condition and you're less concerned about possible damage, you can save money by having your car driven on and off the ship by a dock worker. All personal property must be removed from the car, the keys left in the ignition, the doors and trunk left unlocked, and the gas tank no more than a quarter full.  The car is lashed directly to one of the ship's decks. This method of shipping is not nearly as secure for your car as using a container.

Roll-on/roll-off is only suited for cars of low or moderate value and is not the best way to ship most collector vehicles. Whichever approach you choose, be sure to pack your license plate and other valuables, including factory tools and badges, with your luggage to prevent them from beginning someone's souvenirs.

Local Customs

Upon arrival, if the car was driven onto the ship, it's now driven off and turned over to you or your representative to present to customs. If you don't have someone to act for you, your forwarder can probably find someone to receive the car at its destination. Once cleared, you can be on your way.

If your car is in a container, it is turned over to you or your representative. All contents must be cleared through customs and brought to an off-site location for unloading.

In the United States, customs brokers (port agents) are licensed by the U.S Department of Treasury. They have current knowledge of all customs regulations and tariff schedules. When you're ready to ship your car home, if your forwarding agent is not also licensed as a customs broker, he or she will engage a broker to handle the paperwork and details involved.

Ports of Call

Which port you ship from depends on where you live, your destination and chosen shipping line. Some of the most popular and efficient container ports include:

• Oakland
• Long Beach
• Houston
• Norfolk
• Baltimore
• Southampton, England
• Rotterdam, Holland
• Antwerp, Belgium

FORWARDING AGENTS

All Shore Forwarders 800-689-2982

Cosdel 415-777-2000

E.H Harms 800-647-3619

Globus Co. Inc 518-794-5218

Ian International 800-787-7447

Seabridge International 410-633-0550

DOMESTIC TRANSPORTERS

Horseless Carriage Carriers 800-631-7796

Intercity Lines 800-221-3936

FedEx Custom Critical Passport Auto Transport 800-352-4267

Reliable Carriers 800-521-6393

Every year, thousands of Americans send collector cars all over the world. Although the process is neither simple nor inexpensive, most of them wouldn't hesitate to repeat the experience - particularly if they had a responsive and experienced freight forwarder. These car owners - ranging from people with one MG to those with dozens of valuable classics - have realized that going abroad with their cars can add an entirely new dimension to collector car or motorcycle ownership. It's an adventure, but with the right care and preparation it can help build memories of a trip that you'll never forget.

Hagerty is the premier source for safety and protection information about the collector car hobby. For more information on enhancing your collector car ownership experience, log on to hagerty.com or call 800-922-4050