Vehicle shipping isn’t as easy as it appears. There are plenty of laws and regulations car shipping companies and car owners have to follow before the vehicle can leave Canada. However, it’s important to note that the number and type of documents required to ship your vehicle from Canada depend on its destination. Some countries will have more paperwork than others, but you must provide ten standard documents.
Luckily, with the help of a car shipping company like MVS Canada, putting together the necessary documents doesn’t have to be challenging. The ten documents you need to ship your vehicle from Canada include:
1. Title/Registration
The first document every car owner should have when shipping their vehicle from Canada is the car’s title and registration. The original certificate of registration or ownership proves you are the owner of the vehicle that’s being shipped. It also shows that the vehicle has all the necessary documentation for use in your home province.
If you are shipping a pre-owned car, the seller can endorse the existing registration to the current owner. The car’s title also shows all the necessary information about the vehicle from its model, make, and vehicle identification number, all of which are needed when shipping the car.
2. Bill of Sale
This is a certificate that details the transfer or sale of your car from one party to another. This document serves as sufficient legal evidence that full consideration was provided during the purchase. It also indicates that the seller has transferred the car’s rights to the buyer. The bill of sale is a requirement for shipping a vehicle from Canada, especially if you purchased your car recently.
But, if your car’s leased, financed, or there exists a lien on it, then you will have to provide a bill of sale proof in the form of a validated bank letter. The letter should also acknowledge the shipping of the vehicle.
3. Vehicle Insurance Certificate
When shipping your car, it’s important to remember that anything can happen. And, the best way for you to have peace of mind as the car owner is through vehicle insurance. While not all transportation companies require it, some deem it mandatory. A vehicle insurance certificate is proof that you have car insurance that will cater to the damages that may occur during transit.
However, some freight companies offer clients cargo insurance, which caters to the damages your car may incur during transportation. In such a case, you will not require car insurance.
4. Photo Identification
You will also be required to provide a copy of valid photo identification like an up-to-date passport, unexpired driver’s license, or the photo page. Photo identification helps verify your identity.
5. Consignee’s Photo Identification
If you aren’t present to pick the vehicle up once it arrives, your shipping company may require you to provide a photo identification of your consignee. A consignee is a person to whom the car is being shipped. The photo you provide will be forwarded to the shipping company’s receiving agent. This document ensures that the wrong person doesn’t receive your car shipment.
6. Consular Invoice
A consular invoice describes the type of shipment and shows all the necessary shipment information, such as the value of freight, consignee, and consignor. A country’s customs officials use this document to authenticate the shipment’s quantity, nature, and value. A consular invoice is purchased from the destination country’s consulate, and it should be in the language of that country.
However, not all nations require a consular invoice. Therefore, verify whether the country you are shipping the car to needs one.
7. Bill of Lading
This is a legal document that the carrier issues to the shipper. It indicates the destination, type, and quantity of your shipment. This document also serves as sufficient proof of delivery and states your vehicle’s condition at pickup and delivery.
8. Warehouse and Dock Receipt
If you’ve chosen to use port-to-port shipping, you will require storage. For this, you will need a warehouse and dock receipt. The receipt shows the shipping company that your cargo was moved from the warehouse or dock and delivered to another country in good condition.
9. Export Packing List
This detailed document indicates all the packaging and product details contained in your shipment. For instance, if you are shipping several cars from Canada, the export packing list will show all the vehicles you are shipping. However, this document is specifically applicable to businesses that ship plenty of cars at once.
The forwarding agent or shipper uses the list to determine the shipment volume and weight.
10. Power of Attorney
The last document you will require is a signed POA or power of attorney, especially if you are shipping the car on someone else’s behalf. This document indicates that the car’s owner granted you a broad of specific responsibilities to act on their behalf in legal and customs issues.
Before preparing to ship your car, always ensure you cross-check if you have all the required documents.