Am hoping someone can offer some good advice here:
A colleague has a BMW Z3 garaged South Africa (Johannesburg) but now works and lives in the UK and will be staying here for the forseeable future. The car is low mileage but 1.5 years old and due to it's value etc he has decided he definitely wants to keep it - he's already thought the selling it there and buying new here side through so no advice on selling it please.
He wants to ship it in it's own container for obvious reasons but he's been quoted 2000 pounds for it to be shipped and 3600 pounds for it to be flown to the UK and is not too pleased about this.
Does anyone here have any experience of shipping cars from South Africa/recommended shippers and/or know anyone who could ship the car for less money?
Your comments and help most appreciated as always.
Dan
|
Dan,
I've no experience of shipping a car from South Africa. Household goods yes but not a car.
As a comparison though, it cost me $1400 to ship a Chevy Z28 from Texas to the UK 2 yrs ago.
That included collection from my home in Austin, transporting to Jacksonville, Florida and shipping to Felixstowe in a shared container. The only extra was a Customs Handling Fee (£30 I think).
If you want, I can look up the name of the shipping agent in Felixstowe who handled this end of the transfer. Alternatively, you might want to look in the classified section of Classic & Sports Car magazine. A number of specialist shipping companies advertise there.
Kevin...
|
Cheers Kevin - I'd appreciate the details of the shipping agent, at least it'll be someone else to get a quote from.
Dan
|
Dan,
I'll try and find the paperwork when I get home tonight.
I'd recommend that you get as many quotes as you can. The ones I got ranged from $900 (to ship as deck cargo) to over $2500 in a shared container.
Also, be especially careful to check what insurance is provided and any exclusions because that varied enormously too.
Kevin...
|
|
|
|
He could have a few pronlems once the car gets here, as an SA spec 3-Series may not pass Enhanced SVA.
HJ
|
Many thanks for that tip John - is there any chance you could elaborate further as this could save the guy a whole lot of bother and money.
Much thanks
Dan
|
|
As regards SVA,as its his own car and he will be personally importing it he will only need to pass an ordinary SVA and that is very straight forward,but he must have bills/insurance/as much proof that the car was his own in SA.Best bet is roro ship to UK,pretty safe and reasonable price.As we speak i am trying to organise some new cars from SA to Southampton.www.gascar.co.uk can help your friend with any SVA probs/prep.Well worth importing.
|
|
|
Did I not see a carjacking item on some news program last night, it showed two SA 3 series, one with windscreen washer stlye jets down each side of the car that sprayed pepper spray on and carjacker and the othe that had flame throwers down each side. Don't know if they would pass!!
:-)
|
|
|
|
|
Dan,
My 'little nest of vipers' just found the paperwork.
The shipping for my car from Texas was arranged by A AAAUTO Car Brokers Inc in Las Vegas. The freight company was American Freight Lines using Nedlloyd Holland as the carrier.
The UK agent was Kingstown Shipping, who are based at:
Ferry Berth
King George Dock
Hull
HU9 5PS
Tel (01482) 374116
Fax (01482) 711997
email info@kingstown-shipping.co.uk
The receiving agent in Felixtowe was:
E.W.Taylor & Co.Ltd.
Cerdic House
The Dock
Felixstowe
Suffolk
IP12 8TX
My contact in the UK was:
Mark Cowley (mark@kingstown-shipping.co.uk)
Based on my own experience, I would have no hesitation in using them again. Mark was especially helpfull.
There are at least two documents that you should also check-out if they are still relevant.
1) INF77 (Importing a Vehicle - documents required), issued by DVLA
2) Form 104A, (Importation of a private motor vehicle into the UK on transfer of residence from outside the European Community (EC)), issued by HM Customs & Excise.
Regards, Kevin...
|
|
|
|
Many thanks for everyone's help so far!
|
|
|
I've just received email from a close friend back in Texas.
He's just bought a 1933 Chevy Roadster (with rumble seat) from a company called Frost Brothers in Knysna. They're shipping it over to Texas for him.
Their website is here
Kevin...
|
|
|
