Prepare your vehicle for shipping across the Canada-US border
How should I prepare my vehicle for shipping across the border into the United States?
So, you’re shipping your car from BC or Alberta down into the Western USA. Blackshark Enclosed Automotive Transport is here to help!
We have developed a set of “best practices” that we recommend to our customers to prepare their vehicles to be transported into the USA. In our experience hauling cars across the Canada-US border, we find that if customers follow these guidelines the process tends to go much more smoothly and is quicker.
Consider having the vehicle professionally detailed prior to shipping
A professional clean will ensure that your vehicle is free from mud and dirt; the US Department of Agriculture requires a clean undercarriage to “safeguard against importation of dangerous pests” (source). It will also clear out any unnecessary mess and clutter inside the car, making it easier for US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers to search the contents. You can expect your car and its contents to be searched and inspected by canine agents, so a good clean and detail is sensible before crossing the border.
In addition to the above, a clean vehicle will ensure the most accurate pre-and post inspection possible. Auto carriers, Blackshark Auto Transport included, inspect every car prior to shipping and upon delivery. If the vehicle is dirty, this can cause damage to go unnoticed, exposing you to unnecessary risk. Remember, if you ship with us your detail will stay pristine since all of Blackshark’s trailers are enclosed. If you would like to learn more about enclosed vehicle transportation, please see our post: 5 best reasons to use enclosed transport to ship an exotic car.
Blackshark Enclosed Auto Transport can arrange professional detailing for your exotic car
If you don’t have time to take your vehicle to be detailed, Blackshark is happy to pick it up and bring it for detailing prior to heading to the border. Just let us know if you would like this service upon booking or when arranging details for your trip.
If a professional detail is not possible, be sure to wash the outside of your car well, including the undercarriage, and thoroughly clean the inside. Discard or remove anything that you do not need at the vehicle’s destination (trash, receipts, clear out consoles and glove compartment of all but essentials). If you won’t need it in the US, it’s best not to bring it. Don’t leave unnecessary stuff in the car and risk seizure!
This post is part of our series: Cross-Border Exotic Vehicle Shipping: Everything you need to know. Click here to read all the entries in this series. We’re covering topics to help you understand shipping a vehicle into the US, CBP form 3299, and importation scenarios.
Packing items to be transported in the vehicle
Pack all your personal items that will be shipped along with your vehicle in clear bins and bags. Try to keep items as easily seen or reviewed as possible. This allows CBP officers to more easily confirm that the items that have been claimed on Form 3299 are the same as those in the vehicle. Try to pack items so they can be accessed easily with minimal rearranging and searching. Remember, your vehicle will be safely secured in our enclosed trailer, so it is not necessary to tuck items out of view.
A clean, well-packed vehicle will reduce friction at the border and demonstrate to border agents that you are taking the border crossing seriously.
Double check that all items in the vehicle have been claimed on CBP form 3299
US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has the right to turn away your vehicle at the border or impose other penalties if you have not declared items or have made a false declaration. They are also able to make seizures at the border. Even if your items are allowed through, on your return journey you may be required to pay duty on items that were not on the form when you entered the US. Form 3299 provides evidence that the items were not purchased in the US, but instead were brought in by you.
The successful shipment of your car and contents absolutely relies on accurate completion of CBP form 3299. Blackshark Auto Transport is committed to helping our customers through every step of this process. Please contact us to discuss your shipping needs, or learn more about Blackshark’s services and our team here.
Click here to review our comprehensive written and video guide to completing CBP form 3299 for short-term entry into the United States.