How do I Ship a California Motor Vehicle to B.C?
Whether for work, pleasure, or a combination of both, people sometimes find themselves shipping their personal vehicles to locations that are too far away to drive to. Shipping a motor vehicle from a location in California to one in the Canadian province of British Columbia is a process that's relatively simple after finding a quality, reputable shipping company. Shippers should keep in mind, though, that the vehicle's actual journey could take anywhere from one to a few weeks, depending on the shipping company involved, and if the vehicle's being sent via land or sea.
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Instructions
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Write down all the important information about your vehicle, including the make, model, year, style and color. You will need the information when dealing with a shipping company. Also have the vehicle identification number and license-plate numbers handy, as well as your driver's license.
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Research land and sea-based shipping companies in your area that ship to British Columbia. You can find listings of shipping companies in area via your local phone book and on the Internet. Land-based rail and trucking companies are dotted throughout California, and there are a handful of ports in the state that have cargo shipping operations, including the ports in San Diego, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Oakland. Things to check for during your research include cost of service, available times and dates, and logistical matters, such as whether the company can pick up and deliver vehicles, or if vehicles must be brought directly to the shipping company, or a nearby location. Get a quote from each company you contact.
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Choose which seaport, trucking company, or rail line you'll ship your car with, and settle on a price, time and location for the transfer of the vehicle. Shipping costs vary from company to company and mostly depend on the make and model of the car, as well as the area of California you're in, but typically, it's cheaper to ship by sea, but quicker to ship by land. Many major shipping companies, such as Livingston Freight, Ship My Vehicle and MoveCars.com can provide you with a quote via a form on their websites.
If shipping by sea, it's typically easiest to go with the port that's closest to your geographic location. In British Columbia, there are a handful of seaports to choose from, including Vancouver and Prince Rupert, and an inland sorting port in Prince George.
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Prepare your car for shipping. Remove all personal belongings from the vehicle and inspect it to make sure there are no fluid leaks or other major or minor mechanical problems that could potentially cause problems.
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Turn the car over to the shipping company for transport. Give them a spare set of keys for the vehicle as well as important papers, such as auto insurance info, vehicle registration cards and shipment booking information.
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Pick up your vehicle in British Columbia at the appointed time and place. Bring your proof of ID and shipping booking papers in order to claim and retrieve your vehicle.
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References
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