There are numerous reasons why people wish to arrange car freight to Tonga;

• Purchasing new or second-hand vehicles in Australia is considered preferable to purchasing vehicles from dealers in Tonga.
• Sometimes people want to take their vehicles for touring purposes.
• They might want to simply send a vehicle to family or friends as a gift.

There are no direct prohibitions to exporting cars to Tonga. You will, of course, need to comply with all regulations in Tonga concerning the importation, registration and compliance for the vehicle. Things such as age or value are a couple of the questions that may be asked by the Tonga authorities.

Of course, we can arrange car shipping to many other countries around the world as well as Tonga.

Car Transportation

There are no regular dedicated car transportation services from Australia direct to Tonga, although there is a service via Japan. Shipping via Japan may be a little cheaper, however, the transit time is considerably longer. We can help arrange this for you if budget is your main concern.

If faster transit is preferable, the best option is for you to bring the car(s) to us for stowing into shipping containers. These can then be loaded onto a container vessel and shipped directly to Nuku’alofa.

Either way, we need to know the full details of the customs agent in Tonga who will be looking after your import requirements. We can consign any shipments to them for you, and send them the shipping documents.

Because of international transportation and quarantine restrictions, you should ensure that your motor vehicle is steam cleaned inside and out. This is important whether your car is loaded into a container, or by RO/RO (Roll-On/Roll-Off) vessel directly. Additionally, you should drain the fuel, disconnect the battery, and ensure there are no other items left in the vehicle that you need.

Be careful if you want to leave or stow anything in the vehicle and when shipping by RO/RO. If you do this, no responsibility or liability is held by either the freight forwarders or the shipping line.

Booking Your Car Freight

If you want to ship a car to Tonga (or anywhere else), you should check with us as to the availability and service options.

If you also wish to ship other personal effects at the same time, our self-load container service could be a viable option. Enquire now for more details.

The post Exporting Cars From Australia To Tonga appeared first on Air and Sea Freight Forwarding Logistics Specialists.

Are you relocating to another country and want to bring your car along as well? International car shipping is a feasible option. When moving a car overseas, though, you need to be aware of a few important things.

For the sake of this article, we shall focus on the New Zealand standard. Being a nation that takes great pride in its agriculture, New Zealand’s bio-security standards are amongst the highest in the world. Because of this, anything meeting the strict New Zealand standards will likely be accepted without issues by other countries. If you are shipping a vehicle to another country, it is just as important to check that country’s bio-security standards as well.

Preparing Your Car for Shipping

The important focus of preparing your car for shipping overseas is ensuring foreign biological or toxic material is transported. Consider the following elements when getting your vehicle prepared.

• First of all, your vehicle or car will need to be cleaned and vacuumed thoroughly, both inside and out. 
• Additionally, ensure that all foodstuffs, spills and the like are removed and cleaned.
• Check that any plant material and insects or bugs have been cleaned both from the inside and the outside of the car.
• Ensure that the petrol tank is no more than on-quarter full.

For a full overview of preparing your car for overseas shipping, please read our booklet on Cleaning Your Car For Shipping to New Zealand. Whilst nominally stating “New Zealand”, this booklet contains a handy checklist for preparing your vehicle for shipping to any country.

Without taking these important step in preparing your vehicle for shipping, you may well end up paying for additional cleaning again. More than likely, any cleaning costs incurred at the destination will be considerably more expensive than doing it correctly in the originating country.

Delivering Your Vehicle to the Port

There are two primary way of shipping a car overseas. The first is Roll On Roll Off (RORO), and the other is loading your vehicle into a shipping container. Some country destinations andports will offer both alternatives; other ports will only accept shipping containers.

If you are delivering your car directly to the port for loading onto a RORO (roll on roll off) vessel, once again ensure that the petrol tank is no more than one-quarter full. This is enough fuel for the loading of the car and for your pick up of the car in the destination country. Also, make sure that you do not put any personal effects in the car. This shipping service is for the export of cars only.

Alternatively, if you are loading your car into a shipping container for transportation you can add additional goods into the container. Remember that seas can get rough, so ensure there are proper packing and padding of additional items in the container.

Extra Resources for Shipping Cars to Various Countries

For a more detailed overview of shipping a car to NZ be sure to read our article on how to ship your car to New Zealand.

SPLS are experienced with international car shipping in getting vehicles shipped safely to many countries. Contact us now for a discussion and a quote.

The post Shipping Your Car Overseas? This is How You Need to Prepare appeared first on Air and Sea Freight Forwarding Logistics Specialists.

So you want to take your car to New Zealand? Here is some of the basic information you will need to know.

There are two main methods for shipping a car to New Zealand:   

RORO – Short for “Roll On Roll Off”

The RORO service is basically a car ferry; your car is driven on at one end and driven off at its destination.

A plus with using this type of service is that it is far more cost-effective than packing your car into a container. 

Shipping Containers

This alternative is fairly self-explanatory; your car is packed into a shipping container to be shipped. This is more expensive, however, you will also have the option of packing personal effects into the container as well.

Which New Zealand Ports Can I Ship To?

New Zealand offers a number of ports to which we can arrange shipping. These are;

• Auckland
• Wellington
• Nelson
• Christchurch (Lyttleton)
• Dunedin (Port Chalmers)

We are a no-frills service.  We offer shipment of your car from Port to Port only which is why our rates are so competitive.

Does my car have to be compliant with New Zealand standards?

If you want to be able to drive your car in New Zealand, then the answer is YES.

You can export any type of car into New Zealand, however, this does not mean you can drive your car there. For instance, if you are a restorer or collector of cars than it isn’t so important that the car is roadworthy when you export it.

If you do want to drive your car, ensure that it complies with New Zealand regulatory standards. It will also need to be checked for roadworthiness by the proper authority and issued with a warrant of fitness.

Be sure to also read our blog post on how to prepare your car for shipping overseas.

Some Additional Resources for Shipping Your Car to New Zealand

To learn more about NZ bio-security, visit the Ministry For Primary Industries.

You will probably be required to pay for customs clearance. For more about customs visit New Zealand Customs.

The New Zealand Automobile Association is full of great information about driving your car once you get it over there.

Finally, the New Zealand Transport Agency has further information about importing cars to New Zealand.

The post How to Ship My Car from Australia to New Zealand appeared first on Air and Sea Freight Forwarding Logistics Specialists.

Do you want to take your car overseas when you travel? A road-trip, perhaps, or just comfortable in your own vehicle?

For an extended overseas trip, car hire can get expensive. You may be interested in investigating what a carnet is and how it may be of use to you.

Shipping Your Car to Another Country You Where Intend to Reside

If you are emigrating or intend to live in a country for an extended time it can be worth taking your car with you. In this circumstance, you shall be simply importing your car to the new country.

The process for this is fairly well-known (though will depend on the specific country in consideration). There will, of course, by import duties and fees associated with this.

We recommend pre-paying any local port charges this end before you leave. We also advise engaging a local customs agent to handle the destination process for you. 

But what if you are only travelling for a short time and want to take your car with you?

Take Your Car Travelling

This is where a carnet may be suitable for you. 

A carnet (short for “carnet de passage”) is a temporary import document. This allows you to take your car to other countries without paying the same sort of import fees that would apply normally.

Carnets are not available for all countries, so it is important to check this possibility before making travel plans.

Arranging a Carnet de Passage

A carnet is available from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) or the Royal Automobile Club of WA (RAC). Their websites also have a list of countries that accept carnets and also outline the costs of applying for one.

Generally, a carnet is available for a 12 month period. This can normally can extend it for another 12 months should the need arise, although additional fees will apply.

When planning to travel this way, first of all, find the automobile association of the country you are visiting. They will have information that outlines what will be expected when you arrive in the country. 

It also pays to check out the homeland affairs department, customs department or local equivalents of the countries you will visit. This will help verify the procedures you and your car will need to go through upon arrival. Additionally, remember to check on any fees associated with this process. This research will help you determine whether it is worth taking your car with you versus either renting or buying locally.

Further Resources for Obtaining a Carnet and Shipping Your Car

The Department of Local Infrastructure and Regional Development has further information about carnets.

For any sort of overseas vehicle transportation, we recommend reading our article on preparing your car for shipping.

Please come and speak with us to arrange secure shipping of your vehicle to your chosen country of destination. Once we get you there, we wish you safe travels.

The post Want to Travel With Your Car Overseas? You Need a Carnet de Passage. appeared first on Air and Sea Freight Forwarding Logistics Specialists.

There are no direct prohibitions, but you will need to comply with all regulations in Japan concerning the importation, registration and compliance.

There are two main options you should consider.

• A direct RO/RO service
• Or pack it into a container and load it onto a vessel directly.

What is a difference between a RO/RO and container service?

RO/RO stands for roll on roll off and is a specific car carrying service. Like taking your car on board a ferry. It is driven on at this end and driven off at the port of destination.

Otherwise we just pack the car in a regular 20 foot container and it is shipped in the normal fashion on a container vessel.

Which service is better?

There are a number of regular car carrying services (RO/RO) from Australia to several ports in Japan.

As much as possible you would utilise these services for cost benefits.

But many ports are only serviced by container vessels, in which case the only option is for you to bring the car(s) to us for stowing into containers, and then being shipped to the destination port.

If you want to do this, you should check with us as to the availability and service options.

The ports serviced by the car carriers are not necessarily the same sea ports where containers would go.

How to prepare your car for transportation

Because of international transportation and quarantine restrictions, when your car is loaded into the container, or vessel directly, you should ensure that your motor vehicle is steam cleaned inside and out, fuel is drained, and the battery is disconnected.

With a car carrying vessel – you deliver your car to the port. They will load your car onto the vessel for you.

One more option to consider

If you are taking other personal effects to Japan such as your household goods for example, as well as your car. Then you might want to consider our ‘self pack’ container service.

This could be a viable option for you.

Click Here for more details about this particular service.

And of course, check with us if you have any queries or would like a freight quote.

The post Exporting Cars to Japan | Overseas Car Shipping appeared first on Air and Sea Freight Forwarding Logistics Specialists.

Are you worried about what will happen to your belongings when you move abroad? Have no fear. An overseas moving company is the answer to all your needs.

According to studies, over 40 million people are moving every year to the US alone. This does not count those who are moving to other countries. Just imagine the total number of people who are moving from one place to another.

Overseas moving companies are aware of the statistics. To solve the problem, they have branches all over the world to cater to this specific need. With the various companies that are now existing, all people have to do is choose the one that they think will give them the best service.

Overseas moving companies use different methods of transport in order to get their cargos to their destination. Some of these methods are by air, auto and boat transport. Some of them are making use of their own cargo methods. While others are affiliated with trusted and well-known companies that specialise in effective transportation.

If you are considering moving overseas it is important to research the practicalities. Wee have put together a variety of articles outlining some of the items you might need to think about.

Moving overseas articles

Do any of these items fit your goals. Learn more about what is required.

• Do you want to take your car with you? Shipping your car overseas.
• Will you be self-packing your possessions? Moving your household goods overseas – the DIY approach.
• How do you best pack possessions for international shipping? Packing up your Household goods.
• Should I get cargo insurance? Why we really recommend insurance.
• Things to be aware of when packing your shipping container in Australia. Council regulations when packing your own container.
• Certain goods and possessions are not practicable (or sometimes legal) to take with you. What can’t I take overseas with me?

Modes of transport

1. Air and boat transport.

This is the method of transportation used if the cargo needs to be transferred from one country to another. These are the fastest method to use if the delivery is on a strict schedule.

Although they can be quite expensive, owners are assured that their belongings will reach them in the best condition and delivered right at their doorstep.

Air and boat transport have strict standards to follow depending on the rules set about by the individual destination. For once, there are taxes that need to be paid. This accounts for the expensive prices that overseas moving companies are asking for.

Furthermore, there are also inspections and check up on some ports. Certain regulations on some countries do not allow agricultural products to be shipped. This is along with other belongings that seem hazardous. Owners who want them to be brought into that destination need to have some papers signed first and presented to the proper authorities.

2. Road transport.

Road transport is a convenient way of shipping belongings. But this can only be done for short distances. For example, a certain country may be near yours and will not need air transport for you and your belongings.

So to avoid the hassle of having to bring them along with you, you get the services of overseas moving company. Getting the services of professionals can take away the worry that your belongings might get broken or destroyed in the process of transportation.

Road transports are known for their efficiency and careful maneuvers. These people know that they have important things with them. And they are always after customer satisfaction. Their main goal is to have these things brought to their destination on time and in proper condition.

Moving overseas is made easy by overseas moving companies. Try to think what it would be like without them helping you bring your stuff along.

The only thing you need to worry about is the budget that you will allot for their services. Be prepared to spend some amount of cash if you have a lot of things to bring with you. Another thing to remember is to have everything prepared and in order so that the overseas moving company of your choice can do the rest.

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