Shipping Cars to Italy

If you need information on shipping cars to Italy, you are on the right page! We are help to help you not just by providing handy vital information on shipping a car to Italy, but also more. Just send us your details and we will get you up to 7 free personalized estimates from the best car shipping companies.

Important facts on transfer of vehicles to Italy

Italy has laws favoring the entry of vehicles from the European Union of which it is a part. A vehicle which is more than six months old and has run six thousand kilometers may be imported into Italy without duty. A person with a vehicle from any other country needs to have had it for one year to be exempt from duty. Vehicles are driven on the right side of the road. The metric system is followed here so the distance is measured in terms of kilometers and speed in kilometers per hour. A residence certificate (Certificato di Residenza) is necessary for importing vehicles.

Import Taxes
A tax code may be obtained at the provincial tax office. The tax code is Codice Fiscale and the provincial tax house is the Unificio Imposte. You need an identification document for registering the vehicle with the Traffic Control Authority (Motorizzazione Civile).

Rules concerning the import Non-Italians may import one automobile duty free after using it for one year and providing proof of ownership for that year. A Certificate of Origin is to be submitted. Italian citizens who were abroad for one and a half years can bring in their vehicle after proving residence abroad. However, vehicles brought in duty free cannot be sold for at least one year. Italy discourages the import of new vehicles. Restrictions are kept over cars of more than 2000cc. The required documents for importing a car are the ownership title, registration card and manufacturer's information. Valid insurance must be present. Documents should be originals, not notarized ones.

Temporary Import

The car is permitted to remain in Italy for six months after a payment of $1200. For a longer stay, a special plate called escursionisti esteri is acquired.

Import for special personnel

Military personnel may import one privately owned car under Government expenditure, free of import duty. This same vehicle may be similarly taken back. The Italian Ministry of Finance allows military and NATO personnel to possess 3 vehicles but only one will be free of taxes. However all vehicles must be registered and licensed in Italy. When shipping care to Italy, he Vehicle Identification number must be the one on the documents. Dissimilarity provokes undue delay in transit. The color, dimensions and special lighting do not affect the permission to import. Regulations require the use of seat belts and child protective restraints.

Prepare for the shipping

Look up the internet for the rates of various shipping companies and get quotes from all of them. Contact them and find the company which gives you reasonable rates. When you have selected one, discuss all the details of the shipping, the container or open trailer, the door-to-door system or not, the total expenditure incurred and the Customs regulations at Italy. When you have decided to move, make the full payment which may be as cash, using credit cards or checks. You may trust the shipping company to complete their work well.

Hand over your automobile keys to the company. You must keep the originals and give another set for all the locked parts of your vehicle including the ignition, glove compartment, boot and gas cap to the representative of the company.

The company needs to have the copies of your license, registration and title and the creditor's declaration of knowledge of the car shipment to Italy (if they are involved with the financing).

A photo identity card of any person you are allotting to take the car to the company or delivering for you, is to be carried by that person when he does his job.

Communication details of the company and relevant phone numbers and e-mail ids must be noted. Tracking the movement of your car and its status helps you to lessen your worry.

Prepare your vehicle for transport

Protecting the radiator and battery and preventing the liquids from freezing is of importance if the vehicle is being transported through cold regions.

There should be just enough fuel in the tank to permit you to reach a fuel station. Gasoline is inflammable. Reducing the amount in the tank simultaneously reduces the chance of fires. Vehicles with propane tanks should contact their service station and the details provided to the shipping company.

Valuable items should not be kept in your car during transport. Personal documents, original registration certificates, license and the like should not be kept in the car. Losing them in transit is disastrous. The company cannot be held responsible for it. Be very thorough in sifting through your car before handing it over.

Items which are not secured properly in the vehicle must be removed. Clear out your glove compartment. Remove CDs, car phones, cassette decks, golf clubs, books and other loosely fitted things from the car. The infant seat which is well mounted and spare tires can remain.

The car is to be in good operating condition. Effective brakes and good tires are essential. Otherwise the company may not risk shipping the car.

A 6-inch ground clearance is needed to reduce any possible damage during the transport. Low ground clearance of the vehicles requires special arrangements to be made by the shipping company.

Check for leakage of fluids. If any, repair before handing over.

The height of the car is expected to be seven feet. If more, the shipping company must be prepared for it.

Firearms, fire extinguishers and all loose items must necessarily be removed.

The alarm systems may be put out of action. If any are still functional, the transport company must be aware.

Antennas must be retracted.

Cleanliness of the vehicle is important.

The condition of the car if good, must be mentioned in the bill given to you for signature when handing over.

Importance of shipping insurance

During the process of shipping , when the car is waiting for the shipment it may be housed in warehouses which do not belong to the company. The possibility of damages arises. This may happen on the ship too. There can be a fire or theft or damages like denting and breaking of glass

The company takes the insurance to cover the expenditure involved in repairing. Any expenditure beyond $500 is covered by the insurance. Different varieties of insurances will be introduced to you. You may select one which you feel is just right.

To help you get started, we have provided a simple online form at our site. Fill in your complete details and we will send you highly competitive quotes from the top car shipping companies who can handle shipping a car to Italy seamlessly. All you need to do is pick and choose the best one for you!

Links

http://www.infrastrutture.gov.it
http://www.trasporti.gov.it
http://www.traveldocs.com/it/customs.htm
http://initaly.com/travel/info/driving.htm
http://italy.usembassy.gov/acs/general-driving.asp