Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to the most common questions about our service.
Will you drive my vehicle at any time during shipment?
Vehicles shall only be handled for Loading and unloading purposes in the respective transport and at the time of pick-up and delivery, always according to the circumstances and in accordance with local regulations or restrictions.
Recommendation: Note the mileage of your car at the time of pick-up and delivery. Any discrepancies must be put in writing and signed by the driver and you (customer).
Do you deliver door-to-door?
Ideally of our service in Car Freight Shipping. However, some residences, locations or states do not allow this and if this is the case, an appointment will be made with the truck driver at a location that is convenient for you, such as a parking lot or shopping mall, and the vehicle will be delivered.
What happens if you cannot be present at the car delivery/pick-up location?
It is important that Someone should be present at the drop-off or pick-up location to sign the BOL (Bill of Landing).
If you do not have a third party who can receive or deliver the vehicle, the vehicle will be taken to the nearest terminal (this may be several miles away from your location) and you will be responsible for picking it up or transporting it to the desired location.
Do you transport pets?
We do not transport pets. We only provide services related to car transportation.
Can I send my car if it is not working (inoperable)?
Your vehicle must be in good (operable) condition to be driven; this includes the ability to move forward, backward, brake and turn. In case it is not operable, an additional charge will be made since it involves more physical effort to Loading and unloading it from the truck or boat.
What insurance will my car have when I transport it with Car Freight Shipping?
For the land shipment of your car, we have all risk insurance included in the quotation. For ocean shipping service, we can offer you a marine insurance with different coverages and an additional cost to the service. Please consult with our commercial advisors for more information and terms and conditions.
How long does it take to ship my car?
Shipping from Jacksonville, FL to San Juan, PR or vice versa takes 3 calendar days. And, from the port of Eddystone, PA to San Juan, PR or vice versa takes an estimated 7 calendar days.
Shipping dates are estimates and may change without notice; however, CAR FREIGHT SHIPPING INC guarantees to ship as soon as possible.
Can I take the vehicle to the port on my own, is it more economical?
Yes, you can bring the car to the port and we can help you with the process. But, it is not more economical, since the port charges a fee for access to its facilities of $80.00, storage fees of $25.00 or more, depending on the time it takes for the transport vehicle to leave the port.
I bought a car at an auction, can you transport it?
Yes, we can transport it. In that case, in order to quote the service, you must know the address where the car is located, the VIN number, the stock number and the buyer number, as well as the make, model and year of the car.
Can I send personal items inside the car I am transporting?
Yes, you may pack your belongings inside the vehicle. This possibility is handled at the customer's risk and should not exceed 100 pounds, as excessive weight may damage your vehicle.
Please remember that this is not a complete move inside the vehicle and additionally, you must notify us of the presence of belongings in your vehicle because it generates an additional charge to the service.
How do you transport my car?
Most ground transports are done in an open truck, with a capacity of 8 - 10 vehicles. These trucks are much larger than regular moving trucks.
In the case of marine transport, it can be done on flatbed vessels where vehicles roll down the ship's ramp, or on multipurpose vessels that require vehicles to be lifted by a crane.
How should I prepare my car for shipment?
Here are five important recommendations to prepare your car
- The car should not leak or drip and the battery should be well secured.
- Have only ¼ of gasoline in the tank. If this amount is exceeded, you will have to pay an additional cost to remove the remaining.
- Deactivate or disconnect any alarm or anti-theft equipment.
- Removing keys, garage controls, radios, CDS, CD/DVD players, among others.
- Secure or remove any loose parts, especially floor and fog lights, spoilers, bike racks and very wide mirrors. Also, lower the antenna, if possible.
Can I send a car that is not in balance?
Yes you can, as long as the bank or entity to which you are paying for the vehicle gives you a letter stating that you are paying for it and that you can transport it out of the country. With that authorization, you can ship your vehicle.
When do I have to pay taxes in Puerto Rico?
Arbitrios are a tax imposed by the Treasury Department on certain articles at the time of their introduction into Puerto Rico.
In the case of vehicle taxes, these must be paid before picking up the vehicle at the port. To pay them, the Treasury Department gives the customer the documents to pay at the port and once the payment is made, the vehicle can be picked up.
Is marine insurance mandatory or optional?
It is optional. However, we always recommend that you purchase marine insurance for the transportation of your vehicle. The cost of the marine insurance will depend on the value of the vehicle that you declare and once the policy is issued, the payment made for the insurance is NOT refundable.
Can I ship a car from PR to USA only with the affidavit?
No. If the title is lost, you must request a duplicate title from the DTOP (Department of Transportation and Public Works) in order to transport the vehicle.
If I send more than one vehicle, do you offer preferential prices?
With us, you can get a discount on your quote if you ship more than one car at a time. Contact us to have one of our sales consultants assist you and generate this quote.
The quote I received can change over time?
Our quotation is valid for 7 calendar days. After this time, costs may vary and must be quoted again to update the estimate for your vehicle transportation.
What type of transportation will my vehicle have in ground service?
Most ground shipments are made in an open truck, with a capacity of 8 to 10 vehicles. These trucks are much larger than normal moving trucks.
What happens if my car is damaged in transit?
It is important that when you receive your car, you check it and compare the information the driver has on the Bill of Lading (BOL):
If you sign the BOL, it means that you accept the delivery conditions of your car.
If the vehicle has any damage, you must report it on your copy of the BOL and ask the driver for the information to make the corresponding claim.
Recommendation: Always check the delivery condition of your vehicle, regardless of the time or weather. If there is any damage, we recommend taking pictures as evidence of the damage and keep your copy of the BOL.
If my vehicle does not work, can you transport it?
If your vehicle does not move forward, backward, brake or turn for pick-up and delivery, it is considered inoperable and generates an additional cost to your service, since these vehicles require more physical activity and more time to be assembled and disassembled, which represents delays in logistics.
How long does it take to ship my car overland?
Varies depending on weather conditions, distance of shipment, availability of trucks at the time you want to ship, etc.
The quote I received can change over time?
Our quotation is valid for 7 calendar days. After this time, costs may vary and must be quoted again to update the estimate for your vehicle transportation.
Do you transport in closed trucks?
Yes, the closed truck transport can only transport 4 to 6 vehicles and is equipped with a hydraulic door to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the vehicle. These differences make the transport more expensive compared to the open truck.