Shipping Cars From Amelia, ModaMiami & Mecum 2026

Why 2026 Florida Events Matter for Global Buyers

Florida is one of the biggest early‑year hubs for collector activity in 2026, with Amelia (Concours & Auctions), ModaMiami, and Mecum Kissimmee creating a three‑month run of high‑value buying opportunities for international collectors and dealers. Florida offers multiple export options, including Jacksonville, Port Everglades, and PortMiami, and the right port depends on where you buy and which sailing schedules best match your destination.

For overseas buyers, that combination is powerful: you can inspect cars in person, bid in a highly competitive U.S. market, and then move vehicles through the most suitable Florida port to your home country using West Coast Shipping’s warehouse network and established export lanes.

How These Events Fit into the Global Auction Calendar

Amelia, ModaMiami, and Mecum Kissimmee sit at the front of the global auction calendar, alongside events in Arizona and early European sales. January through March has become “positioning season” for dealers and collectors building stock for the rest of the year, which is why West Coast Shipping has built dedicated processes and invested in Florida infrastructure to better support event‑driven shipments.

By buying early in the year, international clients can receive cars in time for European spring shows, Middle East summer deliveries, or Southern Hemisphere high season, depending on destination and transit time.

Florida as a Launchpad: Warehousing, Ports, and Transit Times

West Coast Shipping operates a Fort Lauderdale export facility designed for vehicles, with indoor storage, loading capacity for containers, and services tailored to collector and exotic cars. From that warehouse, WCS can route vehicles via Port Everglades or PortMiami, choosing the port that best fits the customer’s destination and sailing schedule. Jacksonville can be a good option depending on sailing availability and destination, especially for some Europe‑bound or North‑Florida‑focused shipments.

For many Europe and Middle East routes, Florida departures can offer shorter or more direct transit than some West Coast options, although the best choice always depends on final destination, vessel space, and the balance between inland and ocean legs. WCS helps clients compare these routing options so Florida can complement existing gateways in California, New Jersey, and other regions.

What International Buyers Should Plan Before Bidding

Before entering the 2026 Florida season, WCS recommends three key preparations:

• Use the international car shipping calculator to understand total landed cost so shipping does not surprise you after the hammer falls.

• Study how car auction shipping costs factor into your bid and build a maximum bid that already includes logistics, duties, and taxes.

• Review West Coast Shipping’s guides on shipping from classic car auctions and documents you need to ship an auction car so your paperwork and timing align with auction release policies.

This planning becomes even more important when targeting multiple auctions or events in one trip, or when you intend to fill a container with several purchases across Amelia, ModaMiami, and Mecum.

The 25‑Year Rule and 2026‑Eligible Classics

Many cars highlighted at these events fall into the sweet spot of the U.S. 25‑year exemption, which continues to drive classic import and export activity into 2026. WCS tracks which model years become eligible and has assembled dedicated content on classic cars eligible for 25‑year import in 2026 and broader 25‑year rule trends.

For international buyers, this means you can focus on cars that are easier to bring into your home country or, if you are importing into the U.S. from abroad, coordinate WCS to move cars between overseas auctions and U.S. events like Amelia as temporary displays or sales opportunities.

Shipping Strategy by Event Type

Each of the three Florida events has its own character and therefore its own shipping strategy:

• Concours + high‑end auctions (Amelia): Concours‑grade classics and historically significant race cars often ship in containers from Florida, with careful pre‑load inspection, condition photos, and attention to documentation for classic exemptions.
  For a deeper look at logistics, see our guide on how to ship cars from Amelia 2026.

• Luxury lifestyle + blue‑chip exotics (ModaMiami): Modern supercars and hypercars purchased at RM Sotheby’s Miami auction benefit from South Florida’s proximity to Port Everglades and PortMiami, plus WCS’s experience exporting late‑model exotics.
  Want to learn more? Read our detailed guide on how to ship cars from ModaMiami 2026, including port options, timelines, and shipping considerations for international buyers.

• High‑volume auction (Mecum Kissimmee): With thousands of lots, dealers and wholesalers frequently target container consolidation—four cars in a 40‑foot container—to reduce per‑car shipping costs and replenish overseas stock for the year.
  Learn more in our guide on how to ship cars from Mecum Kissimmee 2026.

Get Your 2026 Florida Event Shipping Quote

Before you book flights or submit bidder registration, lock in realistic logistics budgets and timelines. Use West Coast Shipping’s international car shipping calculator for instant rates from Florida or other U.S. origins, and coordinate with the team to align event dates, auction releases, and sailings in one integrated plan.