What's the best way to ship a Bring a Trailer vehicle internationally?

For most BaT cars, enclosed container shipping provides the best protection. Shared containers (consolidating with other vehicles) offer significant cost savings—up to 50% compared to dedicated shipping. RoRo (Roll-On/Roll-Off) shipping is available for operational, oversized vehicles like trucks, buses, or RVs that won't fit in standard containers.

Can I ship multiple BaT vehicles together?

Absolutely. If you've purchased multiple vehicles from BaT, we can consolidate them into shared containers, significantly reducing per-vehicle shipping costs. A 40ft container typically holds 4-6 standard vehicles, while a 20ft container accommodates 1-2 vehicles plus parts or cargo.

How much does it cost to ship a BaT vehicle internationally?

International shipping costs vary based on departure location (East or West Coast), vehicle size, destination country, and shipping method. Container shipping typically ranges from $1,500-$5,000+ per vehicle, depending on whether you choose shared or dedicated containers. Request a quote for accurate pricing specific to your situation.

What documents do I need to ship my BaT vehicle internationally?

You'll need: Bill of Sale from the BaT transaction, original vehicle title (or lien release), Power of Attorney forms, copy of Passport (international buyers) or EIN Letter (U.S. buyers), and our completed shipping form. We guide you through obtaining and completing all required paperwork.

Can you ship non-running project cars from BaT?

Yes. Non-running vehicles, barn finds, and project cars are shipped via container with specialized loading equipment. We coordinate with sellers to ensure proper loading methods for vehicles that can't be driven.

How do I get a shipping quote for my BaT vehicle?

Use our online shipping calculator for instant rate estimates, or contact us directly with your vehicle details and destination country. We'll provide a detailed quote including ocean freight, estimated destination charges, and timeline within 24 hours.

Does West Coast Shipping pick up directly from BaT sellers?

Yes, we offer complimentary nationwide pickup service from any seller location in the United States. Our team coordinates directly with the seller to schedule convenient pickup times and ensures your vehicle is safely transported to the export port.

What's the difference between container and RoRo shipping?

Container shipping fully encloses your vehicle inside a 20ft or 40ft container, providing maximum protection from weather and handling. It's ideal for classics, high-value cars, and non-running vehicles. RoRo shipping means your vehicle is driven onto the vessel and secured in the cargo hold—it's more economical for operational, oversized vehicles but offers less protection.

What is cargo damage protection and is it recommended?

Cargo damage protection covers physical damage that may occur during international transport. Standard auto insurance policies usually do not cover overseas shipping. Without cargo damage protection, carrier liability is limited under maritime regulations.

International Vehicle Escrow Service

Buying a car from a private US seller? Don't wire money to a stranger.

You found the car in California. The seller is private. You are 5,000 miles away. West Coast Shipping holds your funds in escrow, sends a driver to inspect the vehicle and verify the title and VIN in person, and releases payment to the seller only after the car checks out.

Start an escrow request

Send us the vehicle listing and your destination. We will quote the escrow fee and the international shipping in the same email.

How vehicle escrow works

A vehicle escrow protects both sides of a private international sale. You do not wire money to a seller you have never met. The seller does not release the car until our wire has hit their bank.

You wire funds to us

We invoice you for the agreed vehicle amount. You wire the funds to our US bank account.

We confirm and call the seller

The moment your wire clears, we notify the seller that the funds are in escrow and arrange a pickup time.

We dispatch a driver

A West Coast Shipping driver is sent to the seller's address with a printed work order, usually within 3–5 business days.

Driver verifies in person

The driver photographs the title, the VIN plate on the dash, and the engine bay. We match it all against the listing you agreed to.

We pay the seller. Car goes to our warehouse.

Funds are wired to the seller's US bank. Title and keys go to our driver. The car heads to our warehouse for ocean or air export.

What a typical escrow looks like

Three recent examples of how the process runs in practice. Names withheld, routes and dollar figures real.

1995 BMW E34

Sacramento → Gdynia, Poland

$10,000 classic BMW, private US seller

Buyer in Poland found the car on a US classic site and agreed a price by email. The seller refused to release the car without funds in hand. The buyer refused to wire $10,000 to a phone number from Craigslist.

Tuesday: Buyer wires escrow.
Wednesday: Driver dispatched to Sacramento.
Thursday AM: VIN and title verified. Seller wired.
Thursday PM: Car in our Bay Area warehouse.

1989 Porsche 911

Phoenix → Hamburg, Germany

$78,000 air-cooled 911 Carrera

Buyer in Germany was the second-highest bidder on a private sale. The seller insisted on a cashier's check or escrow. Our driver arrived in Phoenix, verified the matching-numbers engine against the listing photos, and confirmed the original Carrera-spec build sheet.

Day 1: Funds received.
Day 3: Driver on-site. Numbers matched and seller paid.
Day 8: Car loaded into a 20ft container in New Jersey.

1997 Land Cruiser 80

CHARLOTTE → Yokohama, Japan

$34,000 USDM Land Cruiser, reverse export

Japan-based buyer wanted to inspect the chassis number in a specific location. Our driver walked the truck on a phone call with the buyer and took photos under the hood. Buyer approved on the call.

Day 1: Funds in escrow.
Day 3: Chassis photo walkaround. Buyer approved live and seller paid.
Day 4: Truck arrives at our Florida warehouse for export.

For sellers: what happens when our driver arrives

If a buyer overseas has asked you to release a vehicle through our escrow, this is the order of operations on your end.

The driver photographs your title and the VIN plate on the dash.
Once everything matches the buyer's agreement, we wire the funds to your US bank.
Your bank may show the incoming wire as pending before making the funds available. Some banks release within an hour. Others hold until later in the day or the next business day.
Once your bank confirms the wire was received, the money is with your bank. The only way it can be returned is if you, as the account holder, authorize a refund.
At that point we ask you to release the keys and the title to our driver.

Read the full seller's guide to escrow and pickup →

Want to verify how your bank handles incoming wires first?

Call your bank, ask how they process incoming wire transfers, then call us back when you are comfortable. We will invoice the buyer, receive the funds, and dispatch the driver to your address.

+1 510 236 3008

Frequently asked questions

The six questions buyers and sellers ask us most often before agreeing to an escrow pickup.

What if the seller's bank shows our wire as pending?

Pending means the bank has seen the incoming wire and is processing it. Some banks make the funds available within an hour. Others hold them until later that day or the next business day. The seller's bank confirming receipt is what matters. The funds cannot be pulled back by us. The only way the wire can be returned is if the seller authorizes a refund.

Can a US wire transfer be reversed?

A US bank wire is final once it has been received. We cannot recall it. The receiving account holder would have to authorize a refund themselves. This is why our escrow agreement requires sellers to release the vehicle and title once their bank confirms receipt.

What does the driver actually verify on-site?

The driver photographs the title, the VIN plate on the dash, the door jamb sticker, and the engine bay. For matching-numbers classics we also photograph the stamped engine and chassis numbers. Everything is compared against the listing and any build sheet the buyer provided. If anything is off, the dispatch pauses and we call the buyer before releasing payment.

What if the title or VIN does not match the listing?

The driver does not hand over funds. Dispatch calls the buyer. No payment is released until the buyer decides how to proceed. If the buyer chooses not to move forward, we return the escrowed funds.

How do I verify West Coast Shipping before I wire?

Search "West Coast Shipping escrow service" for our company information, online reviews, and articles. We have been operating since 2007 and own our US warehouses. On request, we will introduce you to a past escrow customer in your country before you wire any funds. Call our office directly at +1 415 377 7973.

How much does the escrow service cost?

The escrow fee depends on the vehicle value and the route. Send us the listing and the destination port and we will quote the escrow and the international shipping in the same email, so you see the full landed cost before you commit.

Registering Your Car in Azerbaijan

Registering your car after shipping from USA to Azerbaijan requires several key steps and documents to comply with Azerbaijan's vehicle registration regulations. Our trusted local partners and customs agents in Azerbaijan and Georgia assist with the entire process—from customs clearance at the port through final registration with Azerbaijan's State Road Transport Service (SRTS).
Essential Documentation:

Foreign registration certificate and proof of ownership
Customs duty payment records
Vehicle inspection certificates
Original bill of sale and shipping documents
Import permits
Tax clearance documents

Key Registration Requirements:

Complete Azerbaijan vehicle registration forms with the State Road Transport Service (SRTS)
Pass technical vehicle inspection at port of arrival or authorized inspection facility in Azerbaijan
Pay applicable registration fees and duties (20-30% import duty + 18% VAT + registration fees)
Complete customs clearance process at Azerbaijan customs (we coordinate with trusted local agents)
Obtain required Azerbaijan vehicle insurance coverage (mandatory third-party liability minimum)
Vehicle roadworthiness certification and compliance with Azerbaijan standards
Verify vehicle meets Azerbaijan requirements: Left-hand drive only, no tinted windows permitted

Our experienced team guides you through the entire process of importing cars to Azerbaijan, from US export documentation through final registration and delivery.

Car Import Process from USA to Azerbaijan

Car shipping to Azerbaijan from the USA involves a comprehensive export and import process that we've perfected over 17+ years of international shipping experience. Whether you're buying cars from US auctions, shipping personal vehicles, or importing classic or luxury automobiles, our in-house international car shipping team handles every detail from pickup to delivery.

Unlike brokers, we manage the entire process internally—ensuring quality control, transparent communication, and accountability at every step

Our container shipping solutions make transporting cars from USA to Azerbaijan simple and efficient. With regular departures to Azerbaijan and via our strategic Georgia (Poti Port) gateway, we provide flexible routing options to meet your timeline and budget.

Transit times vary by route:

• East Coast (NJ, FL) → Georgia Gateway → Azerbaijan: 35-45 days total
• West Coast (CA) → Azerbaijan: 45-55 days total
• Direct routes to Port of Baku: 30-50 days depending on sailing schedule

We provide reliable, cost-effective shipping with weekly container consolidations that save you up to 50% compared to dedicated containers

Key Benefits of Our Azerbaijan Car Shipping Process:

Door-to-door shipping service from anywhere in the US
Weekly container consolidation saving up to 50% on costs
Complete customs clearance and documentation handling
20ft containers for 1-2 cars or 40ft for multiple vehicles
RoRo shipping available for operational vehicles
Secure vehicle transport at both origin and destination

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