Shipping for RM Sotheby's Buyers and Consignors
From Arizona and Amelia Island to Monterey and Paris, RM Sotheby's sales move cars in every direction. We arrange enclosed collection against the sale's release date, receive the car at our own warehouse and deliver it door to door by ocean or air, with a condition report at every change of custody.
Need an indicative figure first? Our instant calculator prices most routes.
- A condition report at every change of custodyPhotographed at collection, at loading and on delivery.
- One specialist, start to finishThe person you speak to at booking stays with the car until it is delivered.
- No condition report, no loadingA car is not loaded until its condition report is signed.
From the saleroom to your garage
The same procedure for every collector car we ship, set out in our Handling Standard.
- 01Before the saleBidding from abroad? Send the lot and your destination. Your specialist prepares a door-to-door quotation, so transport is accounted for in your bid.
- 02Release and collectionYou send the lot number and the release documents. A licensed, insured enclosed carrier we book collects the car within the release window.
- 03Receipt and inspectionThe car is received at our own warehouse in California, Florida or New Jersey and inspected against the collection report.
- 04Securing and loadingOur own team secures it with soft straps and wheel nets, in a shared or exclusive-use container, or on a cargo flight.
- 05Export and deliveryOur team prepares the export documents and verifies the title. Our agents clear the car at destination and deliver it, with a final condition report.
Our warehouses
Every collector car we ship is received, inspected and loaded in a warehouse we own, by people we employ. Covered, secured and staffed in California, New Jersey and Florida.
Where RM Sotheby's sells
The sales our customers ship from most. Exact dates for every RM Sotheby's sale are on our events calendar.
- JanuaryArizona
- FebruaryParis
- MarchAmelia Island
- AugustMonterey
Ocean or air, chosen for the car
Every method below runs through the same warehouse, the same team and the same paperwork. Your specialist recommends the one that fits the car, the destination and your dates.
Shared container
Your car travels with up to three others, each secured independently with soft straps and wheel nets. Most classics heading to a major port travel this way.
Running or notExclusive-use container
A 20ft or 40ft container for your cars alone, loaded and sealed by our team. For high-value cars, several cars from one collection, or a car travelling with its parts.
Up to four cars, yours onlyAir freight
On a cargo flight when there's a concours, rally or sale date to hit. Your specialist completes the documents before the car reaches the airport, so the time saved in the air is not lost on the ground.
For a fixed dateFor consignors
We deliver cars into a sale from anywhere in the US or overseas, timed to the consignment deadline, and return unsold lots.
“All I had to do was fill out their shipping form. They did everything else except pay for the car!”
John Bell · 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona, California to England“Excellent communication and genuine interest in our vehicles’ well-being throughout the whole process.”
Alexander · 1953 Chevrolet CorvetteRecently in our care
Photographed on receipt at our warehouses, as part of the condition report every car receives.
Your specialists
Felix Cater leads our collector and auction department, with Monica Mena and Dan Burkandt alongside him, so a specialist who knows your car is always available. Every enquiry is handled in confidence. Or telephone +1 (510) 236-3008.
Questions from collectors
How fast can you collect a car after the sale?
Send the lot number and release date. We schedule enclosed collection within the auction's release window, before storage charges begin.
Can I have a quotation before I bid?
Yes. Send the lot and your destination. Your specialist prepares a door-to-door quotation by ocean and air.
Does the car have to run?
No. Non-running cars ship in a container, winched in by our loading team.
What paperwork do you need from RM Sotheby's?
The bill of sale, the title or the auction's title documents, and the release form. Your specialist confirms anything outstanding before collection.
Will my car pay less duty abroad because it's old?
Often, yes. The UK charges no duty and 5% import VAT on qualifying historic vehicles over 30 years old, and several EU countries reduce rates for original cars of historical interest. Into the US, cars 25 years and older can be imported without federal safety and emissions conversion. See our EU vs UK classic car duty guide.
Purchased at RM Sotheby's?
Send us the lot number. Your specialist will arrange collection, receipt at our warehouse and delivery door to door by ocean or air.
It’s your dream car. Let’s bring her home.