Ship a Car Overseas from Fort Lauderdale: Documents

To ship a car from Fort Lauderdale overseas, first choose an international auto transport provider, confirm the destination country’s import rules, prepare the vehicle title and ownership documents, and complete the required Electronic Export Information filing through AES. For most used self-propelled vehicles, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires export documents and the vehicle to be available for VIN inspection at the export port at least 72 hours before departure. Your exact paperwork depends on the vehicle’s title status, the destination country, and whether the vehicle is financed, leased, new, or used.

Start by confirming the shipment details

Before requesting a quote, gather the car’s year, make, model, VIN, running condition, title status, pickup address, destination country, and final delivery address. From Fort Lauderdale, the vehicle may be moved to an export facility serving the ocean shipment. The carrier or freight forwarder should confirm the actual port, booking method, delivery point, and whether the vehicle will move by container or another available shipping method.

Tell the transport provider if the car is not running, has modifications, contains personal items, or is being exported temporarily. These details can affect preparation, loading, customs review, and destination delivery.

Documents usually required for U.S. vehicle export

The most important document is proof that you own the vehicle and have the right to export it. For a vehicle titled in the United States, CBP generally requires the original Certificate of Title or a certified copy, along with two complete copies. The title should be properly assigned and free of unresolved ownership or lien problems.

• Original title or certified title copy: Required for most permanently exported U.S.-titled vehicles.
• Two complete title copies: Keep copies available for the export filing and port review.
• Bill of sale or purchase invoice: May be needed to show the vehicle’s value and transfer of ownership.
• Lien release: Needed when a lender or other lienholder appears on the title.
• Valid identification: A passport, driver’s license, or other identification may be requested by the carrier, broker, or customs authority.
• Power of attorney or written authorization: Needed when an authorized agent files export information for you.
• Booking and shipping documents: The carrier or forwarder provides the documents used to identify the shipment and destination.

For a complete walkthrough of the paperwork and process from start to finish, see our guide on exporting a car from Fort Lauderdale: documents and steps.

A leased vehicle may require written authorization from the leasing company. A vehicle with a lost title, salvage title, rebuilt title, or other special title status may require additional review before it can be exported. Ask about these issues before scheduling pickup from Fort Lauderdale.

Complete the AES filing and obtain the ITN

For a used self-propelled vehicle exported from the United States, the Electronic Export Information, or EEI, generally must be filed in the Automated Export System. The filing is made through ACE AESDirect or by an authorized U.S. agent such as a qualified freight forwarder.

After AES accepts the filing, it issues an Internal Transaction Number, commonly called the ITN. The ITN is the proof that the export information was accepted. Give the ITN to the carrier or export representative so it can be included with the shipment paperwork.

The AES filing can require information such as the vehicle’s VIN, title number, title state, year, make, model, export date, destination, value, and classification information. Errors in the VIN, title, ownership details, or destination can delay acceptance, so review the information carefully before submission.

Meet the 72-hour export deadline

CBP requires the export documents for a vehicle to be submitted to the port of export at least 72 hours before the vehicle leaves the United States. The vehicle must also be available at the required time for CBP to examine and verify the VIN.

This deadline is important when shipping from the Fort Lauderdale area because pickup, inland movement, port appointment, document review, and vessel scheduling all have to line up. Do not wait until the vehicle is already at the port to discover that the title is incomplete or the AES filing has not been accepted.

Stage	Documents or information to prepare
Before booking	VIN, year, make, model, title status, pickup address, destination country, and delivery address
Before export filing	Original title or certified copy, two title copies, ownership details, value, and vehicle identification information
Before port departure	Accepted AES filing, ITN, export documents, booking information, and vehicle available for VIN verification
After arrival	Destination customs forms, import permits, duties or taxes, insurance documents, and registration paperwork as required locally

Check the destination country’s import requirements

U.S. export approval does not automatically mean the vehicle can be imported and registered in the destination country. The receiving country may impose age limits, emissions rules, safety standards, steering-position requirements, inspection rules, import permits, duties, value-added tax, or restrictions on salvage and modified vehicles.

Ask the destination customs authority or a local customs broker for the current import rules before shipping. You may need a translated title, commercial invoice, passport copy, import license, customs power of attorney, insurance certificate, conformity certificate, or proof of residence. Requirements can vary even between nearby countries.

Prepare the car for international transport

Remove personal belongings and confirm the carrier’s rules for fuel, battery condition, alarms, spare keys, and loose equipment. Photograph the vehicle from several angles and record existing damage before pickup. Keep the keys, title documents, and personal identification separate from the vehicle unless the carrier gives different written instructions.

Check whether the destination requires the vehicle to arrive clean for inspection. A clean exterior and accessible VIN can make the inspection process easier. Ask how non-running vehicles, oversized vehicles, motorcycles, and vehicles with aftermarket modifications must be prepared.

How Anccartransport can help with the process

Anccartransport lists International Car Export along with automobile transport, open transport, enclosed transport, and door-to-door single truck service. When you contact the company, provide the vehicle details and the destination country so the shipment can be reviewed around the correct export paperwork and transport needs.

If you are moving a vehicle from Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach, Davie, Sunrise, Plantation, Miramar, or Weston, ask for a clear explanation of the pickup plan, export port, required documents, and your responsibilities before booking. Start with the title and destination-country rules, then confirm the AES filing and 72-hour deadline before the vehicle reaches the port.

For help planning an overseas vehicle shipment from Fort Lauderdale, contact Anccartransport through its website and provide the VIN, title status, pickup location, destination country, and preferred delivery address.

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents do I need to ship a car overseas from Fort Lauderdale?

You will usually need the original Certificate of Title or a certified copy, two complete title copies, vehicle identification details, valid identification, and any lien release or leasing-company authorization that applies. You will also need accepted AES export information and the shipment's ITN before export.

How far in advance must I file vehicle export documents?

For a permanent export of a used self-propelled vehicle, U.S. Customs and Border Protection generally requires the export documents and vehicle for VIN verification at least 72 hours before export. Confirm the exact port process and appointment requirements before scheduling pickup.

What is an ITN when exporting a car?

An ITN is the Internal Transaction Number issued after the Electronic Export Information is accepted in the Automated Export System. It serves as proof of the accepted export filing and is provided to the carrier or export representative.

Can I export a car with a loan or lease?

You may need written permission from the lienholder or leasing company. A lien release or export authorization may be required before the vehicle can be accepted for international shipment.