Yacht shipping guide

International yacht shipping and boat transport guide

21st April

2010

written by admin

It is not easy to find a reliable yacht shipping company able to transport your yacht or sailboat from US overseas in the most economical and safe manner. There are many yacht transportation companies claiming to have expertise and experience to ship various types of oversized high and heavy cargoes, such as yachts and sailboats, from United States to any destination worldwide. What to look for when picking a yacht transporter, and which shipping company to choose? Make sure to read the below boat shipping guide so you don’t make a costly mistake.

Boat shipping checklist:

Prepare your boat or yacht for overseas shipping. If necessary, seek help at the local marina, yard, cradle company etc. You can find boat preparation guide on our website.
Measuring your boat or yacht correctly is essential for obtaining an accurate boat shipping quote, be it international boat shipping or domestic yacht transport. Make sure to read our boat measuring guide.
Verify if the boat transport company you are going to use for boat delivery to the port via land is registered with DOT here.
Confirm that the yacht transporter has current cargo insurance, with minimum liability exceeding value of your boat.
If arranging a water delivery, check credentials and previous experience of the Captain whose services your are using.
If shipping a boat internationally, check with Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) if your boat shipper is registered with FMC as a freight forwarder or non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC). Also verify if this particular boat shipping company has current bond and shipping license. If the company is not listed there, it means they cannot legally provide shipping services whatsoever and you should avoid using such companies.
Many marine cargo insurance companies require the boat surveyed & appraised prior to shipping. Make sure to get your yacht surveyed by a licensed marine surveyor.
Avoid using domestic boat hauling companies for shipping your yacht or boat internationally. Many truckers will offer their customers a “package deal” that includes inland yacht transport and ocean freight of your yacht overseas. Frequently they would offer “savings” and “discount” through their preferred boat shippers. You should avoid using such companies by all means – international yacht shipping is complicated and requires expertise and experience only a licensed freight forwarder or NVOCC can offer.
Before committing to shipping your boat internationally with the boat transporter of your choice, make sure to get the shipping quote in writing. Read the fine print – many boat transport companies will hide extra charges behind it. Make sure the quote includes the following: origin (shippers door or port), destination (consignee’s door, port or unloading warehouse). Also, typical boat shipping quote must clearly outline services tendered – door pick up, delivery to a certain place (point of export, be it transporter’s warehouse, port or dock), marine shipping insurance, shrink-wrapping, cradle construction (fumigated or not), de-masting, arch & radar removal, loading, unloading at the port of destination, all necessary paperwork, customs clearance, export declaration, bill of lading, etc.
If possible, get a Shipping Contract drafted between you and the Shipping Company – it should include all of the above in more formal way, on shipper’s letterhead, signed and dated by authorized person.
Ask if there will be someone (an agent, or customs broker) who could assist with customs clearance and unloading at the country of destination. Also, do your homework on customs duties and taxes that may be due at the country you are shipping the boat to.
Do an internet search for reviews on a particular boat shipping company. There are specific websites, such as www.Ripoffreport.com that may be worth checking.
Make sure to dial the boat transporter’s telephone number found on company’s website and talk to your customer service rep in person. If your calls are left unanswered, or you cannot get straight answers on shipping and arrival dates, transit times, specific requirements for shipping a boat overseas, you should probably look for another boat shipping company.
Always use your common sense (i.e., beware of making payments in advance via Western Union or cash, sending important paperwork (titles, payment) via regular mail, etc).