shipping to US (UK registered) ???
 

Hi

My partner and I are queitly trvelling around the world in our Iveco 4x4.
We are in South Korea and intend to ship via sea container at end of next month.

The plan is to ship directly into Los Angeles.

But I have the following issues :

1) If vehicle is in sealed shipping container does it need to be emptied of all contents ? i.e. Can we ship vehicle with all our stuff and engine/fuel liquids on board ?

2) Insurance - this is proving problem, anybody know a company that offers US insurance for a foreign registered 'tourist' vehicle. ?

3) How fussy ? We have been 'warned' that 'scruffy' vehicles may not get permission to enter ? (similar rules to Australia ?) my truck is somewhat battered and little rusty round edges, will it be ok ?

pics of at : www.travel.uklinux.net

any help really will be appreciated, be great if someone has actually done this recently and REALLY KNOWS the way in !

Thanks
Phil.

Hi Phil -

A friend of mine did something similar earlier this year - he shipped his Land Rover from the UK to LA and spent a few weeks over in Utah...

He shipped using Wallenus Lines into Port Hueneme - this is essentially a huge RORO ferry so there was no need to drain any fluids (other than only half a tank of fuel is recommended) and you can leave all your kit in/on the truck, although he did say that unforumnately a few trinkets seemed to have gone missing from thje cab between leaving it at the port in the US and picking it up in Southampton... I guess this is a risk if you leave them your keys?

I understand that these ships go all over the world from Europe via the States to Asia and then back again - they might have a route suitable for your trip?

As for insurance, he used AIU North America who can insure you on a month by month basis in a foreign vehicle, alternatively I understand that Progressive Auto Insurance - Car Insurance Quotes Plus Boat, RV and Motorcycle Insurance Quotes also can do a good deal on such insurance (although that might only be for foreign drivers in US registered vehicles, I'm not 100% sure until I get out there myself..)

Good luck, I hope that is of help...

JennyMo xxx

+1 for Progressive

Sorted out US insurance online while in Mexico & printing out their policy/cover note provided all the documents the officials needed. Got a good rate too.

All you need to sort that out is a US address but a 'borrowed' one works.