international auto shipping quotes: advanced checks from a returning shipper

After a few cycles, I read quotes like lab reports. Usability and reliability trump headline price.

What matters beyond the base rate

Route choice (RoRo vs. container), terminal handling at both ports, congestion, and whether the carrier applies security surcharges all swing totals. EVs and oversized SUVs trigger extra handling. Inland pickup and final-mile delivery are separate line items, as are export clearance and destination brokerage.

My latest quoting run

Last spring I requested three bids for a Seattle - Auckland move. Two quoted RoRo; one offered a shared 40' container. The lowest price hid tight free-days and a vague carrier. The mid-range quote listed a realistic window and a clear rollover policy (and yes, I still side-eye "guaranteed transit").

How I vet a quote

• Line-by-line costs: ocean, BAF/CAF, THC, documentation, security, customs.
• Named carrier and service string: not just "major line."
• Coverage: all-risk valuation, deductibles, claims process.
• Rollover and storage terms: free-days, per-day charges.
• Vehicle specifics: VIN, dimensions, operability, EV battery SOP.

Numbers to sanity-check

1. RoRo billed by length category or lane meters; verify dimension rounding.
2. Container: base ocean plus origin/destination charges; beware "all-in" without port codes.

For reliability, I look for past rollover rates, on-time stats, track-and-trace links, and one accountable contact. Explore alternatives only if service quality holds up.

Red flags

• Requests for wires before a booking note.
• No export filing responsibility defined.
• Unrealistic ETD/ETA pairs during peak season.
• Misused Incoterms or missing destination taxes.