Are you looking for a reliable company for shipping cars to West Africa? This guide will explain the complete process of shipping a non running car to West Africa.
What are non running cars?
As the name suggests, these cars do not run. If the car you bought does not operate or even if it does, it is not safe or effective, then it can be classified as a non-running car. If the battery of that vehicle is dead, you can also call it a non-running car. Damaged or accident exposed cars can also qualify as non-running ones. You can ship these cars as well like the other working, operational automobiles, all over the world. There is only one difference, but that is huge and technical. Shipping a non running car is a lot more complicated than shipping a running one. It needs special equipment and training of the staff that deals with loading and unloading of the vehicle on and off. AFL shipping provides you with completely safe and secure shipping of your inoperable car.
Normally, the shipping companies load these cars on an open carrier to move them to the local port. You can also move these vehicles to the port in enclosed trucks. However, the costs in this mode of shipping are relatively higher. Once the car reaches the port, you can then ship it in an enclosed container on a ship. With the right partner, your non-running car shipping can be easy and smooth. Working with AFL to ship your non-running cars is transparent, and extremely trustworthy as an experience.
Shipping a non running car to West Africa
Normally, a non-running car is either not safe to drive or completely inoperational. Therefore, you need shipping services for even moving such cars to the local port.
Many of these cars are a result of a bad collision, leading to machinery failure. Sometimes, there are classic cars too, which are inoperable because of not having a battery. Such cars may be antiques, exotic and highly expensive cars. These car owners modify their non-running cars, and for that, they need auto shipping services. For shipping cars to West Africa, you need to follow the following steps.
Searching for the right shipping partner
It is very important to find out the best shipping option for your classic or non-running car. A shipping company that allows you to be a part of the process should be your first choice. AFL shipping ensures complete transparency and consultation during the process of shipping inoperable cars, specifically to West Africa. AFL gives you affordable rates, services that are needed before, during and after the journey, with a high sense of accountability. We are well-aware of the US exports to West Africa quite well, which gives us a head start on the way to building our relationship.
Booking a shipment
Once you have completed the research, contact the shipping company. You will be in touch with the representative of the company. Be clear with all the information about the non-running vehicle such as the cause of the damage (if any) and other documentation. Be very sure of your choice as not all companies offer the best of service and dealing. At AFL, our representatives make sure that the clients are aware of the whole process in advance. Our staff makes themselves available to you at all times.
Available options for shipping a non running car to West Africa
Door-to-port Shipping
Unlike normal cars, you cannot drive non-running vehicles to a port. Therefore, the company must use other means to load the vehicle on the ship. There can be two kinds of carriers for non-running cars; open and enclosed.
Open Auto Transport
In this process, the companies use a winch to load the car on the carrier. Companies use different kinds of winches including manual and hand-cranked winches. In case of choosing an open auto transport, the car shall undergo weathering and open road brutalities. Before booking an open auto transport, one must check the weather conditions throughout the journey of the vehicle, the car type, and the damage already done. The best part, though, about it is that it is much cheaper than enclosed auto transport. At AFL, despite all the dangers involved, the process ensures the complete safety of the vehicle until it reaches the origin port. Our staff keeps you updated about the safety and location of your vehicle.
Enclosed Auto Transport
A lift gate is used to load a car on an enclosed carrier. This type of transport is much safer than the open carriers. Lift gates make sure that the movement is limited while loading a non-running car on the ship. These are extremely useful for loading such cars as they prevent further damage to the car. The car will be strapped down to limit its inclination to slopes. It will be shielded from dust, debris, pollen, and grime. Road elements are also not bothered.
Owners of antique, classic, luxury and exotic cars choose this method because of the added peace of mind. Models such as these feature high-end paint jobs and deserve the best in service and care. Classic car owners, who do not drive their vehicle on a regular basis, are concerned with depreciation and value. Therefore, we, at AFL, recommend using an enclosed carrier to bypass any risks associated.
Port-to-Port Shipping
Once your non-running car reaches the origin port, you have two options for shipping the car to West Africa. You can ship your car with LCL (Less than Container Load) or shared container shipping where you pay only for the space your car consumes in the container. The other option is to use FCL (Full Container Load) or private container shipping wherein you pay for the entire space in the container. There are pros and cons to each of these methods. A shared container will allow you to save costs on shipping cars to West Africa. However, a private container gives you the luxury to ship a lot of luggage with your vehicle. The choice depends on your budget and shipping requirements.
Cost of shipping a non running car to West Africa
The first thing that comes to the mind of any person intending to ship a vehicle to West Africa is its cost. Naturally, one starts looking for car carriers that provide affordable rates and security of the car shipped too. AFL is a highly reputed and trustworthy name when it comes to shipping a non running car or exotic, classic cars.
You might wonder how the company decides the cost of shipping. There are multiple factors that affect the overall cost of shipping cars to West Africa. We have explained a few such factors below.
Condition of the Car
The first point to be kept in mind is that the car in question here is non-running. The difference in cost is because the car is dependent completely on the company. It requires technical handling, well-trained staff and representatives to handle such sensitive vehicles. The truck drivers are also trained as they are asked to take a lot of care while loading and unloading a non-running vehicle. In that case, everyone looks for a company that gives you all at an affordable rate and constant communication.
Shipping Distance
Another factor that decides the shipping costs is the distance between the origin and the destination ports. Due to unforeseeable circumstances, sometimes the route has to be changed or altered. Therefore, the price of the shipping can vary in that particular case. In case of a diversion, AFL informs the clients so that you can keep track of the charges and the car to be shipped from the comfort of your homes.
Shipping Timelines
In addition to the distance factor, pricing can also increase or decrease depending on how soon you need your shipment. The more flexible and planned you are on your shipment time, the lower the cost of shipping will be. However, we can make arrangements for a fast shipment. To such customers who ask for urgent shipping a non running car to West Africa, we offer a guaranteed, but very quick shipping option. It is more expensive than our other standard shipping options. However, you will get your car within a shorter time window, safely.
Mode of shipment
As discussed earlier, a private container will cost you more for the same route when compared to a shared container. Moreover, the door-to-port shipping costs also depend on the method you choose to ship your car to the origin port. An enclosed truck will cost relatively higher whereas you can save on shipping costs by choosing an open carrier to move the car to the origin port.
Steps for shipping a non running car to West Africa:
If you are someone looking to ship an exquisite or a damaged non-working car to West Africa, you must follow some steps.
Look for a reliable shipping company
Look for a company that not only does their job efficiently and effectively, but also knows the region well, and has already transported vehicles to that region. AFL has been transporting non-running cars to West Africa for a long time. We claim the highest levels of responsibility and accountability, as we know West Africa very well.
Get the quotes
The second step is to contact companies for quotes. AFL is always available to explain the process of shipping a thousand times to your satisfaction. Our excellent work ethics and team members ensure a hundred per cent response rate when it comes to queries and confusions. An AFL representative will explain the process, rates, risk factors and documentation technicalities to you in the best possible ways.
Book your shipment
The third step is to complete the paperwork and book your shipment. Once you have made up your mind, the AFL representative will help you complete the documentation process. We advise you to keep a copy of all the necessary documents for further consultations. You can use the form on our website to fill in the details required for the journey. This form will inquire you about the make and model of your car, the destination in West Africa, the origin and size of the car, details as to why it is classified as a non-running car, and documentation copies.
FAQs about shipping a non running car to West Africa
Can I ship my new classic car without a battery via normal auto shipping?
A newly bought classic car without a battery comes under the wing of non-working cars and hence requires special transportation.
Are the costs of shipping a non-working car different from shipping operational cars to West Africa?
Yes, these are different as non-working cars require extra care and handling. Loading and unloading of these cars are also technical, therefore, it is much costlier than normal auto shipping.
Which documents do I need to provide for shipping cars to West Africa?
The documents required are as under;
- shipping order,
- bill of sale
- title of ownership of the vehicle with no Liens,
- power of attorney.
- Bill of Lading
- Consignee form
How will I know where my car is if I choose AFL?
We make sure that all our clients are constantly aware of their consignment at all times. We update them on the location of their car regularly.
Conclusion
When it comes to trust and reliability, AFL carries a legacy of transporting loved goods from one end of the world to another. Be it the USA, or West Africa, our services and staff are excellent when it comes to performance. We make sure that the process of transportation is smooth and the owner of the car does not face any trouble with anything.
We have a thorough knowledge and experience of transporting non-working cars to the regions of West Africa. Our staff is well aware of the technicalities, weather conditions and any natural road elements that might interact with the package on the route. With AFL, you not only transport goods, but build memories.