Vehicle import companies USA to UK (not shipmycar)
Discussion
I purchased a Cadillac 3 months ago from a seller in Missouri and paid shipmycar.co.uk £3.5k to import it into the UK for me. In that time the vehicle has been booked onto 3 vessels and has missed all 3 of them due to the transporter company not coming to get the car. Not only that, but the seller has had total radio silence from SMC & the transport company since day 1. When I contact SMC I get nowhere, just empty promises and "we will chase it for you" replies.
I've used the company a few times in the past, and tbh they were pretty bad then too, but I cut them some slack as there was massive delays in shipping due to to the tail end of covid at the time, and the cars did eventually arrive.
However, now I'm loosing my sh*t over the poor service I'm receiving and I want to go elsewhere. Can anyone recommend me a company?
I've used the company a few times in the past, and tbh they were pretty bad then too, but I cut them some slack as there was massive delays in shipping due to to the tail end of covid at the time, and the cars did eventually arrive.
However, now I'm loosing my sh*t over the poor service I'm receiving and I want to go elsewhere. Can anyone recommend me a company?
I've heard STS Imports are good.
I used SMC for my Challenger and they were largely good. I handled the transport from Michigan to New York myself though to avoid local taxes. Fortunately found a company down the road from the dealer who then checked them out for me. Would that be an option?
Where SMC weren't so good was the issue I had with the paperwork as it was an off lease car so was stuck in NY. I knew I had an issue before they did and basically took it into my own hands by getting in touch with CFR Rinkens, the dealer and the lease company to get the paperwork! I guess the volume of cars is an issue for them.
I used SMC for my Challenger and they were largely good. I handled the transport from Michigan to New York myself though to avoid local taxes. Fortunately found a company down the road from the dealer who then checked them out for me. Would that be an option?
Where SMC weren't so good was the issue I had with the paperwork as it was an off lease car so was stuck in NY. I knew I had an issue before they did and basically took it into my own hands by getting in touch with CFR Rinkens, the dealer and the lease company to get the paperwork! I guess the volume of cars is an issue for them.
I may be able to help. As mentioned, Kingstown Shipping in the U.K. are reputable. I’ve used them to ship a car from the U.K. to the US and everything went smoothly. Southampton to Charleston in a 20’ container.
Do you know what port you want the car to leave the US from and U.K. port of arrival.
I have a good contact for US based transport. No mates rates but they are professional. I can share that contact to you.
Let me suggest this. I live in Charleston, SC a big port. Consider having the car shipped to me. I can keep it at my house until you’ve arranged shipping and I’ll see if I can deliver it to the port for you. I live close. If that sounds ok then also look into this company about arranging shipping from Charleston to the U.K. https://www.cifservices.com/
I have used Don twice for car imports into the US for me.
Feel free to PM me. I’ll be in the U.K. for a month over Christmas.
Just a friendly PH community service offer
Do you know what port you want the car to leave the US from and U.K. port of arrival.
I have a good contact for US based transport. No mates rates but they are professional. I can share that contact to you.
Let me suggest this. I live in Charleston, SC a big port. Consider having the car shipped to me. I can keep it at my house until you’ve arranged shipping and I’ll see if I can deliver it to the port for you. I live close. If that sounds ok then also look into this company about arranging shipping from Charleston to the U.K. https://www.cifservices.com/
I have used Don twice for car imports into the US for me.
Feel free to PM me. I’ll be in the U.K. for a month over Christmas.
Just a friendly PH community service offer
LuS1fer said:
Try Golden Chariots Imports.
This, John has done 2 for me with no issues he is a petrol head as well http://www.goldenchariots.com/importing.html
Chucklehead said:
I've got no personal experience, but in the US classic car circles I hear (or heard) Kingstown Shipping mentioned frequently
I shipped twice with Kingstown and they were great - but I did drop the vehicles off myself at Oakland docks, so not sure about picking up inlandI had a reasonably similar experience. I ended up using Shiply to get my car to the port instead of them.
I also thought that £500 for the road legal package was a bit rich, as on my car all they did was change the dip lights, and cut some of the rear light wiring. They spotted a pair of brake hoses that needed to be changed (at my cost) but didn't spot the failed master cylinder.
Overall, if I were to do it again in future I'd look for a company that isn't necessarily so locked in to container shipping as a Roro from seattle would've cut a about a month of delays.
I also thought that £500 for the road legal package was a bit rich, as on my car all they did was change the dip lights, and cut some of the rear light wiring. They spotted a pair of brake hoses that needed to be changed (at my cost) but didn't spot the failed master cylinder.
Overall, if I were to do it again in future I'd look for a company that isn't necessarily so locked in to container shipping as a Roro from seattle would've cut a about a month of delays.
Gassing Station | Yank Motors | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff