Many Puerto Ricans move to the continental United States for various reasons and, when making their move, there are those who need vehicle transportation from Puerto Rico to the United States.
If this is your case, you will want to know How much does it cost to bring a car from Puerto Rico to the United States and how to do it. In this article we will tell you in detail and give you some tips for the transfer.
How much does it cost to bring a car from Puerto Rico to the United States?
The cost of shipping a vehicle from Puerto Rico to the United States generally ranges between $1,500 and $5,000. Prices depend on multiple factors, mainly the season and type of vehicle.
Standard-sized cars that fit in a shipping container can be transported more economically than larger ones. We recommend that you contact 2 or 3 transport companies to request a quote and compare the rates.
If you don't live near a port, You will likely need an automatic move in two parts: from Puerto Rico to the port of the United States and from the port to the interior of the country.
However, if you wish, you can save the cost of ground transportation by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.
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How much does it cost to ship cars from Puerto Rico to the United States with optional cargo insurance?
The law does not require cargo insurance for shipping cars from Puerto Rico to the United States. However, For approximately $300 you can insure your car with coverage of up to $25,000 and for $600 you can have it covered for up to $50,000.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Puerto Rico to Florida?
Shipping a car from Puerto Rico to Florida will cost you on average between $2,500 and $5,000. Depending on the time of year and the type of car you drive.
Steps and requirements fortake a car from Puerto Rico to the United States
To make the moving a car from Puerto Rico to the United States, you must be attentive to every detail. Here we explain the step by step what you need to achieve it effectively.
1) Choose your destination. The main port destinations for vehicles and cargo going from Puerto Rico to the mainland are: Jacksonville, Florida and Eddystone, Pennsylvania.
Jacksonville is the gateway if you want to ship your car to Florida or surrounding states and cities like Savannah or Atlanta, Georgia. However, you can choose other destinations.
2) Gather all your car documents. To send any vehicle from Puerto Rico to the United States you must have all updated documents.
As car owner you must provide:
- A copy of your driver's license
- The original vehicle registration papers of the Department of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico (DTOP or “Public Works”).
- Vehicle ownership title. You should not have any conditional sales or loans.
If the vehicle has had any type of repair or accident that requires replacement of any part, the owner must include documentation for each replaced item.
3) Prepare a shipping authorization. You must provide a letter or notarized affidavit from an attorney licensed in Puerto Rico, where they authorize the transport company to send the vehicle.
This document must include:
4) Letter from the bank or credit institution. If the vehicle has a conditional sale, loan, or active appraisal, you will need an original, notarized letter from the bank or lending institution authorizing shipment of the vehicle.
Various circumstances may occur:
- If your car has already been paid in full. You should have received the title deed and a cancellation letter from the bank or lending institution. In this case, no bank notary is required.
- Vehicle owned by the company. If the vehicle is company property, a notarized Corporate Resolution authorizing shipment must be attached to all documents.
- Management of third parties. If you are considering having someone assist you, such as a family member, friend, agent or broker, this affidavit must also include: a copy of the owner's identification, the name and a copy of the ID of the person who will be handling the unit.
5) Time-sensitive certificates. After you have gathered all the documents for your car and have the authorization letters ready, the vehicle can be shipped within a few days.
It is very important that you issue the following certificates quickly so as not to miss the validation dates:
- Certificate of No Debt from the Puerto Rico Automobile Accident Compensation Administration (ACAA). This document is valid for 30 days and certifies that the vehicle is free of accident-related debt and can be shipped out of the country. It can be obtained at one of ACAA's regional offices islandwide, or through their online portal.
- “No Fines” Certificate issued by the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP). It is valid for 3 days and confirms that your car has no unpaid fines on record. Requires an $11 voucher and a $2 voucher (code 842), both previously purchased in a “Collectury”. Digital versions of these documents (Forms DTOP-DIS-224 and DTOP-DIS-234) will not be accepted.
- Pre-Inspection Certificate by the Puerto Rico Police Department. It is valid for 5 days. To obtain this certificate, the owner or legal representative of the vehicle must visit, with the vehicle to be sent, the facility that corresponds to the address that appears on the vehicle's registration plate.
6) Make a reservation for your vehicle. Due to the increased demand for services transport of vehicles from Puerto Rico to the United States, you must make a reservation to ship your car. The transport company you choose will be able to help you with the reservation.
IMPORTANT: No vehicle will be accepted for shipment without a legible Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If necessary, consult your owner's manual to find out where the car's VIN can be found.
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Tips for shipping a car from Puerto Rico to the United States
Keep the following tips in mind to make shipping your car from Puerto Rico to the United States as easy as possible.
1. Have all your documents ready before leaving your car at the port. Make sure you bring the following:
- License
- Booking confirmation
- Vehicle title
- Proof of ownership
2. Your car must be empty and clean before leaving it. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will request a pressure washing receipt from a car wash company. Otherwise, they could issue a $110 fine to the owner.
4. Prepare to be without your car for the appropriate amount of time. It could take 8-18 days to ship your car.