{"id":2139,"date":"2024-04-02T11:43:46","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T10:43:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autoshippers.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2139"},"modified":"2024-04-02T12:03:02","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T11:03:02","slug":"shipping-a-citroen-ami-8-from-the-uk-to-the-usa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autoshippers.co.uk\/blog\/shipping-a-citroen-ami-8-from-the-uk-to-the-usa","title":{"rendered":"Who Needs a Supercar When You Can Have a Supermini? Shipping a Citro\u00ebn Ami 8 from the UK to the USA<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Citro\u00ebn AMI8, a unique and iconic French classic car, has captured the hearts of automotive enthusiasts worldwide. When Joe, a returning Autoshippers<\/a> customer, found his second Ami 8 in the UK, he knew exactly who to trust with the shipping process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A large portion of our shipments come from customers that have shipped with us before, with many customers that contact us again and again to help with their car shipping needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shipping a Citro\u00ebn Ami 8 to the USA – How Does it Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After already using Autoshippers\u2019 Ro\/Ro car shipping services<\/a> for his other Citro\u00ebn Ami 8, Joe had no hesitation in booking the same option for his next venture into the car shipping world. Ro\/Ro stands for Roll-on\/Roll-off and vehicles are driven onto the specially designed vessel via a ramp and secured below deck with padded strapping to ensure that they do not move when in transit across the sea. Once the vessel reaches its destination, the vehicles are once again driven off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The seller made sure the vehicle was completely cleaned, both inside and out. This step was crucial to meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)<\/a> standards, which are designed to prevent the entry of hazardous pests into the United States. Additionally, because our Roll-on\/Roll-off (Ro\/Ro) car shipping service<\/a> does not allow the shipment of personal or household items within the vehicle, the seller removed all such items. However, we offer alternative shipping methods, like our dedicated container service, which do permit the inclusion of personal items inside vehicles for transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once a vehicle is delivered to the quayside, in this case at Southampton port, a Vehicle Condition Report is undertaken by a specialist Automotive Surveying company that Autoshippers have used for many years. This report documents any pre-existing damage, which creates a record of the vehicle\u2019s condition before transit for insurance purposes, as well as giving you peace of mind if you are purchasing from an overseas seller that you may not have bought vehicles from previously, and may not have even seen the vehicle in person.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Documentation Required to Ship a Citro\u00ebn Ami 8 to the USA via Ro\/Ro<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shipping a vehicle across borders is a process that requires meticulous attention to detail, especially when it comes to documentation. For our recent shipment of a Citro\u00ebn Ami 8 from the UK to the USA, here are the essential documents that were needed to ensure a smooth transition through both UK and US Customs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C):<\/strong> Joe\u2019s first step was to obtain the V5C from the seller. Issued by the DVLA, this document is a must-have for shipping vehicles, as it verifies the car’s registration and provides essential details like the VIN. Joe uploaded a copy of the V5C to Autoshippers\u2019 secure online portal, knowing well that without matching the VIN on the V5C to the car, his Citro\u00ebn wouldn’t be allowed on board.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Providing Proof of Purchase:<\/strong> <\/strong>Since the Citro\u00ebn wasn\u2019t yet registered in Joe\u2019s name, he also needed to prove his ownership. He submitted a copy of the bill of sale along with the V5C. This document served as undeniable proof that Joe was the new rightful owner, ready to ship his Citro\u00ebn Ami 8 to the USA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Passport Copy:<\/strong> The shipper’s passport information is essential for completing the Importer Security Filing (ISF) with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A copy of the photo page of the shipper’s passport is required to meet this regulation, which necessitates advance cargo information before loading onto the vessel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Customs Clearance:<\/strong> The UK Customs export clearance process was handled by Autoshippers, and we have in-house Customs clearance experts that input all data into the UK Customs system meaning vehicles are released for export in time to meet booked vessels. We do not need any specific information from you that we don\u2019t already have from your V5, passport and booking details, so using a car shipping service with an in-house Customs brokerage team like Autoshippers means that this is an easy process for you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Loading and Securing a Vehicle on a Ro\/Ro Vessel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    After the car was delivered to the quay, the condition report undertaken, and it had been released for export from the UK by Customs, it was then loaded onto the Ro\/Ro vessel by a team of expert handlers and safely secured below decks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The car was carefully positioned and parked in a designated area of the vessel\u2019s lower decks, along with other vehicles, usually being segregated by type and size. All vehicles are then arranged specifically to maximise space and ensure safe and quick loading and unloading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A Ro\/Ro vessel has built-in lashing points, or D-rings on the deck which are used to secure vehicles, and they are secured using different types of lashing equipment, which could be straps, chains or tensioners (ratchet straps that can be tightened). Lashing patterns are used to distribute the tension evenly and prevent shifting or tipping.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"Cars<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Once all vehicles are secured the lashing points and equipment are inspected to ensure that they are properly tightened and capable of withstanding any forces that may be placed on them during the vessel\u2019s voyage across the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Shipping to The USA via Ro\/Ro<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Once all vehicles were loaded and properly secured below decks, the vessel began its journey to the USA. For Joe\u2019s Citro\u00ebn Ami 8 we booked on a vessel called the Cepheus Leader, which is capable of loading around 5,000 cars. The sailing from the UK port of Southampton to the US port of Long Beach takes around 21 days, and the vessel is designed to be stable whilst navigating the rocking motion at sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On arrival at Long Beach port, the unloading process can begin via the same manner that the vehicles were loaded in the UK, by unlashing and driving off the vessel one by one. During this process the vehicles are inspected for any damage that may have occurred during the voyage, and are then placed in a designated area within the port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our US agent handled the Customs Clearance process in the USA, much in the same way that we handled the UK export clearance, and the registration documents and Bill of Lading were presented along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) form HS-7<\/a> that enables Customs to release Joe\u2019s Citro\u00ebn Ami 8 for collection from the quay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For more information on importing a car into the USA then take a look at our USA Car Shipping Guide<\/a> or our blog on Everything You Need to Know about the 25-year Rule<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Benefits of Ro\/Ro Shipping vs Container Shipping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There are many benefits to shipping via Ro\/Ro services rather than container services. These include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n