How to prepare your car for shipping
5 min read
Preparation is what separates a fifteen-minute pickup from a rescheduled one. Everything here takes under an hour and protects you if a claim is ever needed.
One week before
Wash the car so existing scratches are visible. Photograph every panel, the roof, the wheels and the odometer in daylight. Fix any leaks — carriers can refuse a car dripping oil onto the vehicle below it.
The day before
Leave the tank about one quarter full: enough to load and drive off, light enough to keep the trailer under weight limits. Remove toll transponders, parking passes and loose interior items. Fold in the mirrors and retract or remove the antenna. Disable the alarm or leave the code with the driver.
At pickup
Walk the car with the driver and complete the digital Bill of Lading together. Every existing mark should be on that document before the car goes up the ramp. Keep a copy — on TankWorldWide it's stored on your shipment page automatically.
At delivery
Inspect before you sign, in daylight if at all possible. Compare against your pickup photos. If something is wrong, note it on the delivery BOL — a signed clean BOL makes a later claim very hard to win.
Common questions
Can I leave personal items in the car?
Up to about 100 lbs in the trunk is generally tolerated, but personal items are not covered by cargo insurance and add weight the carrier is liable for at weigh stations.
What if I can't be there for pickup?
You can name an authorized contact of at least 18 years old to release and receive the vehicle and sign the BOL on your behalf.
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