Have questions about shipping your car? We've compiled a number of frequently asked questions and answers to help you and your vehicle along the journey!
How do I ship my vehicle across Canada with SVP?
Check out our Car Shipping Tutorial for a step-by-step guide to getting your vehicle transported to another city in Canada. If you need additional assistance, have any questions at all, or if you simply prefer talking to a human, please reach out!
How do I prepare my car for shipping?
Before sending off your vehicle, make sure of the following:
- Your vehicle must be properly insured.
- Place photocopies of your insurance & registration papers in the glove box.
- Do not leave your keys in the vehicle—keep an extra set of keys on-hand.
- Finally, ensure your car's gas tank is at least half-full.
How is my vehicle shipped?
Depending on where you are moving, your vehicle can be shipped by container ship, rail, open car carrier, or a combination.
Is vehicle shipping a new practice?
No. In fact, vehicle shipping has been around for quite a long time, as you can see from the images below!
What is terminal-to-terminal car shipping service?
Terminal-to-terminal service is the most popular shipping method, and for good reason: it's the most efficient and affordable way to ship your car.
You just drop off your vehicle at one of our terminals located all across Canada. Typically this will be a car dealership or another commercial location near a city or town.
After dropping off your car, it will be loaded on to a rail car, a container ship, or an open car carrier like the ones that deliver new cars to dealerships, and then shipped to its final destination. The exact modes of transport used to move your car will depend on the route and your particular preferences.
Once your vehicle has reached its destination, we'll let you know that your car is ready to be picked up at the terminal and provide instructions on how to do so.
What is door-to-door car shipping service?
Door-to-door shipping service stands in contrast to terminal-to-terminal service. As the name suggests, your vehicle will be picked up and dropped off at your residence. Door-to-door service is a convenient option that can save you time.
With door-to-door service, your automobile will be picked up by a driving service or tow truck at a place of your choosing, where it will be transported to the terminal for shipping. Once your vehicle has reached the destination terminal, your car will be delivered to your new residence or another location of your choice.
The convenience comes at a cost, however: door-to-door shipping service is more expensive and isn't always an available option. We recommend contacting us, and an expert representative will advise you of your options.
Can I leave personal belongings in my vehicle?
On certain routes, personal items may be permitted in the trunk area of your vehicle (up to 250lbs) at your own risk. When you request a quote, we will tell you whether personal items are allowed, or you can contact us.