How to Ship a Vehicle from the USA to Europe: Step-by-Step Overland Jeep Guide Based on Real Experience

Our Real Experience Shipping a Vehicle from the USA to Europe

Shipping your overland vehicle from the US to Europe is surprisingly safe and straightforward, but it will likely be one of the biggest and most stressful expenses at the start of your journey.

For us, this was one of the major budget items of our overland trip, and honestly, one of the most nerve-racking parts of the entire planning process. Shipping an overland rig is not just about paying for the boat crossing itself. There are many additional costs that quickly add up, including insurance, freight forwarder fees, escort services, customs charges, port handling fees, and, in some cases, even replacing stolen items if things go wrong.

In this article, we share our personal experience shipping our overland vehicle from the USA to Europe, including the exact process we followed and the lessons we learned along the way. Our goal is to give you a realistic, step-by-step overview so you can hopefully avoid some of the stress and also have a smooth shipping experience.

One of the most overwhelming parts at the beginning was simply trying to compare shipping options. We spent hours contacting shipping companies, requesting quotes, comparing logistics, and trying to understand the differences between ports, container shipping, RoRo shipping, insurance coverage, and hidden fees. At times, it felt like every company gave us a completely different answer.

Preparing for International Vehicle Shipping (Documents & Requirements)

Before contacting shipping companies, it helps tremendously to have all of your vehicle information ready ahead of time. Most companies will ask for the same details, including your vehicle’s length, width, height, weight, total volume, VIN number, make, model year, and current estimated value.

We spent a considerable amount of time reaching out to companies both in the US and Europe, gathering quotes and comparing different shipping routes and logistics. Our original plan was to ship the vehicle from the Pacific Northwest inside a 20-foot container. However, after doing more research and comparing costs, we eventually decided it made far more sense to ship from the East Coast instead. That decision also gave us the opportunity to overland across the United States and personally deliver the vehicle to the port ourselves.

We actually finalized both the shipping company and the shipping method only a couple of weeks before departure, while we were already overlanding across the United States.

From the beginning, we were strongly against using RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) shipping. Like many overlanders, we had read plenty of horror stories online about stolen items, damaged vehicles, and poor communication. Since this was the very start of our long-term journey, we really did not want to risk losing gear or personal belongings before even arriving in Europe.

After narrowing our options down to three shipping companies, we finally had to make a decision.

Choosing a Shipping Method and Freight Company

One company suggested using a shared 40-foot container, which initially sounded like a good compromise. However, the downside was that we would need to leave the Jeep at their facilities until they found another vehicle to share the container with. That meant handing over the keys and giving full access to the vehicle, sometimes for an unknown amount of time, since they could not provide an exact departure date.

Another company offered a dedicated 20-foot container, but the process was similar. The Jeep still had to remain in the shipping company’s possession before departure, and once again, they could only provide estimated shipping dates rather than a fixed schedule.

The third company recommended going with RoRo shipping instead. Surprisingly, they were the first company to give us clear and positive information about the process, along with an actual shipping schedule. After many back-and-forth emails — and a lot of questions on our side — we slowly became more comfortable with the idea and eventually decided to go with RoRo shipping.

Booking the Shipping and Required Documentation

From the very beginning, this company stood out because of how organized and transparent they were. They provided detailed information upfront, answered every question clearly, and made the entire process feel far more straightforward than the other options we had explored. They also explained that theft on RoRo shipments between US and European ports is extremely rare, especially on this route, which ultimately helped us feel confident enough to move forward with this shipping method.

We communicated with the shipping company mostly through email, along with a few phone calls throughout the process whenever we had additional questions. When reaching out for a quote, make sure you provide as much information as possible right from the start. We included photos of all four sides of the vehicle, pictures of the interior living area, storage compartments, cabinets, and copies of both the original vehicle registration and title.

Once everything was reviewed, we received the official Roll-On / Roll-Off booking form. This part is extremely important, especially when it comes to the vehicle measurements. Make sure the dimensions are accurate and precise, since the shipping cost is calculated based on your vehicle’s size and weight. Take your time filling out the form carefully to avoid issues or unexpected charges later in the process.

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After submitting the booking form, the shipping company sent us the final quote. Once we agreed to the terms, we signed the shipping contract and received a very detailed guide called “Drop Off Information Baltimore for North American Travellers.” This document covered all of the requirements for the first stage of the process, including vehicle preparation, paperwork, port procedures, and shipping instructions. Read through this guide carefully — it contained some of the most important information of the entire process and answered many of the questions we had along the way.

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This company ships vehicles to several ports across Europe. In our case, we chose Hamburg, Germany, since it made the most sense for the overland route we had planned through Europe. Our goal was to eventually drive all the way north toward Estonia, so starting in Hamburg fit perfectly with our route.

Preparing the Jeep for RoRo Shipping at the Port of Baltimore

After overlanding across the United States from the West Coast to the East Coast — and spending about a week exploring Washington, D.C. — we finally made our way to Baltimore, Maryland, where the shipping process would begin. We checked into a hotel and immediately got to work preparing the Jeep for shipping.

One of the main requirements for RoRo shipping is making your overland vehicle look as empty and factory-like as possible, both inside and out. That meant putting absolutely everything away inside cabinets, compartments, drawers, and storage boxes. All doors had to be closed, latched, and secured properly. Nothing could be left visible on the seats, dashboard, floor, or outside the vehicle. The goal was to make the Jeep appear clean, organized, and as close to an empty standard vehicle as possible.

There are also several items that are strictly forbidden during RoRo shipping, including medications, food, flammables, lithium batteries, gas or propane tanks, and other restricted items. It is extremely important to follow the shipping company’s instructions carefully, otherwise you risk problems during customs inspections at the US port or even having your vehicle denied shipment altogether.

Essentially, if someone at the port looked through the windows or took a quick glance inside, all they should see are seats, fixed furniture, and closed storage compartments — nothing loose or exposed.

Another major recommendation from the shipping company was to remove all valuables from the vehicle before drop-off. This included cameras, GPS devices, laptops, electronics, expensive gear, and anything else considered valuable. The preparation guide they provide includes a detailed list of prohibited and high-risk items, including things like lithium batteries.

To deal with this, we went to Goodwill shortly before shipping and bought a couple of inexpensive suitcases specifically for transporting our valuables separately. We packed all of our electronics, clothes, medications, food, spices, first aid supplies, and other important items into those suitcases so nothing valuable would remain inside the Jeep during shipping.

Another important requirement was cleanliness. Customs requires the vehicle to be presented very clean, so before drop-off we headed to a car wash and thoroughly pressure washed the entire Jeep. After driving across the US, it definitely needed a proper scrub. We also vacuumed and deep cleaned the interior until everything looked spotless. By the time we finished, the Jeep honestly looked almost brand new again.

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Once all valuables were removed and the Jeep was completely cleaned, we went through everything one final time to make sure no forbidden items had been left behind. We reorganized all of our remaining gear inside the closed storage compartments and cabinets. We even filled unused spaces, including the fridge and kitchen area, so that nothing would remain visible outside of our large rear storage box. When we finished, both storage doors were shut and latched, and from the outside the Jeep looked like a regular vehicle with nothing inside.

Our fridge had to be disconnected, and our water tanks needed to be emptied before shipping. We only left about two inches of water inside to keep the LifeSaver Jerrycan filter hydrated. Our solar panel system, however, remained connected to the dual battery setup during the entire shipping process.

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The fuel tank on our Coleman dual stove also had to be completely emptied and free of any gasoline smell before the vehicle could be shipped. To make sure it met the requirements, we emptied all the fuel out, left the tank open for several hours until all fumes had disappeared, then ran water through it repeatedly until there was no longer any fuel odor coming from the water. After that, we dumped the remaining water out and left the tank open again for hours to dry completely. Propane tanks and gas bottles must be absolutely empty before shipping, so make sure you take this seriously.

This was honestly one of the items we worried about the most. We kept wondering whether customs inspectors might still detect a fuel smell and refuse to ship the vehicle because of it.

Thankfully, our external gas tank was brand new at the time of shipping, so we did not need to go through any special cleaning procedures with it. That was a huge relief, since it was one less thing to stress about while trying to meet customs requirements.

Fire extinguishers are allowed to remain inside the vehicle, but they must be properly secured and latched in place. In our case, because we wanted nothing visible inside the Jeep, we stored them inside the rear compartment.

Securing the Vehicle Before Drop-Off

We then moved on to securing and locking some of our equipment. Our portable solar panel was locked onto the storage box inside the Jeep, our small shovel was locked to the spare tire at the back, and Brett secured the front-mounted water tank.

One thing to remember is that the vehicle keys are handed over to port workers and shipping staff during the process. You are required to surrender all keys, including keys for compartments and padlocks. Even though they technically have access to everything, we still felt it was worth locking compartments and securing gear wherever possible.

We also covered both the front and rear seats with blankets, something the shipping company strongly recommended — including covering the bed area if you have one. Port workers will be getting in and out of the vehicle to move it around the port, so this helps keep the interior clean. Customs drug dogs may also be used during inspections, and the dogs can climb throughout the inside of the vehicle.

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Another very important — and surprisingly tricky — requirement is making sure the fuel tank is left at only one-quarter full before drop-off. You need to carefully calculate the remaining fuel based on your drive into Baltimore, possible traffic delays, and the distance you may still need to drive around inside the port area before handing over the vehicle.

One thing we highly recommend is taking as many photos as possible during the preparation process and again right before port drop-off. Photograph the inside, outside, storage compartments, equipment, and valuable items. Having detailed photos can serve as important proof in case anything is damaged, missing, or disputed later during shipping.

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Maritime Insurance for Shipping a Vehicle from the USA to Europe

Now it is time for one of the most important things you will pay for during the shipping process: maritime insurance. While it is not mandatory, we strongly recommend having insurance coverage from the moment your vehicle is dropped off at the departure port until the moment it leaves the destination port in Europe.

There are several reasons for this. Although rare, there is always a possibility of damage occurring during loading, unloading, or handling at the ports. Without maritime insurance, it can be extremely difficult to hold anyone responsible or recover costs if something happens to your vehicle during transit.

The cost of the policy depends on the value you declare for your vehicle. This is important because, if anything were to happen, your compensation would be based on that declared value. In our case, we chose to lower the declared value of the Jeep in order to reduce the insurance premium, but that is definitely a personal decision and comes with its own risks.

These were the maritime insurance prices as of June 2025, but make sure to confirm updated pricing directly with the shipping company:

These fees are calculated based on a round-trip policy.

• €600 insured value up to €50,000
• €850 insured value up to €100,000
• €1,090 insured value up to €150,000
• €1,390 insured value up to €200,000
• Vehicles valued above €200,000 — price available upon request

Keep in mind that the policy includes a €500 deductible, and the coverage also extends to fixed electronics and permanently installed furniture inside the vehicle.

You can arrange this maritime insurance directly through the shipping company. Since we were already traveling in the United States while the insurance provider was based in Germany, we simply completed the payment through an international bank wire transfer a few days before dropping the Jeep off at the port.

We paid a reduced premium because we only purchased one-way coverage.

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Final Preparations Before Shipping Day (Freight Forwarder & Escort Service)

There are also a couple of very important things you need to arrange about a week before your drop-off date.

First, you need to schedule an appointment with the freight forwarder company. This is the company that handles the shipping logistics and export paperwork for your vehicle, so do not forget this step. Set a reminder on your calendar and make sure the appointment is confirmed ahead of time.

Second, you must contact the escort service and schedule your port escort appointment. An escort is mandatory in order to enter the port area. In theory, they guide you through the port procedures and help you navigate the different formalities required during vehicle drop-off. As of summer 2025, the escort service cost us $60 USD per hour.

The shipping company will usually recommend two authorized escort companies for you to choose from.

Vehicle Drop-Off at the Port of Baltimore (What Really Happened)

Then comes shipping day! — one of the most exciting milestones of the entire journey.

Very early that morning, we headed to the freight forwarder’s office, Pride International Inc., located right next to the Port of Baltimore. Since we arrived quite early, we ended up having plenty of time to chat with another really nice overlanding couple who were in the process of shipping their vehicle back to the UK.

In theory, the entire vehicle drop-off process should have gone very smoothly, but unfortunately for us, there was a major mistake made by the agent at Pride International. When we checked in, he told us that we only needed to provide the vehicle registration and not the original title. He made copies of the registration and sent us on our way, but this later created a huge problem for Brett once he was already inside the port dealing with customs.

At Pride International, we presented our passports along with the Jeep’s original documents, which are mandatory for the shipping process. We signed several documents, including a power of attorney authorizing the shipment of the Jeep, and paid the local forwarding fees. These fees can be paid either in cash or by credit card, although credit card payments incur a 4% processing fee with a minimum charge of $15 USD.

As of July 2025, the forwarding fees were calculated based on vehicle weight:

• 1.0t – 3.5t → $300 USD
• 3.6t – 5.4t → $320 USD
• 5.5t – 8.0t → $340 USD
• 8.1t – 11.3t → $360 USD
• 11.4t and above → $400 USD

If you are shipping an additional motorcycle, trailer, quad bike, or similar vehicle, Pride also charges an additional $200 USD per extra vehicle.

Unfortunately, the escort company we chose ended up being the wrong choice. After finishing our paperwork at Pride, we waited in the parking lot for the escort to arrive. When he showed up, he was actually being guided by another escort in a separate car. She briefly gave him instructions before leaving, and then Brett — wearing his high-visibility vest — followed him toward the port entrance.

After a while, Brett called me sounding frustrated and confused about the escort situation. The escort clearly had no idea where to go inside the port or what procedures to follow. He did not even know which gate to use to enter the port area and kept driving around asking port workers for directions while Brett followed behind him around through the whole port.

I contacted the escort company immediately and spoke with the same person I had been emailing back and forth with while setting up the appointment. Unfortunately, the conversation went nowhere. The company showed very little concern and the customer service was honestly terrible.

Then Brett called again with another issue: customs had informed him that the Jeep’s original title was missing from the paperwork packet provided by Pride International. I immediately walked back into Pride’s office and explained the situation. The employee quickly made copies of the title and managed to sort the issue out directly with the port.

Eventually, Brett finally reached the actual vehicle drop-off location. One of the port employees immediately suggested removing the water jug that had been mounted outside the Jeep and placing it inside instead. Brett quickly moved it onto the rear floor area, and moments later the employee took the vehicle keys from him.

Surprisingly, there was no customs search at all, despite the shipping instructions explaining that an inspections normally take place during drop-off. We still do not know whether this was because Brett had already spent so much time driving around the port with the lost escort, or if there was another reason entirely.

To be honest, this part worried us. If customs finds prohibited items during an inspection while you are present, you usually have the opportunity to remove them yourself and continue with the shipment. But if your vehicle is searched later when you are no longer there, the shipment can be delayed until the item is removed, which can create major problems once your vehicle is already inside the port system.

“In the event of non-compliance with regulations, the vehicle will be placed on hold and automatically cancelled from the loading list of the booked departure for the time being. All resulting costs will be borne by the owner.”

Unexpected Problems at the Port and Loading Location Confusion

Another thing that worried us was the actual location where Brett had been instructed to leave the Jeep. It was nowhere near the area where all the motorhomes and overland vehicles were parked. Instead, the Jeep had been dropped off in what appeared to be a loading lot for West Africa cargo.

Afterward, the escort drove Brett back to Pride International, where Brett paid him for the time he had spent “guiding” him around the port. We then went back inside Pride’s office and explained our concerns about the drop-off location. The agent seemed confused and told us it might simply be because the normal lot was already full, but assured us that the Jeep would still be loaded onto the correct vessel.

Hi Karla,

everything is fine. I’ve checked with ACL and got the following answer:

This was an auto and not a motorhome. Receipt attached looks good for shipping also AVI inspects prior to loading for ACL shipments. Autos are kept on lot 1501 for Grimaldi/ACL. Motorhomes are kept outside the office at shed 12. So yes, two separate areas.

This is not a normal motorhome but some type of conversion because documents show Jeep Wrangler.

That explanation immediately made us feel a little better.

Still, we decided to remain in Baltimore until we received final confirmation from the shipping company that the Jeep had successfully passed the port inspection and was cleared for loading.

To be fair, everything that happened during our drop-off process seemed to be an unusually rare situation.We spoke again with the other overlanding couple who went through the exact same process that same day but had used a different escort company than us, and for them everything had gone completely according to plan — aside from having to leave behind their gas canister.

Port Confirmation, Inspection & Waiting for Approval

Then, on July 23rd, we finally received the email we had been anxiously waiting for:

Hi Karla,

everything is ok. They have checked the car and we got the go from the port 😊

Coleman stove fuel tank is empty, no residue inside.

That message was an enormous relief.

Two days later, we boarded a flight to Moldova with our suitcases full of the items we had removed from the Jeep before shipping. Our plan was to slowly travel across Europe while making our way toward Hamburg, Germany, where we would eventually pick up the Jeep.

Departure of the Vessel and Tracking Our Jeep Across the Atlantic

On July 29th, our Jeep officially set sail across the Atlantic. That same day, we received another email from the shipping company containing the vessel name, tracking information, the shipping invoice, and another extremely useful guide called “Traveling in Europe,” which explained everything we needed to know before vehicle pickup.

Dear Mr. xxxxxxx,

the vessel (AtlanticSTAR) left the harbor with your camper on board.

You can track the position of the vessel on MarineTraffic: Global Ship Tracking Intelligence | AIS Marine Traffic

Attached the freight invoice.

Please check whether you have already paid the invoice for your transport insurance.

Vehicle pick-up:

Please continue to keep an eye on the timetable: https://www.aclcargo.com/vessel-schedules/  (Please select RoRo/Breakbulk/Oversized)  
There may still be delays during the crossing, about which the shipping company does not automatically inform.

Scheduled arrival of the vessel is 12. August in Hamburg.

In this case pick-up should be possible from probablyfrom 14. August.

More information attached.

While waiting for your vehicle to arrive in Europe, make sure you read the “Traveling in Europe” guide very carefully. There are several important things you must arrange before picking up your vehicle at the port, and the guide also contains useful information specifically for overlanders traveling through Europe — including practical tips about propane cylinder compatibility, and other details that can make overlanding in Europe much easier.

Preparing for Vehicle Pickup in Europe (EIN, Insurance & Documents)

The first thing you need to set up is an EIN number. This is a number that, in our case, was required for American citizens shipping vehicles to Europe. You can obtain it directly from the official IRS website. Don’t worry — the shipping guide walks you through the process step by step, and it is fairly straightforward.

The next and most important step before picking up your vehicle — and also one of the biggest expenses — is obtaining insurance. You must have valid vehicle insurance in place at the time of pickup. It is mandatory, and without it, you will not be able to collect your vehicle from the port.

To make things easier, the guide recommends a couple of European insurers, including TOURINSURE and FIDARSI, which both cover motorhomes and overland rigs. Unfortunately, the premiums are quite high. There are a few reasons for this: as a non-European driver with no driving history in Europe, you are considered a higher risk, especially since you will be covering long distances continuously across multiple countries.

Both companies offer comprehensive coverage, but only TOURINSURE provides liability insurance directly. With FIDARSI, liability must be purchased separately, which makes the overall cost significantly higher if you want full coverage. Insurance pricing is based on the declared value of your vehicle, including all modifications. This is the same principle as maritime insurance — and it is important to remember that your payout, in case of damage or loss, is based on that declared value.

We contacted both companies by email to request quotes. We included our planned route through Europe, the vehicle value, make, model, year, confirmation that it had an integrated rooftop tent, along with the registration, title, start date of coverage, and photos of all four sides of the vehicle. We received both quotes relatively quickly.

In the end, we decided to go with TOURINSURE and only take liability coverage. We paid €468 for 90 days of coverage. Make sure you carefully check which countries are included in your policy, as some destinations are not covered under the standard “green card” (the official insurance card). In those cases, an additional fee may apply.

It is also important to send a copy of your insurance policy to the shipping company once it is arranged.

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To give you an idea for budgeting, here are some examples of the costs we were quoted in August 2025. These may change over time, so always check for updated pricing directly with the insurers.

FIDARSI:
We declared a vehicle value of €55,000, and comprehensive insurance for 90 days cost €1,042.75.

TOURINSURE:

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Temporary Import Rules for Vehicles in Europe

Since you are bringing an American or Canadian vehicle into Europe, you are considered to be temporarily importing it. The good news is that a Carnet de Passages is not required. Your vehicle is allowed in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. If you wish to stay longer, you must leave the Schengen zone for at least 90 days before re-entering. Many travelers use this time to explore Morocco or parts of Eastern Europe while waiting.

Tracking the Vessel and Waiting for Arrival in Europe

During the ocean crossing, you will likely find yourself constantly checking your vehicle’s location — and it really is an exciting feeling watching it slowly make its way across the Atlantic to Europe. To track it, simply use the link provided in the shipping company’s email, enter the vessel name in the Marine Traffic search bar, and voilà — you can follow its journey in real time.

Also make sure you keep a close eye on the estimated arrival date. You can track this either through the vessel tracking link or via the timetable link included in the shipping company’s email. This is important because arrival dates can change due to delays during the ocean crossing. As the vessel gets closer to port, there are also several important steps you need to complete in preparation for pickup.

Final Steps Before Vehicle Pickup in Hamburg

And this brings us to the final steps of the shipping process. Once your invoice has been settled, the shipping company will request a release for pickup from the freight forwarder. When this is issued, the shipping company will email you the official release document, which you must bring with you to the port — either as a printed copy or digitally. We chose to print ours to avoid any potential issues during pickup. This document is required in order to obtain the ATB number.

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You are allowed to schedule your pickup at least two working days after the vessel has docked and been unloaded at the port. However, we were advised to schedule it on the third day to allow for any possible delays or unloading issues.

You can also leave your vehicle at the port for longer if needed. The first seven days are free, but after that storage fees apply. As of August 2025, the port charged approximately €8.10 per day.

In the same email, you will also receive a link to schedule your port appointment slot for vehicle pickup. Without this appointment, pickup is not possible. However, you can only book the slot once the vessel has been completely unloaded, usually within about 12 hours of arrival. Because of this, it is very important to monitor the vessel’s status closely during this period.

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The shipping company will also include another extremely useful guide titled “Pick-up Info Before SLOT Registration” and “SLOT Registration Unikai.” Make sure you read both carefully, as they walk you through the appointment booking process step by step. The guides also include important practical information about the port, including location, address, and working hours, vessel docking details, and all the other practical information you need to successfully pick up your vehicle once you arrive at the port.

Arriving in Hamburg and Preparing for Jeep Pickup

The final email you will receive from the shipping company includes a guide called “Vehicle Pick-Up in Hamburg”. This is a very useful document that covers all the procedures you need to follow at the port, and also includes practical information such as nearby hotels, transportation options to the port, and general guidance for your arrival in Hamburg.

From Moldova, we slowly made our way toward Hamburg by train and bus, spending time in beautiful towns across Europe along the way. We arrived in Hamburg a couple of days before pickup, checked into a hotel, and then waited anxiously for the big day to arrive.

Vehicle Pickup Day at Hamburg Port (Unikai Experience)

The most exciting day of the entire shipping process finally came. It was August 15th, and our pickup slot was scheduled for 8:00am. We woke up very early, took a taxi, and headed to the port carrying our two large suitcases — which by this point were falling apart after weeks of travel across Europe and were honestly a nightmare to carry.

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We arrived at the port and left our suitcases and backpacks outside the terminal at O’Swaldkai / Unikai shed 48. Brett put on his high-visibility vest and waited for the facility to open. As soon as it did, we walked inside into what looked like a break room with large tables and a few vending-machine-style terminals. Brett pressed “D” (for vehicles) and we sat down to wait for our number to appear on the screen. We were extremely excited but also nervous, hoping the Jeep was still in perfect condition with nothing missing or damaged.

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He was given a vibrating pager and headed downstairs. When the pager buzzed, he went to the large service window on the main floor, where a staff member collected his driver’s license as a temporary deposit, which would be returned after the vehicle pickup. He was also given a map showing where to collect the Jeep inside the port. After that, we waited a little longer until an employee came to escort Brett. I watched as he walked through the security doors with the spare key in hand and got into a port vehicle. I would have loved to go with him, but only one person is allowed inside the port.

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Reuniting With Our Jeep in Hamburg Port

I stayed behind, watching through the window, trying to stay calm while waiting with a mix of excitement and nerves. After about 15 minutes, I suddenly caught sight of a white vehicle in the distance — it was our Jeep. I literally ran out of the office with a huge smile straight toward it. We were both incredibly excited. Brett quickly told me everything was fine and that he needed to head to customs for inspection, which was located on another side of the port.

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Once again, I had to wait, but not for long. The customs process was quick and straightforward — they only did paperwork and did not even inspect the vehicle. After that, Brett returned to collect his ID, we loaded our suitcases and backpacks into the Jeep, and we finally drove out of the port. It was an incredible feeling — we could hardly believe we were actually driving our Jeep in Europe. It truly felt like the real start of our overland journey.

Final Vehicle Inspection and Important Insurance Advice

It is worth mentioning that when Brett collected the Jeep, he did a full walk-around inspection to check for any damage, and everything looked exactly as we had left it in Baltimore. He only signed the release after confirming everything was in order. This is very important — do not simply jump in and drive away. Always inspect the vehicle carefully inside and out before signing anything.

As the shipping company explained to us, shipping from the US to Europe carries very little risk of damage or loss, but in the rare event that something is wrong, you must not leave the port. Once you exit, you can no longer file an insurance claim. Take photos immediately and inform a port employee so the issue can be officially noted. Ideally, do not sign the release until a port representative has acknowledged the damage, although in practice they may not always agree to witness it.

After that, you can contact your insurance company. Make sure the person collecting the vehicle has all the necessary information ready. Remember there is a €500 deductible, but even if the damage is below that amount, it is still important to report it.

Our Experience Shipping a Jeep from the USA to Europe

And that is it — everything you need to know about shipping your vehicle from the USA or Canada to Europe. For us, it was a very positive experience, and we have recommended this shipping company SeaBridge to every overlander we have met on the road. We would definitely use them again for future shipments.

If you would like to follow our overland journey around the world, we recently launched our overland travel blog where we share travel logistics, route planning, and real-life overlanding experiences.