Javan Imports

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How Do I Get It Home? Shipping a Van Across the US

You don’t have to live near Portland to buy from us. Out-of-state buyers either have their vehicle trucked from our shop to their door, or fly in and drive it home. Our prices are all-in, including shipping to our Portland dealership and import-related costs, so getting it from Portland to you is the only transport left to plan. Picking it up at our shop costs nothing extra.

How it works

  1. Reserve and pay. Reserve the vehicle with a deposit, then pay the balance in full. The vehicle goes on the truck once payment is complete.
  2. Paperwork. We prepare everything your state needs to register the vehicle: bill of sale, lien-release certificate, US Customs entry and import exemption declarations, and the title (or the original ownership document with a certified English translation). Once your payment is received, we send the documents by tracked mail at the same time the vehicle ships, so the vehicle can arrive before the paperwork does.
  3. Arrange the truck. Email or call us with your delivery address and your dates. We’ll help you arrange transport and get a quote before you commit. You’re also welcome to book your own carrier.
  4. Pickup at our shop. Carriers load at our shop at 4545 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd during business hours, Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm.
  5. Delivery. The carrier contacts you to set a delivery time. If your street can’t take a car carrier, you meet the driver somewhere nearby. Walk around the vehicle with the driver before you sign the bill of lading, and write down any damage on it.

Open or enclosed?

We ship on open transport unless you ask for enclosed. Open transport is the standard way vehicles move around the country: it costs less, and far more trucks run open, so pickup usually comes sooner. Enclosed transport keeps the vehicle out of the weather and road grime, and costs more.

Timing

From booking to pickup is typically a few days. After pickup, a run within the Pacific Northwest takes 1 to 3 days, and a coast-to-coast run about 7 to 12 days.

What it costs

The price depends on distance, route, season and open or enclosed transport. Some past examples on open transport from our shop:

Shipping west to east is usually a little cheaper, because more vehicles travel east to west. Rates change, so ask us and we’ll research an up-to-date estimate for your route. You pay the carrier directly at pickup. We don’t charge a fee for helping arrange shipping.

What we do, and what you do

We: prepare the vehicle before delivery, help you arrange transport, meet the driver and load the vehicle, send your documents by tracked mail, and help you register the vehicle in your state.

You: give us the delivery address and a phone number for the driver, have insurance in place before pickup (your insurer will want the VIN, which we’ll send you), pay the carrier, meet the truck or send someone you trust, and inspect the vehicle before you sign.

Flying in and driving it home

Some buyers fly into Portland (PDX) and drive home. Our shop is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm; tell us when you arrive and we’ll have the vehicle ready. For the drive home we issue an Oregon trip permit, which covers 21 consecutive days, and you’ll need insurance in place (your insurance company name and policy number). Before you leave, check the rules in each state on your route. We’ve helped buyers in several states get their vehicles home and registered, and we’ll help you too.

Questions we get

Can I use my own carrier?

Yes. Send us the carrier’s name and pickup window, and we’ll have the vehicle ready during business hours.

Do you charge a fee to arrange shipping?

No. You pay the carrier directly.

Can the vehicle ship before the paperwork arrives?

Yes. Once your payment is received we send out both, the vehicle by truck and the documents by tracked mail.

Do you ship to Alaska or Hawaii?

Buyers have shipped vehicles to Hawaii with their own carrier. We haven’t shipped to Alaska yet. Ask us and we’ll help you work it out.

Is the vehicle insured on the truck?

Carriers carry cargo insurance, but the limits vary. Ask the carrier for its insurance certificate and check with your own insurer before pickup.

What if something is damaged in transit?

It’s uncommon. Write it on the bill of lading before you sign, take photos, and let us know.

Questions about getting a vehicle to your state? Contact us, or read the rest of our Buyer’s Guide.

General information. Shipping prices are past examples, not quotes, and state trip-permit rules change; check before you travel.

Sources: Oregon DMV, Vehicle Trip Permits

Javan Imports · 4545 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Portland, OR 97211 · (503) 974-4784