Exporting cars to overseas buyers has become a more robust opportunity, according to Brian Osler, president and CEO of the North American Automobile Trade Association (NAATA), which brings together sellers and specialized brokers serving the international marketplace.

He recently addressed some of the issues involved in facilitating these types of transactions.

What are some of the benefits of joining your organization if an aftermarket operation wishes to market vehicles to overseas buyers?

An aftermarket operation would be able to connect to the export market and exporters who ship overseas. They may be able to develop a bit of a niche in servicing overseas buyers, particularly if the aftermarket operation here has a good track record with typical North American vehicles.

What are some of the steps for preparing a vehicle for shipment out of the country?

There are a few steps in the process, but it is not complicated for anyone who learns the process. Parts have to be installed; export paperwork has to be completed. There has to be customs clearance and insurance, trucking and shipping have to be arranged. Import tariffs, if any, have to be paid, modifications to the vehicle may be required to comply with local standards and warranty coverage might have to be arranged. When the vehicle reaches the other side of the ocean, containers have to be unpacked and there has to be an inspection of the vehicle to confirm there was no damage in shipping. Transport must be arranged to final delivery. Of course there are experts to deal with all of these issues, such as freight forwarders, customs brokers and shippers. Exporters are not on their own to deal with these issues. This is a normal part of the export process.

What are some of the benefits that a professional exporter can provide to ease the process?

Essentially, an exporter is in the business of completing all the steps listed above. That is their background, their business and their expertise. They can deal with all the headaches and the part of export that is not the norm for someone who is not in the business.

What are some of the questions that a professional exporter should be asked to ensure a good fit with the seller?

Questions should be asked to assess the exporter’s experience and expertise in completing the export process. Sellers can always ask for references. If they want to check up on a particular history, they can always ask our association for a reference.

How are the fees determined?

Fees for export are typically determined on a fixed-fee basis. The cost of export is typically the same regardless of the vehicle shipped, with some differences such as import tariffs, which are based on value. I suppose some vehicles may have increased cost if they are extraordinarily large.

How can an American seller best make contact with potential overseas buyers?

The best way for an American seller to make contact with overseas buyers is to get involved in trade associations and overseas car clubs. Our association has network events and other programs to facilitate efforts of North American exporters to promote sales overseas. There are other associations that have similar activities. Networking is an ongoing process.

For more information, visit www.naata.org.

Exporting cars to overseas buyers has become a more robust opportunity, according to Brian Osler, president and CEO of the North American Automobile Trade Association (NAATA), which brings together sellers and specialized brokers serving the international marketplace.

He recently addressed some of the issues involved in facilitating these types of transactions.

What are some of the benefits of joining your organization if an aftermarket operation wishes to market vehicles to overseas buyers?

An aftermarket operation would be able to connect to the export market and exporters who ship overseas. They may be able to develop a bit of a niche in servicing overseas buyers, particularly if the aftermarket operation here has a good track record with typical North American vehicles.

What are some of the steps for preparing a vehicle for shipment out of the country?

There are a few steps in the process, but it is not complicated for anyone who learns the process. Parts have to be installed; export paperwork has to be completed. There has to be customs clearance and insurance, trucking and shipping have to be arranged. Import tariffs, if any, have to be paid, modifications to the vehicle may be required to comply with local standards and warranty coverage might have to be arranged. When the vehicle reaches the other side of the ocean, containers have to be unpacked and there has to be an inspection of the vehicle to confirm there was no damage in shipping. Transport must be arranged to final delivery. Of course there are experts to deal with all of these issues, such as freight forwarders, customs brokers and shippers. Exporters are not on their own to deal with these issues. This is a normal part of the export process.

What are some of the benefits that a professional exporter can provide to ease the process?

Essentially, an exporter is in the business of completing all the steps listed above. That is their background, their business and their expertise. They can deal with all the headaches and the part of export that is not the norm for someone who is not in the business.

What are some of the questions that a professional exporter should be asked to ensure a good fit with the seller?

Questions should be asked to assess the exporter’s experience and expertise in completing the export process. Sellers can always ask for references. If they want to check up on a particular history, they can always ask our association for a reference.

How are the fees determined?

Fees for export are typically determined on a fixed-fee basis. The cost of export is typically the same regardless of the vehicle shipped, with some differences such as import tariffs, which are based on value. I suppose some vehicles may have increased cost if they are extraordinarily large.

How can an American seller best make contact with potential overseas buyers?

The best way for an American seller to make contact with overseas buyers is to get involved in trade associations and overseas car clubs. Our association has network events and other programs to facilitate efforts of North American exporters to promote sales overseas. There are other associations that have similar activities. Networking is an ongoing process.

For more information, visit www.naata.org.