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Rules for Shipping a Car to Hawaii

Camilo Jaime • Feb 19, 2021
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Moving to a new location is always a difficult task. This difficulty is amplified if vehicle shipping is involved. However, it is not an impossible feat as long as you are equipped with the right knowledge. 


If you are planning to avail a car ship to Hawaii, then you are on the right page. This article contains a comprehensive on the rules for shipping a car to Hawaii make your life a lot easier. 

Rules for Shipping a Car to Hawaii

Here are the important rules for shipping a car to Hawaii that you should know about:

1. Select a Reliable Car Shipping Company

We suggest you do your research before you select a shipping company to transport your vehicle to Hawaii. While selecting a shipping company, look for one that provides ease of use and convenience. 

2. Choose a Strategic Shipping Date

It is important to schedule your vehicle shipping in a strategic way. Avoid the peak season because they tend to be more expensive. You can check with the customer service of the shipping company regarding the availability of your desired schedule.

3. Prepare Your Vehicle Properly

Once you have the schedule in place, you need to prep your car for the journey. Here are a few suggestions on how to prepare your vehicle: 


  • Ensure your car is in working condition with a proper emergency brake.
  • Ensure that your vehicle does not have a cracked windshield or windows.
  • Thoroughly clean the inside of the car. Take out any removable parts or personal items. Remove any valuable gadgets that can be removed. The basic idea is to empty the inside of your car of any personal items.
  • If you have not got your car serviced, at least ensure basic maintenance like ensuring the battery is fully charged, fluids are topped up, and the tires are fully inflated.
  • Remove or deactivate any alarms, toll tags, or parking passes that may disrupt the transporter during the shipping.
  • Ensure that your fuel tank is only ¼ full. It is dangerous to transport a vehicle on a full tank. 


Some car transport companies may allow upto 100 lbs worth of personal items inside the vehicle. However, only a few of them will take responsibility for these items in case they are lost or stolen during the journey. This means that the risk is not worth taking, especially if you are intending on leaving valuable personal properties. 


Furthermore, some personal belongings may be deemed illegal by the Department of Transportation officers during the inspections. When this happens, there might be delays on the delivery of your vehicle.

4. Get the Right Documentation

To ship your vehicle, you need the following documents:

  • Copies of your registration and title document
  • All the co-owners of the vehicle need to be present, or at least a letter of authorization from the co-owner/s who cannot be present
  • If your car is on a lease, a letter of authorization from the leaseholder.
  • Valid proof of ownership and photo ID

5. Hand over Your Vehicle Properly

Handing over your car to the shippers involves doing a minor inspection for any existing dents and dings and signing off on a document that the car has been handed over. Please make sure to hand over a set of keys to the shippers. Also, keep a spare set of keys, just in case the shippers misplace the set you give them!


Once handed over to the company, you can check with the shipping company how you can track your vehicle. Some companies will provide you with an app where you can track your vehicle while others will require you to call them from time to time for updates. 

6. Inspect Your car When Receiving It

When receiving your car, you may have to sign off on a document saying that your vehicle has been delivered in proper condition. Make sure you check your vehicle and compare it with the inspection report made beforehand. 


In case you notice new damages, take note of it immediately and put off signing any documents saying that you received your vehicle in good condition. 

Things to Figure Out Before Deciding on Car Shipping

Whether you are deciding to ship car to Hawaii with stuff in it or an empty one, you must first answer the following questions: 

Are You Moving to Hawaii for Good?

Moving from one place to another always entails a lot of planning. If you are relocating from the mainland to Hawaii, you will have to spend a lot of time thinking about how you will make the move. Remember, Hawaii is a small island so there are bound to be plenty of things you need to think of and plan when deciding to move here from the mainland.


One of the biggest decisions you will have to make is whether to ship a car to Hawaii or to buy a new vehicle when you are there. At the outset, we will tell you that shipping a car to Hawaii is the better option instead of buying a car in Hawaii is not a good idea as the prices are on the higher side. 


Also, take note if you are staying for an extended period or moving permanently to Hawaii, you will have to register your vehicle after shipping car to Hawaii.


On this note, consider availing the car shipping services of Car Shipping Hawaii. It is among the few car shipping companies that can help to ship your vehicle to and from Hawaii. They offer affordable and professional services to make shipping your vehicle to and from the islands a pleasant one. 


Car Shipping Hawaii will take away the hassle and difficulties you may face while
shipping a new car to Hawaii or an old one. Call them or visit their website for more information and a free quote.

How Much Does Car Shipping Cost?

Then you come to the next big question you will have to answer; how much will car shipping cost? Related to this is the question: What is the cheapest way to ship a car to Hawaii?


There are two main ways to ship vehicles; open shipment or open transportation ships cars on open semi-trailers. It is by far the cheapest way to ship cars. As opposed to this, closed shipment transports cars in a close container and is much safer. The cheapest way to ship a car is via open shipment. However, you should consider closed shipments as it is much better for your vehicle. 


We must point out that closed shipments will cost a lot more because the vehicle will need to be strapped down, and special care will have to be taken that it does not move while being shipped.


However, take note that the cost for shipping a car to Hawaii differs depending on the auto transport company that you will choose. Other car shipping costs factors that will affect the cost also includes the size of the vehicle, the season, and availability. 


To find the cheapest way to ship a car to Hawaii, request quotes from multiple auto transport companies. However, pay close attention to their inclusion for their ship a car service but some may seem cheap because other fees are not included in the quotation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is shipping a financed car to Hawaii possible?

    Yes, shipping a financed car to Hawaii is possible as long as you have an authorization letter from the financier.

  • Can I ship a car with stuff in it?

    You may be tempted to ship a car with stuff in it. We strongly suggest that you do not do this. We suggest that you empty your car before you give it to us for shipping. We also suggest that you remove any valuable electronics like custom sound systems and DVD players before shipping the car. 

  • I am moving to Hawaii permanently. Do I need to register my vehicle in Hawaii?

    You will have to register your vehicle within a month of moving to Hawaii. You would need to show your vehicle shipping receipt. You will also have to buy car insurance in Hawaii.

  • I will be in Hawaii for a few years at most. Do I need to register my car in Hawaii?

    Within a month of moving to Hawaii, you can either register your vehicle in Hawaii or get an out-of-state driving permit that is valid for a year. You will also need to buy auto insurance in Hawaii. 

Final Words

We hope this article on rules for shipping a car to Hawaii was helpful to you. At Car Shipping Hawaii, we are experts at vehicle shipping. We ship to Hawaii, providing the best car shipping cost in the industry. 


We suggest that you also do your research and look around for the best options for shipping a vehicle to Hawaii.


Remember, we are only a phone call away! Call us for any information on shipping a vehicle to Hawaii, a free quote, and any other queries you may have. Mahalo!

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