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Top Tips for Loading Cars Into Containers

Camilo Jaime • Aug 21, 2021
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First Time Car Shipping

Are you thinking of bringing your car along when you move to Hawaii or abroad? If so, there are a few things you need to know. For example, shipping car to Hawaii means that you need to avail yourself of reliable car shipping services since no roads connect Hawaii to the mainland.



Suppose you opt for enclosed shipping for added protection. In that case, you also need to consider several aspects, especially when it comes to loading cars in shipping containers. 

First Time Car Shipping

With that said, continue reading to learn more about how to load cars in a container.

How to Prepare Cargo for Loading

Before you load your car into a container, you should note that it must undergo various custom inspections and other protocols upon arrival. While you might want to receive and use your car immediately, these are standard procedures that you must abide by.



Moreover, if you want to place some boxes inside the car, ensure that you label each container. For example, if you have five boxes, label them with 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, and so on. You can also mark the type of cargo you put inside the boxes. 


Doing so will ensure you that boxes won’t go missing. In addition, it will also make the custom and customs inspections quicker and hassle-free.

• Take Note of Customs Protocols

Before you load your car into a container, you should note that it must undergo various custom inspections and other protocols upon arrival. While you might want to receive and use your car immediately, these are standard procedures that you must abide by.



Moreover, if you want to place some boxes inside the car, ensure that you label each container. For example, if you have five boxes, label them with 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, and so on. You can also mark the type of cargo you put inside the boxes. 


Doing so will ensure you that boxes won’t go missing. In addition, it will also make the custom and customs inspections quicker and hassle-free.

• Determine the Size of Your Car

Identifying the size of your car is also crucial as it allows you to know how much space it needs in the container. After all, cars have different sizes. So, the container’s size and cost for shipping may vary, too. 


For instance, if you ship Ute, it may take up little space than Sedan in the container. So, having extra room in the container means you have more space for your other cargo.

• Clean and Remove Other Items in the Car

While this is not mandatory, you should consider cleaning your car before shipping your vehicle. 


Doing so will make the loading and unloading tasks less stressful. It’s also essential to remove the fuel for safe shipping. Moreover, it’s best to disable the alarm and disconnect the battery.

• Check the Parts of Your Car

Before you load your car in the container, consider checking and counting all the components. This is because there are instances when car parts, for example, side mirrors, go missing once the container arrives.



In this case, it’s best to visually check and list down all the parts of your car to note the components that come with the shipping. 


Moreover, you can also take photos of each part as it can serve as proof once issues arise in the future. Doing so will also help you in your legal or insurance claims.

• Check the Laws of Your Shipping Destination

In general, overseas shipping laws vary from country to country. Therefore, you need to ensure that you have all the required permits before the ship cars load board deliver your car in front of your house. 



For this, you can coordinate with your state’s government or ask for assistance from your homeowner’s association.

First Time Car Shipping

Tips for Loading Cars into Container

To make the most out of the shipping fee, it is typical to load other belongings. While you can call the shippers to pack all your cargo, you can help them or do it yourself. In this case, it’s often better to do the latter to ensure that your belongings are safe and secured. 



With that said, here’s how you can correctly load your car into the container.

• Check the Container

Once the container arrives to load your cargo, make sure to inspect it carefully. For this, you need to check its condition and cleanliness. 


In fact, this is the primary reason you have to be around when loading your shipments. Should you have concerns about the container, you can raise them with the car shipping company.

Give the Professional Shippers Enough Time to Load Your Car

The process of car loading in container is not an easy task. After all, it’s more physically taxing if you have other cargoes to be shipped. Moreover, accidents may happen if you want everything to be rushed. Therefore, it’s best to allow ample time for the shipper to load all your cargoes.


For example, if you have one car to be shipped with other belongings, loading them in the container will take up to 2 to 3 hours. 


In contrast, if you have several vehicles for shipping, it may take 4 to 5 hours. Overall, it’s best to be patient during the loading time because this ensures that your belongings are correctly positioned in the container.

• Maximize the Space of the Container

Maximizing the space also means distributing the weight of all your cargo. However, note that the car will come last because that would be the first thing shippers will unload for inspection.



So, if you have large boxes, it’s best to load them inside first. However, make sure that these boxes are distributed evenly. For this, you should avoid putting them all in a single corner.

In addition, if you have furniture to be shipped, it’s best to place them on the corners and walls. Moreover, don’t forget to tie them to prevent them from moving during bad conditions at sea. You can use nylon ropes to attach the legs of each piece of furniture to the container better. 

• Load Similar Objects

Since you will ship other solid items besides the car, you should load similar objects. Moreover, this is not the proper container to load liquid objects such as water, liquor, and gasoline. 



While professional shippers would remind you of this, some clients tend to be stubborn and still load liquid objects secretly. This is often prohibited since loading liquids along with solid ones may cause damage to your belongings. 


However, suppose the shipping company will allow you to load liquid items. In that case, it’s best to make sure to place them with other sensitive items. Moreover, make sure you seal them properly, tie them with rope, and use hard boxes for storage.

• Use Bubble Wrap and Stretching Wrapper

For other fragile items, use bubble wrap to secure them. This will help protect the items from rubbing each other. Moreover, it will keep your belongings tight and safe during transit. 



On the other hand, stretching paper will keep furniture and kitchen appliances free from damage and dust once it arrives at its destination. 

• Start Loading the Car

Once you have done all the preparations above, you can start loading your car into the container. In this case, if you want to ship items other than your car, it’s best to choose a larger container. Just make sure to number and label each box so no items will go missing.



Remember, it’s best to load other items first before the car. This is because your vehicle will be the first thing they check once it arrives at its destination. Moreover, you wouldn’t want to go through the hassle of unloading the kitchen appliances or mattresses before the inspectors check your car.


Furthermore, it’s also essential to take photos of the container with your car and other cargo inside. These photos may be helpful to you just in case they arrived in a condition which is different from the pictures.

• Make Sure to Secure the Car

Some companies like Car Shipping Hawaii offer fasteners and tie hooks to their clients to ensure their cars are correctly secured in the container. 


In this case, to properly secure your car, you can use a wooden block to prevent your car’s wheels from moving while in transit. Alternatively, you can also use ropes or straps to prevent the top of your vehicle from tipping during harsh travels.


Moreover, it’s best to inspect your fasteners, ropes, or tie hooks carefully before using them since they might be broken or damaged. In this case, damaged straps will not be helpful and may even cause damage to your vehicle and other items. So, don’t hesitate to change them when you need to.


Aside from this, it’s best to put barriers to separate your car from other cargoes. For this, you can use plywood as it is more secure and easy to detach for unloading. Barriers are essential to prevent car scratches and damage if other payloads keep moving around during transit.

• Double-Check All the Cargo

Once you have loaded everything – from furniture to other boxes – into your car, you should inspect and recheck them. For each cargo in the container, you should put strong adhesive tapes to secure them even more. Moreover, if you have loaded five boxes, remember to check if you marked them appropriately.



The labels will make it easier for you to count all your items when loading and unloading. In addition, suppose you have other people to receive all the cargo. In that case, they can quickly inform you that the shipment is shipped correctly and in good condition.

Final Thoughts

Overall, preparing your car and container for shipping is often the easy part of the process. After all, it’s the loading of your cargo that can sometimes cause worry. However, with these tips and the right car shipping company, you’ll have nothing to worry about. 



In fact, car shipping services like Car Shipping Hawaii are professional and reliable, so they can keep your items safe and secure. So, from the preparation and arrangement of your belongings to the loading and unloading of your cargoes, you can rest assured they have you covered. 

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