Shipping a New Car to Hawaii: A Beginner’s Guide

No matter the purpose of traveling to Hawaii, having a car onboard can be helpful. But you have to load yourself with basic knowledge of what to do to ship your vehicle. You must know the best shipping companies, the shipping cost, factors that affect shipping, and many more. Hawaii is an island where you can’t drive your car from the mainland to it, so you have to rely on an auto shipping company to transport your vehicle. In this article, we will take you through the process of shipping a car to Hawaii and simplify it for a beginner to understand.

What you need to know about shipping a new car to Hawaii

Shipping a car is a time-consuming process; you should be patient while the company prepares your vehicle. Apart from the assurance of the safety of your car, the car shipping company is also concerned about car shipping costs.

Cost of shipping a new car to Hawaii

The cost of shipping a car to Hawaii varies from one company to another. It could cost you between $1500 and $2100 to ship a vehicle to Hawaii, although the price may be affected by some factors like:

Vehicle Size

Standard vehicles like pickup trucks, three-wheelers, and vans cost less to ship than heavy and large ones.

Car Location

Your car’s destination will determine if your price will be high or moderate. You will pay more if your car destination is far from the departure port. But don’t worry, because most car shipping companies offer deals on car shipping quotes.

Open or Enclosed Transport

You can ship your vehicle via enclosed transport if you want to maintain its quality, although it can cost more. However, if you have more than one vehicle, you can choose an open-air carrier because it will be cheaper.

Door-to-Door Delivery

Door-to-door delivery is fast, although it’s not available in some areas. To get your vehicle delivered, the shipping company will:

  1. Assign a driver to deliver the vehicle to your destination or the nearest address provided.
  2. The driver will use google maps to assess the destination provided. Most preferred destinations include parking lots at malls or broad rest areas.
  3. Then the driver will contact you to confirm your destination and the time you want your vehicle delivered.

Note that door-to-door delivery is more expensive than port-to-port delivery.

Season

Car shipping industries go with seasons. During summer and January, the prices are very high, making shipping expensive.

Legal documentation for shipping a car to Hawaii

When shipping a car to Hawaii, you’ll need certain legal documents for a successful shipping process. These include:

    1. An authorization letter: If you’re in Hawaii for a short period, you can lease your car, but you’ll need an authorization letter from the lender to ship the vehicle.
    2. Vehicle title: You should hand over a vehicle title to confirm the ownership when shipping a car to Hawaii. If the car has more than one owner, they must present an authorization letter confirming the shipment of the vehicle.
    3. A valid ID: You’ll definitely need a valid ID that matches the name on the title and registration details.
    4. Registration documents for your vehicle.
    5. The car keys and alarm remote control.


The company will provide other documentation, like certification of safety inspection and bill of lading upon shipping.

Why you should use a car shipping service

When you buy a vehicle, you count it as part of your investment, so you must handle it carefully, just like any other investment.

Here are the top reasons you should consider using car shipping services.

It reduces the risk of damage to your vehicle

Shipping companies have professionals who use high-quality equipment and shipping tools to maintain vehicle quality and condition. Therefore, you need to choose the right company to avoid vehicle damage.

Insurance coverage

Insurance companies play an excellent role in covering any vehicle damage caused during transportation. To be safe, you should confirm with your insurance provider whether your car is covered.

It is cheaper than driving independently

You may incur additional costs like fuel, repair, and maintenance if you drive the vehicle instead of using professional shipping services.

It will save you mileage

Driving a car to your destination can take time and effort, especially when your landing place is miles away from the port. Hiring a professional shipping company will ensure your car is safe and save you mileage.

Some companies may omit some cost details in their car shipping quote. For that reason, you should ask the service providers if there are other hidden charges to know the total cost before signing the agreement.

How long does it take to transport a car to Hawaii?

The shipping period can vary depending on the method of shipping used. But it can take one to three weeks, depending on your destination. Occasionally, if you are transporting your car from the west coast port, it can arrive between 8 and 12 days. However, you can choose a port-to-port shipping method if you want your vehicle to reach you quickly. Other ways, like door-to-door and port-to-door, may take longer to deliver your vehicle.

How to transport your new car to the port

Drive the vehicle to the port​. You can take your car to the port and pick it up in Hawaii upon shipping. If you are miles away from the dock, you can hire someone to drive it to the port.

Hire someone on your behalf. Hiring someone to ship your vehicle is fair because it will cut return flight costs and food and restaurant room bills. If you choose this way, ensure they have the correct documentation to allow them to ship your car.

What you should do before handing over your new car

  1. Your car alarm system must be off to avoid draining the battery.
  2. Your fuel tank should not be full; instead, 1/4 of the tank is enough.
  3. You should empty and thoroughly clean your car (no personal items should be left).
  4. Keep an extra car key in case.
  5. Your car tires should have air, charged batteries, and other essential maintenance.
  6. Deactivate parking passes and toll tags, if any.
  7. Ensure your insurance is up to date.

Vehicle registration in Hawaii

You must register your vehicle unless you are a non-residence. Upon arriving, you should apply for legal documents because you only have 30 days of registration. Nevertheless, if you came for a short period, you can apply for an out-of-state permit.

Final thought

If you want to relocate to Hawaii permanently or for an extended period, think about shipping your car and ensure you follow the correct procedure.