Shipping RV to USA/Canada
Traveling with an RV is something we love. We never dreamed that we would own our own motorhome, much less that we would travel in North America with it. The possibility of having the camper shipped was unknown to us. We now know that there are a number of providers who offer this option. We had initially chosen Robert WWS. In this blog we will list the different providers and you will read why the choice of Robert WWS turned out to be very bad for us!!!! We will also explain our choice of Halifax-Canada, what to prepare for the crossing and how to insure the motorhome during the crossing.
Sailing plan from Europe to America and Canada
Shipping companies sail from Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Liverpool to Halifax (Canada), Baltimore, Brunswick, Los Angeles and Seattle (USA). Not every shipping company sails to all destinations. You first have to determine if you want to start in Canada or America and then you see from which port you have to depart.
Why choose for shipping to Halifax in Canada
If you ship your RV to America, it will be registered upon arrival. From that date on, the RV may stay in America for only one year on a Dutch license plate. Then you have to import the RV. In addition to meet American RV requirements, you also have to pay import duties. We have read on a number of forums that this does not apply if the RV enters America via Canada. Even if you drive the RV from America to Mexico and then enter America again. Whether this information is correct, we will find out when we cross the border. We will keep you updated in this blog.
Service providers/intermediaries
You don't book directly with shipping companies, but with intermediaries. We have requested a quote from the intermediaries that are listed below. The costs are calculated on the basis of height x length x width. The result of this calculation is multiplied by a fixed rate. Then there are insurance and other costs.
The quotation is based on L 7.72 (incl. bicycle rack) x W 2.32 x H 3.20*) meters and is roll on roll off. The camper does not go in a container.
Is it wise to choose Robert WWS and camper shipping.com?
Voor ons niet! We hadden voor Robert WWS (=hetzelfde als camper shipping.com, nhwwship.com, New Horizons World Wide Shipping & Logistics, Robert, Jan van Straten, Bianco Tomson) gekozen, omdat deze het goedkoopste was en vooraf de meest uitgebreide informatie verstrekte. Voordat we gingen boeken, waren er op internet positieve en negatieve reacties over hem te lezen. We hebben deze destijds met Robert van Straten besproken en uiteindelijk half februari 2023 de keuze voor hem gemaakt. Toch hadden we beter naar ons onderbuikgevoel moeten luisteren…… Lees in this blog all about our experience.
Most chosen shipper: Link to Seabridge
Link to IVSS
Suspend road tax in the Netherlands and cancel insurance
Once the RV goes aboard, most RV owners suspend the vehicle from the National Road Administration (RDW). For more information on RDW and travel, click here. Officially, this should not be allowed, according to the Geneva Convention - Road Traffic - 1949. Read here What the ANWB (dutch AAA) writes on its website.
You can cancel the Dutch RV insurance. It only provides coverage in countries listed on the green card. Any excess premium paid will be transferred to you.
Insurance after drop-off and during crossing
Once the RV is dropped-off, then it is insured until pick-up and it is handed over to you.
Insurance in Canada, USA and Mexico
There are a number of insurance companies that insure a RV on a foreign license plate. We have a separate blog written about it.
Roadmap for shipping your motorhome
In the attached roadmap, we have described all the parts that are important for shipping your motorhome. What you can/can't transport, cleaning the camper, returning it, picking it up, etc. This roadmap is easy to download.