Auto Export
Services USA
We pick up from Copart, IAAI, and Manheim nationwide, handle every compliance and documentation requirement, and deliver to ports across the Middle East, West Africa, and Central America under one accountable process.
Proven at scale
Active destination markets
What We Do
Car Export Services from the USA: The Short Version
Linear Shipping is an FMC-licensed NVOCC and international freight forwarder based in Houston, TX. We manage the complete auto export chain from auction pickup anywhere in the United States through ocean freight delivery to ports across the Middle East, West Africa, and Central America. Our team handles AES/EEI export compliance, title processing, container stuffing, RoRo booking, and destination customs coordination under one relationship, eliminating the coordination failures that occur when different vendors manage different stages.
Every shipment is documented with timestamped condition photos at pickup, a confirmed booking reference before the vehicle leaves the staging warehouse, and a Bill of Lading that accurately reflects the cargo and consignee. We are not a booking platform. We are a freight forwarder that owns the process.
Quick Answer
Linear Shipping provides full-service auto export from U.S. auctions and dealers to international destinations. The process covers:
- Auction pickup from Copart, IAAI, Manheim nationwide
- In-house AES/EEI filing and ITN generation
- RoRo or container ocean freight to destination
- Vehicle staging in Houston, Savannah, New York, LA
- Destination customs coordination through local agents
- Marine insurance options for every shipment
Who We Serve
Built for Every Type of Vehicle Exporter
From single auction buyers to dealers moving volume, our process scales to the shipment.
Auction Buyers
Purchasing from Copart, IAAI, or Manheim and shipping internationally. We handle everything after the hammer falls.
- Auction lot pickup on your behalf
- Salvage and clean title vehicles
- Non-running vehicle transport
- Single vehicles to full dealer loads
- Timestamped condition photos at pickup
International Dealers
Dealers in the Middle East, West Africa, and Central America sourcing inventory from U.S. auction markets at scale.
- Multi-vehicle container consolidation
- Bilingual support: English, Arabic, Spanish
- Itemized landed-cost quotes
- Destination customs agent coordination
- Recurring program management
Export Companies
Forwarding companies and export agents needing a Gulf Coast NVOCC with warehouse infrastructure and carrier relationships.
- White-label logistics capability
- Houston, Savannah, NY, LA warehouses
- Direct carrier agreements
- In-house AES filing authority
- NVOCC Bill of Lading issuance
Our Process
From Auction Lot to Destination Port
Five stages, one point of accountability, proof at every milestone.
Auction Pickup
Licensed drivers collect from Copart, IAAI, Manheim or dealers. Timestamped 8-angle photos including VIN and odometer within 24 hours.
Title and AES Filing
Title verified, AES/EEI filed, ITN obtained at least 72 hours before vessel departure. CBP-compliant for every shipment.
Staging and Loading
Vehicle staged at nearest warehouse, loaded into container or prepared for RoRo. Booking confirmed, Bill of Lading coordinated.
Ocean Freight
Vessel departs on confirmed sailing. ETD and ETA provided. Transshipment updates and tracking through to destination port arrival.
Destination Clearance
Local agent submits customs entry, coordinates duties payment, and arranges final delivery or port pickup. Delivery photos provided.
Active Trade Lanes
Where We Ship Your Vehicles
Established carrier relationships and local agent networks at every destination.
Auction Pickup
We Pick Up from Every Major U.S. Auction
Once you win a bid at Copart, IAAI, or Manheim, or purchase from a dealer, your freight forwarding partner takes over. Linear Shipping coordinates pickup through a nationwide licensed transport network. Vehicles are collected, photographed at eight angles including VIN and odometer, and transported to the nearest staging warehouse or directly to the export terminal.
Non-running vehicles require winch-equipped flatbed transport. Salvage vehicles, flood-damage units, and fire-damage vehicles are all handled. The condition documented at pickup is your baseline record for insurance and buyer verification at destination.
For a detailed breakdown of every cost component that builds up from auction purchase to destination delivery, the international car shipping cost guide covers what to budget and what variables affect the total.
Export Compliance, Handled In-House
Every vehicle export from the United States requires compliance steps that cannot be skipped or delegated to parties without authority.
AES/EEI Filing
Mandatory for all vehicle exports above $2,500. ITN obtained 72+ hours before vessel departure. Managed in-house by our compliance team.
Title Processing
Clean, salvage, and rebuilt titles reviewed before the vehicle enters the export pipeline. Lien releases and chain-of-ownership documentation verified.
Restricted Party Screening
OFAC and BIS screening conducted on every international transaction. Libya, Yemen, and other complex-lane shipments reviewed before booking confirmation.
Shipping Methods
RoRo or Container: Which Is Right?
We advise on the correct method for every shipment. Here is the framework.
RoRo Shipping
Roll-on / Roll-off
The vehicle is driven or towed onto a specialized car carrier vessel via a stern ramp and secured on the ship's decks. The most cost-efficient method for running vehicles on established automotive trade lanes.
- Lower ocean freight cost per vehicle
- Faster port loading and unloading
- Weekly sailings on major lanes
- No spare parts or items inside vehicle
- Requires running vehicle for standard loading
- Limited to RoRo-enabled destination ports
Container Shipping
20-ft or 40-ft Container
The vehicle is loaded into a sealed steel container at a stuffing facility and transported by standard container vessel. The correct method for non-runners, high-value vehicles, and destinations without RoRo infrastructure.
- Non-running and salvage vehicles handled
- Spare parts and accessories permitted
- Available at virtually all container ports
- Two vehicles in one 40-ft container
- Higher cost than RoRo for single running vehicles
- Additional stuffing step before port departure
Not sure which method is right for your vehicle?
Read the complete RoRo vs container comparison for vehicle exports →Why Linear Shipping
What Separates a Freight Forwarder from a Booking Agent
Most auto export problems stem from using a booking agent who does not own any stage of the process.
FMC-Licensed NVOCC
We hold our own Bill of Lading authority. We are not a booking agent relaying to another party. We own the shipment document and the carrier relationship.
In-House AES Filing
AES/EEI filing is managed by our compliance team, not a third-party service. ITN errors get caught internally before they create CBP problems at the port.
Physical Warehouse Infrastructure
We operate staging warehouses in Houston, Savannah, New York, and Los Angeles. Cargo is managed in our facilities, not at a third-party lot with separate accountability.
Local Agents at Destination Ports
We have established local agent relationships at Jebel Ali, Aqaba, Basra, Lagos, Tema, Cotonou, Acajutla, Puerto Cortes, Poti, and Aden. Not referrals. Working relationships.
Multilingual Support
Our team supports English, Arabic, and Spanish. We respond in your time zone. For buyers in the Middle East, Central America, and West Africa, this is not a secondary service.
Itemized, Transparent Quoting
Every quote separates inland transport, port handling, ocean freight, AES filing, insurance, and destination cost estimate. No single-number quotes that hide what you are actually paying for.
Documentation
Every Document, Verified Before the Vessel Departs
The most common cause of port delays and destination clearance problems is documentation that was not reviewed before the vehicle arrived at the port. Linear Shipping verifies the complete export document package at the staging warehouse stage, before departure, not at the terminal gate.
Understanding the full AES/EEI filing requirement, including the 72-hour ITN deadline, Schedule B commodity codes, and penalty provisions, is essential for any exporter managing vehicle shipments from the United States. The AES filing guide for vehicle exports covers every CBP requirement in detail.
Original Vehicle Title
Must be original, not a copy. Clean, salvage, or rebuilt. Chain of ownership complete and verifiable.
Bill of Sale / Auction Invoice
Copart, IAAI, or Manheim invoice or dealer bill of sale. Establishes vehicle identity and declared value for AES filing.
AES/EEI Filing with ITN
Mandatory for all exports above $2,500. ITN must appear on export documentation 72 hours before vessel departure.
Power of Attorney
Required when Linear Shipping files AES on behalf of the exporter. Standard template provided.
Bill of Lading
Issued by the carrier after loading. Must name the correct consignee and match the AES filing in every detail.
Commercial Invoice
Accurate vehicle description including make, model, year, VIN, condition, and declared value. Used by destination customs for duty assessment.
FAQs
Common Questions About Auto Export from the USA
Ready to Ship Your Vehicles?
Get an itemized export quote that separates every cost component. No guesswork, no single-number estimates.
