Shipping a vehicle internationally involves several separate operations. A car may need to be collected from an auction, transported across the United States, received at a warehouse, documented for export, loaded into a container and shipped overseas.
Managing those stages through different companies can make the process harder to follow.
Peace Global Logistics (PGL) manages these vehicle logistics services through one network. PGL began shipping vehicles from the United States in 2017 and works with individual buyers, dealers and vehicle import businesses in international markets.
For customers comparing car shipping companies, the important question is not simply who can ship a container. It is who will handle the vehicle before it reaches the port, how it will be loaded, how the documents will be managed and what information will be available during the shipment.
What Does PGL Handle?
PGL's vehicle shipping process can include:
- Access to major US vehicle auctions
- Vehicle pickup and towing within the United States
- Warehouse receiving and vehicle photos
- Export title and documentation services
- Container loading
- International ocean shipping
- Vehicle and container tracking
- Customs clearance in supported destinations
Customers can use the services they need based on where the vehicle is located and where it is being shipped.
Auction Access for Vehicles in the USA
Many international vehicle purchases begin at an auction.
PGL provides access to US vehicle auctions, including Copart, IAAI, Manheim and ADESA.
Auction access is particularly useful for international customers who may not have the accounts or local setup required to participate directly.
Buying the vehicle, however, is only the beginning. Once the auction releases it, someone still needs to collect it before storage charges or other issues arise.
Vehicle Pickup After Purchase
PGL provides vehicle towing within the United States for cars purchased from auctions, dealerships and other sellers.
The vehicle is transported to an appropriate PGL loading location based on its location and planned shipping route.
This service also covers non-running vehicles. That matters for auction buyers because damaged and salvage vehicles may require different equipment for pickup and loading.
For regular importers, coordinating towing through the same company that will later load and ship the vehicle also reduces the number of separate companies involved in the shipment.
What Happens When the Vehicle Reaches the Warehouse?
Receiving the vehicle at the warehouse creates an important record before export.
PGL records the vehicle when it arrives and makes vehicle information and photos available through its system.
These photos allow customers to see the vehicle after inland transportation and before international shipping.
That record is useful for a customer shipping one car, but it becomes even more important for dealers managing several vehicles purchased from different auctions.
How PGL Loads Vehicles for Container Shipping
Container loading deserves careful attention because the vehicle will remain secured inside the container during handling and ocean transportation.
PGL's vehicle loading service uses chains, straps and foam as part of its standard protection method.
The loading team positions and secures the vehicles inside the container, then records the loading with photos. Customers can view those photos through PGLSystem.
For luxury or high-value vehicles, additional protection can also be arranged.
Before choosing any shipping company, it is worth asking how the vehicle will be secured and whether loading photos will be available. Those details tell you far more than a general promise of safe shipping.
Export Documents and Vehicle Titles
International vehicle shipping depends on correct documentation.
A vehicle leaving the United States needs the required ownership and export documents. The exact paperwork can vary according to the vehicle, title status and destination.
PGL provides vehicle title services as part of the export process.
Auction buyers should pay particular attention to title status before purchasing. A vehicle being available for sale does not automatically mean its paperwork will meet the import requirements of every country.
Checking this before bidding can prevent problems after the vehicle has already been purchased.
International Shipping from the USA
After the vehicle is received, documented and prepared for loading, PGL coordinates its international shipment.
The company's car shipping services connect US loading locations with markets across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and other regions.
The route used for a vehicle depends on its location in the United States, the destination, available shipping services and the type of shipment being arranged.
Keeping the inland and ocean stages connected is useful because a vehicle purchased hundreds of miles from a loading warehouse first has to reach that facility before the international shipment can begin.
PGL's US Warehouse Network
Warehouse location has a direct effect on vehicle logistics.
PGL currently lists US vehicle logistics locations in:
- Savannah, Georgia
- Houston, Texas
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Jersey City, New Jersey
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Los Angeles, California
The current addresses and locations can be found on PGL's branches page.
Having loading locations in different parts of the country gives PGL options when arranging transportation for vehicles purchased in different states.
For dealers purchasing regularly from US auctions, that network can also make it easier to organize vehicles heading toward similar export routes.
Tracking a Vehicle After Purchase
Once a vehicle leaves the auction, customers naturally want to know what has happened to it.
PGL provides online vehicle and container tracking.
A shipment can be searched using information such as:
- VIN
- Auction lot number
- Container number
PGLSystem also gives customers access to shipment information and vehicle photos.
This creates a record of important stages rather than leaving the customer dependent on individual messages for every update.
For businesses handling multiple vehicles, having shipment information in one system can make inventory and shipping management easier.
Customs Clearance and Destination Support
The shipping process may continue after the container reaches its destination.
Depending on the country and service arrangement, vehicles may still need customs clearance, container release and inland transportation.
PGL provides customs clearance services in supported markets and also operates offices and works with local teams in several international destinations.
Import requirements are not the same everywhere. Vehicle age restrictions, title requirements, taxes, duties and acceptable vehicle conditions can differ by country.
Customers should confirm the rules that apply at their destination before purchasing a vehicle in the United States.
That check is particularly important for auction vehicles. A vehicle that can legally be exported from the United States may still face restrictions in the importing country.
Why the Complete Process Matters for Dealers
A customer shipping one vehicle may only need to follow a single purchase and shipment.
A dealer can be managing vehicles at several stages at the same time.
One vehicle may still be at the auction. Another may be on a tow truck. Several may already be at the warehouse. Others may be loaded or travelling by sea.
That makes coordination important.
Using the same logistics network for auction access, towing, receiving, loading, documentation and shipping gives dealers a clearer view of where their vehicles are within the process.
It also means fewer handoffs between unrelated service providers.
What Should You Check Before Choosing a Car Shipping Company?
Before booking an international vehicle shipment, find out exactly what the company will handle.
Check:
- Who collects the vehicle after purchase
- Whether non-running vehicles can be transported
- Where the vehicle will be received
- Whether arrival photos are provided
- How vehicles are secured inside containers
- Whether loading photos are available
- Who manages export and title documents
- How shipment tracking works
- What support is available at the destination
Also confirm what is included in the service you are booking.
Two companies may both advertise international vehicle shipping while handling very different parts of the actual journey.
Who Uses PGL's Vehicle Shipping Services?
PGL works with both individual and commercial vehicle buyers.
An individual importing a vehicle may need help coordinating the process for the first time.
A dealer may need to manage regular auction purchases and several vehicles at once.
A larger importer may be more concerned with warehouse coverage, container loading, documentation and shipment visibility.
The service required depends on the vehicle, its location in the United States, the destination and how much of the logistics process the customer wants PGL to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PGL pick up vehicles directly from US auctions?
Yes. PGL provides vehicle transportation from US auctions and can move purchased vehicles to its loading facilities.
Which vehicle auctions does PGL provide access to?
PGL provides access to major auction platforms including Copart, IAAI, Manheim and ADESA.
Can PGL transport a vehicle that does not run?
Yes. Non-running vehicles can be transported. PGL should be informed of the vehicle's condition so the correct towing and loading arrangements can be made.
Can customers see photos of their vehicles?
PGL records vehicle photos during parts of the handling and loading process. Loading photos are available to customers through PGLSystem.
How can I track a vehicle or container?
PGL's tracking system accepts a VIN, auction lot number or container number where applicable.
Does PGL handle vehicle titles?
PGL provides title services for vehicles being prepared for export from the United States. The requirements depend on the vehicle and destination.
Does PGL provide additional protection for luxury vehicles?
Yes. Additional protection can be arranged for luxury and high-value vehicles during container loading.
A Car Shipping Company Should Be Able to Explain the Whole Journey
Choosing an international vehicle shipping company should involve more than comparing shipping promises.
You should know who will collect the vehicle, where it will be received, how it will be secured, who will handle the export documents, how you will follow the shipment and what happens after it reaches the destination.
PGL manages these connected parts of the vehicle logistics process through its US facilities, international shipping network and customer system.
If you have already purchased a vehicle in the United States, or are planning to buy one, you can review PGL's vehicle shipping services or contact the team with the vehicle location and destination.
