Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on How to Buy and Export Cars from USA (2024)

Registration Questions

Who can buy a car from us?

Whether you are a private buyer or a dealer, you can purchase cars through AuctionExport. If you live overseas and would like to purchase a car through AuctionExport no dealer license is required. All purchased vehicles must be exported outside of the USA and Canada.

What should I do to register?

Please fill in all the information on the registration page Register. Once you submit your data, you will receive an email with a validation link. Click the link in that email to validate your account.
Please note that you will need to upload a copy of your passport and/or business license once you place a deposit. The paperwork will be registered under the account name provided.

Will my information be kept private?

Yes, your information will be kept safe on our SSL secured server.

What kind of Identification I need and how can I send it?

You do not need to send us your identification document during the registration process; however, if you want to start bidding and are ready to place a deposit, you will have to send us a copy of your passport or any other government photo ID to support your identity. You can email it to docs@auctionexport.com or fax a copy to +1.416.900.3303. Auction Export collects this information for verification purpose.This information is also used by Auction Export to release your vehicle at the port of destination.

How much do I pay for registration?

Registration is free.

What benefits do I get by registering?

You get access to over 250,000 Salvage and Clean Title cars at wholesale prices. Registered members may enjoy our additional Services such as Email Notifications, Car Inspection, VIN check reports, and more. AuctionExport will will help you search for a car, close the deal with the seller or bid at the auction, documentation handling, ground transportation, and worldwide shipping to the port of your destination.

I live in North America, can I still register?

Yes, you can register from anywhere in the world, as well as purchase vehicles. However all purchased vehicles must be sold for export outside of USA and Canada.

I don’t have Gift Certificate Promo code. Can I still register without promo code?

Yes, you can register without promo code. Gift Certificate promo code is a flyer with code that you can get in one of our office locations or you can get one from your friends, who already purchased a car with AuctionExport. This field is optional, so you can skip it and complete registration without the code.

Payment Questions

What are the methods of payment?

Deposits can be done by WorldPay using your Credit/Debit card, or by bank wire transfers. You can print out our Bank Wire Instructions from your Auction Export Profile. Full payments for your purchase must be done by bank wire transfer only.

Do you accept payments for the purchase or deposit (wire or Credit/Debit card payments) from a third party?

Auction Export does not accept third party payments. Auction Export is obligated by law to “Know Your Customer”, therefore, third party payments put our customers as well as our company at risk. We appreciate your business, however, cannot compromise our integrity by making exceptions. Please contact Auction Export for clarification at help@auctionexport.com

How do I make bank wire transfer and what are your company's bank wire instructions?

•For deposit with bank wire you can print out our Bank Wire Instruction from your AuctionExport website Profile.
• To pay for your purchase, please note that each vehicle wholesale agreement (the invoice) has our bank wire information. You can provide this information to your bank or use it for online banking. Please make sure to send us a copy of your payment confirmation as soon as available.

Why do I have to pay the deposit first?

We require a deposit to ensure that you are making sincere and truthful "BID" or "BUY NOW", as well as reserve the vehicle at the selling auction.

What is a minimum required deposit?

Minimum deposit is 10% of your Bid/Buy Now price with a minimum of $600. Certain auctions require 15% of your Bid/Buy Now price with a minimum of $1000.

How do I know how much to deposit?

Deposit of 10% from the purchase price is required. For example if you wish to place a bid or submit A “Buy Now” offer for $10,000 you will need to have $1000 deposit on your account. Certain auctions require 15% of your Bid/Buy Now price with a minimum of $1000. For Example if you wish to place a bid or submit a “Buy Now” request for $10,000 you will need to have a $1500 deposit in your account.

Will you refund my deposit if I request?

Deposits are refundable within the first 12 months. After this period, the deposit becomes non-refundable and can only be used towards the purchase. All bank wire transfers will be refunded upon your request. "Refund Payment" is available in your "PROFILE", please follow the link and instructions so that we could process your request. Transfer time for the bank wire transfer is around 5-7 business days. All Credit/Debit card transfer is around 5 business. There is a 3.8% charge for every Credit/Debit card refund. A bank fee of no more than $100 will apply to all bank wire refunds.

Why do you charge AuctionExport fee?

For providing exceptional support to our members we only charge $295 for every successfully purchased car over $3000 and $195 for cars under $3000.

Why do I have to pay $295 / $195 fee and $95 documentation fee?

$295/$195 is the fee our company charges for supporting you in purchasing a vehicle. Our services include: searching for the right car, closing a deal with the seller, shipping assistance to the port of your destination (shipping charges apply), and handling documentation to export the vehicle from the USA and Canada. $95 documentation fee includes postage fee. Original Title as well as additional documents will be mailed to the USA/Canada Customs, and then will be couriered to you (FedEx or DHL).

How much time do I have to send my money over to you after the purchase?

You have 3 days (including the day of purchase) to pay in full for your Wholesale Vehicle Agreement (the invoice).

What are the penalties if you do not receive my money on time?

You have 3 days (including the day of purchase) to pay in full for your Wholesale Vehicle Agreement (the invoice). Vehicles not paid for within the above-specified timeframe will be subject to an auction late fee ($50 or 2% of the selling price of the vehicle, whichever is greater) and storage, as well as AUCTION EXPORT Late Fee of 0.125% per vehicle per day; AUCTION EXPORT in its sole discretion reserves the right to waive any penalties or late fees. There will be a re-delivery charge billed towards your purchase due to non-payment, late payment, and/or missing documents, and also if the vehicle was purchased with a pending Title. If AUCTION EXPORT does not receive the payment within 5 days after the purchase, AUCTION EXPORT will consider your purchase canceled. In that case, your car will be relisted and a minimum fee of $600 or 10%, whichever is greater, from the purchase price will be charged, and/or your car will be put up for sale and all the costs that will be applicable to a resale of the vehicle will be billed towards your deposit. Some Auctions will charge a cancellation fee of $1,000 or 15%, whichever is greater, which will be applied to a client's account in case of cancellation.

Do you offer financing?

We offer financing to the following destinations: Finland, Germany, Lithuania and Ghana. Pre-approval is required. Please contact us before bidding. For further information on financing please email us to sales@auctionexport.com.

How would I know if you received my payment?

You will receive an automated email message. You can also check the status of your payment in the “Finance” section of your profile.

Which countries can we not do business with?

Canada has sanctions and related measures in place against a number of countries. We will not approve an account if the member is in any of these countries. For more information, please visit the official website of the Government of Canada.

Can I pay for the car after delivery?

No. Vehicle wholesale agreement (the invoice) has to be paid in full in order to start the shipping process. You may also contact us prior to the purchase to find out if the car qualifies for Financing, please email to sales@auctionexport.com.

If the car doesn’t have Buy Now Price, how can I get the price to be ready for the purchase?

We advise you to check results of previous auctions in Similar Vehicle Price Statistics Results available on every car profile. Results will give you an idea of the average price of the vehicle you are looking for. You can also check Auctions Sale Results in your profile or browse similar offers with BuyNow prices.

Do you accept payments in cryptocurrency?

No, we don't accept cryptocurrencies. Auction Export receives payments in USD (American dollars only). The payment can be done through credit card and by bank wire transfer.

Bidding/Buying process

How and where do you place my bid/offer?

Once you submit your bid/offer on our website, we will then submit it to the selling auction, insurance company, bank, or the dealer.

If I am the highest bidder at the indicated bidding end time, does that mean that I won the car?

No, this means that you are the highest bidder on our website, and we will submit your bid to the selling auction,insurance company, bank, or the dealer. If the car is sold by the auction, there are other local and international bidders that are bidding on the same car. There is always a risk of being outbid. However, international buyers (like our members) are willing to pay higher prices for cars in the USA and Canada due to the perceived value of the vehicles or because the cost of repairs and maintenance is still cheaper for foreign buyers. If the car is sold by the insurance company, bank, or a dealer, we will submit your highest bid to the seller, and only if the seller approves your bid, you will win the car. It is your best interest to place a reasonable bid amount to win the car.

What is a “Buy Now”?

“Buy Now” is a fixed price option that allows you to purchase a car right away.

Can I offer a lower price than “Buy Now” price?

The "Buy Now" price is typically non-negotiable. However, sometimes you can get a 3% - 5% decrease in the price. Please contact us in regards to this and our team of experts will do everything possible to negotiate the best price for you.

Are there any auction fees for “Buy Now” vehicles?

Yes. You would have to pay the auction fee for the “Buy Now” vehicle; however those fees tend to be much lower than for the live sale vehicles.

How would I know what is going to be an auction fee?

Auction buyer fee vary depending on the selling auction and the winning price.For more information on auction fees, please refer to our “Auction fees” page.

Can I negotiate auction fee?

No, auction fees are non-negotiable.

How can I cancel my bid or the “Buy Now”?

Please note that you can NOT cancel your bid once it was received. In some cases it might be possible if the auction did not start yet, but you can still call our sales department and see if you can cancel the bid. "Buy Now" request cannot be canceled at any time.

What is the average price?

It's “an average price” of past auction sales of similar vehicles. This price may give you an idea on how much the car can sell for.

Will I lose my deposit if I don’t win the car?

No. If you don’t win the car, the deposit will stay on your account and you can use it for your next purchases.

What is the vehicle inspection?

If you are buying a vehicle and you're worried about its condition, you can order an Independent Vehicle Inspection through ‪AuctionExport‬. Once your request has been approved by our Sales department, we will arrange an independent physical examination by a licensed inspector for the car you are considering to buy. After it is done, you will be given a full-size condition report complemented with interior and exterior pictures. Please note, you must have a deposit on your AuctionExport account in order to use this service. To learn more details, please contact our Sales department sales@auctionexport.com.

Order A Car process

How does ordering a car work?

Select the make and model: The first step is to choose the make and model of the car you want to order. Fill out the form and our experienced sales agent will start the search. Once we have a match you will receive an email with vehicle details, pictures and price if available. Overall, ordering a car can be a convenient way to get the exact make and model with the specific options and features you want.

If I want to purchase a vehicle that was offered to me, what should I do?

If you liked the car that was offered to you, you simply contact us and confirm that you are interested in buying this vehicle. We will require 10% of the car price with a minimum of $600 deposit in order to reserve this vehicle for you. Please note that if you do not have the required amount on your account, you can always add money using your Credit/Debit card. We do not advise to use bank wire transfer deposits, as by the time your deposit arrives, the car might be sold to someone else.

Are there any fees on “ORDER A CAR” Vehicles?

We charge our standard fee of $295 (if the car price is over $3000) or $195 (if the car price is less than $3000). There is no extra fee to use this service.

Is “ORDER A CAR” price negotiable?

Yes, it is negotiable. Our sales team will do their best to receive the maximum possible discount for you.

Shipping

How can I find out the shipping price for the car?

You can use our shipping calculator to estimate the cost. However, the shipping calculator does not take into consideration the size and weight of the vehicle, as well as exact condition. For an exact quote please contact our shipping department at shipping@auctionexport.com.

Is the shipping calculator accurate?

No. The shipping calculator only provides an estimate. Please contact us at shipping@auctionexport.com to get the exact quote.

Can I use my own transportation company?

We suggest checking our shipping rates first, as we offer very competitive prices due to the volume. Auction Export offers consolidation service to many destinations. However, you are free to use your own shipping company. Once the vehicle is exported out of USA/Canada, you are required to provide us with a copy of the Bill of Lading. Ground transportation is done exclusively by Auction Export.

How do I know how far my car is from the exit port?

We have provided a detailed map of the USA on our shipping page Shipping. The map provides you with an estimated price of the ground transportation to the nearest exit port. Please note that major exit ports are located in NY (New York), CA (California), TX (Texas), FL (Florida), MD (Maryland).

Is my vehicle safe while being transported between the states?

Your car is fully insured while being transported between the states; however,If you would like ocean insurance at 1.5% of the total invoiced price, please email us to shipping@auctionexport.com $500 deductible is applicable to all claims.

How can I check the status of my shipment?

We will be notifying you of the status via your registered email. You can also check your Profile under Purchases.

How will my cars be shipped?

Your cars will be shipped by “RORO” or “Container” shipping.

What is “RO RO” shipping?

RORO (short for Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping is a type of ocean freight service.RORO shipping is a cost-effective and efficient way to transport cars. This method is available to various destinations and does not involve consolidation.

What is “Container” shipping?

“Container” shipping is the most popular way to ship a car. Basically, your car will be loaded inside a 20 feet or 40 feet container, and the container will be sealed.

How many cars can be shipped in a 40 feet container?

Usually a 40 feet container fits 3 mid size cars or SUVs, or 4 small cars, such as Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla.

What is consolidation?

Consolidation is when you only have one car to ship but you do not want to pay for the whole 40 feet container. Our shipping company will consolidate your car to several popular destinations. For example, if your car is consolidated with 2 other cars in a 40 feet container, you end up paying only 1/3 of the price of the 40 feet container. If there is no consolidation to your port, we can ship a car in a 20” dedicated container.

Which port is better for consolidation?

The most popular port is New Jersey. However, always check with our shipping department regarding consolidation to your destination country prior to your purchase.

How long does it take to get my car?

An average transit time is 45-60 days from time of purchase. Please note that delays may occur due to weather conditions, slow traffic, snow bird season, documentation delay, etc. Please ensure that your payment is received on time.

How may I know if Auction Export provides shipping to my country?

You can check the shipping calculator on our website to view all available destinations, and contact our Shipping department shipping@auctionexport.com to get more detailed information.

Other questions

What is your contact information?

Phone: +1 416 900 3303
Fax: +1 416 900 3303
E-Mail: help@auctionexport.com
Skype: auctionexportsales

What are your hours of operation?

9:00 am - 6:00 pm Monday-Friday (EST); 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday (EST)

What is your address?

 4515 Chesswood Dr, Unit:X, Toronto, ON M3J2V6 Canada

I am trying to login but keep getting an error, what should I do?

Most likely your registration is not approved yet, please contact us to find out more on the status of your registration.

I emailed and got no answer, what should I do?

It is possible that your email went to spam, please try to resend your email, or simply contact our customer service department via phone or live chat during regular business hours.

How often is the inventory on the site being updated?

Inventory is being updated on a daily basis.

Can I buy new cars from you?

Yes. We can offer you a variety of new cars as well as factory orders. Please contact us for more information.

What is a salvage vehicle?

A salvage vehicle is a vehicle that has been damaged or declared a total loss by an insurance company due to an accident, natural disaster, theft, or other event. Salvage vehicles may have various types of damage, such as collision damage, flood damage, fire damage, or theft recovery damage. In some cases, the damage may be cosmetic or minor, while in others, the vehicle may be severely damaged or inoperable. Ownership type is: Salvage Title, Salvage Certificate, Certificate of Destruction etc.

What is a clean car?

A clean title vehicle is a vehicle that has not been in a serious accident or sustained significant damage that would result in the vehicle being declared a total loss by an insurance company. Clean title vehicles are typically more desirable and may command higher prices than vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, as they are considered to be in better condition and have fewer potential issues. Ownership type is Clean/Clear Title.

Where do you get the vehicles you sell on www.auctionexport.com?

Our inventory comes from major Salvage and Clean Auto Auctions, Insurance Companies, Banks and Auto dealers.

Can I get more information and pictures of a certain vehicle?

You may use our additional services such as Vehicle Inspection and VIN history Report to get more information. Your sales agent might be able to contact the seller and get more pictures if available. Please contact us to be assisted.

I found a vehicle by myself through the Internet, will you help me negotiate and close this deal?

Yes. If the car is being sold by a Licensed Auto dealer we will be happy to assist in negotiating a price and closing the deal on your behalf.

Why is it better for me to let Auction Export to close the deal instead of just me buying the car directly from the selling dealer?

One of the reasons is that you are an international buyer, and when purchasing from a dealer there is no guarantee that they will be honest with you. Also they will have to sell you the car as retail, and in some cases dealers can charge you sales tax. If we will close the deal for you, we will buy that car as a wholesale unit, we do not pay any retail or sales taxes, and we can better negotiate the deal.

I purchased a vehicle from another company in the USA, but I would like Auction Export to ship this car for me, is it possible?

Yes it is possible. Please email us the exact make and model of the vehicle as well as the location at shipping@auctionexport.com.

Can I pay in different currency aside from US Dollars?

We only accept US Dollars.

We're a salvage yard, insurance company, bank, and we want Auction Export to advertise our cars on the international market.

Please contact us in this regard, we always search for new trusted inventory sources.

Can I be official Auction Export dealer in my country?

It's possible for you to become a partner of Auction Export, by becoming the official reseller dealer with us. You must have an AuctionExport account in good standing and a minimum of 15 vehicle purchases. You can check contacts of our local official dealers in the Contact us section or contact us for more details.