The Citroën AMI8, a unique and iconic French classic car, has captured the hearts of automotive enthusiasts worldwide. When Joe, a returning Autoshippers customer, found his second Ami 8 in the UK, he knew exactly who to trust with the shipping process.
A large portion of our shipments come from customers that have shipped with us before, with many customers that contact us again and again to help with their car shipping needs.
Shipping a Citroën Ami 8 to the USA – How Does it Work?
After already using Autoshippers’ Ro/Ro car shipping services for his other Citroën Ami 8, Joe had no hesitation in booking the same option for his next venture into the car shipping world. Ro/Ro stands for Roll-on/Roll-off and vehicles are driven onto the specially designed vessel via a ramp and secured below deck with padded strapping to ensure that they do not move when in transit across the sea. Once the vessel reaches its destination, the vehicles are once again driven off.
The seller made sure the vehicle was completely cleaned, both inside and out. This step was crucial to meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards, which are designed to prevent the entry of hazardous pests into the United States. Additionally, because our Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro) car shipping service does not allow the shipment of personal or household items within the vehicle, the seller removed all such items. However, we offer alternative shipping methods, like our dedicated container service, which do permit the inclusion of personal items inside vehicles for transport.
Once a vehicle is delivered to the quayside, in this case at Southampton port, a Vehicle Condition Report is undertaken by a specialist Automotive Surveying company that Autoshippers have used for many years. This report documents any pre-existing damage, which creates a record of the vehicle’s condition before transit for insurance purposes, as well as giving you peace of mind if you are purchasing from an overseas seller that you may not have bought vehicles from previously, and may not have even seen the vehicle in person.
Documentation Required to Ship a Citroën Ami 8 to the USA via Ro/Ro
Shipping a vehicle across borders is a process that requires meticulous attention to detail, especially when it comes to documentation. For our recent shipment of a Citroën Ami 8 from the UK to the USA, here are the essential documents that were needed to ensure a smooth transition through both UK and US Customs:
- Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C): Joe’s first step was to obtain the V5C from the seller. Issued by the DVLA, this document is a must-have for shipping vehicles, as it verifies the car’s registration and provides essential details like the VIN. Joe uploaded a copy of the V5C to Autoshippers’ secure online portal, knowing well that without matching the VIN on the V5C to the car, his Citroën wouldn’t be allowed on board.
- Providing Proof of Purchase: Since the Citroën wasn’t yet registered in Joe’s name, he also needed to prove his ownership. He submitted a copy of the bill of sale along with the V5C. This document served as undeniable proof that Joe was the new rightful owner, ready to ship his Citroën Ami 8 to the USA.
- Passport Copy: The shipper’s passport information is essential for completing the Importer Security Filing (ISF) with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A copy of the photo page of the shipper’s passport is required to meet this regulation, which necessitates advance cargo information before loading onto the vessel.
- Customs Clearance: The UK Customs export clearance process was handled by Autoshippers, and we have in-house Customs clearance experts that input all data into the UK Customs system meaning vehicles are released for export in time to meet booked vessels. We do not need any specific information from you that we don’t already have from your V5, passport and booking details, so using a car shipping service with an in-house Customs brokerage team like Autoshippers means that this is an easy process for you.
Loading and Securing a Vehicle on a Ro/Ro Vessel
After the car was delivered to the quay, the condition report undertaken, and it had been released for export from the UK by Customs, it was then loaded onto the Ro/Ro vessel by a team of expert handlers and safely secured below decks.
The car was carefully positioned and parked in a designated area of the vessel’s lower decks, along with other vehicles, usually being segregated by type and size. All vehicles are then arranged specifically to maximise space and ensure safe and quick loading and unloading.
A Ro/Ro vessel has built-in lashing points, or D-rings on the deck which are used to secure vehicles, and they are secured using different types of lashing equipment, which could be straps, chains or tensioners (ratchet straps that can be tightened). Lashing patterns are used to distribute the tension evenly and prevent shifting or tipping.
Once all vehicles are secured the lashing points and equipment are inspected to ensure that they are properly tightened and capable of withstanding any forces that may be placed on them during the vessel’s voyage across the sea.
Shipping to The USA via Ro/Ro
Once all vehicles were loaded and properly secured below decks, the vessel began its journey to the USA. For Joe’s Citroën Ami 8 we booked on a vessel called the Cepheus Leader, which is capable of loading around 5,000 cars. The sailing from the UK port of Southampton to the US port of Long Beach takes around 21 days, and the vessel is designed to be stable whilst navigating the rocking motion at sea.
On arrival at Long Beach port, the unloading process can begin via the same manner that the vehicles were loaded in the UK, by unlashing and driving off the vessel one by one. During this process the vehicles are inspected for any damage that may have occurred during the voyage, and are then placed in a designated area within the port.
Our US agent handled the Customs Clearance process in the USA, much in the same way that we handled the UK export clearance, and the registration documents and Bill of Lading were presented along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) form HS-7 that enables Customs to release Joe’s Citroën Ami 8 for collection from the quay.
For more information on importing a car into the USA then take a look at our USA Car Shipping Guide or our blog on Everything You Need to Know about the 25-year Rule.
The Benefits of Ro/Ro Shipping vs Container Shipping
There are many benefits to shipping via Ro/Ro services rather than container services. These include;
- Cost-effectiveness: Lower handling costs as there are no loading/unloading and additional handling to secure inside a shipping container can help to make the Ro/Ro shipping cost lower than containerised shipping services.
- Faster loading and unloading times: The process is generally faster than container handling, reducing port turnaround times.
- Reduced transit time: On some routes Ro/Ro vessels are direct port to port, where containerised shipping may have transhipments where containers are unloaded from one vessel onto another.
- Flexibility: Ro/Ro ships can accommodate a wide range of vehicle sizes and types, from cars to trucks to heavy plant machinery.
The Citroën company
In 1919, French industrialist André Citroën founded The Citroën company, an automobile manufacturer that grew to become one of the world’s leaders in the industry in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Citroën was an early pioneer of automotive design, with innovations such as the Traction Avant model in 1934 which came with a pioneering front-wheel drive system.
After the Second World War they continued developing cars that had novel technology such as the DS in 1955 which has aerodynamic bodywork and semi-automatic transmission. This made it a radical departure from the traditional car designs from the time and, although the cost was initially prohibitive, it became an automobile icon.
Models such as the Ami, GS and CX throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s continued to further solidify Citroën’s creativity and innovation however, Citroën was bought by Peugeot in 1976 after the company encountered financial issues. The company was then rebranded as PSA Peugeot Citroën and, under their ownership the company developed models to appeal to a wider market whilst retaining some distinctive design elements.
The PSA Group continues to thrive today, with 13,900 employees, success in the World Touring Car Championship in the 2010’s and new models being released including SUVs/Crossovers and vans.
Citroën AMI
In 1961, Citroën wanted to produce an affordable, no-frills city car for the mass market, and the resulting design introduced the world to the Citroën Ami, the name deriving from the French word for “friend”. Inspired by the legendary Volkswagen Beetle, the air-cooled 602cc flat-twin engine was mounted in the rear, producing a modest 32 horsepower.
Although this would seem modest by modern standards, it did give the very lightweight Ami surprisingly good performance for the time. It also featured some innovative engineering as well as a spacious body (helped by the engine being placed in the rear) The suspension used horizontal arms and air cylinders giving a cushioned ride very similar to the bigger Citroën models such as the DS and CX. The weight was reduced with the use of plastic body panels and Citroën’s marque stylings like the reverse-rake rear window gave the Ami a unique appearance.
Over the 17-year production run the Ami was continuously updated, although it retained its core design. Although later models were fitted with more powerful 692cc engines, by the 1970’s it was showing its age against more modern superminis such as the Renault 5 or the Fiat 127. Manufacturing was halted in 1978 after over 1.8million vehicles had been produced, making it one of Citroën’s most successful models.
Autoshippers – The Car Vehicle Shipping Experts
Joe’s second Citroën Ami 8 shipment with Autoshippers departed from Southampton quay in the UK and arrived at the port of Long Beach in the USA 21 days later. Yes, we make it sound so easy don’t we, well why don’t you just ask Joe how he feels about the service he received from Autoshippers?
“Flawless transaction, simply went and picked the car up when it arrived in Long Beach”
So, maybe it IS that easy!
As well as our Ro/Ro service, we have our shared container service or dedicated container service available to all major destinations worldwide. The means that we have services for all makes, models and budgets, as well as specialist marine insurance cover for your peace of mind.
If you would like to know the best shipping option for your own requirement, or would like a quotation to ship your vehicle from the UK to the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Cyprus or anywhere else in the world, then simply visit our website and complete the simple car quotation form. Our sales team are waiting for you to contact so we can show you why you, like Joe, would come back to Autoshippers time and time again for your car shipping needs.
