Global Transport & Shipping

Buying a classic muscle car from a specialist dealer in the Netherlands and having it arrive at your door in California, Texas, Dubai, or Sydney is not complicated. It simply requires the right logistics partner, the right documentation, and someone who has done it hundreds of times before. At Pedal to the Metal, worldwide delivery is a standard part of every sale. We handle everything from the moment the car leaves our facility to the moment it arrives at yours. This guide explains exactly how international shipping works for classic cars, what transport methods we use, and what you can expect at every stage.

For deliveries within Europe, we use our own professional Brian James trailers – both open and enclosed – depending on weather conditions and the specific requirements of the car. When conditions allow, an open trailer is a perfectly safe and practical option for a well-prepared classic. When weather is a concern or the car warrants the additional protection of a fully enclosed environment, we use our enclosed trailer. The decision is always made with the car’s condition and your peace of mind as the priority. For situations where we cannot handle delivery ourselves – due to distance, scheduling, or destination – we work exclusively with trusted, fully insured transport partners whose standards we know and stand behind. Either way, the car is in professional hands from the moment it leaves our facility to the moment it arrives at yours.

Delivery timelines within Europe depend on the destination and transport scheduling. Most European destinations are reachable within two to five business days of the car leaving our facility in Sneek. We coordinate transport scheduling as part of the purchase process and keep you informed of the expected delivery window. For clients who prefer to collect their car in person at our showroom in Sneek, that is always an option as well.

Classic cars shipped to the United States travel by ocean freight in enclosed shipping containers. We use enclosed containers rather than open roll-on roll-off vessels, which protects the car from salt air, weather exposure, and contact with other vehicles during transit. The container is loaded at a Dutch port, typically Rotterdam, which is one of the world’s largest and most efficient cargo ports with regular sailings to both the US East Coast and West Coast. Transit time on the water is typically two to three weeks depending on the destination port. East Coast ports including Baltimore, New York, and Jacksonville receive regular direct sailings. West Coast delivery via Los Angeles or another West Coast port takes slightly longer. Once the container arrives at the US port, it clears customs, and the car is then transported by enclosed carrier from the port to your final delivery address. Door-to-door from our facility in the Netherlands to your address in the United States typically takes six to eight weeks from the point of purchase.

Yes. Air freight is available for clients who need a car delivered faster than ocean freight allows, or who are shipping to destinations where ocean freight connections are less direct. Air freight for a classic car is significantly more expensive than ocean freight and involves specific preparation requirements – fuel must be drained to a minimum level, batteries may need to be disconnected, and the car must be loaded into a certified air freight container or cradle. For the right client and the right situation, air freight is a legitimate option and one we can arrange. Contact us to discuss whether air freight makes sense for your specific destination and timeline.

The Middle East, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is an active market for us. Cars destined for the Gulf region travel by ocean freight in enclosed containers, typically via the port of Jebel Ali in Dubai or King Abdullah Port in Saudi Arabia. Transit times from Rotterdam to the Gulf are generally three to four weeks. Customs clearance procedures and import requirements vary by country, and we are familiar with the documentation requirements for the major Gulf markets. We work with established freight forwarders who specialize in this route and handle the full logistics chain from our facility to the client’s door.

We ship to clients in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and other Asian markets as well. These destinations are served by ocean freight with longer transit times – typically four to six weeks from Rotterdam to major Australian and Asian ports. The same enclosed container approach applies. Import regulations vary significantly by country, and we will advise on the specific requirements for your destination at the point of purchase. For markets where the 25-year age exemption from local safety and emissions standards applies, the import process is generally straightforward.

We handle all export documentation from our end. This includes the export certificate, the bill of lading, the commercial invoice, and any certificates of origin required for the destination country. For US imports, we provide all documentation needed for the buyer to complete the EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7 age exemption filings, and we can recommend licensed customs brokers who handle these regularly. For other destinations, we advise on the specific import documentation requirements at the point of purchase. No buyer has to navigate the paperwork alone.

Yes. All cars shipped by Pedal to the Metal are covered by transit insurance for the full agreed value of the vehicle during transport. This covers the car from the moment it leaves our facility through to delivery at the final destination. We will confirm the insurance arrangements and coverage details at the point of purchase.

Because we use enclosed transport throughout – enclosed trailer within Europe, enclosed container for intercontinental shipping – the car arrives in the same condition it left our facility. We inspect and document the car thoroughly before it leaves, and we ask the receiving client to inspect it on arrival and confirm condition. In the rare event that any transit damage occurs, the insurance coverage handles it. Our track record over 20 years of international deliveries reflects the care we take in packaging and transport preparation.

You do not need to arrange anything independently. When you purchase a car from Pedal to the Metal, we discuss delivery as part of the transaction. We confirm the destination, advise on the most appropriate transport method for your location and timeline, confirm the shipping cost as part of the total transaction, and handle all logistics from there. Shipping costs are confirmed before you sign anything so there are no surprises in the total landed cost of the car. Contact us at [email protected] or call +31 6 25 19 61 76 to discuss your purchase and delivery requirements.