Vehicle shipping agent for dealers and importers

Small and independent car dealers, classic and performance car buyers, auction customers and people moving a vehicle overseas or interstate.

A margin on each booking between what you charge and what carriers or shipping lines charge, plus fees for handling documents and coordination.

• Attention to detail with documents
• Building relationships with dealers and carriers
• Problem solving when schedules slip
• Willingness to learn import and export rules

• Importing and exporting vehicles has strict rules, so check current requirements with the relevant federal agencies before quoting
• Customs brokers may need to be licensed for some work, so check what you can do yourself and what to hand to a licensed partner
• Check cover for goods in transit and for your own professional liability
• Port, shipping and storage charges can change, so state clearly in quotes what is and isn't included
• Pay carriers and shipping lines on time while waiting for customers, as cash flow can get tight

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your set-up, insurance, marketing and the tools you use to manage bookings and paperwork. Treat these as estimates and build your own budget.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many dealers and importers you work with, the size of each job and what you charge. The estimate assumes at least about 15 hours a week.

Importing and exporting vehicles has strict rules, so check current requirements with the relevant federal agencies before quoting. Customs brokers may need to be licensed for some work, so check what you can do yourself and what to hand to a licensed partner.