Shipping Passenger Vehicles from Newark to Chicago via Ocean Freight

Readying cars for international shipping demands Thorough cleaning, removal or securing of all loose items, Checking for fluid leaks, and ensuring the battery is tight and protected. We recommend leaving about a quarter tank of fuel, fully charging the battery, documenting existing damage with photos, and providing all required Titles and export documents before the carrier collects the vehicle.

Rules on shipping personal items inside vehicles depend on the transport company and lane. Many international carriers do not allow household goods inside passenger vehicles due to customs and security regulations, while some domestic haulers Permit limited items if they are below window level and securely fastened. We recommend confirming with your carrier in writing and understanding that personal items are often outside normal liability, and they can complicate customs inspections.

To reduce moisture and rust risk for automotive cargo, specialists recommend starting with a completely dry vehicle, sealing all openings, and avoiding storage under sprinklers or in standing water. For longer or ocean shipments, using humidity absorbers inside the Vehicle, applying Temporary corrosion protection to vulnerable metal parts, and choosing sealed equipment wherever possible will significantly cut condensation and corrosion risk.

Standard carrier liability for autos is usually restricted and may not reflect the true value of your passenger vehicle. We recommend purchasing All-risk cargo insurance that covers theft, impact damage, and moisture-related issues such as corrosion or water intrusion. Provide an accurate value, share recent photos and condition reports, and confirm that loading, unloading, and any storage periods are explicitly insured.

For international vehicle transport, you typically need the original title or registration, a purchase invoice, a copy of your passport or company registration, and export/customs declarations filed in advance. Some destinations also require Emissions or safety compliance documents. We recommend checking destination-specific rules well before shipping to avoid delays, extra storage charges, or refusal of entry.

When shipping automobiles via ocean from Newark to Chicago, it is important to ensure that vehicles are properly secured in containers to prevent movement and damage during transit. Additionally, vehicles should be clean and free of personal belongings to comply with customs regulations.

Required documentation includes the bill of lading, commercial invoice, and any necessary customs forms. Since the route is domestic, there are typically no additional import/export regulations, but it's essential to have the vehicle's title and registration available for verification.

Customers move to DNA because we offer smarter tech, faster answers, AI-backed visibility, deep carrier relationships, and support from people who act like an extension of their team, rather than relying on slow, impersonal processes.

Our team serves retail and hospitality, technology and electronics, industrial manufacturing, healthcare equipment, and complex spare parts and machinery, and we can move global freight for other sectors as well.

Our system uses historical lane performance, live vessel telemetry, port congestion trends, and weather overlays to calculate constantly updating ETAs that go beyond static carrier estimates.