Shipping a Car To/From Hawai’i with Yellowfin Logistics

by Yellowfin Editorial Team

If you’re one of the many thousands to make the trip to and from Hawaii each year, then you’re probably aware that the two main options for shipping a car to the islands are by sea and by plane. Unless you’re wanting to transport a luxury or exotic vehicle, shipping by sea is the most popular option.

Why Yellowfin is Top Rated for Your Hawaii Shipping Needs:

Instant, all-inclusive quotes based on current market values
Affordable and custom-tailored rates to suit every budget
We utilize a network of 15,000 partner Carriers nationwide
Our highly experienced teams go the extra mile to ensure your shipping experience is hassle free (if hiccups do happen, we know how best to deal with them).
Transparent Customer Care throughout the entire shipping process
Regular status updates throughout the journey
Our reviews and testimonials bear witness to our dedication to impeccable service delivery

Yellowfin Logistics provides car shipping from/to almost all mainland locations in all 50 states to the Hawaiian Islands at the following ports:

O’ahu-Honolulu port
Maui-Kahului port
Big Island-Hilo port
Kauai-Nawiliwili port

Most of these shipments will be routed through the following West Coast hubs:

Long Beach
San Diego
Oakland

You can choose from the following shipping options provided:

PORT TO PORT

Transport from the ports of Long Beach, Oakland and San Diego to the ports of Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo and Nawiliwili and visa versa. This is the cheapest option which excludes any ground transport and entails dropping off and picking up of the vehicle by the vehicle owner or authorized party on each end.
The rates are $970 – $1790 from Hawaii to the West Coast hubs and $1600 – $2150 from the West Coast hubs to Hawaii.
If your vehicle is larger than 21’8 (length), 8′ (width) and 7′ (height) or is a vehicle with built-in accommodations for cooking or sleeping, the cost for transport will be higher.
Provisions for a $100 MILITARY DISCOUNT for active duty service members of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines or Navy can be provided for each shipment.

DOOR TO PORT

Transport from the mainland to Hawaii includes picking up the vehicle from any address provided & delivery to the relevant Hawaiian port.
The selected Carrier will load your car on their truck trailer and transport it to one of the West Coast hubs, depending on which one is the closest to your pick up origin.
The vehicle’s owner, or authorized party, will be required to pick up the vehicle at the port once the car is available.
The vehicle will be loaded on the barge and will be stored beneath the deck, fully protected from the elements and sea.
Once the vehicle arrives at the destination and is fully inspected, the customer will be notified and will have 3 business days (storage fee free) to collect the vehicle from the port.
The vehicle owner, or authorized party, will be required to present a photo ID and the booking number in order to have the vehicle released.
The price of door to port transport depends on the pick up origin, the size and weight of the vehicle & the type of ground transport chosen (open or enclosed trailer transport).

PORT TO DOOR

Transport from Hawaii to the mainland includes shipping of the vehicle from the Hawaii port to any address provided on the mainland.
The journey begins with the drop off of the vehicle at the Hawaiian port by the vehicle owner or authorized party.
The vehicle will be loaded in the belly of the barge and delivered to the destined West Coast hub.
Once it’s ready for ground transport, the selected Carrier will take possession of the vehicle from the Ocean Transport Company, load it on their truck trailer and deliver it to your address.
The price of port to door transport depends on the location of the final destination, the size and weight of the car and the type of ground transport chosen (open or enclosed trailer transport).
Please note that local transport in Hawaii is currently not available.

Documents Required for Eastbound Transport (from the mainland to Hawaii)

In cases where you will be shipping a vehicle TO the islands, no paperwork will be required. However, the pick up party in Hawaii must be designated and the vehicle will not be released to any other party but the one listed. The pick up party must present a photo ID and the booking number at the time of the pick up.

Documents Required for Westbound Transport (from Hawaii to the mainland)

In cases where you are shipping a vehicle FROM the islands to the mainland, the following documents will be required due to the specific Hawaiian laws and regulations:

A copy of the Title (both front and back page)
A copy of the vehicle’s current registration (both front and back page). If the vehicle is not registered please contact your local Hawaii DMV. The only exception is the port of Honolulu which allows transport of vehicles with expired registration.
If the vehicle is under Lien, you will need written authorization from the Lien holder (a bank or dealership) giving you permission to ship the vehicle to the mainland. Please note that a letter from a Lien holder doesn’t have to be notarized.
If someone other than the vehicle owner delivers the vehicle to the port, you must provide a copy of the owner’s ID and notarized letter of authorization from the registered owner(s) authorizing the shipping.
If there is more than one person listed on the Title and registration, both of the owners must be present at the time of a drop off or must provide authorization letters for shipping.
The drop off party must present a photo ID and the booking number at the time of a drop off.

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Shipping

Your vehicle must be in operating condition with a working emergency brake and license for operation, or qualified to be licensed, on public streets or highways.
The vehicle must be cleaned inside and out.
No personal belongings are allowed (the only items allowed are the spare tire, jumper cables, two baby/child seats and the parts that are default factory installed and bolted).
The gas tank must be filled to 1/4 tank, or less.
No cracks in the windshield or any other windows are allowed.
A minimum of 6″ ground clearance is required.
Electric cars must be charged to between 45% and 65%. Please pack the charging cord inside the vehicle in case it requires charging en route.

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car to and from Hawaii

Overall transit time depends on the pick up or delivery locations on the mainland.
For the ocean transit from the islands to the mainland ports, and visa versa, it takes 7 to 21 days. For example, it takes 7 – 10 days from Honolulu to California ports (depending on surf and overall weather conditions). Transit time to/from other islands is longer and varies based on the loading/unloading schedules of the main vessel and connecting barges.
As for the ground transport, the average estimation is 1 day for every 500 miles to be travelled. This, however, may vary due to numerous other factors affecting the specific Carrier chosen for transport.
Keep in mind that the vehicle must be dropped off at the port at least 4 days prior to the departure date. This should be included in the total transit time.

FAQ

Are door-to-door services available for shipping to and from Hawaii?

Local transport in Hawaii is currently unavailable. At this point in time, your transport begins and ends in one of Hawaii’s ports (Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo or Nawiliwili). This means that you will need to drop off and pick up the vehicle at/from the relevant Hawaii port.

2. Can I ship an inoperable vehicle to and from Hawaii?

Inoperable vehicles could be shipped to and from Hawaii only through the port of San Diego and at the special rates. Only privately owned inoperable vehicles will be accepted. Inoperable vehicles coming out of a co-part or auction will not be accepted.

3. How long does it take to ship the car to and from Hawaii?

Overall transit time depends on the origin of the pick up or delivery on the mainland. As for the ocean transit from the islands to the mainland ports, and vice versa, it takes 7-21 days. For example it takes 7-10 days from Honolulu to California ports, depending on the surf and the weather conditions. Transit time to/from other islands is longer and varies based on vessel and connecting barge schedules and loading/unloading time. As for the ground transport, a rough estimation is one day per 500 miles, but it may vary due to numerous factors. Please keep in mind that your vehicle must be dropped off at the port at least 4 days before sail date so you have to include it in the total transit time.

4. Do I have to be personally present at the time of pick up/drop off?

When shipping a vehicle FROM Hawaii the vehicle owner(s) must be personally present in the port at the time of a drop off. If that’s not the case, someone else can drop off the car on the behalf of the owner(s) but the vehicle owner(s) must have a notarized letter of authorization and the copy of ID. If there is more than one person listed on the Title and registration both of the owners must be present at the time of a drop off or provide authorization letter for the shipping. Also, a designated drop off party must be listed with the ocean transport company. When shipping a vehicle TO Hawaii anyone can pick it up at the Hawaii port, no authorization is needed but the pick up party must be listed with the ocean transport company and the car will be released to that party only.

5. How much does it cost to ship my car to/from Hawaii?

Car shipping from Hawaii to the mainland starts at $970. Car shipping from the mainland to Hawaii starts at $1,600 for the vehicles that don’t surpass 21’8 (length), 8’ (width) and 7’ (height). The cost of the ground transport from the port to your preferred address on the mainland, and vice versa, depends on the mileage and drop off location.

6. Can I track my shipment?

You can track ocean transit online through the ocean transport company website. As for the ground transport some carrier companies have GPS tracking system, some don’t. However, we always provide the drivers’ direct phone numbers so you can track the status of your vehicle with the driver directly.

7. How soon do I need to take the vehicle from the port?

Once the car is at the destined port, you will be notified and will have 3 business days to take the car from the port without paying storage fee.

8. Will my car be safe during transport?

Your vehicle will be loaded on the barge with the forklift and will be placed beneath the deck in the belly of the ship, fully protected from the elements and the sea. Ocean transport companies are dedicated to the protection of your car and will handle it with special care. The same refers to ground transport. Certified and experienced drivers will take a good care of your car and endorse it with a full $100,000 coverage insurance.

9. How far in advance should I make a booking?

We advise that you make your booking within a month of your planned move date but no later than 7 days before shipping date. That will give both you and us enough room to schedule ground and ocean transport seamlessly.

10. How do I make a booking?

The first step is to ask for the quote. You can do it by filling out the quote request form and you will receive an instant, precise and all inclusive quote based on the real market. In order to make a booking we will need the pick up and delivery address, the point of contact both in Hawaii and on the mainland, VIN, license plate number, the color of the car and preferred shipping date. We will make a booking both for ocean and ground transport, send you the paperwork and will walk you through the entire shipping process step by step.

11. Can I ship a motorcycle to and from Hawaii?

You can ship the motorcycle to and from Hawaii under the same terms and conditions as shipping the car. The only port accepting motorcycles is San Diego. Motorcycles don’t have to be pre-skidded, the skid will be provided by the ocean transport company but if you have the skid of your own that would reduce transport cost by $100.

12. How long does it take to drop off/pick up the car at the port?

Please allow approximately 30 minutes to drop off or collect the car from the terminal

Depending on your pick-up and delivery locations, a one way trip could take between two to four weeks. Port-to-Port shipping is faster than door-to-door, door-to-port or port-to-door shipping. Longer distances often require more than one mode of transport and/or Carrier Company. As such, it is always recommended to go with a Shipping Broker. Brokers are better equipped to arrange complex logistical planning, on your behalf, with multiple transporters.

Tags in

Booking, Carriers, Delivery, Pick-Up