Overview

Transporting vehicles between California (CA) and Hawaii (HI) can be a frustrating process to say the least, especially when you think that you can take care of the booking, paperwork, and processing yourself. Why not save yourself time and money by contacting American Auto Transport AAT and letting us arrange things for you? We have a streamlined process for transporting cars and trucks between Hawaii and California and a very long list of satisfied clients.

We offer two easily accessible ports in California – the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Oakland – and four in Hawaii – the Ports of Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Kahului, and Hilo – with all vehicles passing through Honolulu on their way to or from the outer islands. And because we ship exclusively with Matson, we are able to secure exclusive, lower rates than the general public.

Preparing the Vehicle

American Auto Transport AAT also will pick-up your vehicle and transport it to and from the selected port(s), eliminating the need for you to have to struggle with such logistics. Prior to pick-up, you will need to ensure that the car or truck:

• Is thoroughly cleaned
• Has intact – no cracks or breaks – windshield and windows
• Is in fully operable condition
• Has a fully functional emergency brake
• Has less than ¼ of a tank of gas.

Absolutely no personal items are allowed to remain within the vehicle; the only items that can remain are the Owner’s Manual, a tire jack, and the spare tire. Subwoofers are allowed if they are bolted to the vehicle and the same applies to a roof rack. Car seats for infants and children may remain in the car or truck during transport, but they must be properly secured within the vehicle. You must also remove fire extinguishers and propane tanks.

Matson Reservation Information

We will need the following information from you, in order to secure a shipping reservation through Matson, at our exclusive, discounted shipping rates:

• Vehicle Year
• Vehicle Make
• Vehicle Model
• Vehicle Color
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• License Plate Numbers
• Name and Contact Phone Number(s) of Owner or Person Dropping Off the Vehicle

Port Paperwork Requirements

Leaving the Mainland

The following documents are required when dropping off a vehicle to be shipped from the mainland to Hawaii:

• Matson Booking Number
• Photo Identification
• Document showing the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of car or truck being shipped, such as the Title, Registration, or Insurance Card

Note that the person delivering the vehicle to the Port MUST BE listed on the Matson Booking Number. Also, if the person dropping off the vehicle is not the legal owner of the vehicle, they must provide a notarized letter from the owner / person who is on the vehicle’s title, to Matson, stating that they have permission to drop off the vehicle for shipping.

Leaving Hawaii

The following documents are required when dropping off a vehicle to be shipped from Hawaii to the mainland:

• Matson Booking Number
• Photo Identification
• Lien Letter from the Bank or Title
• Current Registration (from any state)

The person dropping the vehicle off at the Port MUST BE listed on the Matson Booking Number. Additionally, if the person who is dropping off the vehicle at the Port is not the person whose name is on the vehicle’s title, then the registered owner must provide a notarized letter, written to Matson, giving permission for the vehicle to be dropped off at the Port. And, it is important that anyone who has an interest in the vehicle – the driver, owner, or the bank who owns the lien on the truck or car – must give their written authority to ship the vehicle from Hawaii to the mainland.

Ports and Shipping Information

From the Mainland

• Port of Long Beach: Ship leaves port every Saturday
• Port of Oakland: Ship leaves port every other Thursday
• Transit time from the mainland to Hawaii is 10 to 12 days
• Matson will directly contact the customer once the vehicle is available for pick-up at the agreed-upon port; the customer will have five days to get vehicle; after five days, storage fees will be discussed.

From Hawaii

• All vehicles leaving Hawaii are transported by barge to the Port of Honolulu
• Port of Honolulu to Port of Long Beach: Ship leaves port every Saturday
• Port of Honolulu to Port of Oakland: Ship leaves port every Thursday
• Estimated transit time from Hawaii to the mainland is 17 to 21 days from date of drop at port
• Matson will contact the customer, directly, once the vehicle is ready for pick-up at the agreed-upon port; the customer will then have five days to pick-up the car or truck; if the vehicle is not picked-up within those five days, storage fees will be incurred.

Here at American Auto Transport AAT, we have shipped our customers’ vehicles between California and Hawaii thousands of times; our service is timely, affordable, and insured. Offering free quotes with absolutely no obligation, American Auto Transport AAT is your best choice for transporting your vehicle from Hawaii to California. Go ahead – contact us today.

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