FAQ
Contact Support
Who can buy a car from us?
Use of our car-related services is restricted to international and US dealers. You must buy and/or ship at least 10 vehicles per month to become and stay an active user of V&S Brothers.
If your business operates from outside of North America and you’d like to purchase/ship a car through V&S Brothers, no dealer licence is required. In such a case, all purchased vehicles must be exported outside of the USA and Canada.
Is registration required?
Yes. Fill out all required information on the registration page. Please note that you will need to upload a copy of your passport or business license before you can obtain full access to the V&S Brothers website and services.
Does information about my clients remain private?
Yes, your information will be kept safe on our SSL secured server.
Information about your clients will not be published anywhere on our website. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.
Does information about vehicles I bought and or ship using your services remain private?
Yes, your information will be kept safe on our SSL secured server.
Information about your purchases will not be published anywhere on our website with the exception of the “My account” section of our website, which is password protected and accessible only by you and your authorized users.
Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.
What if I register, but buy/ship less cars per month than required?
If you buy less than 10 cars per month, you are required to pay a surcharge of $200/vehicle below the pre-requisite number of vehicles to be purchased per month.
If you have simply had a slow month, no problem - we’ll waive this charge. However, please note, the surcharge can only be waived no more than 3 times per year, where the year commences on the date of your account registration.
What identification documents are accepted?
Any government issued ID, such as passport or any other major identification document. You may upload a copy of your ID during registration or after your registration request has been approved and you have access to your V&S Brothers account.
Is V&S Brothers only for international buyers?
No, American and Canadian businesses are more than welcome to use our services. As a matter of fact, many American dealerships outsource their shipping for their international sales to us. American wholesale companies also find our shipping rates very attractive for their global sales.
What are the accepted methods of payment?
International users can submit payment by bank-wire transfer. You can find Bank Wire Instructions in your V&S Brothers account.
American and Canadian businesses can pay using their corporate checks, by direct deposit to our bank, or by a wire transfer.
As a B2B structure, we don’t accept credit cards.
How do I make an international bank wire transfer?
- Find our Bank Wire Transfer Instructions, which includes our bank details, by logging into your V&S Brothers account.
- For deposit or payment for a purchased car, print the invoice for the car, which contains our bank wire transfer instructions, and take it to your bank.
Do I have to place a deposit before bidding on a car?
To participate in any auction, you must place a minimum deposit.
If a vehicle has a “Buy now” option, you will have the option to send the full payment, which will include the shipping to the final destination.
How do I know how much to deposit?
The minimum deposit is $400.
A deposit of 10% of your maximum bid on a vehicle is required. For example, if you plan to place a maximum bid of $10,000, you must make a deposit of $1000 to your account.
Is financing available on purchases and/or shipping?
Yes, we can offer short-term financing to pre-approved customers.
Terms and the line of credit depend on your history with our company.
Certain destination ports are excluded from our shipping finance program.
If you want to apply for a line of credit , please contact our billing department.
Is a deposit refundable?
The running balance, including deposits, on your account is fully refundable upon request.
Refunds to all customers, domestic and international, are made in the form of a bank wire transfer.
Allow 5-7 business days from the day you made the request for the refund to be transferred to your bank.
What are the V&S Brothers fees?
For each car purchased from the auto auction, we charge a one-time fee.
Please note, these fees are charged in addition to the auction fee.
Fees are subject to change and our updated fee schedule can be found here.
We DON’T charge a documentation fee.
What do the V&S Brothers fees cover?
V&S Brothers fees cover our service, which includes purchasing the vehicle for you, payment to the auction house, arrangements for vehicle delivery from the auto auction to the exit port in the US, shipping assistance to the port in your country (shipping charges apply), and handling all documentation involved in the exporting process from the USA and Canada. Mailing of the vehicle’s documents, all original ownership and shipping documents to the USA / Canada Customs, and then forwarding these to you by courier express post (FedEx, DHL, TNT).
When do I have to pay after a car is purchased?
Payment must be received within 3 days after you have purchased the car. To avoid auction late fees and possible storage fees, we recommend making the bank transfer on the day or day after your vehicle is purchased.
How much are auction late payment and storage fees?
If we do not receive the payment from you by the third day after the purchase, you’ll be charged $50/day as a late fee.
After 5 days of not receiving payment, a further auction storage charge of $20/day may occur.
We may ask you to submit a copy of your payment confirmation to ensure these fees stop accumulating.
If we have not received a payment or a copy of the payment confirmation by the seventh day, we reserve the right to resell the purchased vehicle at a non-reserve auction.
In this event, you will be charged a minimum of $300 or 10% of the final vehicle purchase price, whichever is greater, in addition to all auction fees associated with the sale of the vehicle.
Will you notify me when my payment is received?
Yes, you will receive an automated email message. Also, the status of your vehicle will be changed to “paid” in your V&S Brothers account.
Can I pay for the car after delivery?
No, all cars must be paid in full, which includes the balance of the vehicle cost, shipping charges, and all fees before the vehicle is released to you or your agent at the destination port.
Please note that a payment delay will result in storage charges at the port of destination and may affect your privilege to use V&S Brothers Credit for future purchases/shipping.
Who is responsible for incidental charges imposed by foreign governments?
While we do our best to inform you of all potential charges, destination charges and importation through the destination port are ultimately the responsibility of the party receiving the vehicle.
How and where do I place my bid / offer?
You will place your bid directly with the auto auction using an account that we provide to you.
If you are buying from a private seller, you can negotiate the price and terms of sale, and we will then arrange for the payment and delivery to one of our exit ports.
What is a “Buy Now”?
“Buy Now” cars are offered for sale with a fixed price and can be purchased right away (without going through the auction bidding process and taking the chance to be outbid).
Can I offer a lower price than the “Buy Now” price?
The "Buy Now" price is typically non-negotiable. However, sometimes it may possible to secure a 3-5% reduction in the price. Please contact the seller directly to negotiate the price.
Are there any auction fees for “Buy Now” vehicles?
Yes. You still have to pay the auction fee for the “Buy Now” vehicle; however, these fees tend to be much lower than for live auction vehicles.
How will I know what is going to be an auction fee?
Auction fees vary depending on the auction and the selling price. Auction fees typically range from $200-600. For more information on auction fees, please refer to our “Auction fees” page.
Can I negotiate the auction fee?
No, the auction fees are non-negotiable.
What is the average price?
The average price for a vehicle is the “average price” that is calculated from past auction sales of similar vehicles. This price gives you an idea as to how much the car might sell for.
Will I lose my deposit if I don’t win the car?
No. If you don’t win the car, the deposit will stay in your account and you can use it for your next purchases.
What is a vehicle inspection?
If you are buying a vehicle but you're worried about its condition, you can order an Independent Vehicle Inspection through V&S Brothers. Once your request has been approved by our Sales department, we will arrange for an independent physical examination by a licensed inspector for the vehicle you are considering. After this is done, you will receive a complete condition report complemented by pictures of the interior and exterior of the vehicle. Please note, you must have the deposit in your V&S Brothers account in order to use this service. To learn more, please contact our Sales department at [email protected].
What is a salvage vehicle?
A salvage vehicle is a vehicle with previous damage that was involved in a collision, flood and has water damage, theft, vandalism, fire, natural disaster etc. Ownership type will be Salvage Title, Salvage Certificate, Certificate of Destruction etc.
What is a clean car?
A clean title car is a car that has not been involved in any major accidents and has a clean title history. Ownership type will be Clean Title.
Do I have to be a registered user to buy a car from the V&S Brothers marketplace?
No, vehicles posted on the V&S Brothers website are available to the public and sold on a first come, first served basis.
How to buy a vehicle that is posted on the V&S Brothers website?
To buy a car from our website, you must place a $400 deposit to reserve this vehicle for you.
If you are a registered user, we can reserve this vehicle for you for a maximum of 24 hours without a deposit.
Are there any fees on vehicles sold on the V&S Brothers website?
No. We offer an all-inclusive price.
US retail buyers must pay NJ sales taxes.
Are prices negotiable for cars that are sold on the V&S Brothers website?
If you see the “make an offer” option, the price is negotiable.
If there is only the “Buy now” option, it’s already a rock solid bottom line price which is non-negotiable.
Do US auto auctions charge late pick-up fees?
Yes, purchased vehicles must be removed from the auction facility promptly.
After 5 days of not receiving payments, an auction storage charge of $20/day may be imposed.
What are the V&S Brothers storage fees?
For vehicles at our exit port locations, we offer 20 days FREE storage from the day the vehicle was delivered to our lot/warehouse.
After 20 days, a storage fee of $10/day applies.
These fees are non-negotiable and are applied regardless of what caused the shipping delay, whether that be bad weather or a delay with your next vehicle delivery or an ocean line strike.
What are the final destination storage fees?
Vehicles must be picked up at your destination port in a timely manner, usually within 48 hours of the vehicle entering the customs warehouse at the final destination.
After 48 hours, storage fees will be imposed.
These fees are solely your responsibility, regardless of what caused the delay in pick up, whether that be bad weather, late delivery of documents by mail (FedEx, DHL etc), busy customs season etc.
How can I find out the shipping price for the car?
Our shipping calculator is the most convenient way to determine the current cost of vehicle delivery within the US and/or to an overseas destination.
If your destination or vehicle type is not available on our calculator, please submit a quote request form here.
For all cargo quotes other than vehicles, please contact our shipping department at [email protected].
Is the shipping calculator accurate?
Yes. We keep our shipping calculator prices updated and it is the easiest way to check the price of shipping a car within continental US and/or to an international destination.
Can I use my own transportation company?
Yes. To do this, please request the address of the exit port to where the vehicle should be delivered.
Please also obtain and send us a copy of the Bill of Lading from your car transportation company before the vehicle is shipped from the USA / Canada.
How do I know how close my car is to the exit port?
Check out our map on the “shipping calculator” page. This will give you an idea about the time required for transit from all major auto auctions or street addresses to one of our exit ports. Please note, this is just an estimate time as we cannot predict how many stops a car hauler will need to make on the way to the exit port.
What do I need to know about US / Canadian customs?
We do the work for you to get the final approval for your cargo to be shipped from the US / Canada. We will submit all the required export forms. All you have to supply is the commercial invoices and sign the export instructions
Is my vehicle safe while being transported?
We trust your vehicles only to the best rated car shippers in the US and Canada and the most reputable ocean shipping lines, but if you’d like your car to be insured while being transported from the auction to destination port, insurance is available at 1.5% of the total invoiced price.
A deductible fee of $500 is required for each claim.
How can I check the status of my shipment?
Use our live tracking page to see the last reported location.
You will need the container number or VIN number to track your vehicle.
How will my cars be shipped?
Your cars will be shipped by “RORO” or “Container” shipping.
What is “RORO” shipping?
“RORO” means that your car will be driven inside the ship. This method of shipment is available to various destinations and does not involve consolidation. Please refer to this link to find out more information on “RORO” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roll-on/roll-off
What is “Container” shipping?
“Container” shipping is the most common way to ship a car. Basically, your car will be loaded inside a 20-foot or 40-foot container, and the container will then be sealed and delivered to the exit port to be loaded on an assigned vessel.
How many cars can be shipped in a 40-foot container?
Usually a 40-foot container fits 3 mid size cars or SUVs, or 4 compact cars, such as a Volkswagen Beetle or Toyota Prius.
What is consolidation?
Consolidation is when you only have one car to ship but you do not want to pay for the whole 40-foot container. Our shipping company may be able to consolidate your car with other cars that are being sent to your destination. This option is only available if it is logistically possible (that is, the destination port is sufficiently popular). For example, if your car is consolidated with 2 other cars in a 40-foot container, you will end up paying the equivalent of 1/3 of the price for a 40-foot container. If there is no consolidation available to your destination port, we can ship your car in a 20-foot dedicated container.
How can I know if V&S Brothers provides shipping to my country?
You can check the shipping calculator on our website to view all available destinations, and contact our Transportation department at [email protected] if you require more detailed information.
How can I drop the freight off?
Our warehouses are located near the exit ports. We organise the logistics and consolidation of purchased vehicles. We arrange delivery of vehicles to over 95% of our customers. In the rare case where you wish to deliver vehicles to one of our warehouses, for example, a drive in, you will need to contact us first to coordinate delivery and determine the exit port for your vehicle. Even if you have previously delivered vehicles to our warehouses, you must coordinate each new vehicle delivery with one of our dispatchers.
Once you have contacted us to determine which exit port is most suitable for your vehicle, please take a look at the directions to our warehouses.
I emailed but got no answer, what should I do?
Your email may have gone to the spam folder. Please try to resend your email, or simply contact our customer service department, and somebody will be happy to assist you.
What are your hours of operation?
Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (EST). Please note, we observed all US official holidays.
Can I get more information and pictures of a certain vehicle?
Please contact us. We will do our best to try and provide you with the requested additional pictures and information.
I found a vehicle by myself through the internet, will you help me negotiate and close this deal?
Yes. If the car is for sale by an authorized Auto dealer or company based in the US or Canada, we will be happy to assist you and we will do our best to negotiate a suitable price.
Should I purchase additional insurance?
It is strongly recommended that you purchase a marine insurance policy that covers your vehicle and shipping charges. There are two types of policies: "Full Coverage" and "Total Loss." Full Coverage covers the cost of the car, dents, scratches and shipping costs. Total Loss, while less expensive, only covers the cost of the vehicle if the vehicle becomes damaged beyond repair. Please ask about marine insurance when booking your order.
Where can I purchase additional insurance?
We provide several different insurance coverage options to meet your needs. Please contact us to discuss these options.
Do you offer cargo shipping by air?
Yes, for certain destinations, vehicles or commercial cargo delivery, we do offer air delivery.
Please fill out our quote form to receive an exact quote.