Shipping Non-Running Cars from USA Auctions to Ghana: What Importers Should Know

Written by Abu Naif – International Vehicle Shipping Expert | VERO Shipping

Meta Title: Shipping Non-Running Cars from USA Auctions to Ghana | VERO Shipping

Meta Description: Shipping a non-running or damaged car from Copart or IAA in the USA to Ghana? Learn about pickup, towing, forklifts, title checks, container loading and shipping to Tema.

Buying a non-running or damaged vehicle from a U.S. auction can sometimes give Ghanaian importers access to cars at attractive prices.

But shipping a vehicle that does not start, roll or steer normally requires more planning than shipping a standard running car.

A vehicle purchased from Copart or IAA may have:

• Severe collision damage

• Missing keys

• Broken suspension

• Locked wheels

• Mechanical failure

• Flood damage

• Missing components

• Steering damage

• A discharged or damaged battery

• Front or rear structural damage

None of these conditions automatically means the vehicle cannot be shipped to Ghana.

However, the condition should be known before pickup is arranged.

For importers shipping through Tema Port, VERO Shipping coordinates important stages including U.S. inland transportation, vehicle receiving, export preparation, consolidation, container loading and ocean shipping.

Our dedicated USA Car Shipping to Tema Ghana service also explains why damaged and non-running vehicles require special consideration before a container plan is finalized. (Vero Shipping)

Here are the most important things Ghanaian vehicle importers should understand.

1. “Non-Running” Can Mean Many Different Things

Not every non-running vehicle has the same condition.

For example:

Vehicle A

The engine does not start, but:

• Wheels roll

• Steering works

• Tires are intact

• Suspension is normal

Vehicle B

The engine does not start and:

• One wheel is locked

• Suspension is damaged

• Steering does not work

• Front bumper touches the ground

Both vehicles may be described as non-running.

But their transportation requirements can be completely different.

This is why a buyer should never tell the transporter only:

“The car doesn't run.”

Give the complete condition whenever possible.

VERO's guide You Won a Car at a U.S. Auction — What Can Go Wrong Before It Reaches the Ship? explains that non-running vehicles may need different equipment even during the first pickup stage. (Vero Shipping)

2. Check Whether the Vehicle Rolls

A vehicle that does not start but rolls freely is generally easier to handle than one with locked wheels.

Check the auction photographs carefully.

Look for:

• Wheels pointing at unusual angles

• Flat or missing tires

• Broken suspension

• Wheel pushed into the body

• Missing axle components

• Severe front-corner damage

If the wheels cannot roll, the transporter may require special equipment.

This affects the U.S. inland transportation stage before the vehicle ever reaches the export facility.

For a wider explanation of how transportation fits into the export chain, review the complete USA vehicle export process.

3. Steering Condition Matters

A vehicle may roll but still be difficult to load if it cannot steer.

A severely damaged steering rack, suspension assembly or front wheel can prevent normal positioning.

This becomes particularly important when the vehicle reaches the loading facility.

Cars need to be positioned accurately inside the container.

A vehicle that cannot steer may require:

• Winching

• Forklift support

• Dollies

• Additional repositioning

• More loading time

Ghanaian importers should therefore consider roll and steer condition separately.

4. Missing Keys Can Create Additional Handling

Some Copart and IAA vehicles are sold without keys.

That can create several operational complications.

Without keys, the shipping team may be unable to:

• Unlock the steering

• Shift transmission normally

• Start the vehicle

• Release certain electronic systems

• Move the car under its own power

A vehicle without keys can still potentially be transported, but the transporter and loading team should know in advance.

The problem becomes larger when the car is already badly damaged.

5. Severe Suspension Damage Can Increase Pickup Difficulty

Suspension damage is one of the most important conditions to identify before transportation.

Look carefully for:

• Broken control arms

• Bent wheels

• Collapsed suspension

• Damaged struts

• Broken axles

• Missing tires

• Wheels trapped against body panels

A normal carrier may not be able to handle every severely damaged vehicle in the same way.

Special handling can affect both timing and price.

This is why experienced Ghana buyers calculate logistics before bidding rather than after winning.

VERO's USA inland vehicle transportation guide covers many of the problems that can happen between an auction yard and the export facility.

6. Auction Location Still Matters

The condition of the vehicle is only one factor.

Location matters too.

A non-running vehicle located relatively close to an export facility may be easier to organize than one located hundreds of miles away.

For example, buyers may purchase vehicles from auctions in:

• Georgia

• New Jersey

• Texas

• California

• Florida

• Illinois

• Michigan

• Pennsylvania

• Minnesota

• Other U.S. states

The farther the vehicle is from the selected export operation, the more important inland transportation planning becomes.

Before bidding, Ghanaian importers should request an approximate inland cost whenever possible.

7. Do Not Assume a Cheap Salvage Vehicle Is Cheap to Import

A $3,000 auction vehicle can become more expensive than expected after adding:

Auction price + auction charges + inland transportation + special handling + storage + export preparation + container shipping + Tema destination charges + repair costs

A vehicle purchased for $4,500 with moderate damage may sometimes be a better business decision than a $2,500 vehicle with severe suspension, electrical and structural problems.

VERO's USA-to-Ghana shipping cost guide explains why the total shipping cost depends on several factors rather than one fixed ocean-freight number. (Vero Shipping)

8. Check the Title Before Spending Money on Logistics

A damaged vehicle may be physically transportable but still have a documentation issue.

Before planning international export, understand what title or ownership document is available.

Possible descriptions may include:

• Clean

• Salvage

• Rebuilt

• Bill of Sale

• Parts Only

• Non-Repairable

• Certificate of Destruction

• Pending Title

Not every document has the same export implications.

The vehicle's physical condition and document condition are two different questions.

A car should ideally be reviewed for both before the final shipping plan is made.

9. Photograph the Vehicle When It Reaches the Export Facility

For international buyers, receiving photos are valuable.

The buyer may be in Accra, Kumasi or another part of Ghana while the vehicle is physically thousands of miles away in the United States.

Available receiving photographs can help document:

• Exterior condition

• Visible damage

• VIN

• Missing components

• Loose parts

• Wheels and tires

• Vehicle position

This creates a useful record before container loading.

For vehicles waiting for documents or consolidation, VERO also explains the importance of organized receiving and storage in its USA vehicle storage guide. (Vero Shipping)

10. Loose Parts Need to Be Identified

Damaged auction cars often come with detached parts.

These may include:

• Bumpers

• Headlights

• Grilles

• Plastic trims

• Mirrors

• Interior pieces

• Mechanical components

Buyers should not assume every loose component shown in auction photographs will necessarily arrive exactly as expected.

When the vehicle reaches the facility, available parts should be identified where possible.

The shipping and packing of loose parts is always subject to applicable carrier, customs, safety and export requirements.

11. Container Loading a Non-Running Vehicle Requires Planning

A normal running car can often be moved into position more easily.

A non-running vehicle may need to be:

• Pulled

• Winched

• Lifted

• Repositioned

• Supported

• Carefully aligned

This is why the exact vehicle condition must be known before loading day.

Waiting until the container arrives to discover that a vehicle has two locked wheels can create unnecessary delays.

Professional loading involves more than simply placing vehicles inside a box.

The VERO vehicle container loading guide explains why positioning and securing are critical parts of international vehicle transportation.

12. A Damaged Vehicle Can Affect How Many Cars Fit

This point is particularly important for Ghana dealers consolidating multiple auction vehicles.

Suppose you have:

• Honda Civic

• Toyota Corolla

• Lexus RX

• Damaged Nissan Altima

If the Altima has severe suspension damage and cannot roll normally, it may require a different position or additional space.

That can change the complete loading plan.

Therefore, a Ghanaian importer should never assume:

“I have four vehicles, so all four definitely fit.”

Vehicle size, body type and condition all matter.

VERO's current Tema service page specifically notes that damaged vehicles can affect the overall container configuration. (Vero Shipping)

13. Do Not Hide the Vehicle Condition from the Transporter

Trying to obtain a cheaper transportation price by describing a severely damaged vehicle as normal can create problems later.

If the driver arrives and discovers:

• Wheels do not move

• Car cannot steer

• Vehicle cannot be loaded normally

• Auction requires special handling

the pickup may fail.

A failed pickup can cost more than providing accurate information from the start.

Whenever possible, send:

VIN + Auction Link + Lot Number + Vehicle Condition

before transportation is dispatched.

14. Storage Can Become Important for Damaged Vehicles

Sometimes the non-running car arrives at the facility before the rest of the container vehicles.

It may need to wait while:

• Another vehicle is purchased

• Titles arrive

• Documents are completed

• Other cars reach the facility

• Container space is finalized

Storage therefore becomes part of the consolidation