Direct answer: body panels ship internationally three ways — small parts by tracked courier (5–12 days), individual panels in protective cartons by courier or air freight (1–3 weeks), and large assemblies in timber crates by sea freight (4–10 weeks). Costs scale with volume more than weight, customs duties are the buyer's side of the deal, and insurance plus a 48-hour inspection habit handles the rest.
Why panels are odd freight
A fender weighs little but occupies a cube of protected space; freight companies charge for the space. That's why volumetric ('dimensional') weight sets the price, why consolidating an order into one shipment beats three separate boxes, and why trade customers filling a crate get dramatically better per-panel rates.
The three lanes
Courier: hinges, locks, glass, patch panels — fully tracked, door to door, fastest.
Boxed panels: fenders, doors, hoods, floors travel in purpose-built cartons with edge protection; edges are where transit kills panels.
Crated sea freight: tubs, cabs, beds, roofs and chassis move on engineered timber skids, to port or to door. Slow, economical per kilogram, and the only sane way to move a body across an ocean.
Customs without drama
Every shipment carries a commercial invoice with accurate values and HS codes — that's what makes clearance boring, which is the goal. Duties and local taxes (VAT/GST/sales tax) are assessed by your customs authority and are the recipient's responsibility. Two tips: classic-vehicle parts over 30 years old attract reduced duty in some jurisdictions (ask your broker), and never ask a seller to under-declare — it voids insurance and risks seizure.
The 48-hour habit
Photograph every crate and carton before opening, note visible damage on the delivery receipt, and report problems with photos within 48 hours. Freight insurance covers transit damage completely — but carriers require prompt, documented claims, and 'I opened it a month later' is how valid claims die.
Lead-time planning
Order structural assemblies first — the sea-freight items set your project timeline — and let courier parts follow as the build needs them. Restorers who sequence freight around the restoration roadmap never stand waiting for steel.
Full details: Shipping & Delivery · FAQ