Automotive Import & Auction Glossary

A unique 17-character alphanumeric serial number that identifies a motor vehicle. Contains encoded metadata regarding manufacture origin, model year, engine specs, and vehicle history (collisions, odometer, title status).

The complete, all-inclusive total cost of purchasing and transporting a vehicle from an auction block to the final destination port or customs checkpoint.

A vehicle ownership certificate indicating the vehicle has never sustained total-loss insurance damage or severe structural branding.

A title issued when an insurance carrier determines repair costs exceed 70-80% of actual cash value (Total Loss). Widely imported and repaired in international markets.

The official maritime transport document issued by an ocean carrier (e.g. Maersk, MSC, ZIM). Acts as a cargo receipt, carriage contract, and document of title.

Domestic ground transportation hauling a vehicle from an auction storage yard to a licensed consolidation export warehouse via commercial car haulers.

Maritime shipping charges for transporting vehicles inside 40ft or 45ft high-cube ocean containers to destination ports such as Poti or Batumi.

Mandatory auction house fees: the sliding-scale Buyer Fee assessed on winning bids, and the fixed Gate Fee ($85-$95) for yard release and gate checkout.

Georgia's premier Black Sea container port where trans-Atlantic container vessels discharge vehicles for regional distribution and customs inspection.

Environmental standard in Georgia mandating that newly registered light passenger vehicles must comply with Euro 5 or newer emissions standards (generally 2013+ model years).

A proprietary CarImperia feature providing end-buyers with a branded 24/7 web portal showing real-time milestone progress, container IDs, and lot photos.

An enterprise database security protocol guaranteeing strict cryptographic data isolation between different brokerage organizations.