How to Buy a Used Shuttle Bus in the U.S. and Ship It to the Caribbean or Latin America
Buying a bus from another country can feel like a leap of faith. You can't kick the tires, you don't know the seller, and the bus has to cross an ocean before you ever see it. We've sold buses to buyers outside the U.S., including the Bahamas, and the process is simpler than most people expect when you work with the right dealer.
Here's how it works, step by step.
1. Decide what you need
Start with the job the bus has to do. How many passengers? Do you need wheelchair positions? Will it run short shuttle routes or longer trips? How many buses, and what's your budget? The most popular buses for export are Ford E-350 and E-450 shuttle buses, wheelchair and ADA buses, and 24–28 passenger Ford F-550 buses. They're common, durable, and parts are easy to find almost anywhere.
2. Buy from a dealer who owns the bus
Many websites list buses they don't actually have. They copy listings from other dealers and take your call. When you're buying from overseas, you need to deal with the company that owns the bus, has gone through it, and can show it to you live. Ask for extra photos, a video, or a live FaceTime walkaround. A real dealer will say yes.
3. Look for a rust-free bus
Buses from the northern U.S. often have rust from road salt. We buy our buses from the South and West, outside the Rust Belt, so the frames and bodies are clean. That matters even more for a bus going to a humid, salty coastal climate.
4. Pay by bank wire
International sales are paid by bank wire. Before you wire, confirm the dealer's name, address and phone number match what's on their website, and call them directly.
5. Get the bus to your port
We haul the bus ourselves by flatbed to the U.S. port you choose. Florida ports are common for Caribbean and Latin American shipments. From there, your shipping agent or freight forwarder takes over.
6. Customs and paperwork
Your agent or customs broker handles export, import and duties for your country, and the rules differ from country to country, so ask them early. We provide the title and whatever sale documents your agent and your country require.
Buying more than one bus?
Many international buyers need two, three or more of the same bus. We regularly have matched pairs and small fleets, and we buy buses all over the U.S., so we can often find exactly the layout you want.
Ready to start?
Tell us what you need, how many buses, and where they're going, and we'll tell you what we can offer. Visit our export page or see our buses for sale.
Call or text Manny at (516) 852-2748 or email mannyc@bestbusesforsale.com.