Did you know that there is a long, fascinating, German word for all kinds of things? For example: überbürokratisierung, basically means “excessive bureaucracy.” Let’s face it, any time we do anything big, like moving to another country, this word applies.
This means that there are many details you need to handle if you plan to ship your car to Germany. As usual, we are here to help.
Honestly, the easiest part to this will be finding a reliable international car shipping company to ship your car from the US to Germany from door to door. All you need to do is compare and contrast a few companies, look at reviews, talk to people with past shipping experiences, and the choice will become clear.
However, there are many steps and questions you need to consider in order to ensure your vehicle will be accepted into Germany, according to the legal and technical regulations of the German government. Keep reading to find out more!
Before You Ship Your Car to Germany, Ask Yourself…
Is this a temporary or permanent move?
- Temporary: You may bring your car (or motorcycle) on a holiday to Germany for up to six months. You will pay a deposit, which will be returned upon export from Germany.
You must have a registration document with a German translation and hold proof of insurance. You will also be required to have a technical inspection to prove road-worthiness. This article talks about the top ten reasons that cars fail German inspections.
- Permanent: If you’re moving to Germany permanently, you may be able to bring your car in free of duty and the import turnover tax (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer); however, this will require more paperwork on your part, which we will discuss below.
Have you been the owner of the vehicle for at least 6 months?
A car is considered new if you have owned it for less than 6 months, which means your costs will be higher.
Does your car meet the eligibility requirements for Germany?
Some used cars will have different eligibility requirements than newer vehicles. It’s important to check these before you ship your car, as the worst thing that could happen would be it be rejected by customs.
Any car less than 30 years old coming into Germany is subject to a 10% import duty and a 19% value added tax (VAT) based on bluebook value. Cars older than 30 years might be considered old-timers. The customs officers could waive duties on them, but that is totally up to their discretion.
If, however, you intend on becoming a permanent resident, it is possible bring the car in for free. In order to do that you’ll need to prove:
- That you have given up residency in the non-EU country you’re coming from (i.e. the US)
- That you’re establishing a new residence in Germany
- That you have not lived in Germany for at least 12 months (there may be exceptions to this if you had to return to Germany for reasons beyond your control)
As with any bureaucracy, you’ll need some documentation to help with all of this. Check with your shipping company to see if they’ll help you with that, but ultimately it’s your responsibility to be sure that you provide all the necessary information for your vehicle to pass through customs with ease.
To make it easy, here’s a chart explaining what you need for a temporary visit and/or a permanent move:
We don’t know about you, but that second list sounds stressful – hence our reccommendation to find the right company to transport your vehicle. If überbürokratisierung is your thing, though, once you have all the right paperwork and your car has satisfied all of the necessary conditions, you’ll receive a certificate issued by the government to send your car to Germany.
How Much Will Shipping My Car To Germany Cost?
The average cost of shipping a car from the US to Germany is between $900 – $1300 and can take 12 to 30 days to ship (depending on port of departure). This does not include your import duty and taxes, as we have already shown that these will really depend on your personal situation and your vehicle.
Factors that affect the cost of shipping your car to Germany include:
- Pick-up and delivery: Are you taking it to the port, or are you requiring door-to-door pick-up and delivery which requires overland transport?
- Make and model of your vehicle: larger vehicles will cost more.
Type of transport: Air vs. sea. Shipping container vs. roll-on/roll-off, etc.
Opt For Ease, Ship Your Car to Germany With ShipLux
If you need to move your vehicle from the US to Germany, you’re in the right place. ShipLux is a team of shipping professionals who are passionate about making the vehicle shipping process as easy as possible for you. Reach out today to talk with one of our expert agents, ask for a 100% transparent price quote, and get all your Germany shipping-related questions answered.
With a supportive team available 24/7 and our standard Premium Service, we can help get your car on the way and wish it Bon Voyage or better yet, Gute Reise!
FAQs
The average cost to ship a car from the US to Germany is between $900 and $1300 plus applicable duty fees and taxes. Any car less than 30 years old will be subject to a 10% import duty and a 19% value-added tax (VAT) upon arrival in Germany, though these may be waived at the discretion of the customs official.
Can I bring my car from US to Germany? ›
The duty-free import of a motor vehicle is permitted only if it has been registered in your name as its sole owner and personally used by yourself at your previous residence for at least 6 months before moving (for proof show registration certificate issued by your Department of Motor Vehicles).
Can you get ship to Germany with car? ›
RORO Vehicle Shipping to Germany:
Roll on Roll off (RORO) method of shipping offers a cost effective way of shipping cars(saloon and 4×4's), vans, minibuses, buses, trucks, tractors, agricultural machinery and plant as units are only charged for the space they take on the Vessel.
How long does it take to ship a vehicle to Germany? ›
After your vehicle is shipped to Germany, it will take anywhere from 14 to 30 days to arrive in Germany (depending on where in the US it was shipped from).
What is the best way to ship a car to Europe? ›
Container shipping is the most common way to ship a car to Europe. Containers offer necessary protection for the long trip and allow for additional services. Some services include consolidation rates, all-risk insurance, and loading goods inside the vehicle.
How much does it cost to ship my car from USA to Germany? ›
How Much Will Shipping My Car To Germany Cost? The average cost of shipping a car from the US to Germany is between $900 – $1300 and can take 12 to 30 days to ship (depending on port of departure).
How do I transport my car to Germany? ›
Choose a shipping method: You can either ship your vehicle by sea or air. Sea freight is more common and cost-effective for large vehicles. Air freight is faster but more expensive. Select a shipping company: As you mentioned, Ship Overseas is one option for shipping vehicles from the US to Germany.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car to Europe? ›
Roll-On/Roll-Off Shipping
This is typically the cheapest international car shipping method. With roll-on/roll-off (RORO) shipping, your vehicle is secured inside of a freight ship headed to your destination.
What is not allowed to be shipped to Germany? ›
Counterfeit goods: Items that infringe on intellectual property rights, such as counterfeit goods, are illegal to ship to Germany. Dangerous goods: Hazardous materials, explosives, and other dangerous goods are not allowed to be shipped without proper authorisation and labelling.
How much is import tax on a car in Germany? ›
Importing a car from outside the EU. A car or other motor vehicle imported to Germany from outside the EU is normally subject to a 10% import duty and a 19% import value added tax. (The value-added tax on imports is called import turnover tax (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer).
How much does it cost to ship a parcel from the US to Germany?
| Weight | Budget Economy 8 - 14 days | UPS Expedited 5 - 9 days |
|---|
| 1lbs | 10.61 USD | 35.99 USD |
| 2lbs | 13.41 USD | 41.99 USD |
| 3lbs | 16.44 USD | 52.99 USD |
| 4lbs | 18.70 USD | 59.99 USD |
6 more rowsDHL Express Worldwide is one of the fastest shipping services when sending a 5-pound package from the US to Germany, and takes 1-4 days on average to have your package delivered. Shipping from the US to Germany can take up to 16 days when sending the same 5-pound package via economy shipping services.
How do I ship a car from the US to Europe? ›
There are two ways to ship a vehicle overseas: air freight and ocean travel. Most people prefer ocean travel as it's the most affordable option, but it does take a long time (anywhere from one week to 12 weeks, depending on many factors).
What is the price of shipping car from USA to Europe? ›
The cost to ship a car from the U.S. to Europe ranges from $1,000 to $5,100 per car. This price range depends on the type of car being shipped, where it's going and the size of the container.
Can I move my car from US to Europe? ›
To transport your car from the USA to Europe, you're going to need to hire the services of an experienced international car shipping company. You cannot possibly do it on your own, it has many steps, and it has to be done by a company with experience.
Can you drive an American car in Europe? ›
As long as the vehicle is legal in the US – taxes paid, safety inspections, and insurance – you will have no problem. Insurance is the only extra you need to discuss with your insurance company – make sure you list all the countries you will be visiting and your agent will explain what you need and what is the cost.
How long can I keep my US car in Europe? ›
Typically 6 or 12 months, after that you need to register the car in the country you are now living in and get local number plates. This would only be needed if you intend to permanently live in that country, and US citizens would need an immigration visa. Tourists do not stay long enough to trigger these laws.
Can I drive a foreign car in Germany? ›
As long as your car is registered in another EU country, you can drive it in Germany for up to six months. We recommend that you obtain a German translation of your car's registration documentation. If you will be in Germany for longer than six months you will need to organise registration and car taxes.
Can I use my US car in Europe? ›
As long as the vehicle is legal in the US – taxes paid, safety inspections, and insurance – you will have no problem. Insurance is the only extra you need to discuss with your insurance company – make sure you list all the countries you will be visiting and your agent will explain what you need and what is the cost.
Can I travel with my car from USA to Europe? ›
To transport your car from the USA to Europe, you're going to need to hire the services of an experienced international car shipping company. You cannot possibly do it on your own, it has many steps, and it has to be done by a company with experience.
