Shipping from the USA to Europe
Cars, classic cars, motorcycles, containers and machinery from US ports to Bremerhaven, Antwerp and Rotterdam. US export filing, EU import customs and road delivery to your door, on one booking.
From a US auction yard to your driveway in Europe
We arrange collection from auction yards, dealers and private sellers anywhere in the US through our partners, file the export documents and ship the car on a RoRo vessel or in a container. In Europe our customs team clears it and our own car carriers deliver it to your address.
Typical shipments are classic and muscle cars, pickups and SUVs, auction cars bought by European dealers, motorcycles, and household goods for people moving to Europe. We also ship machinery and general cargo in full and shared containers.
Who we do this forEvery way to ship from the USA
Cars by RoRo
Running cars driven on and off the vessel. Usually the lowest price for shipping a car from the USA.
Running vehiclesCars in a container
Strapped and secured inside a 20 ft or 40 ft container. More protection for high-value, classic or non-running cars.
1 to 4 carsFull container (FCL)
A 20 ft or 40 ft container for your cargo only, sealed in the USA and opened at destination.
20 ft · 40 ft · 40 ft HCShared container (LCL)
Your pallets or boxes consolidated with other cargo. You pay for the volume you use.
From 1 palletMachinery and oversized
Flat rack and open-top containers for equipment, plant and cargo that will not fit a standard box.
Out of gaugeRelocation and personal effects
Household goods and a car together in one container when you move to Europe.
Moving homeFrom the USA to your door, in one price
- Collection in the USAFrom the seller, dealer, auction yard or your home
- Export documentsPrepared and checked before the cargo reaches the port
- Ocean freightRoRo, full container or shared container
- EU import customsDuty and VAT confirmed in writing before shipping
- Delivery to your doorOn our own car carriers and trucks, with photos for vehicles
Port-to-port is available if you handle the road legs yourself. Duty and import VAT are charged at cost.
Where your shipment leaves the USA
| Port of loading | Region | Arrives in Europe |
|---|---|---|
| Newark / New York | East Coast | Bremerhaven, Antwerp or Rotterdam |
| Baltimore | East Coast | Bremerhaven, Antwerp or Rotterdam |
| Savannah | East Coast | Bremerhaven, Antwerp or Rotterdam |
| Houston | Gulf Coast | Bremerhaven, Antwerp or Rotterdam |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | West Coast | Bremerhaven, Antwerp or Rotterdam |
Roughly 2 to 3 weeks at sea from the East Coast, 3 to 4 weeks from the Gulf Coast and 4 to 6 weeks from the West Coast. Your quote shows the current sailing. From the arrival port we deliver by road to any address in Europe.
Documents for shipping from the USA
- Original certificate of title (clean or salvage)
- Bill of sale, or auction invoice and release
- Copy of the owner's passport or ID
- Export filing (EEI in AES); title and documents presented to US Customs at least 72 hours before export
- For goods: commercial invoice and packing list
For EU customs we also need the purchase invoice and, for companies, an EORI number. We send you an exact checklist when you book.
Import duty and VAT in the EU
| What you ship | Duty and VAT |
|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 10% import duty, plus VAT of the destination country |
| Vans, pickups and trucks | 10% to 22% duty depending on the vehicle type, plus VAT |
| Motorcycles | 6% to 8% duty depending on engine size, plus VAT |
| Classic cars (30+ years, original) | Often 0% duty and reduced import VAT as a collector's vehicle |
| Moving home to the EU | Duty and VAT relief possible if you lived outside the EU for 12+ months and owned the car for 6+ months |
Duty and VAT are charged on the customs value: the purchase price plus shipping and insurance to the EU. VAT depends on the country where the vehicle is cleared, from 17% to 27%. We confirm the exact figures in writing before the vehicle ships.
From request to delivery in four steps
Shipping from the USA?
Tell us what you are shipping and a planner replies with one fixed price within a working day.
Shipping from USA: request a fixed price
For the fastest quote, tell us- What you are shipping (make, model and year for vehicles)
- Collection city in the USA
- Delivery address or city in Europe
- RoRo or container, if you know
- When it is ready to ship
- All-in price, no surcharges added later
- The planner who prices your move also runs it
- Your details go only to our transport team
Request a fixed price
About one minuteShipping from USA: what customers ask
How much does it cost to ship a car from the USA to Europe?
It depends on the collection state, the US port, RoRo or container, the car's size and the final address in Europe. Send us the details and you get one fixed price within a working day, including US pickup and delivery in Europe.
Can I buy a car at a US auction and ship it to Europe?
Yes. We arrange pickup from Copart, IAA, Manheim and other yards after payment and release. Keep the auction invoice and title, as both are needed for export and for EU customs.
What import duty applies to a US car?
10% customs duty for a passenger car plus VAT of the EU country where it is cleared. Classic cars over 30 years old in original condition often qualify as collector's vehicles, with 0% duty and reduced import VAT in many EU countries.
Can an American car be registered in Europe?
In most cases yes, with an individual approval in the destination country. Common changes are amber rear indicators and headlights. Tell us the car and the country and we will tell you what usually applies.
Can I ship household goods with my car?
Yes, in a container. RoRo vessels usually do not accept loose items inside the car, so a container is the better option when you are moving home.
