Since July 1, 2026, the EU charges 0% duty on cars built in the United States, down from 10%. The rule comes from the Turnberry trade deal and runs through December 31, 2029. The catch is who gets it. The customs office handling the import decides whether to grant the 0%, and current guidance ties eligibility to a certificate of origin, which is usually available for new cars, not for a classic built 30 years ago.
The Turnberry deal is the US-EU trade framework agreed in July 2025. The EU side became law as Regulation (EU) 2026/1455, which removed the EU's 10% import duty on US-origin passenger cars from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2029.
Before July 2026, the EU charged 10% import duty on passenger cars (HS 8703) from the United States. On a $50,000 car that was $5,000 before VAT, registration taxes or homologation. A US-built car can now clear at 0%, and a car built anywhere else still pays the 10%.
With the regulation in force, the EU import duty on US-built cars can be 0%. That changes the math for private buyers, dealers and fleet operators bringing American cars into Europe, as long as the car's US origin is accepted at the border.
Key changes that may result from the deal:
EU import duty on US-built passenger cars: 0% since July 1, 2026 if customs accepts the origin (was 10%)
US duty on modern EU-built cars: 15% all-in under Section 232. Classics follow separate rules, covered in our classic car duty guide
The total landed cost of importing American vehicles into European countries could decrease significantly
Demand for US-origin vehicles in European markets may increase as import costs decrease
Classics are where the 0% is hardest to claim. The customs office decides whether a car qualifies, and current guidance ties eligibility to a certificate of origin. That certificate is issued with a new car and is usually long gone by the time the car is 30 years old. An original car over 30 years old can instead clear as a collectors' item under heading 9705, which has carried 0% EU duty with reduced VAT in several member states for years, whatever its origin.
The Turnberry deal primarily affects the duty component of your vehicle import costs. The shipping cost itself (ocean freight, container fees, destination port charges) remains separate from import duties and is not directly impacted by this trade agreement. However, a reduction in duty from 10% to 0% can substantially lower the all-in cost of bringing a vehicle into Europe.
For reference, here is how the cost breakdown may change for a $40,000 vehicle imported to Europe:
Before Turnberry deal: 10% EU duty = $4,000 in import duty on a $40,000 car
From July 1, 2026, with US origin accepted: 0% EU duty = $0 in import duty on the same car
Potential savings on duty alone: up to $4,000 per vehicle (plus any applicable VAT adjustments)
These figures are illustrative. Actual costs depend on the customs office's origin decision, the vehicle classification and destination VAT. Confirm with a licensed customs broker at the port of entry before you plan the shipment.
The EU's 0% covers US-origin goods listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2026/1455, and chapter 87, which holds passenger cars (HS 8703), is on that list. Trucks, motorcycles and heavy equipment sit under other headings, so check the rate for your exact classification with the broker at the port of entry.
West Coast Shipping (WCS) has been shipping vehicles internationally for decades, with regular service to major European ports including Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, Southampton, Barcelona, and Antwerp. Whether you are an individual buyer, a dealer, or a collector, WCS can help you navigate the logistics of US-to-Europe vehicle shipping.
Our services include:
Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) shipping to European ports
Container shipping (shared and exclusive 20ft/40ft containers)
Pickup services from anywhere in the continental US
Export documentation and customs coordination
Competitive quotes to Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, Southampton, Antwerp, Barcelona, and more
We ship door to door to Europe by ocean or air from our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey, covering all of the US for imports and exports. Our own team loads every car and handles every document on the US side, including the paperwork that shows where the car was built. Bought a car at a US auction or at a show overseas? Ask us for a rate.
On July 1, 2026, under Regulation (EU) 2026/1455. The 0% rate is scheduled to run through December 31, 2029.
No. It applies only to cars of US origin, and the customs office handling the import decides whether to grant it. Current guidance ties eligibility to a certificate of origin, which is usually available for new cars but not for a classic built 30 years ago. A car without one may still pay 10%, unless it qualifies as a collectors' item.
No. The US charges 15% all-in on modern EU-built cars under Section 232. Classics follow different rules, set out in our classic car duty guide.
The EU's 0% duty on US-built cars is law through 2029, and on a $40,000 car it is worth $4,000 before VAT. Whether your car gets it comes down to the origin paperwork the customs office accepts. It's your dream car. Let's bring her home.
See how much you could save under the new EU import rules. Get a personalized quote and understand your total import costs before you ship.