Moving To Germany With a Vehicle

Moving overseas is exciting, but figuring out how to bring a personal vehicle into Germany—without paying 19 percent VAT and customs duties—can feel overwhelming. The good news? Germany's "removal goods" program lets many relocating residents import one or more vehicles tax-free, as long as key requirements are met and the paperwork is perfect.

This guide walks you through every stage of duty-free car shipping, from confirming eligibility and gathering documents to clearing German customs and getting insured on the Autobahn. Throughout the article, you'll find clear checklists, realistic timelines, and insider tips from West Coast Shipping's relocation specialists.

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Table of Contents

1. Who Qualifies for Duty-Free Vehicle Import to Germany?

2. Key Advantages of Shipping a Car as "Removal Goods"

3. The True Cost of Relocating a Car to Germany in 2025

4. Shipping Timelines: How Long Will Your Car Be in Transit?

5. Essential Documents & Proofs You Must Provide

6. Step-by-Step: The Vehicle Shipping & Customs Process

7. Registering, Insuring, and Driving in Germany

8. Frequently Asked Questions About German Car Imports

9. Why Choose West Coast Shipping for Your Relocation?

1. Who Qualifies for Duty-Free Vehicle Import to Germany?

Germany's customs authority (Zoll) allows vehicles to enter free of VAT and import duty if they meet removal-goods conditions:

If you satisfy every line above, German customs will treat the car as personal household goods, waiving VAT and duty that would otherwise add thousands of euros to your move.

2. Key Advantages of Shipping a Car as "Removal Goods"

1. Huge Tax Savings
   Paying 0% VAT instead of 19% on a $35,000 car keeps roughly $6,650 in your pocket.

2. One-Stop Customs Clearance
   Your vehicle clears together with household goods, cutting duplicate fees and inspections.

3. Drive on U.S. Plates for Up to a Year
   If your American registration remains active, you can drive in Germany until it expires—no TüV test right away.

4. Flexible Transport Options
   Cars can ship inside dedicated or consolidated containers, allowing you to load personal items in the trunk (with an itemized packing list).

3. The True Cost of Relocating a Car to Germany in 2025

Good to know: When importing as removal goods, no VAT or customs duty is payable, and the yearly German Motor Vehicle Tax (Kfz-Steuer) only applies if your U.S. registration is still valid when the car is unloaded.

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4. Shipping Timelines: How Long Will Your Car Be in Transit?

Total Door-to-Door: 22 – 35 days from the East Coast, 35 – 50 days from the West Coast. Planning 6–8 weeks door-to-door ensures you aren't left without transport in Germany.

5. Essential Documents & Proofs You Must Provide

Prepare scans and hard copies of each item below. Missing paperwork is the #1 cause of customs delays.

1. Passport Copy

2. Proof of U.S. Residence (lease, utility bill, bank statement, employment contract)

3. Proof of German Residence (rental contract / Anmeldung dated < 4 weeks)

4. Vehicle Title or Bill of Sale (with purchase price)

5. U.S. Registration covering final 6 months before export (last two renewals preferred)

6. Registration Surrender (if you cancel plates pre-export)

7. Packing List for any household items loaded inside the vehicle

8. Estimated Vehicle Value (Kelley Blue Book printout)

Students are excluded from this clearance program—Zoll requires evidence of permanent relocation.

6. Step-by-Step: The Vehicle Shipping & Customs Process

1. Booking & Vehicle Pick-up (Week 0)

   • Request your relocation quote.

   • Our carrier collects the car via enclosed or open trailer.

2. Documentation Review (Week 0 – 1)

   • Dedicated relocation coordinator verifies every form.

   • Export filing with U.S. Customs (AES).

3. Container Loading & Ocean Departure (Week 1)

   • Vehicle secured in a dedicated or shared container.

   • Photographs and loading report sent to you.

4. In-Transit Updates (Week 2 – 4)

   • Sailing confirmation and ETA to Bremerhaven/Hamburg.

   • Online tracking 24/7.

5. German Arrival & Customs (Week 4 – 5)

   • Local agent submits removal-goods declaration.

   • No VAT/duty due if paperwork is correct.

6. Port Release & Delivery (Week 5-6)

   • Temporary insurance (Green Card) arranged.

   • Vehicle delivered to your German address or collected at port.

7. Post-Arrival Driving & Registration (Within 12 months)

   • Drive on U.S. plates until they expire.

   • Complete TüV, emissions test, and German registration before expiry.

7. Registering, Insuring, and Driving in Germany

• Motor Vehicle Tax: If your U.S. plates are still valid on arrival and you didn't cancel stateside registration, Zoll will collect one full year of Kfz-Steuer upfront.

• Green Card Insurance: Buy short-term third-party liability (e.g., via TourInsure) to drive legally on American plates.

• German Registration: When U.S. tags expire you must:

  1. Pass TüV road-worthiness and emissions checks.

  2. Convert headlights/speedometer if needed.

  3. Obtain German plates at your local Zulassungsstelle.

8. Frequently Asked Questions About German Car Imports

Q: Can I load household goods inside the car?
A: Yes—list every item on a packing list. Customs may inspect.

Q: What if my vehicle is financed?
A: Obtain a notarized lienholder letter authorizing export.

Q: I owned the car only five months—am I disqualified?
A: To claim duty-free status you need a full six months of ownership. Otherwise, VAT and duties apply.

Q: How soon should I start?
A: Two to three months before your flight ensures smooth scheduling.

9. Why Choose West Coast Shipping for Your Relocation?

• Since 2007 we've shipped 45,000+ vehicles worldwide with a 99.4% on-time release record.

• Dedicated relocation team: One point of contact from booking to delivery.

• Transparent pricing: No hidden port or hand-over fees; every cost itemized upfront.

• Secure facilities on both U.S. coasts with 24/7 monitoring and humidity-controlled storage.

• German partner network: Licensed Zoll agents who specialize in removal-goods clearances.

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Key Points to Remember

• You can avoid 19% VAT and customs duty by importing your car as removal goods.

• Confirm 12-month residency abroad and 6-month vehicle ownership before shipping.

• Ship and clear the vehicle within one year after arriving in Germany.

• Collect all required documents early; missing paperwork causes the biggest delays.

• Arrange Green Card insurance to drive on U.S. plates, then register locally before expiry.

• Work with a proven relocation specialist for seamless door-to-door service and tax-free clearance.

Planning a move to Germany? Let our experts handle the vehicle side so you can focus on settling into your new life.
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