Importing Cars to the USA: International Shipping Guide & FAQ

We will send you our invoice after the container was loaded in an email with the subject YOUR CONTAINER HAS BEEN LOADED.

We will invoice you when your car is scheduled for loading. Please make sure we receive the payment at least 2 weeks before vessel arrival at destination port to avoid costly delays with release.

We don’t offer freight collect terms and you will have to pay your invoice to West Coast Shipping.

We don’t offer credit card payments as an option. The only options are wire transfer, check, or Zelle.

We provide comprehensive tracking and proactive notifications throughout the import process.

You have both options – port pickup or door-to-door delivery anywhere in the continental USA.

Option 1: Port Pickup

Available Ports:

• New York
• California
• Florida
  

Option 2: Door-to-Door Delivery

Coverage: We arrange delivery to any location in the continental United States, including:

• Residential addresses
• Business locations
• Dealerships
• Storage facilities

Yes, if you choose door-to-door delivery service, we can arrange direct delivery to your home address.

Port, customs, and delivery costs depend on the port of entry, vehicle type, and final destination. Typical charges include import duty, government processing fees, port handling, and customs brokerage. Delivery is optional and can be arranged as port pickup or door-to-door transport, with costs varying by distance and carrier type. All fees are itemized in advance so you know your total cost before arrival.

You’ll receive proactive updates throughout the entire import process, from booking to final delivery. Your assigned import coordinator keeps you informed before departure, during transit, at port arrival, through customs clearance, and during delivery if applicable. Communication is handled via email and an online portal, with phone or SMS used for urgent issues. You’ll always know where your vehicle is, what stage it’s in, and if any action or payment is required—so there are no surprises at any point in the import timeline.

We can arrange pickup anywhere in the USA with an open or enclosed truck, or you can deliver the car yourself to one of our warehouses or directly to the port, depending on the booking.

No. As long as we have your signed documents and original title, we handle the export filing and customs clearance on your behalf.

Typically we need the original title, a copy of your passport or ID, a completed power of attorney, and the shipping instructions with consignee details. In some cases we may also ask for a bill of sale.

US Customs requires a clear title. If the vehicle has a lien, we need a written authorization from the lienholder and the original title in hand before we can ship.

Ideally 1–3 weeks before the vessel’s departure so we can confirm space, arrange trucking, and complete export paperwork without rush fees.

Most ports require the vehicle to be delivered 3–5 business days before the vessel’s departure. If you ship via our warehouse, we’ll give you a specific delivery window.

Light spare parts are usually allowed below window level, but personal effects are restricted on many routes and may increase inspection and customs risk. Always check with us first for your specific destination.

Depending on vehicle size, we can safely load between 1 and 4 cars per container. We’ll recommend the most cost-effective and secure configuration for your shipment.

Yes. We photograph each vehicle at drop-off and during loading so you have a visual record of its condition and how it is secured inside the container.

Once your booking is confirmed, we’ll send you the vessel name, estimated departure (ETD) and estimated arrival (ETA), and update you if the steamship line changes the schedule.

Payment is typically due before the vehicle is loaded. We accept bank wire, ACH, and most major credit cards; some routes may require bank transfer only.

We offer optional cargo damage protection that covers your vehicle from the time it’s handed to us until it’s unloaded at the destination port. We’ll send coverage options with your quote.

Schedule changes are controlled by the steamship line. If your container is rolled to a later vessel, we’ll notify you immediately and provide the updated ETD and ETA; storage at our warehouse is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Yes. We regularly ship motorcycles, boats, and loose parts in containers and can combine them with vehicles when it’s safe and allowed by the carrier.

Race cars are usually treated like modern road cars, with many countries charging around a 15% import duty plus local VAT. Exact rates depend on the country and its tariff rules, so your local customs or receiving agent has the final say.

Even if the car is going overseas for work and will return to you, many European countries still apply standard import duty (often around 15% plus VAT). In some cases, a temporary import regime may reduce costs; your destination agent can confirm what’s possible.

Right now, most passenger vehicles shipped from the USA into the EU are still charged around 10% import duty plus local VAT. There has been talk of reducing this to about 2.5%, but until that is officially implemented in Europe, you should plan on the current 10% rate and confirm with your local customs broker.

Yes. We can arrange ocean transport, coordinate with a licensed customs broker, and handle delivery to your final destination once the vehicle is cleared.

Eligibility depends on age and specifications. Vehicles 25 years or older are typically exempt from DOT and EPA requirements; newer vehicles must meet US safety and emissions standards or be imported under a specific exemption.

You’ll need the foreign title or registration, bill of sale or invoice, a copy of your passport or ID, and a completed power of attorney so the customs broker can clear the car on your behalf. Additional forms (DOT/EPA) may be required.

We work with licensed US customs brokers who file the entry, pay duties and fees on your behalf, and coordinate releases with Customs and the port. We manage the process with them so you have a single point of contact.

Import duty for passenger vehicles is usually a percentage of the declared value, plus any applicable fees. The exact rate depends on vehicle type and country of origin; your broker will calculate this before clearance.

You can collect the car after customs release if you have proper identification, proof of ownership, and any temporary tags or permits required by your state. Many clients prefer to have us arrange enclosed or open transport instead.

Yes. After clearance we can organize door delivery anywhere in the country, using either open or enclosed carriers depending on the vehicle and your preference.

If all documents are in order and there are no inspections, clearance can take 2–5 business days from vessel arrival. Random inspections or missing paperwork can extend this timeline.

If Customs or another agency orders an inspection, the vehicle will be moved to an inspection area at the terminal. The broker and our team will keep you updated and advise you of any additional fees charged by the port.

Our quote usually includes ocean freight and basic destination handling as specified, but local port storage, customs inspection fees, and state registration costs are typically paid by the receiver. We’ll clarify what is and isn’t included for your lane.

Yes. We regularly import classic vehicles under the 25-year exemption and can guide you on the documentation needed to prove age and original build date.

For vehicles under 25 years old, we can connect you with specialists who handle compliance conversions and paperwork. Not every vehicle can be economically brought into compliance, so we recommend reviewing this before purchase.

We can arrange coverage from the foreign port or warehouse all the way to the USA, including inland delivery after clearance, subject to policy terms and conditions.

Yes. Qualifying light trucks and similar vehicles are still subject to a 25% US import duty, plus the usual harbor maintenance fee (HMF) and merchandise processing fee (MPF), compared with the standard 2.5% duty on most passenger cars.

If it’s a US-spec vehicle you previously owned and registered in the USA, it can often return as “US goods returned” without duty, provided you can show the prior US paperwork. There are exceptions, so it’s best to confirm with a customs broker before shipping.

Yes, unless it qualifies as US goods returned. The 25-year rule mainly affects EPA/DOT compliance; it does not automatically remove customs duties.

If the car was already imported, titled, and registered in the USA before it left, it may come back without additional duty as US goods returned. However, you usually will not get a new stamped import entry, so if the car is no longer titled or registered in the USA, proving status can be an issue.

Temporary entries (for tourism, shows, events, or testing) can often be admitted without standard duty, as long as the car leaves the USA again within the allowed time and all conditions are met.

No. Being over 25 years old can simplify EPA/DOT rules, but it does not automatically exempt a vehicle from customs duty. Duty is based on its tariff classification and origin.

Depending on engine size and steel content, effective duty on EU motorcycles can be around 15% plus additional steel-related surcharges. For some displacements, customs requires splitting the bike’s value between steel and non-steel components and applying extra 50% duties on the steel portion. Because of this complexity, any motorcycle import would have to be reviewed case by case with a US customs broker.

If the vehicle was previously imported, titled, and registered in the USA, and the same registered owner exported it and is now bringing it back with no change of ownership, it can usually return as “US goods returned” without new duty.