Ship a car to Germany from $1,100.
US-built cars now clear German customs at 0% duty. We collect from any US ZIP, load at our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey, and ship door to door by ocean or air.
Shipping a car from the US to Germany costs from $1,100 port to port in a shared container, plus German destination fees of Port estimate €600-650. We ship door to door by ocean or air: 43 days from Texas to release in Germany by ocean. US-built cars clear at 0% EU duty through 2029, and collector cars over 30 pay 7% import VAT.
Shared container, New Jersey to Bremerhaven. Pickup from any US ZIP.
Texas to Bremerhaven, documents and German clearance included.
Detroit, Bowling Green, Spartanburg. Through December 31, 2029.
Plus the H-Kennzeichen historic plate.
How much does it cost to ship a car to Germany from the USA?
Three numbers decide your total: ocean or air freight, German destination fees of Port estimate €600-650, and duty and VAT at the border.
| Route | Method | From | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey → Bremerhaven | Shared container | $1,100 | 30–33 days |
| Florida → Bremerhaven | Shared container | $1,225 | 31–34 days |
| Texas → Bremerhaven | Shared container | $1,250 | 24 days |
| California → Bremerhaven | Shared container | $1,850 | 40–45 days |
| Any warehouse → Bremerhaven | Car by air | Quote | 10–14 days |
| Motorcycle → Bremerhaven | Ocean | $600 | 30–33 days |
| Motorcycle → Germany | Air | $3,250 | 10–14 days |
Rates updated November 2, 2026. Port to port. Transit is the sailing or flight; documents and clearance add a few days. Door delivery from the port: To door, estimated: €555 Berlin · €455 Cologne · €680 Munich. Three or more cars a month? Wholesale container rates.
Should I ship my car to Germany by container or by air?
Both from our live rate table, updated November 2, 2026. Air timing depends on documents being ready before the flight.
Do American cars pay import duty in Germany?
The EU's 10% duty on passenger cars is gone for cars built in the United States. Parliament approved the Turnberry regulation 440 to 151, and the 0% rate runs through December 31, 2029. Every Corvette ever made was built in the US.
How long does car shipping to Germany take?
From drop-off at our warehouse to release in Germany, including US export documents and German customs clearance. Every figure comes from our live rate table.
Where in the US can I ship a car to Germany from?
Three warehouses we own cover the whole US for imports and exports. The car goes to the nearest one, is loaded by our people and sails to Germany.
How does shipping a car to Germany work?
Can I ship a classic car to Germany?
An original car at least 30 years old qualifies as a collectors' piece under heading 9705, then takes the H-Kennzeichen historic plate. A heavy restomod can fail the test.What documents do I need to ship a car to Germany?
- Original title, or lien release letter
- Bill of sale
- Completed online shipping form
- EIN letter (US citizens) or passport copy
- Customs clearance certificate
- TÜV inspection certificate
- German insurance certificate
- Title and purchase documents
Shipping a car to Germany: your questions
Rates and transit times from our live rate table, updated November 2, 2026.How much does it cost to ship a car to Germany?
Shipping a car to Germany costs from $1,100 port to port in a shared container from our New Jersey warehouse, up to $1,850 from California. Add German destination fees of Port estimate €600-650, plus duty and VAT at the border. Door pickup from any US ZIP is priced in the calculator.
Do I pay import duty on an American car in Germany?
No, if the car was built in the United States. Since July 1, 2026, US-built cars clear EU customs at 0% duty under the Turnberry regulation, in force through December 31, 2029. Origin follows the factory, not the badge: a Canadian-built Camaro or Australian-built GTO still pays 10%.
How much VAT do I pay when importing a car to Germany?
Germany charges 19% import VAT on the combined value of the car, the shipping and any duty. Collector cars at least 30 years old, in original condition and no longer in production qualify under tariff heading 9705 and pay a reduced 7% instead.
How long does shipping a car from the USA to Germany take?
From drop-off at our warehouse to release in Germany: 43 days from Texas, 45–48 days from New Jersey, 55–60 days from California, 57–60 days from Florida. That covers US export documents, the sailing to Bremerhaven and German customs clearance. Air freight is quoted on request, with 10–14 days in transit.
Where in the US do you ship cars to Germany from?
Anywhere. We collect from any US ZIP and load Germany-bound containers at our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey, sailing to Bremerhaven. Our three warehouses cover the whole country for imports and exports, so the car goes to whichever one is closest.
Can I ship a classic car to Germany?
Yes. Cars over 30 years old in original condition clear at 0% duty with import VAT reduced to 7%, and qualify for the H-Kennzeichen historic plate. In 2026 that covers cars built in 1996 or earlier. Heavily modified cars and restomods can fail the heading 9705 test.
Can I import my car to Germany duty-free when relocating?
Yes, if you are moving your primary residence to Germany and have owned and used the car for at least 6 months. It can enter free of duty and VAT, provided you do not sell or transfer it within 12 months of import.
How do I register an imported car in Germany?
Pass the TÜV inspection, arrange German insurance, then register at the local Kfz-Zulassungsstelle with the customs clearance certificate, original title and purchase documents. Cars over 30 years old can apply for the H-Kennzeichen historic plate at the same time.
Is my car insured while it ships to Germany?
Most US auto policies do not cover international transport. Our optional Cargo Damage Protection covers the car from arrival at our US warehouse through loading, the ocean crossing and delivery in Germany, at 2% of declared value with a $200 minimum. Without it, liability is limited to $500.
Read before you ship
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Bought it at a US auction or show? We'll bring it home to Germany.
We collect from the event, load at our own warehouse and ship door to door by ocean or air. The 0% window is open through 2029.