0% import duty on US-built cars: what changed in July 2026
The EU's 10% duty on passenger cars is gone for vehicles originating in the United States. The European Parliament approved the Turnberry regulation 440 to 151 on June 16, 2026, the Council adopted it on June 25, and the 0% rate runs through December 31, 2029.
The catch: origin follows the assembly line, not the badge.
Qualifies at 0%
Bowling Green Corvette · Detroit-built Viper · Wixom Ford GT · Spartanburg BMW Z3 M Coupe · Marysville-built second-gen Acura NSX
Still pays 10%
Brampton-built Dodge Challenger · Australian-built Pontiac GTO · Canadian-built 1998–2002 Camaro. No matter how American they look in the driveway.
Not sure where your car was built?
Search by make, model, or year with our US-Built Car Finder, then confirm origin by the VIN. Takes about a minute.
Proving US origin is what unlocks the rate. Our documentation team prepares the origin paperwork with every Germany-bound shipment, so the 0% lands on your customs invoice instead of staying in the fine print.
Read our full breakdown of the Turnberry deal and the cars that gain most →
How much does it cost to ship a car to Germany from the USA?
Three numbers decide your total: ocean freight, German destination charges, and taxes at the border.
| Cost item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Consolidated container, port-to-port | $1,050–$1,800 average |
| Destination fees in Germany | From $600 |
| Import duty, US-built cars | 0% since July 2026 |
| Import duty, all other origins | 10% of customs value |
| Import VAT, standard | 19% of vehicle + shipping + duty |
| Import VAT, collector cars 30+ years old | 7% under heading 9705 |
Container consolidation cuts shipping costs by sharing container space with other vehicles: a dedicated 20ft or 40ft container is available when you want the car to travel alone. Door-to-door service adds US pickup and final delivery in Germany.
We accept wire transfers, checks, and bank deposits. We do not accept credit card payments. Read about banking fees when paying from overseas.
Calculate your shipping cost ↑How our Germany car shipping process works
Car transport
We collect your car anywhere in the US, open or enclosed, and bring it to our nearest warehouse in California, Florida, or New Jersey. Drop-off is always an option.
Container loading
Our own employees load and secure your car at our own warehouse. No third-party yards, no outside labor touching the vehicle.
Export clearance
Our team files US export documentation and the origin paperwork that qualifies US-built cars for 0% EU duty.
Delivery in Germany
Our agents in Germany handle import customs at Bremerhaven and deliver the car to your door, or you collect it at the port.
Classic cars: the 30-year rule and 7% VAT
Germany treats genuine classics kindly. A car at least 30 years old, in original condition, and no longer in production qualifies as a collectors' piece under tariff heading 9705: 0% duty and import VAT reduced from 19% to 7%. In 2026, the 30-year line sits at 1996.
Once registered, cars over 30 can apply for the H-Kennzeichen historic plate: a flat annual road tax and access to city emissions zones that newer cars can't enter.
One caution: original condition does real work in that definition. A heavily modified car or a restomod can fail the 9705 test and lose the reduced VAT, even when it's well past 30. If your car is US-built, the 0% duty holds either way.
Wholesale car shipping to Germany for dealers and importers
Dealers, auctions, and wholesale importers moving multiple cars a month get dedicated container programs from our California, Florida, and New Jersey warehouses: vehicle collection, export clearance, consolidation of cars and parts, your carrier bookings or ours, and the option to use your own import agent on dedicated containers.
Protect your car in transit
Most US auto insurance policies do not cover international transport. Our optional Cargo Damage Protection covers your car from arrival at our US warehouse through loading, ocean transit, and delivery in Germany. Without it, carrier liability is capped at $500 under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act.
Rare Classic Muscle Cars and Their Modern Counterparts: Values & Import Costs | 2026 Guide
Proving Your Car Is American: Italy Issues the First Ruling on the 0% Duty | 2026 Update
