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GERMANY TO USA CAR IMPORTS

Import Cars from Germany: Get Instant Import Rates & Duties

Bought a 911 from a dealer in Stuttgart, or a W124 at an auction in Essen? We collect it in Germany and ship it door to door, by ocean or air, to our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey, covering all of the US for imports and exports.

Get instant rates to import cars from Germany, including container shipping, duties, taxes, and fees using our car shipping calculator.

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Why Choose Us To Import Cars From Germany

Here is what we do on every German import:

  • Container or air freight from Germany
  • Shared containers, so you pay for one slot, not a whole box
  • Every import document prepared, with the US entry filed by a licensed customs broker
  • Pickup anywhere in Germany, from a dealer, auction or private seller
  • Door to door delivery through our warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey
  • Cars checked against the 25-year rule and US import rules before they sail
Get Your Germany Shipping Rate

We collect your car anywhere in Germany, from a dealer, auction house or private seller, using open or enclosed car transporters, and take it to the port of loading.

You always have the option to deliver/drop off the vehicle yourself.

Every car is strapped and blocked in the container before it sails.

The car is cleared for export in Germany, and we send you the documents the US entry needs.

The car arrives at our warehouse in New Jersey, Florida or California, a licensed customs broker files the entry, and we deliver it door to door.

classic-jaguar-e-type-steering-wheel-1

Pickup Locations

We ship cars from Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and the rest of Germany to our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey.

Learn more about our locations here.

International Car Shipping Methods

AIRPLANE

Need your car fast? Air is the fastest option, and the import calculator shows the transit for your lane. Documents can take up to two weeks to prepare, so start them before the car flies.

SHIPPING CONTAINER

Our containers fit 1 to 4 vehicles, running or non-running, and shared containers keep the cost down. For high-value cars, we load dedicated 20ft or 40ft containers.

RORO VESSEL

RoRo shipping requires vehicles to be operational and empty. Available ports and rates vary. Note: This method is only available for oversized cars

RORO VESSEL

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GERMAN CAR IMPORT COSTS

How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car from Germany?

US import duty on a car from Germany:

  • Duty depends on the car's age, where it was built and how it enters; the import calculator shows the current rate for your car
  • 15% all-in for EU-built cars under 25 years; 25% for pickup trucks and light trucks of any age (Chicken Tax). EU-built trucks pay no Section 232 or Section 301 on top.
  • Harbor Maintenance Fee (ocean imports only) and Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF)

Additional considerations:

  • A shared container splits the box with other cars, so you pay for one slot
  • Optional Cargo Damage Protection available
  • Door to door quotes list every handling and documentation fee

German cars are a large share of US imports, and duty is the number to confirm before one sails. Duty rules on classic car imports changed in 2026: here is what a car built in Germany pays today.

Porsche 911 GT3 cup car

Get Import Quote

Our car shipping calculator provides instant rates for importing cars from Germany, including all duties, taxes, and fees.

SHIPPING TIMES FROM GERMANY

Import transit from Germany depends on:
  • The German port, the US port and the container you choose
  • A shared container waits to fill, so it takes longer than a container of your own
  • New York is about 18 days from Rotterdam by sea; Oakland is about 43 days
  • The import calculator shows the transit for your lane

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO CONSIDER

  • Vehicle Collection: Fees vary by pickup location in Germany
  • Import Duty: see the import calculator for your car's age and build country; 25% for pickups and light trucks of any age (Chicken Tax, no EU surcharge on top)
  • Cargo Damage Protection: optional cover based on the declared value

PAYMENT OPTIONS

We accept wire transfer, ACH, check and Zelle. Read more about banking fees when paying from overseas.

Every invoice lists the payment details for each method.

“Excellent communication and genuine interest in our vehicles well being throughout the whole process. Highly recommend them for all your vehicle shipping needs!”
Alexander
San Francisco, California

German Car Protection During Import

Protect your German car with Cargo Damage Protection, from pickup in Germany to delivery at your door. Most standard auto insurance policies don't cover international shipping. If you decline Cargo Damage Protection, our liability is limited to $500 per package under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA).
Learn More
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Wholesale Car Import & Export Solutions

We provide high volume dealers, auctions, wholesalers and event organizers turn-key shipping solutions for their vehicles.

  • End-to-End solutions between the US and the world
  • Vehicle collection & export clearance
  • Private warehouses in CA, FL, NJ
  • Vehicle and parts consolidation
  • Use our carrier bookings or your own
  • Ability to choose your own import agent when shipping dedicated containers 
  • Expedited Air Freight options
Explore Wholesale Solutions

Documentation For German Car Imports

Importing a car from Germany takes these documents:

Essential Documentation:

  • Original Bill of Lading
  • Bill of Sale
  • Foreign Registration or US Title
  • NHTSA approval letter (Show or Display imports only)
  • EPA Form 3520-1
  • DOT Form HS-7

Vehicle Age Requirements:

  • Vehicles 25 years and older: Exempt from DOT & EPA rules if unmodified
  • Vehicles under 25 years: Must meet US safety and emissions standards
  • Cars 25 years and older still pay duty; the import calculator shows the rate

Paperwork is half the job; the other half is the car itself. Learn everything about international car shipping, from documentation to delivery, in our guide.

ford-shelby-international-car-shipping (1)

One Contact, Pickup to Delivery

One contact from pickup in Germany to delivery at your door. We prepare the import documents; a licensed customs broker files the entry.

The US Car Import Process

Car Shipping Cost & Duties:

US import duty on a car from Germany:

  • Duty: see the import calculator for your car's age and build country
  • 15% all-in for EU-built cars under 25 years; 25% for pickups and light trucks of any age (Chicken Tax, no EU surcharge on top)

Additional mandatory fees:

  • Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% of cargo value, ocean imports only
  • Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% of cargo value (minimum $34.58, maximum $670.86)
Age rules:
  • Cars 25 years and older are exempt from DOT and EPA standards, not from duty
  • Cars under 25 years must meet US safety and emissions standards
  • Show or Display imports need an NHTSA approval letter
Calculate Cost

German Car Import Process

Importing a car from Germany to the USA runs the same way on every car: pickup, export, ocean or air, US entry, delivery.

We think Germany is the first place to look for a European classic headed to the US: the cars were built there, and the service history usually stayed with them.

Transit Times for Car Imports from Germany:

  • Transit depends on the German port, the US port and the container
  • A shared container waits to fill, so it takes longer than a container of your own
  • New York is about 18 days from Rotterdam by sea; Oakland is about 43 days
  • The import calculator shows the transit for your lane

Car Import Services From Germany:

  • Container and air freight, RoRo for oversized cars
  • Secure container loading & crating options
  • EU export documents, with the US entry filed by a licensed customs broker
  • Door to door delivery
  • Short-term & long-term secure storage
  • Auctions
  • Temporary, permanent & event imports
  • Returning US vehicles

Registering Your German Import in the US

Importing a car from Germany takes these documents:

Essential Documentation:

  • Original bill of lading
  • Bill of sale
  • Foreign registration or US title
  • NHTSA approval letter (Show or Display imports only)
  • EPA Form 3520-1
  • DOT Form HS-7

Import Car Restrictions:

  • Vehicles 25 years and OLDER are not required to conform to DOT & EPA rules as long as vehicle is unmodified
Vehicles UNDER 25 years:
  • Must meet US safety and emissions standards
  • Or be brought into compliance by an NHTSA Registered Importer
  • Show & display vehicles for events, testing, and other applicable use cases

We send you the entry documents your state DMV asks for. Bought it at a dealer in Munich, an auction in Essen or an event overseas? We collect it in Germany and ship it door to door, by ocean or air. It's your dream car. Let's bring her home.

What customers say

  • Used WC shipping to ship my motorcycle from Europe back to the US and I was absolutely impressed with their professionalism and operation. … The ease of process and ample communications were great. I was never left wondering where my bike was or what stage it was in during shipping. … Price was more than fair for shipping and was faster than expected.

    Alex R. 2019 · on Google

  • I recently purchased a car in Europe that was transported by sea to the US. West Coast Shipping handled receiving the container … and unloading it at their warehouse in Linden, NJ. This was all done efficiently and at reasonable cost. … Any questions I had sent by email throughout the process were quickly answered. I will definitely use West Coast Shipping again if I import another car to the US.

    Gary C. 2022 · on Google

  • I just want to say thank you to all of you and to everyone that was involved in the process to ship my motorcycle from Netherland to USA. The entire process was perfect with an excellent communication with the correct information all the time. … When I decided to ship the motorcycle I was very concerned if the process was going to be complicated and stressful, but I was wrong, the process was simple with no complication at all.

    Moto Motocicleta 2024 · on Google

Read all reviews: Google (California) Google (Florida) Google (New Jersey)

West Coast Shipping in the News

Guides

More about importing a car from Germany

Frequently Asked Questions About Importing a Car From Germany

How much does it cost to import a car from Germany to USA?

The cost to import a car from Germany to the USA ranges between $2750 to $3350

Import costs include:

  • 10% duty for EU-built cars 25 years or older (25% for pickups and light trucks of any age)
  • Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125% of value),
  • MPF (0.3464%, minimum $34.58, maximum $670.86 range).

Additional fees include shipping and destination charges.

What documentation is required to import cars from Germany?

Required documents include:

  • original bill of lading
  • bill of sale
  • foreign registration or US title
  • NHTSA approval letter
  • EPA Form 3520-1
  • DOT Form HS-7.
Can I import any German car to the USA?

Import eligibility depends on vehicle age:

  • 25+ years old: Exempt from DOT & EPA rules if unmodified
  • Under 25: Must meet US standards
  • Factory race cars: No age restrictions
  • Show & display vehicles allowed for events
How long does it take to import a car from Germany?

Transit times include:

  • about 2 weeks to collect, export-clear and load your car
  • additional week for shared container service
  • about 18 days sailing from Rotterdam to New York (33 days to Miami)
  • about 43 days sailing from Rotterdam to Oakland.
How can I save money on German car imports?

Sharing a container with other cars costs less than booking a whole container for one car.

We load shared containers from Europe, and a container of your own when you need one.

What cities do you import cars from in Germany?

We provide safe transport from:

  • Berlin

  • Hamburg

  • Munich

  • Frankfurt

  • Stuttgart

  • Düsseldorf

  • Cologne

  • Leipzig

  • Dortmund

  • Bremen

Can I buy a car in Germany and bring it to the US?

Yes, you can import a car from Germany to the US, but there are specific requirements to consider:

  • Cars must be 25 years or older to avoid strict EPA and DOT regulations
  • The import calculator prices shipping for your car and route
  • Import duty is 10% of the vehicle's value for an EU-built car 25 years or older
  • Additional fees include:
    • Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%)
    • Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%)

Ready to import your European car? Learn more about the complete international car shipping process in our comprehensive guide.

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