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IMPORT CARS FROM ITALY WITH WEST COAST SHIPPING

Import Cars from Italy: Get Instant Import Rates

Italy still sells some of the best-kept classics in Europe, and the 25-year rule opens most of them to US buyers: an Alfa Romeo, Lancia or Fiat built 25 or more years ago skips DOT and EPA conversion. We think that line is the best filter a US buyer has in Italy. We collect the car there and ship it door to door, by ocean or air.

We work through our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey, covering all of the US for imports and exports. Our own team handles every document, and a licensed customs broker files the US entry.

Frequent Importer? Request wholesale container shipping rates below.

Calculate Your Import Rate From Italy:

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Why Choose Us To Import Cars From Italy

Most cars leave Italy one of two ways: a slot in a shared container out of Genoa or Livorno, or air freight for a car that has to make a date. Our import service includes:

  • Container or air freight from Italy
  • Shared containers: you pay for one slot, not a whole container
  • Every import document prepared, with the US entry filed by a licensed customs broker
  • Vehicle pickup from all major Italian cities and ports
  • Door to door delivery through our warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey
  • Cars checked against the 25-year rule before they sail
Get Your Italy Shipping Rate

We collect your car anywhere in Italy using open or enclosed car transporters and take it to the port of loading, usually Genoa, La Spezia or Livorno.

You can also drop the car at the port yourself.

Each car is blocked and strapped in the container at the port of loading before it sails for the US.

The car is cleared for export in Italy at the port of loading, 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.

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Pickup Locations in Italy

We collect cars from Italy's main ports and cities, including Milan, Rome, Genoa, Livorno, Naples and Venice, with delivery anywhere in the US.

Learn more about our locations here.

International Car Shipping Methods

AIRPLANE

Need the car fast? Air freight is the quickest way out of Italy. Documents can take up to two weeks to prepare, so start them before the car flies, and ask us for the current air rate.

SHIPPING CONTAINER

Our containers fit 1 to 4 cars, running or not, and a shared container lets you pay for one slot. For high-value cars we offer a dedicated 20ft or 40ft container.

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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ITALY CAR IMPORT COSTS

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

Car Shipping Cost & Duties:

US Import Duty on Cars From Italy

  • 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 old
    (US-EU trade deal, Federal Register 2025-18660)
  • Harbor maintenance fee: 0.125% of the car's value on ocean imports
  • 25% for pickup trucks and light trucks of any age (Chicken Tax). EU-built trucks pay no Section 232 or Section 301 on top.

Compliance and Returns:

  • 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
  • US-built vehicles being returned may enter duty free under HTS 9801

Duty rules for Italian car imports changed in 2026 and the numbers may surprise you. See what you actually pay at US customs on a car from Italy right now, including classic car rates and current exemptions.

Porsche 911 GT3 cup car

Get Import Quote

Our import calculator gives an instant rate for shipping your car from Italy.

SHIPPING TIMES FROM ITALY

Transit from Italy depends on the route:
  • The Italian port, the US port and the container you choose set the timing
  • A shared container waits to fill, so it takes longer than a container of your own
  • Cars bound for California sail farther than cars bound for New Jersey
  • Ask us for the current sailing schedule from Genoa or Livorno to your US port

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO CONSIDER

  • Vehicle Collection: fees vary with the pickup location in Italy
  • 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 Protection: optional coverage available

PAYMENT OPTIONS

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

Paying from Italy or elsewhere in Europe? A wire transfer is the usual route, and the guide above lists what banks charge.

“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
West Coast Shipping

Italy Car Protection During Import

Protect your Italian car during international shipping with Cargo Damage Protection. This optional coverage protects your car from pickup to delivery.

Most standard US auto insurance policies do not cover international vehicle shipping. If you decline Cargo Damage Protection, our liability is limited to $500 per package under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act.

Learn More
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container-shipping

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
West Coast Shipping

Documentation For Italian Car Imports

A car from Italy needs these documents at US customs:

Essential Documentation:

  • Original Bill of Lading
  • Bill of Sale
  • Foreign Registration or US Title
  • NHTSA approval letter (Show or Display and RI 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
  • Show or Display: some cars under 25 years can enter with an NHTSA approval letter

Documents are one piece of the trip. Read our guide to international car shipping, from documentation to delivery.

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One Contact, Door to Door

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

The US Car Import Process

Car Shipping Cost & Duties:

US Import Duty

  • Duty depends on the car's age, where it was built and how it enters
  • 15% all-in for EU-built cars under 25 years old
  • 25% for pickup trucks and light trucks of any age (Chicken Tax). EU-built trucks pay no Section 232 or Section 301 on top.

Compliance and Returns:

  • 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
  • US-built vehicles being returned may enter duty free under HTS 9801
Calculate Cost

Car Import Process from Italy to USA

Most cars we bring in from Italy fall into two groups: classics 25 years and older that skip DOT and EPA conversion, and newer EU-built cars that pay 15% all-in and must meet US standards. If the car is close to the line, we would wait for its 25th birthday rather than pay for conversion.

An Alfa Romeo GTV, a Lancia Delta Integrale or a Fiat bought at an Italian auction all ship the same way: pickup in Italy, a container or a flight to the US, and delivery to your door.

We prepare the import documents from the Italian export paperwork onward, and a licensed customs broker files the US entry.

What You Get:

  • Door to door service from any location in Italy
  • Shared containers: you pay for one slot, not a whole container
  • Every import document prepared, with the entry filed by a licensed customs broker
  • Ocean or air, whichever fits your date

After Importing a Car from Italy


Essential Documentation:

  • Original Italian registration and proof of ownership
  • CBP Form 7501 entry summary and duty payment record
  • EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7
  • Original bill of sale and shipping documents

Key Registration Requirements:

  • Complete US vehicle registration forms
  • Pass state-specific inspections and emissions tests
  • Cars 25 years and older: many states offer historic plates
  • Obtain US auto insurance coverage
We send you the entry documents your state DMV asks for, so registration starts with a complete file. Bought it at Auto e Moto d'Epoca in Bologna or at an Italian auction? We collect it in Italy and ship it door to door, by ocean or air. It's your dream car. Let's bring her home.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Italy Car Shipping

How much does it cost to ship a car from Italy to the USA?

Shipping a car from Italy to the U.S. typically costs between $3,000 and $5,000.

The exact price depends on the vehicle size, departure port, shipping method (container vs. RoRo), and the destination in the U.S.

 

What documents are required to import a car from Italy?

You’ll need the original Italian registration, bill of sale, U.S. Customs clearance documents, EPA and DOT compliance certificates, and shipping paperwork. Vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from EPA/DOT compliance.

 

Can I import any Italian car to the USA?

You can import most Italian vehicles that are 25 years or older without modification. Newer vehicles must meet U.S. safety and emissions standards or be imported under special exemptions such as for show/display or racing use.

 

How long does shipping a car from Italy take?

Shipping times from Italy to the U.S. vary by destination. It usually takes 2–3 weeks to the East Coast and 5–8 weeks to the West Coast, plus time for customs clearance and vehicle handling.

 

How can I save money on car imports from Italy?

Use shared container shipping to reduce freight costs by up to 50%, and take advantage of classic vehicle exemptions to lower taxes and avoid compliance expenses. Choosing a port close to the final destination can also help reduce domestic transport fees.

 

Which Italian cities can I ship cars from?

We export vehicles from all major ports in Italy, including Livorno, Genoa, Naples, and La Spezia. Our team can also arrange inland vehicle collection from Rome, Milan, Florence, and other cities.

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