US Car Export Statistics
Where America's used cars go, how many, what they are worth and how they ship. Built from US Census Bureau trade data and updated every month.
Shipping a car yourself? Our instant calculator prices most routes.
Photo: container ship at Port Jersey, New Jersey. Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The year so far
Used cars shipped overseas fell 7% in the first nine months of 2026, and the whole drop is in the Gulf, where shipments fell by more than half. Every other overseas market combined grew 14%.
Why Canada and Mexico are left out: about 156,000 used cars went to Canada and Mexico this year, almost all by road and rail rather than by sea. This page covers overseas shipping, so every figure leaves them out unless it says otherwise.
A note on declared values: every value on this page is the value declared at export. For years, many shippers treated that figure loosely, because the importing country checks the value and charges its duty on it, and the two sides did not always show the same value for the same car. Since 2025, CBP has required an accurate value for every vehicle exported: the price actually paid on a recent bill of sale, or fair market value, checked against market data before the car is cleared. Cars whose values don’t line up are held, and some are seized. We expect declared values to become more realistic, and higher rather than lower, so part of this year’s rise in value per car may come from more accurate declarations rather than more expensive cars. How CBP verifies vehicle values
About 95,000 used cars leave the US for overseas every month
January and February ran level with 2025. From March, when shipping to the Gulf was disrupted, every month has run below last year. October 2025 was unusually high, at about 141,500.
Source: US Census Bureau trade data, January to September 2026 and 2025, compiled by West Coast Shipping. Excludes Canada and Mexico.
Key takeaways
The ten countries that took the most used American cars by sea this year, and what is behind each change.
How the trade works. volume shippers consolidate cars in containers and deliver them to a few main hub ports, such as Rotterdam, Jebel Ali in the UAE, Poti in Georgia and the Turkish ports. From there, the cars are cleared and moved on to neighbouring countries. That is why hub countries take more cars than their own markets buy, and why trouble at one hub sends volume to another, as the shift from the UAE to Turkey shows this year.
- 01Georgia-4%112,279 used cars Jan to Sep 2026
Down because of Georgia's new import laws in 2026. Still the biggest hub by sea: cars arrive in containers at Poti and are re-sold across the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Shipping to Georgia - 02Lithuania+17%88,239 used cars Jan to Sep 2026
Up as the entry port for most of the Baltic countries. Cars land at Klaipeda and move on to Latvia, Estonia and further east.
Shipping to Lithuania - 03United Arab Emirates-64%61,020 used cars Jan to Sep 2026
Down sharply since March, as the conflicts in the Middle East disrupted shipping into the Gulf. Jebel Ali was the region's main re-export hub, and much of that volume has moved elsewhere.
Shipping to United Arab Emirates - 04Nigeria+24%59,739 used cars Jan to Sep 2026
Up on strong demand for used cars in West Africa. Most cars arrive by RoRo in Lagos, and neighbouring Benin and Togo grew too.
Shipping to Nigeria - 05Netherlands+11%53,584 used cars Jan to Sep 2026
Up as Rotterdam stays the main entry port for Europe. Volume shippers deliver containers there, and the cars are cleared and distributed across the EU.
Shipping to Netherlands - 06Guatemala+32%48,611 used cars Jan to Sep 2026
Up as Central America's biggest buyer of older, lower-value American cars, with much of the volume trucked through Mexico.
- 07Libya-12%34,952 used cars Jan to Sep 2026
Slightly down, but still a steady market for older cars, almost all shipped in containers.
- 08Honduras+38%34,472 used cars Jan to Sep 2026
Up, part of a broad rise across Central America for older, lower-value cars.
- 09Oman-23%31,953 used cars Jan to Sep 2026
Down with the rest of the Gulf, though less than the UAE, as Oman's ports sit outside the Strait of Hormuz.
- 10Turkey+210%31,308 used cars Jan to Sep 2026
Tripled as Turkey became another pass-through port for neighbouring countries while the UAE slowed down. The jump started in April, right after the Gulf disruption.
Shipping to Turkey
What we see on our own lanes
The Census figures run to September. Our own bookings run to this week.
- Our bookings follow the national trend. The shifts in the Census figures, with the Gulf down and Europe, Turkey, the Baltics and West Africa up, show up in our own bookings too.
- We are shipping more cars. The number of shipments we handle has grown this year.
- Europe picked up after the summer break. European bookings slow every summer and pick up again from September. This autumn the rebound has been strong, and it has carried into November. The Census figures show the same rhythm: European volume dips in June and July and rises again from August, in 2025 and in 2026.
Our outlook for the next six months
- Europe stays strong through the winter.We expect the October and November figures to show the Netherlands, Lithuania and Germany holding or growing. The dollar has regained most of its ground against the euro since October, which takes a little off the price advantage, but demand for American SUVs, pickups and Teslas is not about price alone.
- The Gulf stays well below 2025 while shipping there is disrupted.More of the trade will keep moving through Turkey and on to neighbouring countries.
- Georgia and Central Asia shift to newer cars.Volume looks set to stay soft, but value per car to Georgia is up about 25% since April as the new rules push out older cars.
- West Africa and Central America keep growing.Nigeria (+24%), Benin, Togo, Costa Rica (+84%), Honduras and Guatemala are growing fast, mostly by RoRo.
- Declared values keep rising.Value per used car shipped overseas reached $9,956 in September, the highest in 21 months. More accurate declarations and markets that favour newer cars both push it up.
- Collector cars keep flying.Air will keep growing for high-value cars with a show or auction date. For Europe's spring show and auction season, collectors should buy over the winter and book early in the new year.
What to buy, and where it sells
If you buy cars in the US to sell abroad, these are the cars each market is taking now, from recent shipping records and the Census figures. Ages are the average of recent shipments.
- The Netherlands and its neighboursabout 8 years
Via Rotterdam and Bremerhaven
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Ram 1500 and other full-size pickups
- Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Corvette
- Classics over 25 years old
Buyers want the American cars Europe doesn't sell: big SUVs, pickups, V8s and muscle cars. The Netherlands takes the most classics of the markets we sampled, about 1 in 30 cars, and its used EV imports more than doubled.
Shared container to Rotterdam from $1,100, 17 to 20 days
Shipping there - Lithuania and the Balticsabout 6 years
Via Klaipeda
- Tesla Model 3 and Model Y
- Audi Q5
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Nissan Rogue
Klaipeda is the entry port for most of the Baltics. Repairable late-model cars, Teslas and German premium SUVs sell best, and Lithuania grew 17% this year.
Shared container to Klaipeda from $900, about 35 days
Shipping there - Georgia, the Caucasus and Central Asiaabout 5 years
Via Poti, often through Gioia Tauro
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Toyota Camry
- Ford Explorer
- Hyundai Sonata
- BMW X5
The new Georgian import rules favour newer cars. Buy younger and cleaner than before: value per car is up about 25% since April even as volume slows.
Container to Poti; price your route in our calculator
Shipping there - Turkey and its neighbours
Via Turkish ports
- Hybrids
- Late-model SUVs
Turkey tripled this year as a pass-through port while the Gulf slowed, and its hybrid imports rose about six times. Much of the volume moves on to neighbouring countries, so check Turkey's own rules before buying for Turkish registration.
Shared container to Istanbul from $2,450, about 25 days
Shipping there - Nigeria and West Africaabout 12 years
Via Lagos and Cotonou
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Highlander
- Lexus RX
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Sienna
Three in four cars to Nigeria are Toyotas or a Lexus, prized for parts and resale. Age and duty rules weigh heavily, so check the year before you buy.
Mostly RoRo from Baltimore and Jacksonville
Shipping there - Dominican Republic and Central Americaabout 4 years
Via Rio Haina and Central American ports
- Honda CR-V
- Toyota RAV4
- Hyundai Tucson
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Kia Sportage
The youngest cars of any big market: compact SUVs a few years old. The Dominican Republic is the busiest single lane from Florida, and Costa Rica is up 84%.
Mostly RoRo from Miami and Port Everglades
- United Kingdom
Via Southampton
- Classics over 30 years old
- American muscle and pickups
- Rare European cars sold new in the US
A classic over 30 years old pays only 5% VAT, against 10% duty and 20% VAT for a newer car. On a $50,000 car that is about $2,500 instead of about $16,000.
Shared container to Southampton from $1,200, 14 to 16 days
Shipping there - Italy, Japan, France and Australia
Via Collector markets
- American classics and muscle cars
- Rust-free cars from dry states
- Cars with documented histories
These markets pay the most per car: about $110,900 in a typical month for Italy and $35,500 for Japan. In Australia, cars over 25 years old have an easier import path.
Dedicated container or two on the floor; California to Melbourne from $2,250
Shipping there
Our read of the data, not a promise of what any car will sell for. Import rules change, so check the destination’s current rules before you buy. Rates are for a car in a shared container from New Jersey unless stated, as of November 2026.
Before you buy a car for export
- Check the destination's rules first.Age limits, steering side, emissions, EV registration and duty by engine size decide what you can sell. Rules change: Georgia's changed this year.
- Buy with a clean title in hand.No liens, and the original title ready. US Customs needs the title at least 72 hours before the car is loaded.
- Declare the real price.Keep the bill of sale. CBP now checks export values car by car, and cars whose values don't line up are held.
- Match the car to the method.A shared container is the best value for everyday cars. High-end cars go in a dedicated container or two on the floor of one. RoRo suits running cars to West Africa and the Caribbean. Air is for deadlines.
- Time it.Europe is busiest from September to November. Book early in the autumn, and before the year-end holidays.
- Price the landed cost, not just the freight.Destination port charges, duty and VAT come on top of shipping. Our calculator lists them per country, and our quotes are valid for 30 days.
What each country buys
The most common models in recent US export shipments to five of the biggest markets, and how old they are. Each market has its own profile, shaped by local tastes and import rules.
- Nigeriaavg. age 11.9 yrs
Toyota country: three in four cars are Toyotas or a Lexus. At just under 12 years old on average, they sit right at Nigeria’s 12-year import age limit.
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Highlander
- Lexus RX
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Sienna
- Georgiaavg. age 4.7 yrs
Young, mainstream cars, about five years old on average, which fits Georgia’s new import rules favouring newer cars. Family SUVs and sedans lead, with BMW X5s and Teslas in the mix.
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Toyota Camry
- Ford Explorer
- Hyundai Sonata
- BMW X5
- Lithuaniaavg. age 6.1 yrs
German premium SUVs and Teslas, about six years old, for buyers across the Baltics and beyond.
- Tesla Model 3/Y
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Audi Q5
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Nissan Rogue
- Netherlandsavg. age 8.2 yrs
American icons, such as the Grand Cherokee, Pacifica, Ram 1500, Corvette and Mustang, alongside German premium. It is the oldest mix, with about one car in 30 at least 25 years old.
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Chrysler Pacifica
- BMW X3
- Volvo XC60
- Ram 1500
- Dominican Republicavg. age 3.6 yrs
The youngest cars on the list: compact SUVs under four years old on average, mostly Japanese and Korean.
- Honda CR-V
- Toyota RAV4
- Hyundai Tucson
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Kia Sportage
From the latest 400 shipping records to each country in late August 2026 that name the car, so this is a snapshot, not a full count. A shipping record can cover more than one car.
The dollar, Chinese cars and the rebuild trade
Three forces explain much of what changed this year, beyond the conflicts in the Gulf.
A weaker dollar helped Europe, Australia and Israel
On average, the dollar was weaker in the first nine months of 2026 than a year earlier against most of the currencies of our growing markets, which made American cars cheaper to buy there. Israel (+141%) and the UK (+59%) are among the fastest-growing markets this year. The lira went the other way, yet Turkey still tripled, because most of those cars move on to neighbouring countries rather than staying in Turkey.
| Currency, Jan to Sep 2026 vs 2025 | Against the dollar | For buyers there |
|---|---|---|
| Euro (eurozone) | +4% | US cars cost less |
| British pound | +2% | US cars cost less |
| Australian dollar | +10% | US cars cost less |
| Israeli shekel | +16% | US cars cost less |
| Swedish krona | +6% | US cars cost less |
| Swiss franc | +6% | US cars cost less |
| Japanese yen | -6% | US cars cost more |
| Turkish lira | -15% | US cars cost more |
Chinese cars are rising, and American cars are still in demand
Chinese brands are gaining fast in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and parts of Europe. Analysts expect their share in the Middle East and Africa to rise from about 10% in 2024 to about a third by 2030, and they already sell about a third of new cars in Israel. In Central Asia, cheaper Chinese cars are taking share from the American cars that used to arrive through Georgia. Jordan's car market has also turned towards Chinese EVs.
American cars keep their place for reasons a new Chinese car can't match:
- Value. The US has the world's deepest used car market, with steep depreciation, so a three to ten year old American car often costs less than a comparable local one, even after shipping and duty.
- What is available. Full-size SUVs, pickups, V8s and left-hand drive cars in high specifications that are rare or expensive elsewhere.
- Repairable cars. Auction supply of damaged and repairable cars feeds rebuild trades from Lithuania to Georgia.
- Parts and resale. Familiar brands with parts everywhere, which keeps resale values liquid.
- Classics. The US has the world's largest pool of collector cars, American and European, often in better condition and with better records. More on this under collector cars below.
The rebuild trade is still growing
Trade data does not separate salvage cars from other used cars, but the rebuild markets of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus give a clear signal. Lithuania, Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, Armenia, Albania, Romania and their neighbours took 237,500 used American cars this year, up 6%, at about $9,000 a car, the price level of damaged and repairable cars bought at US auctions.
Growth came from Lithuania (+17%), Ukraine (+21%) and Armenia (+57%), while Georgia (-4%) slowed with its new import laws. Some markets have closed their doors: Jordan has banned damaged car imports, and its intake is down 38%. Latvia and Estonia barely appear in the figures because their cars arrive through Klaipeda in Lithuania.
Source: US Census Bureau trade data, January to September 2026 and 2025; Jordan Times.Where the cars go
Search a country, filter by region or sort by growth. Tap a country to see its month-by-month chart, how the cars ship and our note on what changed. 170 countries overseas took at least one used American car this year. Canada and Mexico are not in the list because their cars go by road and rail.
Tap a country to see its month-by-month chart and our note on what changed.
Georgia 112279 cars 117352 in 2025 $9209
Still the biggest ocean destination, down 4%. About 95% ships in containers. Monthly volumes eased from about 12,000 to 12,700 early in the year (with a one-off 20,500 in March) to about 10,600 a month since June.
Our read: the drop comes from Georgia's new import laws in 2026. Georgia is still the biggest hub by sea: volume shippers consolidate cars in containers to Poti, and the cars are re-sold across the Caucasus and Central Asia, where demand from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan has also softened. AutoBridge H1 2026 report
Lithuania 88239 cars 75119 in 2025 $8641
Up 17%, all in containers, at about $8,600 a car. Since April, Lithuania has taken more than 10,000 cars in most months.
Our read: Klaipeda is the entry port for most of the Baltic countries. Cars land there and move on to Latvia, Estonia and further east, and Lithuania is also Europe's main rebuild market for American cars.
United Arab Emirates 61020 cars 171122 in 2025 $8633
The biggest fall on the list. Shipments ran at about 19,000 a month through February 2026, then dropped to about 6,000 in March and 1,200 in April, and have stayed under 4,200 a month since.
Our read: the conflicts in the Middle East disrupted shipping into the Gulf from March 2026. Jebel Ali was the region's main re-export hub, where volume shippers delivered containers for onward sale, and much of that volume has moved to other hubs such as Turkey.
Nigeria 59739 cars 48005 in 2025 $7911
Up 24%. Unlike most markets, most of the value ships by RoRo rather than in containers.
Our read: Nigerian figures show passenger car imports rising sharply in the first half of 2026, and port data shows more vehicles handled through Lagos. Changes to vehicle levies have been reported both ways, so check current duty before you buy. Legit.ng
Netherlands 53584 cars 48203 in 2025 $13197
Up 11%, all in containers, and the highest value per car among the big markets at about $13,200.
Our read: Rotterdam is the main entry port for Europe. Volume shippers consolidate cars in containers to Rotterdam, where they are cleared and distributed across the EU, so this figure covers far more than the Dutch market.
Guatemala 48611 cars 36778 in 2025 $3982
Up 32%, at under $4,000 a car, mostly in containers. Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica all grew strongly in 2026.
Our read: Central America buys older, lower-value American cars. Demand there has been steady and growing.
Libya 34952 cars 39768 in 2025 $4259
Down 12%, at about $4,300 a car, almost all in containers.
Our read: a steady market for older cars. The drop is modest and spread across the year.
Honduras 34472 cars 25014 in 2025 $5270
Up 38%, mostly in containers, at about $5,300 a car.
Our read: part of a broad rise across Central America for older, lower-value American cars.
Oman 31953 cars 41562 in 2025 $8062
Down 23%. Volumes fell from about 4,000 a month at the start of the year to under 3,000 in April and May, then partly recovered.
Our read: Oman's ports sit outside the Strait of Hormuz, which may explain why it fell far less than the UAE or Iraq.
Turkey 31308 cars 10110 in 2025 $10388
Tripled, from 10,110 to 31,308. The jump started in April 2026: about 800 a month in January and February, then 3,400 in April and about 5,000 a month since May.
Our read: with the UAE slowed down, Turkey became another pass-through port for neighbouring countries. Volume shippers now deliver containers to Turkish ports, and the cars move on from there. The jump started right after the Gulf disruption.
Dominican Republic 30720 cars 26524 in 2025 $13148
Up 16%, and almost entirely by RoRo, with an above-average value of about $13,100 a car.
Our read: a short RoRo crossing from Florida makes the Dominican Republic one of the steadiest Caribbean markets for newer used cars.
Cuba 26293 cars 34129 in 2025 $3149
Down 23%, and very uneven: a few hundred to about 1,300 a month, with spikes of about 6,800 in May and 10,500 in June.
Our read: imports of petrol and diesel cars by Cuban private businesses were held back in early 2026, and Cuba eased its rules for electric vehicles in August. Expect lumpy volumes while the rules keep changing. Local 10
El Salvador 25612 cars 20005 in 2025 $5490
Up 28%, all in containers, at about $5,500 a car.
Our read: part of a broad rise across Central America for older, lower-value American cars.
Ukraine 22062 cars 18180 in 2025 $7623
Up 21%, all in containers, at about $7,600 a car. Volumes have been steady at 2,000 to 2,700 a month.
Our read: steady demand for repairable American cars, mostly shipped to EU ports and driven on.
Jordan 21379 cars 34740 in 2025 $11136
Down 38%. The fall began in mid-2025, from about 5,000 a month in spring 2025 to about 2,000 a month since July 2025, and has held there in 2026.
Our read: Jordan tightened vehicle import rules in June 2025, limiting imports to four technical standards, and electric car clearances fell the most. Jordan Times
Ghana 19447 cars 14928 in 2025 $9153
Up 30%, mostly in containers, at about $9,150 a car.
Our read: Ghana is one of the stronger West African markets for American cars this year, along with Nigeria, Benin and Togo.
Benin 15952 cars 10477 in 2025 $6851
Up 52%, and almost entirely by RoRo.
Our read: Cotonou is a regional entry port, and many cars landed in Benin continue to neighbouring countries, including Nigeria.
Lebanon 15456 cars 16831 in 2025 $7923
Down 8%, almost all in containers.
Our read: broadly stable, with a dip in May and June and a recovery since.
Costa Rica 10589 cars 5759 in 2025 $9723
Up 84%, from 5,759 to 10,589. About a quarter of the value moves by RoRo.
Our read: the fastest-growing Central American market this year, with volumes climbing from about 600 in January to about 1,500 a month in spring.
Cambodia 9628 cars 12030 in 2025 $7880
Down 20%, all in containers.
Our read: volumes peaked in spring and have eased since July.
Germany 9357 cars 10136 in 2025 $18887
Down 8% in count, but the value per car rose to about $18,900. About 27% of the value went by air.
Our read: Germany buys fewer, better cars: American classics, muscle cars and pickups.
Togo 5932 cars 3615 in 2025 $5970
Up 64%, split about evenly between containers and RoRo.
Our read: like Benin, Lomé serves as an entry port for cars that continue across West Africa.
Poland 4344 cars 4337 in 2025 $11069
Chile 4338 cars 1688 in 2025 $13552
Up 157%, almost entirely in containers, at about $13,550 a car.
Our read: one of the fastest-growing markets this year, with 400 to 700 cars a month since February.
Mauritania 4121 cars 2336 in 2025 $5314
Source: US Census Bureau trade data, January to September 2026 and 2025, compiled by West Coast Shipping. Excludes Canada and Mexico.
How the cars travel
Four fifths of the value ships in containers. RoRo grew 9% this year and air 30%. A small share goes by road through Mexico to Central America. The split changes a lot by country: Nigeria, Benin and the Dominican Republic ship mostly by RoRo, while more than half the UK's value flies.
Georgia 112279 cars 117352 in 2025 $9209
Still the biggest ocean destination, down 4%. About 95% ships in containers. Monthly volumes eased from about 12,000 to 12,700 early in the year (with a one-off 20,500 in March) to about 10,600 a month since June.
Our read: the drop comes from Georgia's new import laws in 2026. Georgia is still the biggest hub by sea: volume shippers consolidate cars in containers to Poti, and the cars are re-sold across the Caucasus and Central Asia, where demand from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan has also softened. AutoBridge H1 2026 report
Lithuania 88239 cars 75119 in 2025 $8641
Up 17%, all in containers, at about $8,600 a car. Since April, Lithuania has taken more than 10,000 cars in most months.
Our read: Klaipeda is the entry port for most of the Baltic countries. Cars land there and move on to Latvia, Estonia and further east, and Lithuania is also Europe's main rebuild market for American cars.
United Arab Emirates 61020 cars 171122 in 2025 $8633
The biggest fall on the list. Shipments ran at about 19,000 a month through February 2026, then dropped to about 6,000 in March and 1,200 in April, and have stayed under 4,200 a month since.
Our read: the conflicts in the Middle East disrupted shipping into the Gulf from March 2026. Jebel Ali was the region's main re-export hub, where volume shippers delivered containers for onward sale, and much of that volume has moved to other hubs such as Turkey.
Nigeria 59739 cars 48005 in 2025 $7911
Up 24%. Unlike most markets, most of the value ships by RoRo rather than in containers.
Our read: Nigerian figures show passenger car imports rising sharply in the first half of 2026, and port data shows more vehicles handled through Lagos. Changes to vehicle levies have been reported both ways, so check current duty before you buy. Legit.ng
Netherlands 53584 cars 48203 in 2025 $13197
Up 11%, all in containers, and the highest value per car among the big markets at about $13,200.
Our read: Rotterdam is the main entry port for Europe. Volume shippers consolidate cars in containers to Rotterdam, where they are cleared and distributed across the EU, so this figure covers far more than the Dutch market.
Guatemala 48611 cars 36778 in 2025 $3982
Up 32%, at under $4,000 a car, mostly in containers. Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica all grew strongly in 2026.
Our read: Central America buys older, lower-value American cars. Demand there has been steady and growing.
Libya 34952 cars 39768 in 2025 $4259
Down 12%, at about $4,300 a car, almost all in containers.
Our read: a steady market for older cars. The drop is modest and spread across the year.
Honduras 34472 cars 25014 in 2025 $5270
Up 38%, mostly in containers, at about $5,300 a car.
Our read: part of a broad rise across Central America for older, lower-value American cars.
Oman 31953 cars 41562 in 2025 $8062
Down 23%. Volumes fell from about 4,000 a month at the start of the year to under 3,000 in April and May, then partly recovered.
Our read: Oman's ports sit outside the Strait of Hormuz, which may explain why it fell far less than the UAE or Iraq.
Turkey 31308 cars 10110 in 2025 $10388
Tripled, from 10,110 to 31,308. The jump started in April 2026: about 800 a month in January and February, then 3,400 in April and about 5,000 a month since May.
Our read: with the UAE slowed down, Turkey became another pass-through port for neighbouring countries. Volume shippers now deliver containers to Turkish ports, and the cars move on from there. The jump started right after the Gulf disruption.
Dominican Republic 30720 cars 26524 in 2025 $13148
Up 16%, and almost entirely by RoRo, with an above-average value of about $13,100 a car.
Our read: a short RoRo crossing from Florida makes the Dominican Republic one of the steadiest Caribbean markets for newer used cars.
Cuba 26293 cars 34129 in 2025 $3149
Down 23%, and very uneven: a few hundred to about 1,300 a month, with spikes of about 6,800 in May and 10,500 in June.
Our read: imports of petrol and diesel cars by Cuban private businesses were held back in early 2026, and Cuba eased its rules for electric vehicles in August. Expect lumpy volumes while the rules keep changing. Local 10
El Salvador 25612 cars 20005 in 2025 $5490
Up 28%, all in containers, at about $5,500 a car.
Our read: part of a broad rise across Central America for older, lower-value American cars.
Ukraine 22062 cars 18180 in 2025 $7623
Up 21%, all in containers, at about $7,600 a car. Volumes have been steady at 2,000 to 2,700 a month.
Our read: steady demand for repairable American cars, mostly shipped to EU ports and driven on.
Jordan 21379 cars 34740 in 2025 $11136
Down 38%. The fall began in mid-2025, from about 5,000 a month in spring 2025 to about 2,000 a month since July 2025, and has held there in 2026.
Our read: Jordan tightened vehicle import rules in June 2025, limiting imports to four technical standards, and electric car clearances fell the most. Jordan Times
Ghana 19447 cars 14928 in 2025 $9153
Up 30%, mostly in containers, at about $9,150 a car.
Our read: Ghana is one of the stronger West African markets for American cars this year, along with Nigeria, Benin and Togo.
Benin 15952 cars 10477 in 2025 $6851
Up 52%, and almost entirely by RoRo.
Our read: Cotonou is a regional entry port, and many cars landed in Benin continue to neighbouring countries, including Nigeria.
Lebanon 15456 cars 16831 in 2025 $7923
Down 8%, almost all in containers.
Our read: broadly stable, with a dip in May and June and a recovery since.
Costa Rica 10589 cars 5759 in 2025 $9723
Up 84%, from 5,759 to 10,589. About a quarter of the value moves by RoRo.
Our read: the fastest-growing Central American market this year, with volumes climbing from about 600 in January to about 1,500 a month in spring.
Cambodia 9628 cars 12030 in 2025 $7880
Down 20%, all in containers.
Our read: volumes peaked in spring and have eased since July.
Germany 9357 cars 10136 in 2025 $18887
Down 8% in count, but the value per car rose to about $18,900. About 27% of the value went by air.
Our read: Germany buys fewer, better cars: American classics, muscle cars and pickups.
Togo 5932 cars 3615 in 2025 $5970
Up 64%, split about evenly between containers and RoRo.
Our read: like Benin, Lomé serves as an entry port for cars that continue across West Africa.
Poland 4344 cars 4337 in 2025 $11069
Chile 4338 cars 1688 in 2025 $13552
Up 157%, almost entirely in containers, at about $13,550 a car.
Our read: one of the fastest-growing markets this year, with 400 to 700 cars a month since February.
Mauritania 4121 cars 2336 in 2025 $5314
All used car exports by mode
| Mode | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| In containers | $6.27 billion (80%) | $6.65 billion (82%) | -5.7% |
| By RoRo and other non-container vessels | $1.10 billion (14%) | $1.01 billion (13%) | +8.9% |
| By air | $332.4 million (4%) | $256.6 million (3%) | +29.6% |
| By road, through Mexico to Central America | $172.8 million (2%) | $159.0 million (2%) | +8.7% |
Source: US Census Bureau trade data, January to September 2026 and 2025, compiled by West Coast Shipping. Excludes Canada and Mexico.
The busiest export lanes
Where cars leave the US, and where they go from each port, from shipping records for January to August 2026. The percentage is each port’s share of car export shipments.
- Newark, New Jersey20%
Mainly to Georgia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Libya. Georgia alone takes 17% of this port’s car shipments.
- Savannah, Georgia14%
Mainly to Georgia, Lithuania, Libya, Netherlands. Georgia alone takes 17% of this port’s car shipments.
- Port Everglades, Florida11%
Mainly to Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras. Dominican Republic alone takes 38% of this port’s car shipments.
- Houston, Texas11%
Mainly to Georgia, Honduras, Lithuania, Libya. Georgia alone takes 13% of this port’s car shipments.
- Miami, Florida8%
Mainly to Dominican Republic, Colombia, Lithuania, Costa Rica. Dominican Republic alone takes 71% of this port’s car shipments.
- Baltimore, Maryland6%
Mainly to Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Togo. Nigeria alone takes 32% of this port’s car shipments.
Mostly roro - Long Beach, California6%
Mainly to Lithuania, Guatemala, El Salvador, Georgia. Lithuania alone takes 15% of this port’s car shipments.
- Jacksonville, Florida5%
Mainly to Nigeria, Benin, Honduras, Jamaica. Nigeria alone takes 45% of this port’s car shipments.
Mostly roro - Los Angeles, California4%
Mainly to Georgia, Cambodia, Netherlands, Lithuania. Georgia alone takes 16% of this port’s car shipments.
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania2%
Mainly to El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala. El Salvador alone takes 35% of this port’s car shipments.
Shares count shipment records, not cars: a RoRo car usually has its own record, while a container record can hold two to four cars. Shipments to Puerto Rico are domestic and left out. Our own warehouses in New Jersey, Florida and California serve three of the busiest export regions on this list.
Where electric and hybrid cars go
New and used, shipped overseas. Both fell this year, but the picture differs by country. For electric cars, the Netherlands and Georgia are growing fast while Belgium, Germany and Norway slow down. For hybrids, Turkey, Lithuania and Nigeria are growing while Germany and the Gulf fall back.
Hybrids and plug-in hybrids
105,040 shipped overseas, Jan to Sep 2026 -20%
Biggest buyers
- Germany18,335-35%
- Georgia10,102-10%
- Nigeria9,314+23%
- United Arab Emirates9,297-38%
- Lithuania7,171+29%
Growing
- Turkey2,425+494%
- Nigeria9,314+23%
- Lithuania7,171+29%
- Benin4,655+19%
Slowing
- Germany18,335-35%
- United Arab Emirates9,297-38%
- Jordan2,577-62%
- Australia2,551-58%
Battery electric cars
33,219 shipped overseas, Jan to Sep 2026 -13%
Biggest buyers
- Lithuania4,625-30%
- Germany4,074-41%
- Georgia2,976+99%
- Netherlands2,919+122%
- Taiwan2,606+16%
Growing
- Netherlands2,919+122%
- Georgia2,976+99%
- South Korea1,401+322%
- Austria942+432%
Slowing
- Belgium2,073-60%
- Germany4,074-41%
- Lithuania4,625-30%
- Norway730-57%
All passenger vehicle exports by powertrain
Every powertrain fell, hybrids hardest. Used EVs lost almost a third of their export value while used gasoline cars grew 3%. This table covers all US exports, new and used, including Canada and Mexico.
| Powertrain (all passenger vehicle exports) | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combustion only | $26.61 billion | $30.65 billion | -13.2% |
| Hybrid and plug-in hybrid | $4.54 billion | $6.27 billion | -27.6% |
| Battery electric | $2.57 billion | $3.08 billion | -16.5% |
| Of which used battery electric | $863.0 million | $1.24 billion | -30.3% |
| Used gasoline cars | $7.97 billion | $7.72 billion | +3.2% |
Source: US Census Bureau trade data, January to September 2026 and 2025. All US passenger vehicle exports, including Canada and Mexico.
Where the collector cars go
Trade data does not have a separate category for classic cars, so we look for the markets that pay the most per car in a typical month. We use the median of the nine monthly averages rather than the year's average, because one-off bulk shipments of cheaper cars drag the average down. Italy's average, for example, falls to about $70,000 because of a single month of 641 cars. Among overseas markets with more than 500 cars this year, six stand out:
- Italyabout $110,900 per car in a typical month88% of the value by air
- Japanabout $35,500 per car in a typical month40% of the value by air
- United Kingdomabout $34,300 per car in a typical month58% of the value by air
- Australiaabout $29,400 per car in a typical month4% of the value by air
- Franceabout $26,100 per car in a typical month34% of the value by air
- Germanyabout $20,100 per car in a typical month27% of the value by air
Most high-end cars still go by sea, in a dedicated container or two to a container with both cars on the floor. Australia's cars mostly go by sea in containers, while Italy and the UK fly much of their value for shows and auctions. Some markets with a high value per car buy newer luxury cars rather than classics, so we leave them out. Israel is one. China is another: most cars shipped there are new, because China tightly controls car imports, including classic and collector cars, and part of the volume continues on to Central Asia.
The most valuable cars to leave the US in 2026
Census data does not list single shipments, but when a country takes only one used car in a month, that figure is one car. These are the highest declared values from January to September 2026.
- $3,500,000Hong Kong, FebruaryOne car, gasoline, 1.5 to 3 litre, shipped by air
- $700,000Switzerland, MarchOne car, gasoline, 1.5 to 3 litre, shipped in a container
- $600,000Philippines, AprilOne car, gasoline, over 3 litre, shipped in a container
- $385,000Slovakia, AugustOne car, gasoline, over 3 litre, shipped in a container
- $366,000Uzbekistan, AugustOne car, gasoline, 1.5 to 3 litre, shipped by air
- $350,000Italy, MarchOne car, plug-in hybrid, shipped in a container
Small groups of high-value cars:
- Hong Kong, September: 3 cars worth $10.0 million together, about $3.32 million each, gasoline, over 3 litre, shipped by air.
- Kazakhstan, January: 2 cars worth $2.5 million together, about $1.26 million each, plug-in hybrid, shipped by air.
- Kazakhstan, June: 5 cars worth $3.2 million together, about $631,000 each, gasoline, 1.5 to 3 litre, shipped by air.
A plug-in hybrid at over $1 million a car is hypercar territory, and a $3.5 million gasoline car of 1.5 to 3 litres fits a classic sports car of the 1950s or 1960s, but the data does not name the cars. Values are as declared at export, which CBP now checks car by car. Some true classics are declared as collector pieces instead and do not appear here.
Why collectors buy in the US
- The biggest supply. Most American classics, from 1950s cruisers to muscle cars and vintage pickups, were built and sold in the US and are still there. Many European classics were too: Porsches, Mercedes-Benz SLs, Jaguars and Ferraris were often built for, and sold new in, the American market.
- Better-preserved cars. Cars that spent their lives in dry states such as California, Arizona and Texas never saw salted winter roads, so solid, rust-free bodies are far easier to find than in Europe or the UK.
- Paperwork that tells the story. A US title follows the car from owner to owner, and many American cars can be checked against factory build records and original window stickers, which helps buyers confirm matching numbers and originality.
- An open, deep auction market. Live auctions such as Mecum, Barrett-Jackson, RM Sotheby’s, Gooding Christie’s, Bonhams and Broad Arrow, and online auctions such as Bring a Trailer and Cars & Bids, publish their results with detailed photos and inspection reports. Buyers abroad can compare prices and bid with confidence, and events like Monterey Car Week bring the best cars to one place each August.
- Restoration and parts. The US has the largest network of specialist restorers and reproduction parts makers, so cars are easier to restore before export and to keep running afterwards.
- Price. With so much supply, the same model often costs less in the US than abroad. This year the weaker dollar helped further for buyers in Europe, the UK and Australia.
- Lower import tax on classics. Many countries tax older cars less. In the UK, a car under 30 years old pays 10% import duty and 20% VAT, while a classic over 30 years old pays only 5% VAT. On a car valued at $50,000, that is about $2,500 in tax instead of about $16,000, before shipping is added to the value for tax.
Collector pieces, exports by destination
Up 42%, mostly by air. This official category covers collectors' pieces of historical interest, including cars that qualify as collectors' items alongside other historical objects, so it is not a car count. The total covers all countries; the list shows the top overseas destinations.
| Destination | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| All countries | $172.7 million | $121.3 million | +42.4% |
| Of which by air | $145.1 million | $100.1 million | +45.0% |
| France | $40.0 million | $18.9 million | +111.6% |
| Hong Kong | $23.6 million | $20.1 million | +17.1% |
| United Kingdom | $21.0 million | $18.6 million | +13.1% |
| Germany | $14.8 million | $4.0 million | +271.1% |
| Switzerland | $13.9 million | $3.8 million | +268.6% |
| Japan | $6.3 million | $4.6 million | +35.8% |
Source: US Census Bureau trade data, January to September 2026 and 2025.
What it costs to ship there
A car in a shared container, from our calculator as of November 2026. Port charges, duty and VAT at the destination come on top; the calculator lists them per country.
- New Jersey to Klaipeda$90035 days
- New Jersey to Rotterdam$1,10017 to 20 days
- New Jersey to Bremerhaven$1,10030 to 33 days
- New Jersey to Southampton$1,20014 to 16 days
- New Jersey to Jebel Ali$1,35065 to 70 days
- New Jersey to Istanbul$2,45025 days
- California to Melbourne$2,25033 to 36 days, asbestos testing included
Questions about the data
How many used cars did the US ship overseas in 2026?
849,565 used passenger vehicles from January to September 2026, declared at $7.87 billion, according to US Census Bureau data. That is 6.6% fewer than in the same months of 2025, and the whole drop is in the Gulf.
Which country imports the most used cars from the US by sea?
Georgia, with 112,279 from January to September 2026, followed by Lithuania with 88,239 and the United Arab Emirates with 61,020.
Why are Canada and Mexico not included?
About 156,000 used cars went to Canada and Mexico this year, almost all by road and rail rather than by sea. This page covers overseas shipping, so its figures leave them out unless a table says otherwise.
Why did exports to the UAE fall so much?
Shipments to the UAE ran at about 19,000 a month until February 2026, then fell to about 1,200 by April, which matches the timing of the 2026 Gulf shipping disruption. Exports to Iraq fell at the same time.
How are used cars shipped overseas from the US?
About 80% of the value ships in containers, 14% by RoRo and other non-container vessels and 4% by air. A small share goes by road through Mexico to Central America.
Are collector cars counted separately in US trade data?
Partly. Cars that qualify as collectors' pieces of historical interest are counted in a separate category that also covers other historical items. Other cars are counted with passenger vehicles.
How often is this page updated?
Every month, after the Census Bureau publishes the next month of trade data, usually about five weeks after the month ends. October 2026 data is due in early December.
How accurate are declared export values?
More accurate than before. Shippers used to treat the export value loosely, since the importing country checks it and charges its duty on it. Since 2025, CBP has required the price actually paid, or fair market value, for every vehicle exported, and holds cars whose values don't line up. We expect declared values to become more realistic and higher rather than lower, so part of the rise in value per car may come from better declarations.
Where does this data come from?
US Census Bureau trade data, year to date, compiled by West Coast Shipping. Values are declared export values in US dollars. Container, RoRo and air splits are by declared value, because Census does not count cars by mode.
Download this report as a PDF2025 export trendsWhere US classic cars go
You may quote and chart these figures with a link to this page. Compiled by West Coast Shipping from US Census Bureau data. Country notes are our own reading of the numbers and of public reporting.
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