Import Car from Germany to USA

Importing Your Car from Germany to the USA? Importing a Car from Germany to USA starts at a cost of $1,850 USD with an estimated turnaround time of 14 – 28 days, depending on make and model of the vehicle, the nearest departure port in Germany and whether the destination in the USA is on the east or west coast. Below, our 2024 guide will explore everything you need to know about importing a car from Germany to the USA.

Germany to US Vehicle Import Checklist

Determining Vehicle Eligibility for Import to the USA

Conforming vs. Nonconforming Vehicles

Germany to US Car Import Costs & Time Frame

Germany to US Vehicle Import Options

Additional Services

Ports Served in the US and Germany

Cleaning Your Vehicle’s Undercarriage

Driving Your Vehicle in the United States

Other Germany/US Shipping Options

Are you ready to get started importing a car from Germany to the USA?

Here’s a rough breakdown of the process you’ll need to go through to import your vehicle to the United States.

More information on the process of importing a vehicle to the United States can be found here.

As you engage in the vehicle import process, some of the most important questions to consider include:

These questions and more will determine the costs to import the vehicle to the US, whether your car is eligible for import to the United States, and finally, whether you will need to go through additional steps to make your vehicle eligible for import. In some cases, such as temporary import for racing or other purposes, the usual standards may not apply. CFR Classic can help you through the process of determining what will be required to import your vehicle.

Generally, if a vehicle already meets the requirements for import to the United States, it is because that model was originally designed for export and sale in the United States, or was manufactured in the United States for domestic sale. As such, nonconforming vehicles are required to be modified to meet all applicable FMVSS and EPA emissions standards.

Things to Consider

Taxes & Duties for Importing Cars to the United States

Generally, foreign-made vehicles imported for personal use or sale are dutiable at the following rates:

Duty rates are based on price paid or payable, and most Canadian-manufactured vehicles are duty-free. If you are a resident of the United States returning to the country from travel, work, or study abroad, you may apply your $800 CBP exemption, and those of accompanying family members, towards the value of the vehicle under the following circumstances:

To obtain an estimate of the cost to import a car to the United States, fill out our free quick quote form. We guarantee a response within 24 hours.

Import Car from Germany to USA can be performed using a shared container, a sole container or a roll-on/roll-off service.

Roll-On/Roll-Off – Vehicles are loaded into a vessel containing a large cargo area that resembles a big parking garage. This option tends to be more affordable as other than shipping charges, the only charges that need to be paid are port charges and customs clearance charges.

Transits tend to be faster than with the shared container service as the vessels depart on a weekly basis.

Shared Container Service – A single container will be used to transport multiple vehicles. More fees are involved than with the roll-on/roll-off shipping method as the container will have to be processed; however, these fees are divided between the multiple vehicle owners using the container. These fees include a terminal handling charge, a trucking charge, unloading charges for when the vehicle reaches a bonded warehouse, and customs clearance charges.

One downside of this method is that shipping is only possible when there are enough vehicles to fill up the container, so there might be a wait if the requisite number has not been reached.

Full Container Load – You have the added benefit of a fully enclosed container, just like our shared container service, but the 20 ft container is dedicated solely to your vehicle. Since there’s no wait for other cars to be loaded, you’ll enjoy a shorter wait before departure. However, additional terminal handling fees and other charges won’t be shared with other vehicle owners.

Our most selective customers prefer the high level of safety and expediency offered by our dedicated container shipping. When your vehicle is received, we’ll photograph and document the vehicle’s condition as well as the loading process. Your vehicle will be loaded using our modern steel loading system, which is not only environmentally friendly, but doesn’t rely on outdated wood ramps and nails, which can damage your vehicle.

After your car is loaded onto your own private container, it is locked and secured. This will ensure no one gains access to your car before reaching its final destination. Since the vehicle is fully enclosed in a secure container, we invite our clients to pack and transport other items inside the vehicle. However, everything must be loaded securely, as we won’t be responsible for loss or damage of any kind.

Once your vehicle reaches its destination in the States, our agent will unlock the container, document the vehicle’s condition and photograph the entire unloading process. Every step of the shipping process is not only handled carefully but documented for your peace of mind.

Compared to our roll-on/roll-off shipping option, enclosed container shipping is not only more secure, but much faster due to frequent departures each week.

Sourcing Vehicles – Vehicle owners wishing to sell their cars can benefit from our comprehensive list of car buyers, who source for and buy vehicles for clients located overseas for an additional fee or commission.

Other Services – Some of the auto transport services we offer in overseas territories include domestic pickup, vehicle import assistance, tracking of your shipment, customs clearance in the USA and a full vehicle inspection report.

Departure Ports – Germany

The location your vehicle will depart from depends on the method of car shipping to the United States, where your vehicle is located, your budget and which services the nearest port offers. Here are the Germany ports we can import your vehicle from:

Destination Ports – United States

We are able to import into any port in the USA, with CFR facilities in Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Miami, Oakland, and Charleston.

Before importing your vehicle to the United States, the undercarriage must be cleaned and free of foreign soil to prevent the introduction of invasive plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms. This can be accomplished through steam cleaning or other thorough cleaning methods.

CFR Classic can assist with finding an appropriate cleaner to help ensure you comply with this requirement. We do not recommend washing the interior of the vehicle as it can cause mold during transport. Vacuuming the interior is usually more than sufficient.

Before driving your vehicle in the United States, ensure that both you and your vehicle comply with US licensing and registration laws. Requirements differ based on your citizenship status and the length of your stay in the United States.

Your imported vehicle should bear the International Registration Marker, and you may wish to consider acquiring an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you are a foreign national. Germany is a party to the Convention on International Road Traffic of 1949, meaning that German citizens can acquire an IDP and use their driver’s license in the United States.

Importing a Car from the US to Germany
Importing a Car from Germany to the US
Car Shipping from USA to Germany
Car Shipping from Germany to USA
Cargo Shipping from the US to Germany
Cargo Shipping from Germany to the US
Moving Household Goods from the US to Germany
Moving Household Goods from Germany to the US

This information was updated in January 2024. All information, time frames, pricing, and regulations are subject to change. Please contact a sales representative for the most current rates and information.

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