Ship a car to Germany [2023] (2023)

FAQs

How much does it cost to ship car to Germany? ›

The average cost to ship a car to Germany from the USA is between $900 to $1,300 per car. This is the port to port shipping cost, and does not include vehicle collection, destination fees, import duties and insurance.

A car or other motor vehicle imported to Germany from outside the EU is normally subject to a 10% import duty and a 19% import value added tax. (The value-added tax on imports is called import turnover tax (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer).

The most popular method is container consolidation, in which your vehicle will be shipped in a 40-foot container with other vehicles. This is often the least expensive option. You can also choose to have your vehicle shipped by itself in a 20-foot container.

The average cost of shipping a car from the US to Germany is between $900 – $1300 and can take 12 to 30 days to ship (depending on port of departure).

The USPS flat rate shipping option could potentially be the cheapest way to ship your parcels from the United States to Germany. But the exact cost of the shipment depends on the size of the items as their rates differ depending on the size of the box that you choose (Small, Medium, Large).

Conclusion. The bottom line is that Americans can drive in Europe. If you plan on renting a car, check if your home country requires an international driver's license. If there is no requirement for an IDL, then you should have no problems renting one from the rental company of your choice.

For a period of up to six months you will be able to drive your car in Germany without any problems concerning your foreign licence plates, third party liability insurance or German vehicle tax.

As of January 1, 1999, U.S. driver's license holders must be in possession of a German license six months after entering the country, if they wish to continue driving. U.S. citizens planning to stay less than a year, however, may legally drive in Germany for up to 364 days in Germany on their U.S. driver's licenses.

The import tax charged on a shipment will be 19% on the full value of your items. For example, if the declared value of your items is 100 EUR, in order for the recipient to receive a package, an additional amount of 19.00 EUR in taxes will be required to be paid to the destination countries government.

What can you not ship to Germany? ›

FedEx. Like UPS, FedEx has a worldwide presence and is a great option for shipping to Germany. They can pick up packages in the US and deliver them to addresses in Germany in as little as three days. FedEx is generally more expensive than USPS but offers competitive pricing with UPS and DHL.

The cost to ship a car to Europe ranges from $1,000 per car in a consolidated container to $2,500 in a 20ft container. We also offer whole containers with 3 to 4 cars loaded inside. Use the car shipping calculator on this page to get instant rates on car shipping to any country in Europe.

The average price to ship a car from Germany to USA ranges from $1875 to $3590. The duty to import a car in the United States from Germany is 2.5% duty of the value of the vehicle, plus local charges in the US. The cars newer than 25 years older cannot be shipped and imported to the US from Germany.

Generally, the government will pay to ship one vehicle to your final destination if your overseas installation allows it, but don't assume you can take your specific car or truck with you or transport a vehicle that you purchased overseas easily back into the U.S. Do your homework and know the limitations on vehicles ...

Most shipping services for parcels from the United States to Germany take approximately 7 to 12 business days to arrive at their destination. Economy shipping prices may lead to even longer transportation times.

Your car can remain in the EU under the temporary admission procedure for up to 6 months. The same goes for buggies and ATVs. If you are bringing a boat, however, you can keep it there for a total of 18 months.

When using air freight service to Europe, the total transit time is around 2-3 weeks. Airfreight is the most expensive option for shipping a car to Europe but it will get your vehicle there quickly.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car to Europe? ›

Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo shipping): RoRo shipping is typically the cheapest way to ship a car to Europe in terms of car shipping rates, but least secure. In the roll-on roll-off process for shipping vehicles, the car is physically driven onto the ship and physically driven off the ship.

American citizens, regardless of which U.S. state they are from, can now apply for the automatic conversion of their U.S. driver's license into a German driver's license if they meet certain conditions. Applicants are exempt from having to take any theoretical test and practical exam.

The duty-free import of a motor vehicle is permitted only if it has been registered in your name as its sole owner and personally used by yourself at your previous residence for at least 6 months before moving (for proof show registration certificate issued by your Department of Motor Vehicles).

You're allowed to drive a non-German registered car in Germany for up to 12 months. Any longer, you'll have registered your car at the nearest car registration office.

As long as you have not taken up normal residence in the Federal Republic of Germany, you may drive or ride motor vehicles with your valid foreign driving licence for an unlimited period.

What side of the road do they drive on in Germany? Unlike in the UK, motorists drive on the right-hand side of the road in Germany and overtake on the left – which can take some adjustment if you're used to driving on the left.

Can A Foreigner Buy A Car In Germany? Yes, of course, as long as you are a registered resident in Germany. Be aware that you will only be able to drive a car in Germany if your foreign license is valid in Germany. Check out our detailed guide below on whether or not you need to get a German driving license.

You'll pay German income tax on your worldwide income if you're considered a tax resident in Germany — that is, if you are in the country for 6 months or more in a calendar year. If you're out of Germany for more than half of the year then you might qualify for non-resident status.

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared by all travellers.

Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports

Germany is party to the European Union's Common Customs Tariff, therefore preferential rates apply to imports from countries which the EU has signed agreements with. Duties range from 0-17%, with the general tariff averaging 4.2%.

Can I put things in my trunk when I ship my car? ›

It is not illegal to ship personal items in your vehicle when it is being moved by a shipping company. There might be some personal items that you cannot remove from your vehicle. Some shipping companies will also allow you to put other items in your vehicle that you want to move with your car.

6. Empty your gas tank. Your car is being transported on a car carrier, not driven, so filling up your tank before shipment is unnecessary. Plus, extra gas means extra weight for your vehicle and car carrier, which can add to your shipping cost.

The cost of parking and storing your vehicle may not be cost effective. The cost of shipping your vehicle overseas can run from $850 to $2,000 and upwards. You can save money in the long run by simply shipping it instead of storing it which over time could cost you thousands of dollars.

Prime Delivery isn't just available in Germany, it's also available in other neighbouring countries like The Netherlands and Belgium. Although Prime Delivery isn't available in Spain, Portugal, or the UK, the 1-day delivery is fairly inexpensive and typically costs between €5 and €10.

You do not need a customs form if you're sending First-Class Mail International^® that weighs under 15.994 oz. First-Class Mail International must contain only nonnegotiable documents or correspondence.

You have the option of shipping your car in a container via ocean freight, Roll-on/Roll-off or Air Freight. When shipping to Germany in a container, the cheapest destination port is Bremerhaven. From there, we can arrange transport of your vehicle to any Germany city, including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Cologne.

How long can I keep my car in Europe? ›

As long as you like so long as you comply with local laws. Most countries require you to import the vehicle and replace the registration plate with a local one between 6–24 months of registering as an immigrant.

Make sure your car insurance covers you to drive abroad. Check with your insurance company that you're fully covered to drive abroad. If you don't have overseas cover, you will only have the minimum legal cover (usually third party only) in the EU and you may need to pay an extra premium to extend your insurance cover.

Looking to import a car to the USA? You can, but there is a catch – it must be at least 25 years old if you want it to be classed as street legal. Many would assume the USA's strict import legislation is a result of the Government's inclination to protect its domestic car industry and jobs from foreign imposters...

If you want to save money when buying a car, it is sometimes worth taking a look across the border. In neighboring countries, new cars can be up to a third cheaper.

Like ferries and military transport, so-called ro-ro ships have built-in ramps, often at the stern, that let vehicles be easily rolled on and rolled off. Cars need at least 10 centimeters, or about 4 inches, of overhead clearance, so their height determines which deck they are parked on.

Please allow for up 21 calendar days to deliver your vehicle to a VPC (longer if international transportation is required).

As long as your car is registered in another EU country, you can drive it in Germany for up to six months. We recommend that you obtain a German translation of your car's registration documentation. If you will be in Germany for longer than six months you will need to organise registration and car taxes.

Importing a Car from the USA to Germany? Car imports from the USA to Germany start at a cost of $749 USD with an estimated turnaround time of 4 – 6 weeks, depending on make and model of the car, the nearest departure port in the United States, and your final destination in Germany.

All listed prices for brand-new cars and those with a company registration include 19% German sales tax (MwSt - Mehrwertsteuer = VAT - value added tax). If cars are sold by private persons, German sales tax cannot be deducted from the price when the car will be exported.

How long can you keep a foreign car in Germany? ›

You're allowed to drive a non-German registered car in Germany for up to 12 months. Any longer, you'll have registered your car at the nearest car registration office. They will require proof that the vehicle belongs to you, as well as your car insurance policy.

The cheapest kind of international car shipping is a RORO vessel. This shipping method is often more affordable for shipping cars than containers or air freight. However, it also leaves your vehicle more susceptible to damage during transport to your final destination.

There are two choices when it comes to moving your belongings abroad. The first is air freight, which is the quicker option but also comes at a high cost. The second is sea freight, which will take longer, however it's much better value for money. At MoveHub, we heartily recommend that you choose ocean shipping.

The average cost to ship your household goods to Germany is $6,000.

Container shipping is the most common way to ship a car to Europe. Containers offer necessary protection for the long trip and allow for additional services. Some services include consolidation rates, all-risk insurance, and loading goods inside the vehicle.

We found that the best cheap car shipping companies are Easy Auto Ship, Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, and uShip.

Our recommendation. We're not going to lie. Shipping your car isn't cheap, and you can almost always save money driving it to your new home yourself. Even if you consider the cost of gas, hotels, food, and mileage for a long road trip, auto transportation usually still costs more.