Importing a car from the USA: we search, pick up and ship
A classic Mustang, a Chevrolet pickup or a car that spent its whole life in California: there is much more choice in America. We view the car on the spot, film it, pick it up and ship it in a container to Rotterdam. Here you can read how that works and what it costs.
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Two ways to get a car from America
We search for you
Tell us which make, model and year you're looking for and what your budget is. We search among private sellers and through our network of dealers and collectors. Then we go and look and send you videos and photos.
Found it yourself? We pick it up
Already found the car on an American site? Send us the listing or the seller's details. We go and look, check the papers, film the car and pick it up after your approval.
Either way, you don't have to go to America yourself. You see the car on video before you decide.
How it works, step by step
- Tell us what you're looking for, or send the link to the car on WhatsApp.
- We go and look. We film the car, start it and check that the VIN on the car matches the US Title.
- You decide. You receive an invoice and pay into the company's US business account, not a personal account.
- We pick up the car with truck and trailer and take it to the port.
- Shipping to Rotterdam in a container. From the east coast that takes about 4 weeks, from California about 2 months.
- Arrival in Europe. The container is unloaded and the customs declaration is done. Then come the inspection and registration in your country. Transport to your home can be arranged.
What does importing a car from the USA cost?
On top of the purchase price you pay for shipping, fixed costs in the port (unloading the container and the customs declaration) and the taxes on import.
How much tax you pay depends mainly on the age of the car and whether it is still original. Import duty is the same throughout the EU. The VAT rate depends on where the car is cleared through customs: in Rotterdam the Dutch rates apply, in your own country your national rate (for example 19%, or 7% for collector's vehicles, in Germany).
| Original, 30 years or older | Younger or modified | |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty (EU) | Usually 0% (collector's vehicle) | 10% |
| Import VAT, cleared in the Netherlands | 9% | 21% |
| Import VAT, cleared in Germany | 7% | 19% |
| Registration tax | Differs per country, for example the BPM in the Netherlands (none for cars 25 years or older) | |
When does a car count as a collector's vehicle?
The car must be at least 30 years old, in original condition (no different engine, no major conversion) and of a model that is no longer made. Customs decides per car. The Title, the VIN and photos or video help to prove this. If a classic is no longer original, the normal rates apply. Everything about this rule is in importing a classic from the USA.
Worked example
Say the purchase price plus shipping (the customs value) is €15,000 and the car is cleared in Rotterdam. Simplified, the tax on import looks like this:
- Original classic 30 years or older: 0% import duty = €0. VAT 9% of €15,000 = €1,350. Total €1,350.
- Ordinary car: 10% import duty = €1,500. VAT 21% of €16,500 = €3,465. Total €4,965, plus any registration tax in your country.
What we look for in a car in America
- Rust. Cars from dry states such as California, Arizona and Nevada often have much less rust than cars from the eastern states or from Europe.
- The Title. A clean title or a salvage title makes a big difference. Read the difference in salvage title explained.
- VIN. The number on the car must match the number on the Title.
- Starting and driving. We start the car and, where possible, drive it a short distance, and we film that.
- Original or modified. A different engine or a conversion matters for the tax on import and for the inspection.
Which cars do we bring over from America?
Mainly classics: American cars such as the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Nova and Cadillac, American pickups such as the Chevrolet C10, and European or Japanese cars that spent their whole life in America. See the overview of classic cars from America.
A younger car from America?
That's possible too. But with a younger car, 10% import duty, VAT and any registration tax often make importing less attractive than you think. We work it out in advance, so you know whether it's worth it.
Moving back to Europe?
If you bring your own car after living outside the EU, it can under certain conditions be imported as personal property, without import duty and VAT. Check the conditions with the customs authority before you ship.
Inspection and registration
After arrival the car must be inspected before it gets a registration in your country. Depending on the year, small modifications may be needed, for example to the lighting. We work with people in the Netherlands who can handle the inspection and Dutch registration.
Picked up in America
We view and film every car before it goes into the container. These are a few of the cars we picked up, for customers and for ourselves.
Ford Mustang 1968A coupe with a 302 V8, picked up in Philadelphia for a customer.
Chevrolet C10 1965A Stepside pickup, picked up in Maryland and taken to the port of New York.
Chevrolet Nova 1973A customer was looking for exactly this car. We found it in New Jersey.
BMW 633 CSi 1982Bought and picked up in Sacramento, California.
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 1984Bought from a Toyota enthusiast near Palm Springs.Frequently asked questions about importing a car from the USA
What does it cost to import a car from America?
That depends mainly on the age of the car. On top of the purchase price and shipping, for an ordinary car you pay 10% import duty and import VAT (21% if cleared in the Netherlands, 19% in Germany), plus any registration tax in your country. An original classic 30 years or older can be declared as a collector's vehicle: then it is usually 0% import duty and a reduced VAT rate. Shipping a sedan-sized car from New York to Rotterdam costs from $1,000. Then there is the pickup and the fixed costs in the port, such as unloading the container and the customs declaration. We prepare an all-in calculation in advance.
How much import duty do you pay on a car from America?
On a passenger car from outside the EU the import duty is usually 10%, calculated on the purchase price plus shipping. For an original car 30 years or older declared as a collector's vehicle, it is usually 0%. Customs decides per car.
Is a classic from America VAT-free?
No. An original car 30 years or older can be declared as a collector's vehicle on import. You then usually pay 0% import duty and a reduced VAT rate (9% in the Netherlands, 7% in Germany) instead of 10% import duty and the normal VAT rate. So the VAT is lower, but it doesn't disappear.
How long until the car is in Europe?
From the east coast, such as New York, a car takes about 4 weeks to Rotterdam. From California about 2 months. Then come unloading the container, customs, inspection and registration.
Can you pick up a car I found myself?
Yes. Send us the listing or the seller's details. We go and look, check the papers and film the car. After your approval we pick it up, take it to the port and it goes in a container to Rotterdam.
Do I have to go to America myself to view the car?
No. We view the car on the spot and send you videos and photos. Based on that, you decide whether you want it.
How do I pay, and is it safe?
You first receive an invoice. You then pay into the company's US business account, not a personal account.
Bringing a car over from America?
Send us what you're looking for, or the link to the car you found. We reply quickly, even when we're on the road.
💬 WhatsApp usRates and rules for import duty, VAT and registration taxes can change and differ per country. Customs decides per vehicle. Ford®, Chevrolet®, BMW® and Toyota® are trademarks of their respective owners.