CAR IMPORT FROM USA AND CANADA

How to buy a car in America and ship it to Germany

THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO BUY A CAR OR A MOTORBIKE IN THE US OR CANADA

Lots of cars are sold much cheaper than in Germany, some models are even not available in Europe. Especially new cars from North America do have more options included compared to European models. Once you purchased your dream car or motorbike via Internet, online auction, advertisement or from a local car dealer you may ask yourself how to get this good piece of craftsmanship home?

Fast, secure and cost effective, all formalities included, only one contact person for the whole transport:

LPL AUTOMOTIVE’S FLEXIBLE ALL-INCLUSIVE-SERVICE

You decide whether your vehicle shall be picked up inside USA or Canada by truck or if you wish to deliver it to one of our warehouses in the seaport. Shipping is possible e.g. from New York, Miami, Houston, Savannah, Los Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland, Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto. Upon arrival in Bremerhaven we will arrange all customs formalities.

Now you have the choice between picking up your car or motorbike in Bremerhaven yourself or taking the option for door delivery via a special truck.

RECEIVING AGENT IN BREMERHAVEN

Import clearance for your cars from North America

If you already purchased a car in the USA and it is on its way to Germany (e.g. if the seller arranged the shipping), we could support you in arranging all necessary EU import formalities. We take the delivery of your car, unload it off the container or RoRo-ferry and store it safely inside our secured terminal. In addition to unloading and warehousing, the following services are available:

  • Customs clearance and duty-free classic car clearance
  • Vehicle inspection during unloading
  • Photo documentation during unloading
  • Cargo (transport) insurance
  • Vacuuming and disposal of R12 refrigerant by own sworn surveyor incl. certificate
  • Assistance during pick up by LPL Port Service
  • Technical services with mobile workshop wagon (jump start, technical assistance)

FAQ – CAR IMPORT FROM USA AND CANADA

Find answers to frequently asked questions regarding classic car import and car shipping from Norht America

TO THE FAQ

ESCROW PAYMENT SERVICE

Escrow Service

Shipment and secure payment for your vehicle purchase in North America from a single source. Protect your international car trade.

You are planning to purchase a vehicle in North America but hesitate to pay an unknown seller in advance?

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR CAR-ESCROW SERVICE

FIND CARS ONLINE IN USA + CANADA

TO THE LINKS

REFITTING / HOMOLOGATION

With the help of our local partners we are able to provide ready-to-register refitting and homologation for the majority of manufacturers.

CUSTOMS- AND IMPORT-CALCULATOR

For your vehicle purchase in the USA

Our car-import-calculator is a useful and cost-free tool for commercial and private importers. It’s helpful to compare prices, internet research, online auctions and so on. It’s an easy way to find out the total costs of a car import.

ONLINE FREIGHT REQUEST

Send us your unbinding freight inquiry, we will be happy to send you our quotation.

PROCEDURE / POSSIBLE OPTIONS OF CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

1. OPTION / PAYING TAX AND DUTY

WThis is the regular clearance, you will have to pay 10% duty and 19% VAT (classic cars 0% / 7%). You could calculate expected customs expenses like this:

Purchase-price PLUS freight charges DIVIDED BY official customs rate of exchange gives the customs value. Based on customs value you will have to pay duty (e.g. for passenger cars 10%). Adding the amount of duty to the customs value gives the amount which is calculation base for VAT (usually 19%).

We will take care of all documentation efforts and will disburse taxes and duties. After completion of customs clearance you will get our invoice. Please pay prior to pick up or delivery by bank transfer or by cash upon pick up in our office. In case of bank transfer please send us a copy of your bank receipt. Cars which are at least 30 years of age and in a mostly original condition will be exempted from duty and determined with 7% VAT.

For this option of customs clearance we need the following documents:

2. Option / REMOVAL GOODS

If you are shipping your car because of a relocation from abroad to Germany, it is possible to import your car tax and duty free under certain conditions. You must have been living abroad for at least 1 year and the car must have been registered in your name for at least ½ year BEFORE the date of shipment. Corresponding evidence is required.

For this option of customs clearance we need following documents:



  • Informal letter of authorization
  • Packing list (if applicable)
  • Current German address
  • Duration of stay abroad
  • Evidence for stay abroad (e. g. from employer)
  • Copy of the Green Card (if applicable)
  • Copy passport
  • Copy US vehicle registration card
  • Deregistration certificate of DMV
  • Copy certificate of title
  • Copy of current German registration certificate

Please note that school/university students are NOT QUALIFIED for this kind of clearance. Please also note that you will have to pay German road tax to Bremerhaven customs in case your car has not been de-registered in the USA and registration is still valid. If you have a de-registration certificate from the DMV you can pay road tax to your local traffic department in your home town in Germany.