International Car Shipping Blog

Where to Buy Classic Cars From in Europe

Written by Dmitriy Shibarshin | October 7, 2024 at 12:45 AM

Buying a classic car from Europe is an exciting adventure for so many reasons. Thanks to the 25-year import rule in the US,  you have the opportunity to buy some of the unique and legendary classic cars available for sale across Europe. To help you get started, we've put together a list of the top 5 websites to use when searching for classic cars to buy in Europe.

Can you buy a car in Europe from the US?

Certainly, you can purchase a car in Europe while residing in the US. The procedure includes buying the vehicle abroad, organizing transportation to the export terminal or airport, shipping it by sea or air, and clearing US import customs. The good news is we handle everything apart from purchasing the car.

Keep in mind that to import cars to the US, your car must either meet the 25-year rule, show or display law, a track-only car, or must be an unmodified car that is returning to the US.

Top 5 Best Websites to Buy Classic Cars in Europe:

  1. AutoScout24 - AutoScout24 is one of the largest online car marketplaces in Europe, offering a vast selection of vehicles from across the EU. 
  2. Classic-Trader - The go to for buying classic cars from across Europe.
  3. Mobile.de - Focused on cars for sale in German.
  4. Bring a Trailer Europe - Bring a Trailer is known for its auctions of unique and classic cars. Its European section features a selection of vehicles located in Europe, which can be imported to the US.
  5. TheParkingEU - This platform is particularly useful for finding unique or hard-to-find models that might not be listed on more mainstream sites.

How much does it cost to import a car?

The cost to import a car from Europe to the US can vary depending on the location of the car in Europe,  the purchase price of the car, shipping costs, import duties, and where we will deliver the car in the US.

On average, you can expect to pay between $2,750 to $3,250 for shipping in a container. Import duties are generally around 2.5% of the car's value, plus the additional port fees. Get an instant rate to import your car, including import duties, by using our Car Import Calculator.