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SHIP CARS to Germany
WITH THE INDUSTRY LEADERS. 

Complete car shipping solutions from the US to Germany using containers and airplane. For over 17 years, our team provides stress-free door to door car shipping worldwide. With export warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey, Get Instant Rates using our car shipping calculator. 


IT'S YOUR DREAM CAR. 
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Car Shipping to Germany


Why Choose Us to Ship Your Car to Germany?

Unlike other international car shipping companies, we manage everything in-house. From documentation to loading your vehicle, our experienced employees handle every step, ensuring the highest quality and care. Instant rates are available for container and air freight shipping using our car shipping calculator. Our US based team working with trusted partners in Europe, are here to ensure your car arrives safely to its destination.

We Make it More Affordable to Ship to Germany

Shipping a car from the US to Germany has become an affordable option thanks to container consolidation. Due to the frequent demand for shipping cars to Germany, we have a steady stream of containers departing for Germany, allowing us to quickly consolidate single vehicles into shared containers, saving you over 50% on international car shipping costs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Shipping to Germany:

Our Car Shipping Service to Germany

We make it easy to ship your car to Germany from the US. Instant rates are available for container and air freight car shipping using our car shipping calculator. Our US based team works with trusted partners in Europe to ensure your cars .

  • Picking up your vehicle in the US using open or enclosed transport
  • Providing free storage at one of our warehouse in California, Florida or New Jersey before loading
  • Safe and secure loading into a shared or dedicated container
  • US car export clearance and title validation
  • Secure bookings directly with the ocean carriers on all available vessels sailing to Europe
  • Trusted partners overseas to handle the vehicle import to Germany, unloading and import clearance
  • Arranging for the delivery of the vehicle to your door using an open or enclosed car carrier

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Why Buy Cars from the USA?

German car buyers have turned to the US market for their classic cars. Why? Most cars are available in better condition due to the favorable weather, and lower prices due to more cars available for sale. Some buyers travel to the US to combine their search with a vacation, while others buy remotely from reputable dealers or use our escrow service.

Can You Import a Classic Car to Germany?

Germany ranks among the top destinations for classic cars exported from the United States. Yet, the higher import tariffs deter many enthusiasts from sending their vintage treasures directly to Germany. A savvy strategy to circumvent these steep fees involves importing your classic vehicles through France, where the VAT is a mere 5.5%, or Belgium, boasting a 6% VAT. As members of the European Union, these nations allow the seamless transfer of your classic car into Germany, bypassing any additional import charges.

GET THE SHIPPING TO GERMANY GUIDE

  • Where do I find American cars for sale?
  • How does the shipping process work?
  • How do I protect myself against risks during overseas shipping?
  • What type of cars am I allowed to import to Germany?

Download the German Car Import Guide to get answers to your questions about importing a car to Germany.

VIEW THE GUIDE


Guides to Buying & Shipping Cars


DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR EXPORT

Vehicle documentation:

  • Original vehicle title
  • Bill of sale

International residents:

US citizens:


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PAYMENT OPTIONS

We accept wire transfers, checks, and ban deposits only. Read more about banking fees when paying from overseas.

We do not accept credit card payments.


Cost to Ship a Car to Germany

Car Shipping Costs to Germany:

The average cost to ship a car to Germany from the USA ranges between $1,050 and $1,800 per car. This port-to-port shipping cost does not include vehicle collection, destination fees, import duties, and cargo damage protection. The most affordable destination port in Germany for container shipping is Bremerhaven. From there, we can arrange transport of your vehicle to any German city, including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, or Cologne. Use our instant car shipping calculator for an up-to-date rate and to view the destination fees in Germany.

  • The cost to ship a car to Germany is around $1,050 to $1,800
  • Destination charges are approximately $600 and depend on the receiving import agent in Germany. We frequently work with trusted agents to handle our customer's vehicles.
  • Optional Cargo Damage Protection is available - learn more about Cargo Damage Protection
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Transit Times

 Vehicles typically take 30 to 45 days to sail from the US to Germany, depending on the coast they sail from. Cars shipped from our facilities in NJ and FL would arrive faster than cars shipped from our California warehouse.

Additional Costs to Consider

  • Vehicle Collection: Additional fees apply for picking up the vehicle from its location.
  • Import Duties: Taxes and duties levied by the German government.
  • Cargo Damage Protection: Optional insurance for added peace of mind.

For a detailed breakdown of all charges and to learn more about the import process, see our German Car Import Guide. Get started today by using our shipping calculator to find the best rates for shipping your car to Germany.


Car Import Regulations in Germany

Once your vehicle arrives at the port in Germany, our trusted agent will collect the container from the terminal, complete import clearance, unload your vehicle from the container and have it ready to be picked up from their secure warehouse in Germany. Our agents can also arrange for open or enclosed transport to your door, anywhere in Europe. 

The destination charges in Germany for vehicle imports contain these import procedures:

  • Terminal Handling Charge at the port
  • Trucking of the container to their unloading facility
  • Unloading and removal of dunnage
  • Return of the empty container to the port
  • Customs clearance procedure

Additional charges may apply for:

  • Delivery of your vehicle to its final destination
  • Customs inspection charges
  • Suction of R12 fluid in AC (if applicable)
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Import Duties on Cars in Germany

As of 2024, the import duty on cars to Germany is 10% plus 19% VAT. However, when importing classic cars over 30 years old, there is no import duty, and the VAT is reduced to just 7%.

Duty-Free Car Import to Germany

If you are moving to Germany, you can potentially avoid paying import duties entirely if  you meet the following requirements:

  • Lived outside the EU for at least the past 12 months
  • Plan to permanently move to Germany
  • Plan to register the vehicle in your name
  • Owned the vehicle for at least the past 6 months
  • Will not re-export or sell the vehicle within 12 months
  • Students are exempt from this form of customs clearance

How to Register Your Import Car in Germany

To register your newly imported car in Germany, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure Compliance with German Safety Standards:

    • Your car must meet all German safety standards.
    • Pass the local TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverein) inspection.
  2. Register Your Vehicle:

    • Go to the local Motor Vehicle Registration Office (Kfz-Zulassungsstelle).
    • Bring the following documents:
      • Customs clearance certificate
      • TÜV certificate
      • Passport
      • Official German registration (Meldebestätigung)
      • Vehicle insurance certificate
      • Bill of sale
      • Original license plate
  3. Apply for German License Plates:

    • After registering your vehicle, you can apply for German license plates.

By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth and compliant process for importing and registering your car in Germany.

Documents Required for Export

Shipping your car from the United States involves clearing US customs, which requires submitting several documents to prove vehicle ownership. Here are the required documents:

  • Bill of Sale for the vehicle
  • Original Vehicle Title (If there is a lien on the car, a lien release letter is also required)
  • Power of Attorney form
  • Completed Online Shipping Form
  • Copy of Passport (if you are an international citizen without a US passport)
  • Copy of EIN Letter (if you are a US citizen)

Please note that certain states do not issue titles for classic cars. For example, Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont do not issue titles for older vehicles. Ensure you check the requirements specific to your state before proceeding.

Car shipping to Germany

Shipping Options

CONTAINER

By using a container for shipping, we can load anywhere from 1 to 6 cars (depending on size), the vehicles can either run and drive, or be project cars. We offer consolidation when shipping to the port, saving you money by shipping your vehicles along with other cars in the same container. When shipping high-value vehicles, we can load them in their own dedicated 20ft or 40ft containers.

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RORO

Shipping via Roll-on/Roll-off is another option when shipping cars overseas. However, unlike with containarized car shipping, you cannot ship anything inside of your vehicle, and the car be in run and drive condition to be able to drive on and off the ship. The ports which support RoRo vary widely, and so do the rates.

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AIRPLANE

If you require your vehicle overseas as quickly as possible, we recommend shipping the car via Air-Freight service. Compared to lengthy shipping times and possible port delays when shipping in a container or via RoRo, shipping your car by Air is the quickest shipping options. Transit time is estimated at around 3 to 10 days, depending on the documentation and customs requirements.

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Motorcycle Shipping to Germany
How Motorcycles Are Shipped Overseas

Motorcycles are a popular import from the US, and most customers use a container. You can fit up to 8 motorcycles in a 20ft container and up to 16 in a 40ft container. They are securely strapped and braced. This makes it the perfect solution for wholesale buyers and dealers. Use the shipping calculator on this page to get a quote, or contact us.

Another option is shipping your motorcycle via air freight to any international airport. It's a more expensive option, and it requires a custom crate to be built around the bike. However, air freight will minimize transit time.

GET MOTORCYCLE QUOTE


Dream Cars Delivered Worldwide

Leading dealerships, auctions, museums and events ship their vehicles, motorcycles, and special projects around the world with West Coast Shipping. We have the expertise to handle them all.


About Us

We pride ourselves in safe and reliable international car shipping for consumers, dealers, collectors, and wholesalers around the world. We speak English, German, French, Dutch, Arabic, & Spanish.

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"Professional service at unbeatable prices. We have tried WCS with a number of cars from NJ and CA to Bremerhaven and we are happy with the results. They handled our classic cars with care and responded rapidly to any of our emails. All together they offer a great service!"

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Read Our Guides

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"With West Coast Shipping, I am always on top of what's going on in the industry. Their guides are a great resource for beginners and seasoned car professionals alike. I have learned so much since I partnered with West Coast Shipping 5 years ago."

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