Updated October 14, 2026 · USAutozilla
Short answer: for a European car bought for €25,000 in Germany and shipped to the East Coast, expect about $37,000 landed at the port before inland transport and state fees. On a typical car, the costs on top of the purchase price add up to roughly 30–35%. The biggest single line after the car itself is the import duty (10% for cars made in the EU), followed by ocean freight and transport to the European port.
Below is the full breakdown, line by line, using the rates in force in October 2026.
Worked example: €25,000 car, Germany to Baltimore
| Cost line | Amount (USD) | How it is calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | $27,953 | €25,000 at the ECB rate of 12 Oct 2026 (1.1181) |
| Truck to the European port | $1,342 | About €1,200 from Germany, Austria or Italy; less from Spain, France or Portugal |
| Export preparation | $559 | Deregistration, export declaration, cleaning, photos of the VIN and build plate |
| Marine insurance | $419 | About 1.5% of the car’s value |
| Ocean freight (RoRo) | $2,500 | To the East or Gulf Coast; about $3,200 to the West Coast |
| US import duty | $2,795 | 10% of the car’s value for an EU-made passenger car |
| Merchandise Processing Fee | $97 | 0.3464% of value, minimum $34.58, maximum $670.86 (FY2027) |
| Harbor Maintenance Fee | $35 | 0.125% of value, sea shipments only |
| Customs broker, port charges, bond | $1,500 | Entry filing, terminal handling, single-entry bond, EPA/DOT paperwork |
| Landed at the US port | $37,200 | Before inland transport, title, registration and sales tax |
The same car built in the United Kingdom would come to about $37,900, because UK-made cars pay 12.5% instead of 10%.
Import duty: what rate applies in 2026
- Cars made in the EU: 10% total. Since 24 July 2026 a Section 301 tariff brings EU-origin goods to 10% including the normal 2.5% car duty.
- Cars made in the UK: 12.5% (2.5% plus an additional 10%).
- Pick-ups, crew cabs and panel vans classified as trucks (HTS 8704): 25%. A Defender 130 or a Berlingo van can fall here, so check the classification before you buy.
- Cars made in Russia (Lada): 35% today, and a new law signed in September 2026 adds a further duty on all Russian goods. We do not price these until the rate is known.
- The 25% Section 232 auto tariff does not apply to vehicles built at least 25 years before the year they enter the US.
Duty is charged on the value of the car, not on the freight. It is the rate in force on the day the car is entered at US customs that counts, so a rate change while the car is at sea applies to your car.
What you do not pay for a 25-year-old car
A car at least 25 years old (counted from its month of manufacture) is exempt from US safety standards on form HS-7, and a car at least 21 years old in original configuration is exempt from EPA emission standards on form 3520-1. That means no conversion work, no crash tests and no Registered Importer, which is what makes a younger European car so expensive or impossible to bring in. See the 25-year rule explained and our guide to the HS-7 and EPA 3520-1 forms.
Costs after the port
- Inland transport: about $300 for a short open-carrier run, up to $2,000 coast to coast in an enclosed trailer.
- Title, registration and sales or use tax: set by your state. Some states also require a VIN inspection, a safety inspection or an emissions test. California, Georgia and Maine are high-risk for imported cars, and diesels cannot be registered in California. Check your state in our state-by-state registration guide before buying.
- Storage at the port: free days are short. If the paperwork is not ready, daily storage and demurrage charges start quickly.
How to keep the bill down
- Prove the build month before you pay. A car one month short of 25 years can be refused entry. Ask for a clear photo of the manufacturer’s build plate.
- Buy close to a port. Transport inside Europe ranges from about €300 (Portugal) to €1,500 (UK) for the same car.
- Ship to the right coast. East Coast ports are about $700 cheaper than the West Coast, and the crossing from Europe takes roughly three weeks instead of six or more.
- Have the car inspected where it is. A pre-purchase inspection costs far less than shipping a car with hidden rust or a tired engine across the Atlantic.
Doing it yourself or buying landed
Every car in our inventory shows a single landed price at a US port. It already includes the car, transport in Europe, export, insurance, freight, duty, fees, the customs broker and our service. The car is inspected in the European country where it is located before it ships, and you get a full photo set. If the car you want is not listed, we can find it for you in Europe.
Sources
- USTR, Section 301 action on EU and UK goods, Federal Register 2026-15181 (in force 24 July 2026).
- CBP, Section 232 Additional FAQs, Automobiles (exclusion of vehicles 25 years or older).
- CBP, customs user fees for fiscal year 2027 (MPF minimum $34.58, maximum $670.86, effective 1 October 2026).
- 49 CFR 591.5(i) and NHTSA form HS-7; EPA form 3520-1.
- European Central Bank reference rate, 12 October 2026.
Rates change. This is general information, not legal or tax advice; your customs broker confirms the classification and the rate on the entry date.
Buying a diesel? See which US states will register an imported European diesel — and the one that will not.
Before you pay a deposit: how to prove a car is old enough with the build plate.
Shipping method: RoRo or container, and what each one allows.
Looking for a specific European car?
We find it in Europe, have it inspected where it is, and deliver it to a US port with the import paperwork done. Start a custom search or browse the inventory.