VAT When Importing a Car from the USA

The choice of port directly affects the total cost of importing a car from the USA, mainly due to varying VAT rates across EU countries: 19% in Germany, 21% in the Netherlands, and 23% in Poland. A few percentage points can mean big savings on expensive vehicles. Ports in Germany and the Netherlands are the most popular — they offer lower VAT, cheaper container shipping, faster customs clearance, and better service. VAT is calculated based on the total value of the vehicle, transportation, insurance, and customs duties. The VAT declaration process is complex, which is why almost everyone uses customs agencies (cost: around 500–1000 EUR) to handle the entire procedure.

VAT Rate Based on Destination Country

The choice of your destination port in the European Union has a major impact on the overall cost of importing a car from the USA. One of the key factors to consider is the VAT rate, which differs depending on the country where the customs clearance is completed. VAT is calculated based on the value of the car, shipping, and any applicable customs duties — so even a small percentage difference can translate into significant savings.

Below are the most popular import destinations with their corresponding VAT rates:

Country (Port)	Standard VAT	Classic Car VAT
Germany (Bremerhaven)	19%	7%
Netherlands (Rotterdam)	21%	9%
Poland (Gdynia)	23%	8%

Why Are Germany and the Netherlands the Most Popular Destinations?

Despite the extra cost of transporting the car from Germany or the Netherlands to Poland, many buyers still prefer these countries as the vehicle’s point of entry to the EU. Here’s why:

• Lower VAT rates — Germany applies a 19% VAT, and the Netherlands 21%, compared to 23% in Poland. On a vehicle worth $20,000, the difference in VAT means considerable savings.
• Cost-effective logistics — Shipping containers from the USA to the Netherlands or Germany is often cheaper than to other European ports. High cargo volumes at these ports allow shipping companies to reduce costs.
• Faster and more efficient customs clearance — Customs agencies in Germany and the Netherlands are highly experienced in handling U.S. car imports. The process is routine for them, making it faster and less complicated.
• Expertise and specialization — Ports like Bremerhaven and Rotterdam are major European car transshipment hubs. Importing vehicles from the USA is part of their daily operations, ensuring professional and reliable service.
• Safety and service quality — Logistics and customs firms in these countries offer professional service that minimizes the risk of vehicle damage or document errors.

In summary, it may be worth paying slightly more for intra-EU transport to benefit from lower taxes and a smoother customs process.

VAT Tax Base Calculation

The VAT base when importing a car from the USA is the total cost incurred by the importer to deliver the vehicle to the EU. This includes not just the value of the car itself, but also all expenses related to shipping and insurance up until the vehicle arrives in the EU.

The VAT tax base includes:

• Purchase price of the vehicle – auction bid or sales agreement
• Transportation costs – shipping fees from the USA to the EU port, including road and sea transport
• Customs duty – usually 10% of the total value of the vehicle, shipping, and insurance. This duty is included in the VAT base as it's part of the total import cost
• Insurance costs – any insurance-related expenses during transport are also included in the VAT base
• Any additional import-related fees – such as loading, storage, or customs documentation fees

Example: If the vehicle is worth $10,000 and shipping costs are $1,000, the customs value is $11,000. The 10% customs duty would be $1,100. VAT is then calculated on $12,100.

VAT Declaration Process for Car Imports from the USA

Filing a VAT declaration is a formal process involving:

• Preparing all necessary documents (e.g. purchase invoice, transport proof, customs documents)
• Completing the import declaration form
• Calculating the VAT base and the amount due
• Making payment to the designated customs office account

Although it’s theoretically possible to do this on your own, the process is complex, full of bureaucracy, and requires thorough knowledge of tax and customs regulations. Any mistake can lead to delays, extra costs, or even refusal to release the car.

That’s why nearly all importers use specialized customs agencies. These agencies handle document preparation, submission for EU import clearance, tax and duty calculation, and official declarations. This makes the process faster and safer, and you receive official VAT and duty payment confirmations without having to worry about formal errors.

Customs agency fees typically range from €500 to €1,000 and often include more than just the VAT declaration. Services can also cover local shipping line fees, container transport to warehouse, unloading, post-unload vehicle photos, wheel mounting (if required), damage protection with film (if required), customs clearance, loading onto a tow truck, customs declaration filing, and customs inspection.