The penultimate stage of the import process — customs clearance and transport to Poland. First, the vehicle is unloaded and its condition is inspected. Then, customs and VAT declarations are submitted. Duties and VAT are calculated based on the total value of the vehicle including transport costs. A customs agency handles the entire process, and once formalities are completed, the car continues its journey to Poland.
Once the vehicle arrives at a European port, the next steps include unloading, customs clearance, VAT payment, and final transport to Poland. Below is a detailed breakdown of each of these stages. While it may seem complex, the assistance of specialized customs agencies and logistics services makes the process significantly easier.
When the car reaches the port, the first step is unloading it from the container. This is a routine procedure carried out by port personnel, who ensure that the vehicle is not damaged during unloading. An essential part of this step is inspecting the vehicle’s condition, which includes taking photos to document its technical state and any damage that may have occurred during shipping.
After unloading, the car is properly secured for inland transport. This may involve protecting it from corrosion and other damage caused by moisture or weather conditions during its journey through Europe.
Once the vehicle is unloaded, the next step is customs clearance, a mandatory part of importing a car from the USA. To initiate this process, a customs declaration must be submitted, detailing the transaction, vehicle value, and intended use. This is usually done by a customs agency, which handles the entire clearance procedure on behalf of the importer.
Based on the declaration, customs authorities calculate the import duty. Typically, this is 10% of the vehicle’s total value, including shipping and insurance costs. This fee must be paid before proceeding further. It’s important to note that the duty is calculated based on the total value of the vehicle, not just the purchase price. That means shipping and insurance costs are added to the car’s value, which can significantly impact the final amount.
After customs clearance, the next step is paying the VAT. Before payment, a VAT declaration must be submitted, which is a standard requirement in all EU countries. This declaration provides tax authorities with information about the vehicle’s value, transport costs, and the amount of VAT due.
The VAT rate depends on the country where the vehicle is imported. For instance, Poland has a 23% VAT rate, the Netherlands (Port of Rotterdam) applies 21%, and Germany (Port of Bremerhaven) charges only 19%. VAT is calculated based on the total value of the vehicle, which includes the purchase price, transport costs, customs duty, and insurance.
Once customs and VAT have been paid, the vehicle is ready for its final journey to Poland. Loading takes place at the port, where the vehicle is placed on a large car transporter. From there, it is transported by road to a local distribution hub, and finally delivered to the destination via a smaller flatbed truck.