International Shipping from Germany to USA Simplified

Ship Overseas- Your Trusted Partner in International Car Shipping

Shipping Car From Germany to the USA

Planning to transport a car from Germany to the USA? 

Let Ship Overseas handle the logistics, making your International Shipping from Germany to the USA and International Shipping to Germany process effortless and budget-friendly.

To obtain a complimentary, no-obligation quote, we’ll need details like the Year/Make/Model of your car, Pickup Zip Code or Departure Port in Germany, and Destination Country, in this case, the USA. Ship Overseas ensures weekly sailings from one port in Germany to six destinations in the USA.

This guide has been curated to provide insights into what’s involved in the journey. Let’s begin!

roro-ship-leaving-port

Vital Information for International Shipping from Germany to US

When shipping a car from Germany to the USA, certain documentation is essential, including but not limited to:

  • Bill of Lading
  • Bill of Sale
  • Registration from the country of origin
  • Proof of ownership
  • EPA Form 3520-1 for emissions compliance
  • DOT Form HS-7 for safety compliance
  • Manufacturer’s label on the engine indicating emission requirement compliance

Additionally, temporary auto imports into the USA are permissible for up to one year for other vehicles. Non-residents must obtain pre-approval from the EPA before importing a private-use car into the USA for up to one year. The vehicle must have less than a quarter tank of gas.

All vehicles from International Shipping from Germany to the US must meet United States EPA and DOT standards to pass through U.S. Customs. Motor vehicles under 25 must adhere to applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for permanent importation into the United States.

Get on board a worry-free journey with Ship Overseas, ensuring a secure and compliant International Shipping from Germany to the USA. 

Obtain absolute ease and affordability with our expertise in International Shipping from Germany to the US, making your car shipment hassle-free! 

I have worked with this company for many years. We started shipping cars overseas in 2004. They are the BEST! They take a serious interest in making sure your car gets where it needs to go and will walk you through all the steps to make it a smooth move! We have shipped many cars to the UK and Germany as well as several to Bahrain, I cannot imagine using anyone else. Jack, Paul, Miron and April all made my job a lot easier for over 18 years
Joanie D.
Joanie D.
18:26 17 Feb 22
Myron took great care of me on shipping 2 vehicles to Germany. Accurate quotes and great communications.
Michael Birlin (.
Michael Birlin (.
11:42 22 Feb 22
I shipped two cars from Savannah to Germany. Super easy process and the rates were better than anyone elses that i was getting for the same route. Would recommend them to anyone for their shipping needs. They helped along the way to get the documents needed and explained the process clearly so i knew exactly what needed to be done to have my cars on the boat that I needed them to be on. Pickup on the other side was easy as well with who shipoverseas was partnered with where my vehicles arrived. They were in contact with me often so i knew that the vehicles were on time and when to have everything ready. I will certainly be in touch again when it's time to return from my oversea travels. Thanks for the smooth process!
B H.
B H.
20:06 24 Feb 22
Used to ship from NY to Germany. Process was easy and straightforward. Saved money versus buying a second vehicle overseas. Would use again.Good communication throughout. Thank you.
John W.
John W.
19:19 15 Mar 22
ShipOverseas was a great partner in shipping a Chevy Bolt EV to Helsinki Finland. The representatives provided easily understood descriptions of the roll on-roll off process, required paperwork, payments, etc. We drove the car onto the Galveston, TX dock with an accompanying guide. It was 100% smoothly accomplished. The car was transferred in Germany without problems (it is an electric vehicle with some unique starting characteristics) and offloaded near Helsinki, Finland. The photo shows incredibly clean conditions at the destination despite weeks at sea. I can highly recommend ShipOverseas for safe, economical, and successful vehicle shipping.
Leora E.
Leora E.
20:05 15 Mar 22
Great and fast service. I ship my car from Baltimore to Wiesbaden Germany only took 5 weeks and the process was fast and easy
Carlos P.
Carlos P.
00:18 19 Mar 22
Hands down! Tyhe best experience I could ask for, 0 issues, fast and easy. Miron, thank you, sir!
Andrei V.
Andrei V.
22:29 07 Sep 24
Hi GaryYour service was very good but do not recommend Mr. Johnny Archialla in Guatemala. Sent the truck from Houston to Guatemala is been 10 days and the truck still not released. Paperwork was not ready plus now he is asking for more money.
Ana C.
Ana C.
22:13 29 Aug 24
Thought it was going to be a big hassle to get two vehicles from NJ to Puerto Rico. It was not. Kendra made it really easy with her helpful attitude and attention to detail.
Ilsa G.
Ilsa G.
14:49 27 Aug 24
Excellent shipping company. I've used them several times. Everything has been great in communication with agent Miron. Thank you again. Sometimes it can be a long process but we'll worth it. And reasonable prices aswell. Highly recommend
Eddy P.
Eddy P.
21:10 07 Aug 24
Thank you Gary! Good company! Received my vehicle! I’m very satisfied with their customer service!I will definitely use this company in future!
Ekaterina M.
Ekaterina M.
15:44 05 Aug 24
Needed to get a car moved from So Cal to Poland. Contacted Ship Overseas as well as many others and Gary came back with the most competitive price as well as accommodating us by allowing us to put personal items in the vehicle. We emailed back and forth asking questions and Gary answered them all. Overall a fairly painless and pleasant experience moving a car and belongings. Definitely recommend Gary at Ship Overseas if you need a car moved.
Joshua A.
Joshua A.
14:49 29 Jul 24
Thank you gary for all you did.Very professional people to deal with. Very responsive to emails or calls. I appreciate all you efforts. I send a pickup truck from new jersey to turkey. Everything was on time I'll use it in the future for all my oversea shipping. Thanks again
ebrahem O.
ebrahem O.
17:07 24 Jul 24
I am going to try them again the second time. On the first try they lost my car keys. The car I shipped from USA to Ghana was delivered without the keys. They asked me to contact the carrier who couldn't help me either. Had to go and cut a new key in order to drive my car. But at least the vehicle got to Ghana in a timely manner without any deficiencies so I will give them another chance.
Anthony D.
Anthony D.
15:53 28 May 24
I am thoroughly impressed with the service I received from Ship Overseas Inc. The team was responsive, friendly and very professional. What stood out to me was their commitment to customer satisfaction. They are ready to go the extra mile in handling your requests. The prices were also very competitive, making it an excellent value for the service I received. I highly recommend Ship Overseas Inc. to anyone looking for a reliable and efficient shipping experience. You won't be disappointed!
Alain K.
Alain K.
15:02 29 Apr 24
Miron was great at everything, will be using services again!
Kalli K.
Kalli K.
23:35 25 Apr 24
The best service ever. Nice, knowledgeable, efficient, fast, friendly and professional.Thank you so much.
Dana S.
Dana S.
22:54 19 Apr 24
We recommend Shipoverseas for their top-notch international shipping services. They transported our Mazda 6 from California to Galveston, Texas, and onward to Derince, Turkey. The entire process was smooth, with the car arriving in perfect condition within few months. Jack, Gary, and Miron our contacts at the company, provided prompt communication and timely updates throughout. Their accessibility in addressing any concerns were valuable. With this positive experience, we plan to be regular customers!
Melisa D.
Melisa D.
22:39 04 Feb 24
We shipped our vehicle from Hawaii to Belgium. We contacted several companies online. Miron from Ship Overseas was the first to get back to us. This was our first time shipping a vehicle internationally and we had no idea what the entire process was going to be like. Some of the reviews we read said the company wasn't very responsive or communicative. We had quite the opposite experience. Miron communicated with us every step of the way. Communication was extremely important to us as this was quite a complicated process. Miron answered all our questions and provided all necessary details of the process. He was also very upfront with the fees and even advised us of what fees to expect here in Belgium. Our car made it to Belgium on schedule without any hassle. Miron's contact here in Belgium was also very thorough. I recommend Miron from Ship Overseas 100%.
Kakay T.
Kakay T.
11:01 29 Aug 23
Highly recommended. Paul, Miron, and team were very thorough/detail oriented. It was my first time having a car shipped from Europe which I purchased. He made sure I had all the paperwork needed. They also arranged transportation both to and from the ports.
Dave M.
Dave M.
13:11 03 Jul 23
I feel bad as I see a lot of people writing bad comments about this company. I've NEVER had a problem with them. NEVER.(Regarding the negative reviews..)Ship overseas is not an insurance provider, but rather a shipping company -- you must make sure to get insurance when shipping your vehicle so that no damages occur to it. They don't own the ship, nor workers, and of course as a result cannot guarantee the people on the ship won't damage your car.ShipOverseas is my go-to when I have to ship my cars. Which sounds funny to say, but I've actually shipped my car multiple times with them.Jack, one of the agents and owner is always very helpful, and does a great job of putting in trust in clients by making sure you understand the process in detail.I've transported my CLA45 AMG from the US to Belgium, without a problem, and have shipped it back, and am now buying a new car and shipping it back!You could say I'm somewhat of a (very happy) repeat customer – Photos for reference!
Emil H.
Emil H.
23:21 24 Apr 23
We highly recommend Shipoverseas services! Not only are they specialized in shipping gas/diesel motor operated cars but also specialize in shipping EV vehicles as well. We used there International shipping services to ship a 2022 Porsche Taycan to Dubai. The car arrived in less than a month in perfect shape, same as leaving our location. We worked with both Jack and Gary, both were great communicating and providing a timely status update. We will definitely be a regular customer! Thank you Jack and Gary!
Sam K.
Sam K.
15:51 09 Feb 23
Thank you Miron and Ship Overseas Team for helping me ship my car to Finland. I appreciate your response when I needed answers. Also many thanks for helping me find an agent in Kotka, Finland.I will definitely refer your company to my friends and colleagues.
Yacine M.
Yacine M.
08:01 14 Oct 22
This Company’s dedicated professionals helped me sort through the all of paperwork and I had my vehicle within the timeframe promised.
L. C.
L. C.
03:08 19 Sep 22
Very professional when it comes to shipping my vehicle to Central America
Kendra G.
Kendra G.
19:39 12 Aug 22
We got a really good services. Jack always answers your so many questions with a short delay , for sure in the day , most of the time in the hour ( and in the minute too ). Really good communication. That's why we choose Ship Over Seas from the other company quotes we received. Good services , good prices , that's the criteria for our choice we don't regret at all. Thanks again.
JF G.
JF G.
18:10 03 Jun 22
The company made it easy to ship my car overseas. No fuss and no problems!
Abe R.
Abe R.
08:40 18 Apr 22
Shipped my car to Nigeria . It was fast and easy . Best part they handles majority of the work . Very convenient and definitely will go through them again .
Heather :.
Heather :.
14:24 12 Apr 22
Very reliable agents. Thanks for being there for us!
Shipped my car from NC to Puerto Rico. They took care of the transport of my car from NC to the port in FL, and then on the ship from FL to PR. The staff was very responsive to all communications I sent, especially while my car was in transit. I always knew exactly where my vehicle was. Very kind and helpful staff, especially when I was just calling to inquire in the beginning. Will use them again if I ever need to ship my car back stateside.
Brittany B.
Brittany B.
01:51 18 Mar 22
Nigeria. Thanks
Humphrey Osazee O.
Humphrey Osazee O.
08:51 17 Mar 22
Very helpful, quick response to questions. Shipped my car to Costa Rica, no issues what so ever. I had shipped cars previously with other companies but Ship Overseas helped with the best solution which for my needs was RORO. I will definitely ship with them again, thanks again SHIP Overseas..
Robert M.
Robert M.
00:03 17 Mar 22
Super business partner, fast and correct shipment of my car.ThanksDany
dany L.
dany L.
19:14 16 Mar 22
Shipped my vehicle from Newark, NJ to Southampton, United Kingdom safely and quickly. All the complicated paperwork was laid out clearly for me to figure out the process. I was able to drive my own car in England a few weeks after dropping it off in the US. Would recommend!
Cai Y.
Cai Y.
14:11 16 Mar 22
Very good service. I was shipping for the first time and they helped me with everything that needed to be done.
Luka B.
Luka B.
06:53 16 Mar 22
Thank you for shipping my car
Hareb A.
Hareb A.
04:34 16 Mar 22
We shipped our car to Uganda from California and the services were exceptionally good 👍, regular feedback and updates were excellent and provided a peace of mind.
Fred K.
Fred K.
01:34 16 Mar 22
I used Ship Overseas back in 2019 to ship my 2008 Harley Softtail from Galveston Texas to Belgium. I forget exactly how long it took, perhaps in the two month range. However, the bike did eventually arrive and was completely ready for me at pickup. They even handled all the import paperwork etc. My only complaint would be that somehow the bike had accumulated almost 100 extra miles on it from when I dropped in off, and picking it up. Perhaps they needed to run it around the boat a few 1000 times. Also, there were a couple of parts missing from my saddle bags. Lesson: NEVER leave anything that can't be bolted to the object you are shipping. Otherwise, great service and a very good shipping experience.
Vincent P.
Vincent P.
22:41 15 Mar 22
Shipped my car from the Netherlands to the US(via Belgium), everything went smoothly. The whole thing was relatively painless.
Daniel S.
Daniel S.
22:12 15 Mar 22
Everything was ok. Thanks!
Carlos Paz S.
Carlos Paz S.
20:24 15 Mar 22
Our company, Jackson Creek Mfg., Inc. has used Ship Overseas, Inc. numerous times to ship vehicles overseas and have always received excellent service. Great company to work with!
Warren B.
Warren B.
20:00 15 Mar 22
Vehicle was shipped without any issues, easy process.
Michal D.
Michal D.
19:16 15 Mar 22
If you never had your car shipped before, I can tell you that it can be a very fearful, and stressful event, but I can vouch 1st hand that this agency took all the thought fear and stress away! We moved my XT-5 from DFW to overseas (Bahrain). We didn't have any issues, and it was relatively fast considering it's been shipped across the seas. I will 100% recommend this company to anyone and everyone. Hassle-free and delivers what was promised. I'll definitely be using them whenever we decide to return stateside!
Ehte P.
Ehte P.
19:08 15 Mar 22
i shipped an 89' Land Rover Defender from italy to the US without troubles, they took care of all docs and around 60 days later the car was at the port in VA. i'd definitely use them again in the future.
Magnum Opus C.
Magnum Opus C.
19:07 15 Mar 22
Timely service and my car arrived in the same condition I dropped it off in. Great job!
Johnnie V.
Johnnie V.
18:42 22 Feb 22
It was an easy an quick process
Rudolf de J.
Rudolf de J.
09:19 22 Feb 22
Ship overseas helped me ship my car to senegal when some companies refused to do so in the heat of corona virus.thank you for your professionalism.
Kade M.
Kade M.
03:44 22 Feb 22
This company and team were tremendously professional & also the least expensive company I found. I researched quite a few before settling on ShipOverseas. I’m glad I chose them, they were able to deliver my vehicle to my destination port in Korea when others said they could only deliver to one port in Korea and for less money. I will definitely use them again and recommend anyone shipping anyone to consult with ShipOverseas.com. Well done!
Robert Gibson (.
Robert Gibson (.
03:06 22 Feb 22
These guys are super, fair priced and very helpful.
Mike C.
Mike C.
00:28 22 Feb 22
I have used them few times and they on point great service and always answer all my request in timely manor.
Moe A.
Moe A.
14:09 21 Feb 22
Hello Tere! Last summer I sent my car to Estonia. I was scared little bit because it was my first time ( maybe even last!) to do this kind of thing. But it went very smoothly - unexpectedly . Most difficult thing was driving myself to the port, but I did it! I could order somebody from Ship Overseas, but it cost money. And paperwork was pretty normal. The same day, I left to the airport, I got phone call that they sent car title to my old address. Wow! I thought that this title goes directly to the Estonian port, but I was wrong. They sent this very important paper over to my son.It arrived on time when I was ready to show car documents to the toll office. Everything ended very well ! Thanks to Ship Overseas. And , by the way, sending my car to Estonia was much, much cheaper than other companies offered. I am thankful !!!
Lydia K.
Lydia K.
13:24 21 Feb 22
Ship Overseas did a great job. There's no reason to use anyone else.
Taylor B.
Taylor B.
13:22 18 Feb 22
Ship Overseas is a 6 star organization. They have answered all my shipping questions and provided rapid thorough service each and every time. Look no further, Your overseas shipper search is over.
VanniGio V.
VanniGio V.
08:20 18 Feb 22
Very trustworthy company, they were always available to resolve issues with the correspondant at destination, no surprises, my Boat arrived as promised
HSA
HSA
03:51 18 Feb 22
Overseas is the best definitelyNo complaints i received my suv without scratch no missing parts
Donald B.
Donald B.
00:59 18 Feb 22
First time I sent a vehicle with this company, and I will be using them to sent another one, they were very helpful.
Joash E.
Joash E.
00:14 18 Feb 22
Shipped several cars with this company to Nigeria.Exceptional service. Drawback is the vehicle hauling that wasn't reliable. Granted no fault of ship overseas.Ship Overseas is my go to shipper.
sylvanus M.
sylvanus M.
22:17 17 Feb 22
Great and reliable service. Thank you. Will always use your company.
Ricardo Q.
Ricardo Q.
18:59 17 Feb 22
Used this company 3 times for an overseas PCS. Would do it again if I had to.
Michael M.
Michael M.
18:33 17 Feb 22
Great service at a reasonable cost !!!
Ronald R.
Ronald R.
18:28 17 Feb 22
Shipped twice with them. No idea what I was doing, but they were helpful, always available to answer questions, and made it very easy.
J J
J J
18:14 17 Feb 22
It has been a great and exciting experience to have our car being shipped from New Mexico to Spain.
Fernando M.
Fernando M.
18:03 17 Feb 22
everything is fine, gladly again
Beat Thomas S.
Beat Thomas S.
15:27 11 Feb 22
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Departure and Arrival Ports

Your car will leave the Bremerhaven port in Germany, the fourth-largest container port in the world.

It will arrive at one of six ports in the USA: 

  • New York, NY
  • Baltimore, MD
  • Charleston, SC
  • Brunswick, GA
  • Galveston, TX
  • Port Hueneme, Ventura County CA

How Long Does it Take?

The on-water voyage time is as follows for each U.S. port, with the number range representing DAYS: 

NewYork12-19
Baltimore15-21
Charleston16-24
Brunswick16-25
Galveston18-25
Port Hueneme27-31

How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car From Germany to the USA?

  • The cost to ship a car from Germany to the U.S. is $1,498.
  • The cost to ship an SUV from Germany to the U.S. is $1,627.

Your final price will be determined by: 

  • Whether you’re shipping a car or an SUV/truck (it’s cheaper to ship a car than a larger vehicle). 
  • Whether the car is driven to the Bremerhaven port by yourself or a friend, or if you need one of our truck drivers to get it there for you. Those who live far from the port may not find it worth it to spend money on gas, lodging, time off work, etc. The same goes on the other end when receiving the shipment in the U.S. (it’s more expensive to have a truck driver bring it).
  • Whether you’re shipping to the East Coast USA from Germany or the West Coast USA (it’s cheaper to ship a car to the East Coast).

Documents Required to Ship a Car to Germany

The passport of consignee is required when shipping a car from Germany to the USA. The consignee is the one who receives the goods at the destination port. 

Salvage Titles

No salvage titles are accepted.

Customs Broker Information

Your customs broker/agent is Paul Alpren. His services will cost you $280. 

Destination Handling Charge

The destination handling charge (DHC), or Terminal Handling Charge (THC), for shipping a car from Germany to the USA is $215 to $275. 

Do Returning Citizens Have to Pay Import Fees (Terminal Handling Charges)?

Returning citizens pay THC+US Customs Entry (Duty only if applicable).

Duty is applicable only for vehicles entering the USA for the first time, not returning vehicles. 

Vehicle Age Limits

For US Spec vehicles, there is no age limit. For non-US Spec vehicle, cars must be a minimum of 25+ years old, generally applying to classic cars.

How Much is Import Tax?

Import tax is 3% (this number includes 2.5% Duty + HMF & MPF fees). HMF is the Harbor Maintenance Fee and MPF is the Merchandise Processing Fee.

Weekly sailings from Bremerhaven Port in Germany to USA

Shipping Method for Shipping a Car to Germany

We only offer RoRo shipping from Germany to the U.S. — not container shipping. Our shipping vessels depart weekly from the Germany port to sail into the United States.

RoRo Shipping (Roll On/Roll Off)

RoRo is for when a vehicle can make it up the ramp and onto the ship on its own power. Our most popular and cost effective option, RoRo is not only efficient but reliable as well. That’s because you can be assured of set departure and arrival dates (just like an airport). You can use RoRo to transport wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles, cars, motorhomes, campers, trailers, buses, construction vehicles and boats. 

Your car will be secured to the deck with no exposure to the ocean water and air.

Do You Need Marine Insurance?

We highly recommend you do purchase it, but you don’t have to. We offer 1.75% of the value of the vehicle for FULL coverage of theft, vandalism, damage and total loss with a $500 deductible. Note: coverage starts at the time your car is loaded onto the ship in Germany and lasts until it is collected and signed for at the arrival port in the USA. Total Loss is 1.25% charge for the value of the vehicle. 

If paying for 100% coverage is not something you’re willing to do, you may purchase partial coverage of 50% to 75% of the value. But if damage or loss occurs, you would have to pay for any damage that exceeds the covered amount. 

When shipping a car from Germany to the USA, you need the professionals at Ship Overseas on your side. Get in touch to learn more when you call toll free at 888-805-4994 or 858-547-0840

Should I purchase Marine Insurance?

We think it’s a wise idea. Ship Overseas offers FULL COVERAGE Marine Insurance against Loss or Damage from the time your car is loaded onto the ship. The cost is 1.75% of the value you wish to insure the car for. You can purchase optional insurance through us that gives you extra protection in the event your car suffers damage or loss.

Keep in mind, the chance of damage or loss while transporting a car from Germany is very slim. The only time this would be a problem would be during hurricane season, lasting from June till November, when the ocean is rougher. Learn more about Marine Insurance by clicking on the link below.

We hope this page put your mind at ease. If you’re ready to get going on the international car shipping process from Germany to USA, give us a call toll free at 888-805-4994 or 858-547-0840.

You can learn more about Marine Insurance here.