Exploring International Car Shipping to Germany
Ship Overseas- Your Trusted Partner in International Car Shipping
Shipping Car from USA to Germany
If you’re new to the world of car shipping and worried about how to move forward, fret not; this page is designed to answer all your queries!
Fortunately, Ship Overseas, Inc. has facilitated unified transportation of cars between the USA and Germany and International Shipping from Germany to USA for almost forty years.
To simplify it, you’ll cover crucial aspects such as Pricing, Documents, Departure, and Arrival Ports.
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Vehicle Pickup Service
When you receive a quote for Shipping Car from USA to Germany, take note of the optional fee for our suitable car pickup service.
While you can handle the pickup yourself, it’s worth considering factors like gas, food, time off work, and accommodations against a modest fee for us to simplify the process.
Departure Ports for International Shipping to Germany
The fourth-largest container port in the world, Bremerhaven port in Germany, will be where your car departs. It will land at one of the six American ports;
- New York, NY
- Baltimore, MD
- Charleston, SC
- Brunswick, GA
- Galveston, TX
- Port Hueneme, Ventura County CA
You can deliver your car to one of these ports or let us handle the logistics.
Arrival Terminal for International Shipping to Germany
All roads lead to Bremerhaven, Germany, the arrival terminal where a designated person can pick up the vehicle for Shipping Car from USA to Germany. It’s crucial to note that our quotes cover the transport of your car only. The person collecting the vehicle in Bremerhaven should be prepared with cash to cover in-person Tax or Duty payments.
If you ship your cars to Bremerhaven, Germany, you can send them to various cities, including Wiesbaden, Kaiserslautern, Mannheim, and more.
If you ship your cars to Bremerhaven, Germany, you can also send them to the following cities:
- Wiesbaden
- Kaiserslautern
- Mannheim
- Heidelberg
- Schweinfurt
- Vilseck
- Grafenwohr
- Spangdahlem
- Hohenfels
- Geilenkirchen
- Stuttgart
- Baumholder
- Ramstein
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Munich
- Berlin
Costs of International Shipping to Germany
The costs of international shipping to Germany vary based on factors such as the car’s year/make/model, departure port, and the choice of car pick-up or drop-off at the shipping port.
A destination handling charge of E150 ($165 USD) applies, influenced by the type of car, shipping origin, and your choice of service for Shipping Car from USA to Germany.
Departure & Arrival Ports, Initial Costs, & Shipping Duration
The Estimated Time in Transit for international car shipping to Germany from various U.S. cities to Bremerhaven, Germany, ranges from 11 to 40 days, with corresponding costs.
| Shipping To/From | Estimated Time in Transit | Cost |
| New York, NY, to Bremerhaven, Germany | 11-21 Days | From $781 |
| Baltimore, MD, to Bremerhaven, Germany | 11-21 Days | From $781 |
| Charleston, SC, to Bremerhaven, Germany | 11-21 Days | From $781 |
| Brunswick, GA, to Bremerhaven, Germany | 11-21 Days | From $781 |
| Jacksonville, FL, to Bremerhaven, Germany | 11-21 Days | From $781 |
| Newport News, VA, to Bremerhaven, Germany | 11-21 Days | From $781 |
| Galveston, TX to Bremerhaven, Germany | 11-21 Days | From $781 |
| Long Beach, CA to Bremerhaven, Germany | 21-33 Days | From $791 |
| Tacoma, WA, to Bremerhaven, Germany | 28-35 Days | From $1,175 |
Import Tax & Duty and Destination Handling Charge
A destination handling charge of E150 ($176 USD) applies. Ship Overseas does not collect import duty and must be paid during car pick-up.
Special Considerations for EU Citizens
For private individuals, international car shipping to Germany with a final destination in another country, a 30% tax on the vehicle’s value is applicable, refundable upon car registration. German citizens face a 10% customs tax and 19% VAT unless residency outside Germany exceeds one year.
US Military
Active military personnel generally have their car shipment expenses covered, except for a second car, where the individual incurs the cost.
POV Transfer Requirements for Military
- A military member or dependent must own or lease the car.
- The vehicle must be self-propelled and road-legal.
- Written consent for transport from the third party is required if leased.
- Must have four wheels or more, with exceptions for mopeds and motorcycles.
Special Provisions for Travelers
Travelers to the EU can temporarily import their cars for up to 6 months, requiring a deposit upon arrival, refundable upon departure.
Relocating
Returning EU citizens who have lived in the USA for a year or more can return their car duty-free, provided there are no liens on the vehicle.
New/Used Car Purchase
A 10% duty and 19% German VAT apply to cars owned for less than a year destined for an EU member country.
Classic Car Purchase
For international car shipping to Germany for classic cars (30 years or older), a lower duty of 7% is applicable, compared to 10% for vehicles less than 30 years old.
Storage Fees
Failure to pick up a car on the scheduled date may result in port storage fees. For the latest fees, please contact us.
Recommended Marine Insurance
For added security, we recommend considering marine insurance, providing full coverage against loss or damage from loading onto the ship until arrival, especially during hurricane season. The cost is 1.75% of the insured car’s value. Learn more about Marine Insurance on our website.
Shipping Car to Germany Military, Government Contractors
US Military and Government employees (or contractors). For those people, a letter of authorization from the lender will need to be issued to pass US Customs. Otherwise, the car may be considered stolen.
US Military and Dependents
At the Base ports of Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, you will be required to pay a destination offloading fee of $280.00 per car and $350.00 per SUV. These prices are subject to change but not by much. To get a release of your vehicle, you will need to Identify yourself, and before that, you will go to the Officer at your Base in charge of Transport, who will give you a document to complete which will act as Military Tags and will enable you to drive to your base.
If you would like your vehicle delivered to your Base, then you can request a delivery service from us, and we will arrange the forwarding for you at an additional fee.
Government Contractors
Government contractors follow a similar procedure as US military active-duty personnel.
Documents Required to Ship Car to Germany
US Military
If you are in the Military, Government, or State service and there is a Lien recorded on the vehicle, the Lien Holder needs to give permission to export the vehicle. This permission must be an Original Letter from the Lienholder together with 3 certified copies of the Certificate of Title. You will also need to present your Military orders or a letter from the Government or State authority and a copy of the Title Record History obtainable from the Department of Motor Vehicles in the State the vehicle is registered.
EU Citizens
You will need the original title of the vehicle and your ID.
Non-EU Citizens
Vehicle Registration For Military & Government Contractors
This will be taken care of at the military base. Talk to your Officer in Charge. You’ll also be getting your military tags for your base.
Shipping Methods
RoRo (Roll On Roll Off)
These ships are made specifically for vehicles.
RoRo ships are built so anything with tires can Roll On and Off the ship. Automobiles and motorcycles are the most common vehicles. Other types of vehicles that can be shipped are motorhomes, campers, trailers, buses, construction vehicles, and boats. RoRo Car shipping to Germany from the USA is normally used when you only ship one vehicle. The car MUST be able to make it up and down the ramp without any assistance. The inside of a RoRo ship looks like a big parking garage. Once loaded on the RoRo vessel, each vehicle is tied down securely in its designated spot (as shown in the picture)
This shipping method has proved highly efficient and extremely cost-effective. When compared to container shipping, it has an additional advantage: it provides reliable departure and arrival dates. The ship’s departure and arrival schedule run almost like an airline flight schedule.
Also, RoRo shipping is the preferred shipping method for new car manufacturers to ship their own vehicles. All vehicles are tied to the deck and are not exposed to the ocean. That way, the vehicles have all the protection against external elements.
Payment Methods / Options
Payment doesn’t have to be made until your vehicle is at the departure shipping port.
Wire Transfer or Cashier’s Check
This is a very common way to pay for your shipment if you are not in USA. We will send you our bank information once your order is placed.
Credit Card & Zelle
There are no service fees if you choose to make payment with Zelle. Basically, Zelle is bank-to-bank transfer.
There is a 3% service-fee if payment is made with credit card.
Canceling Your Order
If for some rare reason you need to cancel your order, let us know by email. Normally payment is refunded via the same payment method you chose. If you cancel your order, there is a $300 cancelation fee
Additional Information
Car shipping to Germany from the USA – US Customs Clearance
Ship Overseas, Inc. will clear US Customs for you.
When your car is shipped via RoRo ship, US Customs agents simply look through the window. At most, they will open the trunk and peek inside.
When it comes to container shipping, the US Customs agent may sometimes need to open the container to check whatever is inside the container. This process takes longer than the RoRo method, but either way, Ship Overseas, Inc. will clear customs for you.
Who Can Pick Up The Vehicle in Germany
For car shipping to Germany from the USA, you can designate any individual to retrieve the vehicle at the destination Port. You must advise us of this a few days prior to the sailing of the date so that we can enter their name as the Receiver or Consignee. They will be required to identify themselves with a picture ID as well as produce the Title of Ownership and a letter of permission to pick up the vehicle. There is a charge by the shipping line if you notify us of any changes after your cargo has been loaded on the vessel.
Ready to ship your car from USA to Germany? Contact us now for a seamless Shipping Car from USA to Germany experience!
Why Choose Us to Ship Your Car to Germany?
At Ship Overseas, we specialize in providing reliable and efficient car shipping services to Germany. Whether you’re moving abroad, purchasing a vehicle overseas, or planning an extended stay, we make it easy to ship your car to Germany with peace of mind.
Here’s why we are the top choice for car shipping to Germany:
Expertise You Can Trust
- Over a decade of experience in international vehicle transportation.
- Knowledge of customs regulations and import/export laws for Germany.
- Dedicated customer support to guide you through every step of the process.
Safe and Secure Transportation
- Use of high-quality equipment and shipping containers to ensure vehicle safety.
- Comprehensive insurance coverage for additional peace of mind.
- Regular updates on your shipment’s progress until it arrives safely.
Flexible Shipping Options
- Multiple shipping methods, including roll-on/roll-off and container shipping.
- Customized services to meet your timeline and budget.
- Options for door-to-door or port-to-port delivery.
Competitive Pricing
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
- Affordable rates for both individuals and businesses.
- Free quotes to help you budget effectively when you ship a car to Germany.
Customer-Centric Approach
- 24/7 customer support to answer all your questions.
- Tailored solutions to match your specific car shipping needs.
- A proven track record of satisfied customers.
Choose Ship Overseas for a hassle-free experience when you need to ship my car to Germany. With our reliable services, your car is in safe hands from start to finish. Get started today!