IMPORT CLASSIC CARS FROM THE USA
US Classic Cars and Youngtimer are subject to reduced import regulations. Under certain conditions, the import of vintage cars is duty-free. Vehicles over the age of 30 years may, under certain circumstances, be imported duty-free into the EU as part of a classic car customs clearance. Only the obligatory 7% import turnover tax is due. The US classic car must be at least 30 years old and in good original condition. Hot Rods and Replicas can therefore not be imported at a discounted price. The decision as to whether a vehicle fulfills the conditions mentioned above for a duty-free import of oldtimers lies with the European customs authorities. By the way, in order to be able to take advantage of this vintage customs clearance, your vehicle does NOT have to be shipped to Rotterdam, as often assumed. The duty-free import can be arranged by us also over the destination port Bremerhaven. This often has linguistic, temporal and price advantages, especially for German customers.
Should it be necessary to dispose of R12 refrigerants, our own knowledgeable staff will do this, including certification.
INVESTMENT IN HISTORICAL PANEL
Traveling shares (vintage cars from America) can be imported duty-free since first of January 2014
In times of an insecure euro and a dizzying zero-point interest on savings account many Germans are looking for an alternative to invest their savings meaningful or long-term. A suitable option is the purchase of old cars from North America that are of stable value.
In addition to the possible increase in value, several favorable factors come together. The supply of cheap historic automobiles, from both American and European manufacturers, is still quite large in the US. Good Youngtimers are often already in the four-digit US $ range. In many US states, such as California, Arizona and Florida, there are favorable climatic conditions for classic automobiles. Much to the delight of classic car enthusiasts from the rainy Euroland. The last needed argument in favour of importing Oldtimers from the US was the ever mentioned news from Brussels in early 2014.
Since January 1st 2014, due to new, uniform EU customs regulations, vintage cars from the USA (and all third countries) can be imported duty-free and at a reduced tax rate of 7% via Bremerhaven to Germany.
Our specialists will handle the complete package for you from a remote farm somewhere in Idaho up to your German front door. In the complete package also the duty-free oldtimer customs clearance with the authorities is included. The requirement to qualify for a duty-free import is a minimum age of 30 years as well as the original condition of the vehicle. For conversions like hot rods, the car enthusiast still has to come up with the usual 10% duty and 19% import taxes.
Our specialists are happy to answer any questions you may have about vintage car import from the USA.
ESCROW PAYMENT SERVICE
Shipment and secure payment for your vehicle purchase in North America from a single source. Protect your international car trade.
You are planning to purchase a vehicle in North America but hesitate to pay an unknown seller in advance?
REFITTING / HOMOLOGATION
With the help of our local partners we are able to provide ready-to-register refitting and homologation for the majority of manufacturers.
CUSTOMS- AND IMPORT-CALCULATOR
For your vehicle purchase in the USA
Our car-import-calculator is a useful and cost-free tool for commercial and private importers. It’s helpful to compare prices, internet research, online auctions and so on. It’s an easy way to find out the total costs of a car import.
ONLINE FREIGHT REQUEST
Send us your unbinding freight inquiry, we will be happy to send you our quotation.
PROCEDURE / POSSIBLE OPTIONS OF CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
1. OPTION / PAYING TAX AND DUTY
WThis is the regular clearance, you will have to pay 10% duty and 19% VAT (classic cars 0% / 7%). You could calculate expected customs expenses like this:
Purchase-price PLUS freight charges DIVIDED BY official customs rate of exchange gives the customs value. Based on customs value you will have to pay duty (e.g. for passenger cars 10%). Adding the amount of duty to the customs value gives the amount which is calculation base for VAT (usually 19%).
We will take care of all documentation efforts and will disburse taxes and duties. After completion of customs clearance you will get our invoice. Please pay prior to pick up or delivery by bank transfer or by cash upon pick up in our office. In case of bank transfer please send us a copy of your bank receipt. Cars which are at least 30 years of age and in a mostly original condition will be exempted from duty and determined with 7% VAT.
For this option of customs clearance we need the following documents:
- Signed letter of authorization
- Copy of purchase contract
- Copy of freight invoice
2. Option / REMOVAL GOODS
If you are shipping your car because of a relocation from abroad to Germany, it is possible to import your car tax and duty free under certain conditions. You must have been living abroad for at least 1 year and the car must have been registered in your name for at least ½ year BEFORE the date of shipment. Corresponding evidence is required.
For this option of customs clearance we need following documents:
- Informal letter of authorization
- Packing list (if applicable)
- Current German address
- Duration of stay abroad
- Evidence for stay abroad (e. g. from employer)
- Copy of the Green Card (if applicable)
- Copy passport
- Copy US vehicle registration card
- Deregistration certificate of DMV
- Copy certificate of title
- Copy of current German registration certificate
Please note that school/university students are NOT QUALIFIED for this kind of clearance. Please also note that you will have to pay German road tax to Bremerhaven customs in case your car has not been de-registered in the USA and registration is still valid. If you have a de-registration certificate from the DMV you can pay road tax to your local traffic department in your home town in Germany.