Germany International Auto Transport Quotes
You can read auto transport reviews from major companies in Germany to see the services offered by each company, read testimonials from their customers, and compare quotes side-by-side instantly. In addition, you can get detailed information about shipping to Germany or get professional advice for shipping from Germany to the United States or elsewhere in the world.
CarShipping.com works with many of the best auto transport companies, who are recommended for vehicle shipping, freight and personal moving services. Review each Germany moving company and compare multiple quotes when you’re ready.
Reviews of Germany International Shipping Companies
Container Shipping
Germany international shipping companies can arrange to have your car picked up from your door and delivered to any destination in the United States or Germany. Some companies specialize in container shipping, while others offer what is known as a Roll on Roll Off (RoRo) option. If you choose to use the container shipping option, your car will be transported in a 20-foot or 40-foot steel container. Many shipping companies will allow you to pack your household goods and personal items in the same container.
Roll On Roll Off Shipping
With RoRo shipping, your car will be transported on a ship that is designed to carry hundreds and, sometimes, even thousands of cars at a time. Your car will be driven on board the ship and parked in an open car deck. It will be secured in place using straps or chains and transported to its destination, where it will be driven off the ship and handed back to you. RoRo shipping is cheaper than container shipping. However, the latter option allows you to transport multiple items in one container.
Customs Clearance, Freight Forwarding and Warehousing
Exporting or importing a car between the United States and Germany can be somewhat tricky, especially if your car is not compliant with US or German safety and emissions standards. Fortunately, many Germany international shipping companies offer help with the customs forms and the import and export documents that need to be filled out when shipping a car between the two countries. Many also offer freight forwarding and warehousing services, under which they will store your vehicle in a bonded customs warehouse until you are ready to receive your car and clear it through customs.
Car Shipping Ports in Germany and the United States
Germany international shipping companies typically use the ports of Hamburg, Emden, or Bremen to ship cars to the US. Cars shipped from Germany usually arrive at US ports on the East Coast, such as Boston, Baltimore, Camden, Jacksonville and Savannah.
Tips for Shipping a Car
Here are a few tips to keep in mind in case you plan on shipping a car to or from Germany.
- You will need to have your car registration, proof of ownership and export clearance documents before you can ship your car from either country.
- Both Germany and the United States have stringent quality and emissions standards requirements. Make sure your car meets these standards before you attempt to ship it, or else you could end up spending thousands of dollars on modifications.
- You will need to be present to receive your car at the destination port. Be sure to have your bill of lading, registration, title and passport when you go to receive the vehicle.
- If your vehicle does not meet US quality standards, you will need to work with a Registered Importer to bring it into compliance. For an extra fee, many Germany international shipping companies will help you find and work with a registered importer to bring your car into compliance.
Container Shipping
Often, when people ship a car to Germany, they choose to transport it with the rest of their household goods. This way, their vehicle arrives at the same time as the rest of their belongings. People who choose this option typically ship their car in a 20-foot or a 40-foot steel container along with their other belongings. This is a safe and secure way to import a car to Germany, and is one of the most commonly used methods for overseas car transportation.
Transporting Your Car on a RoRo Vessel
If you do not want to use a container shipping service, you also have the option of shipping your car on a Roll on Roll off (RoRo) vessel. This is a kind of shipping option in which your car will be driven on board a RoRo ship, parked and secured on an open car deck along with hundreds of other cars, and transported to Germany. There, it will be driven off the ship and handed back to you or your agent. Depending on the shipping option and the carrier you choose, it can take between two weeks to one month to ship a car to Germany from the US.
German Car Import Regulations
Germany does not have any restrictions on car imports. You can import a car to Germany and drive it for up to six months without having to pay any import duties on the vehicle. However, if you plan on keeping the car for more than six months, you will need to pay an import tax of 10 percent of the total purchase price of the vehicle, plus the cost of shipping the vehicle to Germany. In addition, you will also be required to pay a Value Added Tax of 15 percent of the value of the vehicle plus import tax.
Technical Inspection
You will need to register your car in Germany if you plan on keeping it in the country for more than 12 months after the international car shipping process. To do this, you will need to first clear the car through a technical inspection process. In order to speed up the process, it is often a good idea to get the following technical details from your car manufacture, before formally importing a car to Germany.
- Your car’s engine displacement or size.
- Its maximum RPM and horsepower.
- Wheel and tire sizes.
- Maximum admissible rear and front axle weight.
- Emissions results.
Registering Your Car in Germany
To register a vehicle, you will first need to show you have paid all relevant import duties and cleared technical inspection. The vehicle will need to be registered at the Kfz- Zulassungsstelle, or the Local Motor Vehicle Branch at your town or city of residence. The registration is valid for a period of two years, after which it will need to be renewed.
Exporting a Car from Germany
Regardless of the reason, the process for importing a car from Germany remains the same. You will first need to get valid export plates and other documents needed to ship the car out of Germany. For example, you will to show proof of ownership and registration. If you are still making loan repayments on the car, you will need to obtain a letter from your financial institution agreeing to the export. You will then need to find a shipping company to transport the vehicle to the United States.
Shipping Your Car in a Container
You can choose to have the vehicle shipped in a container or on board a Roll on Roll off (RoRo) shipping vessel. With the first option, your car will be stowed in a 20-foot or 40-foot steel container. If you are transporting other items, you can stow them in the same container as well and ship everything to your destination in the United States.
Shipping Your Vehicle on a RoRo Vessel
If all you are shipping from Germany is your car, a RoRo option might make better sense. With Roll on Roll off shipping, your car will be transported on an open car deck onboard a vessel that is designed to transport hundreds of vehicles at a time. Your car will be driven on board the vessel and driven off it when it reaches its destination. The RoRo option is usually the cheaper one when shipping a car from Germany, however, container shipping is often safer.
Receiving Your Car in the United States
Whatever option you choose to import a car from Germany, you will be required to receive your vehicle personally when it arrives at a US port. You could also assign an agent to receive it for you if you choose. If your car is designed for use in the United States, you should have no problem importing a car from Germany. Car imports are taxed at 5 percent of the value of the car subject to certain conditions.
Clearing US Safety and Emissions Standards
The process of shipping a car from Germany, however, becomes a whole lot harder if your car does not meet US safety and emissions standards. In such a situation, you will need to work with a Registered Importer to bring your car into compliance with US standards. You will have 45 days to make the necessary modifications. During that time, you will be required to deposit a bond which is equal to 150 percent of the value of the car. If your car fails to meet the grade and you still want to import it, you will forfeit the entire amount. As a result, shipping experts often suggest that, before you attempt to ship a car from Germany or any other country, you first need to make absolutely certain that your vehicle can pass US safety and emissions inspections.