Importing a Car from the USA to Germany
Many US export cars come straight from damage auctions. Enter the VIN below for a free preview of its US record — salvage-auction sale records with damage photos, theft records, an odometer timeline, and available US listing and price records back to 2015 (coverage varies by VIN) — before you bid at a US auction or wire money to an exporter. EU import duty (10%, or 0% for US-built cars under the 2026 EU-US agreement) plus 19% VAT apply, and the vehicle must pass a §21 StVZO Vollgutachten with EU-compliant lighting before German registration.
The $12.99 Used Car Report — works worldwide
One-time purchase (billed in USD): salvage-auction records with damage photos where published, reported salvage records, theft records, odometer timeline, and available US listing & price records back to 2015 (coverage varies by VIN). See a sample report
Need the federal record instead (recalls, complaints, original window sticker)? That's the $9.99 Full VIN Report.
Importing to Germany: taxes & steps
| Customs duty | 10% of customs value — 0% for US-origin cars under Regulation (EU) 2026/1455 |
| Import VAT | 19% on the duty-inclusive value (car + freight + duty) |
| Collector exception | 30+ year vehicles in original condition: 0% duty, 7% VAT |
- Clear customs at the port (Zollanmeldung) — keep the clearance certificate (Verzollungsnachweis), registration requires it.
- Book the §21 StVZO Vollgutachten (TÜV / DEKRA / GTÜ): a US car has no EC type approval, so individual approval is mandatory — budget for lighting conversion (US turn signals/headlamps) and sometimes a rear fog lamp.
- Get German insurance (eVB number).
- Register at the Zulassungsstelle with the Vollgutachten, customs proof, title, and eVB; plates and Fahrzeugbrief issue there.
Rates verified October 2026; tax law moves — confirm with the destination authority before wiring money. Full process: the 2026 step-by-step import guide.
FAQ
What should I check before importing a US car to Germany?
What happened to the car in America: salvage-auction sale records with damage photos where the auction published them, reported salvage records, theft records, an odometer timeline, and the VIN's full US listing and price history — plus the federal record (recalls, owner complaints, service bulletins) and the original window sticker (for 12 brands) proving factory trim, options, and MSRP. Many US export cars come from damage auctions — verify before bidding, not after shipping. EU import duty (10%, or 0% for US-built cars under the 2026 EU-US agreement) plus 19% VAT apply, and the vehicle must pass a §21 StVZO Vollgutachten with EU-compliant lighting before German registration.
Why does the original window sticker matter for an import to Germany?
It is federal proof of the exact factory configuration and original MSRP — protection against a base vehicle being sold as a loaded one, and useful documentation for valuation and registration. CarWhere retrieves original manufacturer stickers for GM, Ford, Stellantis, Hyundai, and Genesis brands.
Can I check a US auction car's history from Germany?
Yes — the $12.99 CarWhere Used Car Report is a one-time purchase available worldwide (billed in USD): salvage-auction sale records with damage photos where published, reported salvage records, theft records, an odometer timeline with rollback flagging, and the VIN's available US listing and price records back to 2015 (coverage varies by VIN). The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record instead (decode, recalls, complaints, bulletins, window sticker where available). No subscription on either.