American cars are awesome – there is no question about that. But this does not mean that Europe has nothing to offer. Quite on the contrary. The Old Continent has a lot of amazing vehicles! So it is only natural for some people on this side of the ocean to want one.
Call now to discuss your international auto transport needs and preferences, (818) 850-5258.
But shipping a car from Europe to the US is not just a regular kind of auto transport. There are certain specifics that you need to understand. The first and the most obvious difference with the domestic transport is that it requires more time. A higher level of organization is also necessary, due to the nature of the shipping. These, and some other factors, also lead to an increase in the auto transport cost, compared to transporting a vehicle to another state.
Shipping a car from Germany, in particular, requires it to be transported to the port of Bremerhaven. From there it takes a two-week trip to the States, and then a carrier transports it to you. But the entire process involves some details that you need to know. That is why here we will answer the following questions you might have:
- Can I import any car from Germany to the US?
- What documents do I need?
- How much does shipping a car from Germany cost?
- Why should I choose Corsia Logistics?
Can I import any car from Germany to the US?
Which cars are permitted for permanent import is a major point of confusion for many people. Because importing a car to the US requires the vehicle to pass certain US standards if you want to drive it around. The three major standards that need to be observed are the safety standards, the bumper standards and the air pollution control standards. Failure to meet any of these will render your vehicle unsuitable for use in the US and you will have to export it back, destroy it or pay to bring it into compliance with the standards.
The emission standards are set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You should review their import requirements for vehicles and engines. Furthermore, make sure to also check what the federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) are. Vehicles older than 25 years are exempt from these, but newer ones must pass all the standards.
That being said, keep in mind that laws and regulations are subject to change. Make sure that all the requirements your review are up to date. That way you will avoid further headaches. Please, note that most vehicles for import do not usually meet all the necessary requirements. It is, however, possible to purchase such a car in Germany, which usually means it was meant for sale in the States anyway. However, once a car comes to the US, it can be modified to comply with all the standards. So, if you are dedicated to having an imported car, that is definitely within the realm of possibility. You can learn more about that in the section below.
What documents do I need?
Naturally, there are some specific documents that you need to have prior to shipping the car from Germany to the States. The obvious papers you need are all the documents related to the vehicle itself, the shipper’s bill of lading, the bill of sale and foreign registration.
The next group of documents have to do with the compliance to the standards mentioned in the section above. So, in order to import a motor vehicle to the US, you have to file a DOT form HS-7 and EPA form 3520-1. Review both forms as they point out what you need to do in order to get a permission for permanent import of the vehicle. As we have mentioned above, the car of your choice may not necessarily meet the standards. Then it can be imported through an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI). The ICI makes sure to get the vehicle to comply with all the standards, after which it is released to the owner with all the necessary paperwork. However, you need to be aware that such modifications can be quite costly.
How much does shipping a car from Germany cost?
This is perhaps the first question that has popped into your mind. However, it is also the most difficult one to answer. Since there are so many variables that go into the service, we cannot give you a flat, static fee. The best way to learn more about that is to contact us. Together we can work out the specifics and give you tailored price.
However, we believe in being transparent with our clients. That is why we will explain what goes into the price and why we cannot give you a clear answer at this point. For starters, we need to know from where in Germany the car has to be picked up. As mentioned, it is then taken to the port of Bremerhaven. When it arrives in the States it has to be taken from the port to you. So understandably, the price can range quite a bit based solely on these two factors. There are other variables that determine the price as well, but you can learn more about them at our cost to ship a car page. Or if you prefer, you can contact us and we will explain everything you want to know about the entire process of insternational auto transport.
Why should I choose Corsia Logistics?
We understand that trusting a company to take care of your vehicle is not an easy decision. You need a business that values its clients and provides high quality services without overcharging for them. That is why we from Corsia Logistics are proud to say that our experience in the niche of auto transport is extremely extensive. We have served individuals and business clients with different needs from all over the world – from regular car shipping within the US, to luxury vehicle transportation across the globe. We provide tailored classic car shipping, race car transport and heavy duty vehicle shipping as well.
But what is even better is that we also have experience in international shipping. We have documented one of our recent international auto transport jobs – a classic vehicle shipped from Eastern Europe all the way to the States. The story includes details about the entire trip and how well it went. You can see that we take each specific auto transport case personally. Our company’s mission is the utmost satisfaction of every single client. That is why we tailor the price of our service for each specific customer’s preferences and budget. Corsia Logistics will never give you blown up flat rates that barely take your own situation into account.
And after the shipping …
When you successfully ship a vehicle from Germany, make sure to do all the necessary steps once it is here. That includes getting the car insured as soon as possible and registering it as well. You have to pay your taxes and get your license plates. But after all that it is just enjoying the ride. You can now enjoy your vehicle and brag about that you have an import from Germany!
Corsia Logistics can arrange the transport of your car from Germany to the US any day. You can call our team of logistics specialists at (818) 850-5258 during our business ours or contact us online anytime. We are looking forward to working for you.