Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Germany
Seaway Export ships from Savannah, New York / New Jersey, and other ports to Bremerhaven and Hamburg in 10–30 days port to port, with weekly sailings on the main lane and rates from $1,200.
From U.S. auction yard to German driveway in 3–6 weeks. Weekly sailings to Bremerhaven and Hamburg — Europe's two busiest vehicle gateways — with full customs handling on both sides.
Germany at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,200+
- Ocean transit
- 10–14 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Bremerhaven · Hamburg
- Import duty + VAT
- 10% + 19% VAT (cars)
- Classic cars 30+ yrs
- 0% duty + 7% VAT
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Germany: What You Need to Know
Germany receives more American vehicles than any other EU country — and for good reason. Bremerhaven is the largest vehicle-handling port in Europe, moving over 1.7 million units a year, and German registration rules (TÜV inspection plus a Certificate of Conformity or §21 StVZO individual approval) are well-trodden paths rather than bureaucratic dead ends.
U.S. muscle cars, classics, and pickup trucks command strong premiums in the German market. With 10–14 day East Coast transit and weekly departures, Germany is also the natural entry point for cargo headed anywhere in Central Europe.
Key takeaway
Budget $1,200–$2,500 for shipping plus 10% duty and 19% VAT on most cars. Classics over 30 years old pay 0% duty and just 7% VAT — making Germany one of the best classic-car import markets in the world.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Germany
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Bremerhaven | 10–14 days | Weekly |
| Baltimore, MD | Bremerhaven | 11–15 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Bremerhaven | 12–16 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Hamburg | 16–20 days | Weekly |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Hamburg | 24–30 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Germany from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Germany, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Germany fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Germany
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,200 – $1,900 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,400 – $3,400 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,200 – $4,600 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | $1,500 – $2,500 | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentGermany Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 10% | 19% | On CIF value + duty |
| Motorcycles (>250cc) | 6% | 19% | Smaller engines 8% |
| Classic cars (30+ yrs, original) | 0% | 7% | HS 9705 collector status |
| Boats & yachts | 1.7% | 19% | Type & length dependent |
| Heavy machinery | 0–4.5% | 19% | Category dependent |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Relocating to Germany?
Übersiedlungsgut (relocation goods) rules let you import one personal vehicle duty- and VAT-free if you've owned and used it for at least 6 months. We prepare the paperwork.
What We Ship to Germany
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Germany's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Germany.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Germany.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Germany
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Germany Routes
New York / New Jersey → Bremerhaven
10–14 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Baltimore, MD → Bremerhaven
11–15 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Bremerhaven
12–16 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Hamburg
16–20 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Germany Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
10–14 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Bremerhaven · Hamburg.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Germany. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Ocean transit from the U.S. East Coast to Bremerhaven or Hamburg runs about 10–14 days, with weekly sailings; Gulf and West Coast origins take longer. Add a few days for U.S. export loading beforehand and 1–3 days for German customs clearance on arrival. Door-to-driveway, most East Coast shipments land in 3–6 weeks. We give you a route-specific timeline when we quote.
Standard passenger cars pay 10% import duty plus 19% VAT, both calculated on the CIF value (and the duty is added before VAT). Motorcycles over 250cc are 6% duty, boats around 1.7%, and heavy machinery 0–4.5% — all with 19% VAT. The major exception is genuine classics over 30 years old, which qualify for 0% duty and a reduced 7% VAT. We confirm the exact landed cost for your vehicle before you book.
Registration requires a TÜV technical inspection plus either a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for EU-type-approved models or an individual §21 StVZO approval for vehicles without one — common for U.S.-spec cars. The process is well established: lighting, emissions, and a few specifications may need adjustment, but thousands of American cars register in Germany every year. We hand over a complete customs and document package so your inspection appointment goes smoothly.
Yes. A car over 30 years old in original condition can be classified as a collector vehicle under HS heading 9705, which carries 0% duty and just 7% VAT instead of the standard 10% + 19%. On a $40,000 classic that difference is several thousand dollars, which is why Germany is one of the world's best classic-car import markets. We help document collector status so the reduced rate is applied at clearance.
Often, yes. Germany's Übersiedlungsgut (relocation goods) rules let you import one personal vehicle free of duty and VAT if you've owned and used it for at least six months before moving your primary residence to Germany. You'll need proof of prior residence abroad, ownership, and the move. We prepare the application and coordinate it with your shipment so the exemption is in place at clearance.
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