Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Lithuania
Klaipėda is the Baltic's busiest hub for U.S. vehicle imports — and the gateway for re-export across the Baltics, Ukraine, and Central Asia. We run this lane every week.
Lithuania at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,500+
- Ocean transit
- 16–22 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Klaipėda
- Import duty + VAT
- 10% + 21% VAT (cars)
- Regional hub
- Re-export to Baltics & CIS
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Lithuania: What You Need to Know
Lithuania imports more U.S. vehicles per capita than almost any country in Europe. Klaipėda's terminals are purpose-built for the trade: high-volume container devanning, salvage-title processing, bonded yards, and an ecosystem of repair shops in Kaunas and Vilnius that rebuild American units for buyers across the EU and beyond.
Because Klaipėda sits inside the EU customs union, units can clear into free circulation for EU resale, or stay in transit status for onward delivery to Ukraine, the Caucasus, and Central Asia without paying EU taxes. That flexibility is why dealers route through Lithuania even when the final buyer is two borders away.
Key takeaway
Decide your end market before the ship sails: clearing into the EU costs 10% duty + 21% VAT, while transit status to Ukraine or Central Asia defers all EU taxes. We set up either path from the same Klaipėda arrival.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Lithuania
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Klaipėda | 16–22 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Klaipėda | 18–24 days | Weekly |
| Baltimore, MD | Klaipėda | 17–23 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Klaipėda | 22–28 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Lithuania 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 Lithuania, 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 Lithuania 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 Lithuania
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) | $1,500 – $2,200 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,700 – $3,800 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,600 – $5,200 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | 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.
Estimate your landed cost to Lithuania →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentLithuania Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars (EU clearance) | 10% | 21% | On CIF value + duty |
| Transit / re-export units | 0% | 0% | T1 bonded transit |
| Motorcycles | 6% | 21% | On CIF value + duty |
| Classic cars (collector) | 0% | 9% | Case-by-case classification |
| Heavy machinery | 0–4.5% | 21% | 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
Shipping beyond Lithuania?
Units staying in T1 transit status pay no EU duty or VAT at Klaipėda. We arrange bonded yard storage, transit declarations, and onward trucking to Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and beyond.
What We Ship to Lithuania
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 Lithuania'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 Lithuania.
- 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 Lithuania.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Lithuania
| 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. → Lithuania Routes
New York / New Jersey → Klaipėda
16–22 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Klaipėda
18–24 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Baltimore, MD → Klaipėda
17–23 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Klaipėda
22–28 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Lithuania 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
16–22 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Klaipėda.
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 Lithuania. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Lithuania imports more U.S. vehicles per capita than almost any country in Europe, and Klaipėda's terminals are purpose-built for it: high-volume container devanning, salvage-title processing, bonded yards, and repair shops in Kaunas and Vilnius that rebuild American units. It also sits inside the EU customs union yet on the doorstep of the CIS, making it the natural hub for both EU resale and re-export east.
It depends on your end market, and you should decide before the ship sails. Clearing into free circulation for EU resale costs 10% duty plus 21% VAT. If the car is headed for Ukraine, the Caucasus, or Central Asia, it can stay in T1 bonded transit and pay no EU taxes at all — those are settled at the final destination instead. We set up either path from the same Klaipėda arrival.
Yes — this is one of Lithuania's core strengths. Units in T1 bonded transit pay no EU duty or VAT at Klaipėda, and we arrange bonded yard storage, transit declarations, and onward trucking to Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and beyond. Dealers routinely route through Lithuania even when the final buyer is two borders away because the corridor is fast, insured, and well documented.
From the U.S. East Coast, ocean transit to Klaipėda runs about 16–22 days, with weekly sailings; Houston and West Coast origins take longer. Add U.S. export loading and 1–3 days for clearance (or transit set-up) on arrival. We confirm the fastest departure port for your origin city when we quote.
Yes. Klaipėda has extensive bonded yard capacity, so a vehicle can wait in customs-suspended status while you finalize the buyer, decide on EU clearance versus transit, or assemble registration paperwork — without EU taxes accruing. We coordinate storage, minimize demurrage, and release the unit the moment you're ready to clear or move it onward.
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