Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Moldova
The proven lane runs through Constanța, Romania, then bonded truck to Chișinău — with Giurgiulești, Moldova's only port, as the river alternative. A major U.S. salvage-rebuild market where engine size and age decide everything.
Moldova at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,900+
- Ocean transit
- 28–40 days door-to-Chișinău
- Arrival ports
- via Constanța · Giurgiulești
- Import duty + VAT
- Excise by cm³ & age + 20% VAT
- Age limit warning
- Cars 10+ yrs restricted
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Moldova: What You Need to Know
Moldova has quietly become one of Eastern Europe's most active markets for U.S. auction vehicles, with repair shops around Chișinău rebuilding salvage-title units for local buyers and re-sale into neighboring markets. The standard routing is ocean freight to Constanța on Romania's Black Sea coast, then bonded truck about 350 km across the border — total door-to-Chișinău time runs 28–40 days. Giurgiulești, Moldova's single Danube river port, handles smaller volumes as a direct alternative.
Moldovan import math is engine-driven: excise is charged per cubic centimeter and the rate climbs with vehicle age, while VAT adds 20%. The critical rule is the age limit — passenger cars older than 10 years generally cannot be imported for registration, so a 2014 model that clears today may be blocked next year. Our team verifies each VIN's eligibility and calculates the full excise before you commit at auction.
Key takeaway
Check two numbers before bidding: vehicle age (10-year import limit for cars) and engine size — excise is charged per cm³ and rises with age. EVs and newer small-engine cars carry the most favorable totals into Moldova.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Moldova
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Constanța → Chișinău (truck) | 28–38 days | Weekly |
| Baltimore, MD | Constanța → Chișinău (truck) | 29–39 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Constanța → Chișinău (truck) | 30–40 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Giurgiulești | 33–43 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Moldova 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 Moldova, 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 Moldova 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 Moldova
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) | $1,900 – $2,700 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $3,100 – $4,500 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,300 – $6,200 | 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 Moldova →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentMoldova Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline cars (<7 yrs) | € per cm³ | 20% | Rate rises with age |
| Cars 7–10 yrs old | Higher € per cm³ | 20% | Top excise bracket |
| Cars older than 10 yrs | Restricted | — | Import generally prohibited |
| Electric vehicles | Reduced | 20% | Preferential excise treatment |
| Heavy machinery | 0–5% | 20% | 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
Buying salvage to rebuild in Moldova?
Salvage-title units are the backbone of this lane — damaged vehicles assess at lower customs values, cutting your excise and VAT base. We photograph condition at U.S. pickup, secure the unit in-container, and coordinate the Romanian transit so it arrives exactly as bought.
What We Ship to Moldova
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 Moldova'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 Moldova.
- 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 Moldova.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Moldova
| 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. → Moldova Routes
New York / New Jersey → Constanța → Chișinău (truck)
28–38 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Baltimore, MD → Constanța → Chișinău (truck)
29–39 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Constanța → Chișinău (truck)
30–40 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Giurgiulești
33–43 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Moldova 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
28–40 days door-to-ChișinăuRegular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at via Constanța · Giurgiulești.
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 Moldova. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Generally no — passenger cars older than 10 years cannot be imported for registration in Moldova. This is the single most important rule on the lane: a 2014 model that clears today may be blocked next year as it crosses the threshold. Before you bid, send us the VIN and year; we confirm eligibility against the current age limit so you never buy a car that can't be registered.
Excise is charged per cubic centimeter of engine displacement, and the rate climbs with the vehicle's age, then 20% VAT is added on top. So a newer, small-engine car pays far less than an older, large-displacement one. EVs get preferential excise treatment. We calculate the exact excise and VAT per VIN before you commit at auction so there are no surprises at the border.
The proven lane is ocean freight to Constanța on Romania's Black Sea coast, then bonded truck about 350 km across the border to Chișinău — 28–40 days door to door. Moldova's only port, Giurgiulești on the Danube, handles smaller volumes as a direct river alternative. We pick the routing by your unit type and current schedules and clear customs at Chișinău.
It's the backbone of this market. Repair shops around Chișinău rebuild U.S. salvage units for local buyers and re-sale into neighboring markets, and damaged vehicles assess at lower customs values — cutting your excise and VAT base. We photograph the unit's condition at U.S. pickup, secure it inside the container, and coordinate the Romanian transit so it arrives exactly as you bought it.
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