Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Romania
Constanța is the Black Sea's biggest container hub — direct EU clearance at 10% + 19% VAT, classic cars at 0% duty, and the natural gateway for buyers in Moldova and across the region.
Romania at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,500+
- Ocean transit
- 18–25 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Constanța
- Import duty + VAT
- 10% + 19% VAT (cars)
- Classic cars
- 0% duty + reduced VAT
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Romania: What You Need to Know
Constanța is the largest container port on the Black Sea, with deep-water terminals that take direct calls from trans-Atlantic services — meaning U.S. cargo often arrives faster here than at smaller regional ports that depend on extra transshipment legs. Romania applies the standard EU formula of 10% duty plus 19% VAT, one of the lower VAT rates in the union, and Romanian clearance agents at the port routinely release vehicles within two to four working days.
Romania's market reaches well beyond its borders. Bucharest and Cluj host a fast-growing base of U.S. car buyers, while a steady share of Constanța arrivals continues under bonded transit to Moldova, which has no comparable deep-sea port of its own. Classic cars qualify for 0% duty with reduced VAT under collector classification — an angle Romanian enthusiasts use heavily for American muscle-era imports.
Key takeaway
Plan on $1,500–$2,200 freight plus 10% duty and 19% VAT for most cars — and 0% duty with reduced VAT for certified classics. Buying for Moldova? Stay in bonded transit at Constanța and clear only at Moldovan customs.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Romania
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Constanța | 18–25 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Constanța | 20–27 days | Weekly |
| Baltimore, MD | Constanța | 19–26 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Constanța | 24–31 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Romania 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 Romania, 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 Romania 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 Romania
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 Romania →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentRomania Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 10% | 19% | On CIF value + duty |
| Classic cars (collector) | 0% | Reduced | HS 9705 classification needed |
| Motorcycles | 6% | 19% | On CIF value + duty |
| Transit units (Moldova) | 0% | 0% | T1 bonded transit |
| 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
Returning to Romania?
EU relocation rules exempt one personal vehicle from duty and VAT if you've lived outside the EU for 12+ months and owned the car for 6+ months. Many Romanians returning from the U.S. use this route — we prepare the complete file.
What We Ship to Romania
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 Romania'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 Romania.
- 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 Romania.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Romania
| 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. → Romania Routes
New York / New Jersey → Constanța
18–25 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Constanța
20–27 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Baltimore, MD → Constanța
19–26 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Constanța
24–31 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Romania 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
18–25 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Constanța.
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 Romania. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Constanța is the largest container port on the Black Sea, with deep-water terminals that take direct calls from trans-Atlantic services. That means U.S. cargo often arrives faster here than at smaller regional ports that depend on extra transshipment legs. Romanian clearance agents at the port routinely release vehicles within two to four working days of discharge, so the car is on the road quickly.
Yes — it's the standard route, since Moldova has no comparable deep-sea port of its own. A steady share of Constanța arrivals continues under T1 bonded transit across the border to Chișinău, with no Romanian (EU) duty or VAT applied because the unit clears only at Moldovan customs. We arrange the bonded transit and onward trucking; Moldovan excise and VAT settle at destination.
Classics qualify for 0% duty with reduced VAT under HS 9705 collector classification — far below the 10% duty plus 19% VAT a standard car pays. Romanian enthusiasts use this angle heavily for American muscle-era imports. The car must be documented and classified as a collector item, which we confirm before shipping so the reduced treatment holds at customs.
Plan on 18–25 days from the East Coast. We sail weekly from New York/New Jersey (18–25 days), Baltimore (19–26), and Savannah (20–27); Houston runs biweekly at 24–31 days. Romania applies the standard EU formula of 10% duty plus 19% VAT — one of the lower VAT rates in the union — and clearance at the port is fast.
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