Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to United States
Bringing a vehicle into America? We handle inbound imports at New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Savannah — CBP entry, DOT HS-7 and EPA 3520-1 filings, and trucking to your door.
United States at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,300+
- Ocean transit
- 10–14 days (from Europe)
- Arrival ports
- New York · Los Angeles · Houston
- Import duty + VAT
- 2.5% cars · 25% pickups
- 25-year rule
- No EPA/DOT conformity
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to United States: What You Need to Know
The United States is the world's largest single market for imported vehicles — and clearing one through U.S. customs is a paperwork exercise, not a mystery. Every import needs a CBP entry plus two federal declarations: DOT form HS-7 and EPA form 3520-1. Conforming cars enter at just 2.5% duty, while pickup trucks carry the famous 25% 'chicken tax' — a 1964 tariff that still shapes the American truck market today.
The golden rule for enthusiasts is the 25-year exemption: any vehicle 25 years or older is fully exempt from EPA and DOT conformity, which is why JDM icons and European homologation specials flood in as they age into eligibility. We receive containers and RoRo units at New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Savannah, file the customs entry and both federal forms, and arrange enclosed or open trucking to your driveway.
Key takeaway
Cars enter at just 2.5% duty; pickup trucks pay 25% under the 'chicken tax.' Any vehicle 25 years or older skips EPA/DOT conformity entirely — we file the HS-7, EPA 3520-1, and CBP entry for you.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to United States
| Origin Port | U.S. Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerhaven | New York / New Jersey | 10–14 days | Weekly |
| Southampton | Baltimore, MD | 10–14 days | Weekly |
| Yokohama | Los Angeles / Long Beach | 11–15 days | Weekly |
| Jebel Ali | Houston, TX | 28–35 days | Bi-weekly |
| Antwerp | Savannah, GA | 12–16 days | Weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to United States 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 United States, 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 United States 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 United States
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) | $1,300 – $2,000 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,500 – $3,600 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,400 – $4,800 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | $1,400 – $2,400 | 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 United States →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentUnited States Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 2.5% | None | On declared customs value |
| Pickup trucks | 25% | None | The 1964 'chicken tax' |
| Motorcycles | 0–2.4% | None | Engine size dependent |
| Classics (25+ yrs) | 2.5% | None | EPA/DOT exempt — HS-7 box 1 |
| Heavy machinery | 0% | None | Most equipment duty-free |
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
Importing a classic 25+ years old?
The 25-year rule exempts your vehicle from all EPA and DOT conformity requirements — no federalization, no bond, no modifications. It enters at the standard 2.5% duty with a simple declaration, and we handle the entire entry.
What We Ship to United States
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 United States'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 United States.
- 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 United States.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to United States
| 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. → United States Routes
Bremerhaven → New York / New Jersey
10–14 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Southampton → Baltimore, MD
10–14 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Yokohama → Los Angeles / Long Beach
11–15 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Jebel Ali → Houston, TX
28–35 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to United States 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 (from Europe)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at New York · Los Angeles · Houston.
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 United States. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Any vehicle 25 years or older is fully exempt from EPA and DOT conformity requirements — no federalization, no bond, no modifications. It enters at the standard 2.5% car duty with a simple declaration (HS-7 box 1). This is why JDM icons and European homologation specials flood in the moment they age into eligibility. We file the HS-7, EPA 3520-1, and CBP entry for you.
It's the 'chicken tax' — a 25% tariff on imported light trucks the U.S. imposed in 1964 in retaliation for European tariffs on American chicken. It never went away and still shapes the truck market today. Passenger cars, by contrast, enter at just 2.5%. Classification matters: how a vehicle is built and equipped can decide whether it's treated as a car or a truck, so we confirm the rate before you ship.
Every import needs a CBP customs entry plus two federal declarations: DOT form HS-7 (safety conformity) and EPA form 3520-1 (emissions). Vehicles 25 years or older check the exemption box on both. We receive containers and RoRo units at New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Savannah, file the entry and both forms, and arrange enclosed or open trucking to your driveway.
Sometimes, but it's much harder. Vehicles under 25 years must meet U.S. FMVSS safety and EPA emissions standards, which usually means the model was originally certified for the U.S. market or must be federalized through a Registered Importer and Independent Commercial Importer — a costly, limited process. Most enthusiast imports therefore wait for the 25-year window. We'll tell you honestly whether your specific vehicle has a viable path before you buy.
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