Find out the rules for importing cars from the USA and Canada

It takes us between 6 and 9 weeks to import a car from the USA or Canada.

Our experience in importing cars and our professional approach helps us to choose the optimal solution for each customer.

One of the pillars of our business is the Translogis shipping company, which handles, among other things, transport from the USA.

This enables us to offer you an efficient and cost-effective car transport process. We organise the entire transport procedure ourselves, which allows us to optimise costs and choose the best import route.

Procedure for importing a car from the US and Canada in a few steps

Our move
01
Choice of car

The first step is to select a vehicle, specifying your expectations in terms of equipment, engine version or mileage. This will allow us to search for a vehicle that meets your requirements. We will send you specific offers via email, WhatsApp or Facebook.

Your move
02
Signing of the contract and payment of the deposit

The next step is to sign the contract for the import of the selected vehicle and to pay a deposit of at least PLN 3690 gross, which is equivalent to the minimum broker's commission. The deposit secures the transaction in the event that the buyer withdraws from the purchase of the car after winning the auction. The auction house will impose a fine if we withdraw from the purchase of a car that has been auctioned.

Our move
03
Calculation of costs

We prepare a calculation of the costs associated with importing the vehicle.

Our move
04
Verification of the car in databases

We check the vehicle in databases to verify its history. If the report is acceptable, the next step is the auction.

Our move
05
Auction

We bid on the vehicle on behalf of the customer.

Possible options:

  • Lost - Another bidding approach or return of deposit within 2 working days.
  • Win - Move to the next step.
Your move
06
Vehicle payment

The client transfers the costs on the US or Canadian side to the account we indicate in the settlement directly to our broker in the US or Canada. We have 2 days to make the payment , thus avoiding additional costs for late payment.

Our move
07
Transport of the vehicle to Europe

Once the transfer is booked in the USA, we collect the vehicle from the auction, transport it to the port warehouse where the vehicle awaits loading into the container. Additional photos will be taken at the warehouse and the vehicle will be loaded into the container.

Our move
08
Customs clearance

The container with the vehicle arrives at the port of Rotterdam, is unloaded, we take photos and send them to the customer. We carry out customs clearance.

Your move
09
Payment of customs costs

Once customs clearance is completed, we send an invoice that includes port costs, the cost of the customs clearance service and the settlement of customs duties and VAT.

Our move
10
Vehicle delivery

The vehicle is delivered to the place indicated by the customer. Payment for transport to Poland is settled in cash with the driver upon delivery. The complete set of documents from the vehicle and customs clearance are sent by courier.

Costs of importing cars from the US

The costs associated with importing vehicles from the United States and Canada include transport charges, customs duties, VAT, excise duties.

Despite this, importing a car from the US is still profitable, with cars being up to 30-40% cheaper than those purchased in Europe.

The price of importing a US car consists of:

Deposit

This is the security for the transaction and is a minimum of PLN 4,000. Failure to pay for the vehicle being auctioned is equivalent to the auction house debiting our account. This is 10-15% of the amount bid. In the event that we do not win the auction, the deposit is refunded in full within 2 working days to the account of the principal.

Commission of the auction house

The auction house charges the buyer an auction commission. This is based on the value of the vehicle being auctioned. This is usually a minimum of $400.

Transport

The price of transporting a car to Europe consists of: transport of the vehicle from the auction to the port, sea freight to the port of Rotterdam, transport of the vehicle from Rotterdam to the customer.

Prices for picking up the car from the auction and delivery to Rotterdam start at around $1150.

Rotterdam port dues and customs clearance

When the car arrives in the port of Rotterdam, we pay the costs for port handling and customs clearance. The total cost of these services is usually around €700.

VAT

The amount of VAT depends on the port to which the car arrives. The tax in the Netherlands is 21%, if you want to bring the car directly to Poland you will pay 23% VAT.

Historic cars are subject to a VAT of between 7 and 9% depending on the country.

Car import service charge

For our professional assistance in importing a vehicle, we charge a minimum of £2,000 for a quad, motorbike, jet ski/snowmobile and from £3,000 for a passenger car. More expensive vehicles - rate agreed individually.

  • 2000 PLN - quad, motorbike, water/snowmobile,
  • from PLN 3,000 - passenger car,
  • boats, machinery and other vehicles price agreed individually.
Excise

The amount of excise duty depends on the capacity of the imported car. For cars with an engine capacity of up to 2.0 litres, the excise duty is 3.1%, capacity above 2.0 litres is 18.6% of the excise duty. For electric vehicles, the excise rate is 0%. Historic vehicles are exempt from excise duty.

  • 3.1% engine capacity up to 2.0 litres
  • 18.6% engine capacity over 2.0 litres
  • 1.55% engine capacity up to 2.0 litres with HEV and MHEV hybrid engines
  • 9.3% engine capacity above 2.0 litres with HEV, MHEV and PLUG-IN hybrid engines
  • 0% engine capacity up to 2.0 litres with PLUG-IN hybrid engine
  • 0% electric cars
  • 0% historic vehicles
Customs

Customs duty on cars and quads is 10%, motorbikes 6%. Antique vehicles are exempt from customs duties.

  • passenger car 10%
  • truck 22%
  • historic vehicle 0%
  • quad 10%
  • motorbike 6%
  • jet ski 1.7%
  • Boats and yachts 1.7% to 2.7%
Is this your first car from the USA? We guarantee it won't be the last.

Everyone who has used our services at least once is happy to return for another car or to recommend the offer to others.
For at Carslade we prove that buying and transporting vehicles from the United States can be safe.

Check for yourself by contacting our expert.

Is it worth importing a car from the USA? Find out the main advantages of American vehicles

Cars from the USA enjoy considerable recognition in Poland.

They tempt with their unusual design, exceptional performance and variety of models. These are vehicles that are often unavailable in Europe or appear on the European market in truncated equipment versions. No wonder that interest in them is growing year on year.

Thinking about buying a car from the USA? Check out what speaks in its favour

  • attractive price - cars from the USA can be as much as 30-40 per cent cheaper than their European counterparts, which results, among other things, from the fact that Americans more often than Europeans and Poles replace even slightly damaged cars with new ones
  • rich equipment - American cars are overwhelmingly available in generously equipped versions, which improves driving comfort
  • documented condition - vehicles from the USA can be easily checked for mileage and damage history
  • non-standard versions of engines and transmissions - cars from the United States are often equipped with engines and transmissions that are not available in Europe, allowing for greater driving enjoyment

A thorough needs analysis ensures that the cars we import from the USA meet and often even exceed the requirements of our customers.

Many people are sometimes surprised that a well-equipped car can be obtained at such a bargain price.

You want to find out? With just one phone call or e-mail, you can join
our satisfied customers and buy the car of your dreams from the USA.

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