Exporting a classic car from the US to Germany (Oldtimer)
Germany's "Oldtimer" status unlocks reduced duty and VAT — and the prized H-plate.
A US classic car costs about $49,562 all-in to export on the USA → Germany route in 2026 — a $38,000 purchase plus roughly $11,562 in shipping, 2.7% duty + 7% VAT/GST, compliance and registration.
- Route
- USA → Germany
- Est. all-in cost
- ~$49,562
- Duty & tax
- 2.7% duty + 7% VAT/GST
- On a purchase of
- $38,000
Qualifying classics get ~2.7% duty and 7% VAT instead of 10% and 19%.
A TÜV Oldtimer assessment (H-Kennzeichen) confirms historic status and tax perks.
How much does it cost to export a US classic car?
Every line below is a researched 2026 estimate in USD. We start from the $38,000 purchase price, add marine insurance at about 1.5% and ocean freight, then 3% duty and 7% VAT/GST on the duty-inclusive (CIF) value, and the broker, compliance and registration fees. Change the purchase price and everything else scales only modestly.
| Vehicle (purchase price) | $38,000 |
| Seller-side export documentation | $150 |
| Ocean freight | $2,000 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $570 |
| EU historic vehicles can use a reduced ~2.7% duty | $1,095 |
| Germany applies a reduced 7% import VAT to qualifying classics | $2,917 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $830 |
| Type-approval / inspection | $2,500 |
| Inland transport & registration | $1,500 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $49,562 |
On this US classic car, destination taxes are the real story: roughly $1,095 in import duty plus $2,917 in import VAT/GST — about $4,012 together, frequently more than the $2,000 of ocean freight and every handling fee combined. All in, budget around $11,562 on top of the $38,000 purchase price (about 30%) before the car is registered in Germany.
How to export a US classic car, step by step
- Agree the purchase and secure the title/export paperwork in USA.
- Book ocean freight — roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) is cheapest, a sole-use container is safest for a high-value car.
- Make the customs entry and pay 3% duty plus 7% import VAT on the duty-inclusive value.
- Obtain EU type-approval (a Certificate of Conformity) or pass individual approval such as the German TÜV, plus any registration tax.
- Register the vehicle in Germany and settle any CO2-based registration tax.
Exporting a US classic car: rules & compliance
The car must be 30+ years, largely original, and pass the Oldtimer appraisal to claim the reduced rates.
Frequently asked questions
Reduced rates?+
~2.7% duty and 7% VAT for qualifying classics.
H-plate?+
Granted after a TÜV Oldtimer assessment.
What is the total estimated cost to export a US classic car?+
About $49,562 all-in for a $38,000 example — the purchase price plus roughly $11,562 in freight, insurance, duty, VAT/GST, compliance and registration. Your figure shifts with the exact price, route and exchange rate.
Read next
Exporting a Ford Mustang from the US to Europe: what it costs
Exporting a Chevrolet Camaro from the US to Germany
