Exporting a Harley-Davidson from the US to Europe
European riders pay a premium for US-bought Harleys — once duty and VAT are in.
A Harley-Davidson costs about $29,209 all-in to export on the USA → Germany route in 2026 — a $20,000 purchase plus roughly $9,209 in shipping, 6% duty + 19% VAT, compliance and registration.
- Route
- USA → Germany
- Est. all-in cost
- ~$29,209
- Duty & tax
- 6% duty + 19% VAT
- On a purchase of
- $20,000
EU motorcycle duty (~6%) is lighter than car duty, but 19% VAT still applies.
EU type-approval or single-vehicle approval is needed to register.
How much does it cost to export a Harley-Davidson?
Every line below is a researched 2026 estimate in USD. We start from the $20,000 purchase price, add marine insurance at about 1.5% and ocean freight, then 6% duty and 19% VAT 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) | $20,000 |
| Seller-side export documentation | $150 |
| Professional crating | $400 |
| Ocean freight (crated, LCL) | $1,500 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $300 |
| EU motorcycle duty is around 6% | $1,308 |
| 19% German import VAT on duty-inclusive value | $4,391 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $410 |
| Inland transport & registration | $750 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $29,209 |
On this Harley-Davidson, destination taxes are the real story: roughly $1,308 in import duty plus $4,391 in VAT — about $5,699 together, frequently more than the $1,500 of ocean freight and every handling fee combined. All in, budget around $9,209 on top of the $20,000 purchase price (about 46%) before the bike is registered in Germany.
How to export a Harley-Davidson, step by step
- Agree the purchase and secure the title/export paperwork in USA.
- Have the bike professionally crated and booked onto an LCL ocean sailing (or share a container to cut the per-unit cost).
- Make the customs entry and pay 6% duty plus 19% import VAT on the duty-inclusive value.
- Obtain a Certificate of Conformity or single-vehicle approval to register.
- Register the bike in Germany and settle any CO2-based registration tax.
Exporting a Harley-Davidson: rules & compliance
A Certificate of Conformity smooths registration; without one, expect an individual approval.
Frequently asked questions
EU bike duty?+
Around 6%, plus VAT.
Approval?+
CoC or individual approval to register.
What is the total estimated cost to export a Harley-Davidson?+
About $29,209 all-in for a $20,000 example — the purchase price plus roughly $9,209 in freight, insurance, duty, VAT/GST, compliance and registration. Your figure shifts with the exact price, route and exchange rate.
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