Shipping a car from the U.S. to Germany

I will move to Germany in a few days and remain there for at least two years. I wonder if it is economical to ship my car, a 2000 Toyota Avalon, there. I am confident that this car will run without any major repair for the entire duration that I will spend in Germany. The quote for shipping cost for that car from NY to Germany is around $900. That price excludes the shipping cost for the car from where I am to NY. From reading other comments on this subject, I understand that I must pay an additional sum for import taxes and other required modification/repairs. If I have a car, I would drive my car for commuting to work and traveling in Europe during weekends and holidays instead of taking trains or fly. Please share your experience, if you have any, or your comments in this matter. Thank you. Entropy

Well first off the shipping costs don't seem all that realistic to me, does that also include marine insurance?

Germany/Europe has an excellent public transportation system (except when they're on strike) so it's very easy to get around & as for taking your car/truck on holidays, I think you'll find that it's much easier and in a lot of cases cheaper to just fly or take the train.

If you get here and decide you really need a car you can just get an old banger to use fro a coupla years.

Having many friends that have shipped their autos between the US and Germany, I can say that $900 is way to low.
The min. going rate is around $2000-2500 or more depending on shipper,insurance and the ships travel dates (Arrival Time).

You most deff. want to get as much Insurance as possible, as Some of these autos were a total write-off due to (Salt) water damage
and mold. Something that will give you 100% coverage is reccomended.

As for the rest, Europe has great public transport systems, and you may find that having your car here is not really needed.
Add to that US autos are gas pigs and gas prices around 6-7 Eur a gallon, insurance is more than in the US, Import taxes, conversion
and testing (tüv) fees and you will see that it doesn't make much sense to import for only 2 yrs.

Not completely important, but a Toyota Avalon isn't a small car. You would still get around here alright, but it is my experience that it's a bit annoying to manouver bigger cars through the smaller roads. Parking isn't my idea of a good time either. It might not really be worth it to spend all that money getting here. The transit system is usually quite good.

The quote is from Neptune International for shipping a Toyota Avalon from NY to Bremerhaven.

Here is a brief detail of the quote sent to me
Shipping $850
Documentation fee $ 25
Insurance ~ 2.0% of value of the car
Personal and household items can be placed inside the car with documenation fee $ 65

I realize that the avalon is not a small car but it is extremely reliable and has decent gas milage, with an average of 29mpg highway. Another issue that I did not mention is car insurance. How much does it cost for a thirty something years old per year? Furthermore, is driving record in the US a factor in determining the cost of an automobile insurance policy? As always, thanks for your input.
Entropy (increasing steadily)

Insurance will run you 400-1000 Eur Per Year and its usually based of the make/model of the Auto..
Don't forget Car tax as well.. Based off make/model and Pollution level. Prob. another 100-300 Eur per year

Of course.

Get a letter from your current American insurace company showing how many years you've driven and claims that you've had. You should present this back to your new Insurance company here. This will allow you to negotiate your rates when you apply...

I haven't read through the other posters, but ensure that you have a drivers license from a US state which has reciprocity with the Germans. If you don't have one then get one. It will save you shit load of hassle...

and about 1500-2000 Eur in drives classes and testing.

Not to be snarkish, but to me, bringing a car to Germany because you're not sure if you can get by on public transport is like bringing your own cow to the Old Country Buffet because you're not sure there'll be enough meat.

Driving here costs many times what it does in the U.S., and the public transport is of unsurprassed quality. You'd be best off selling the car, the revenue from which would cover a good chunk of all your travel costs while over here. Then when you go back, buy a newer-but-slightly-used Toyota and you'll be right back where you started from, without have to hassle with the car while you're here.

I think you'd be better off leaving it behind and seeing how things go when you get here. You may decide you need a set of wheels, then so be it, buy one, but you may also discover that you don't need one after all, and the cost of having a set of wheels here may very well convince you that you don't need one.

Don't ship a car to Germany unless someone else is paying for it.

At any rate, you'd be without it for awhile when you first get to Germany, unless you ship it ahead. In the meantime, while the car is in transit, you would likely discover that you don't much need it anyway, and here you've gone to the bother and expense of shipping it and then getting it checked for driving in Germany.

Do check on the reciprocal driving license thing, though. You may have to rent or borrow a car occasionally, and the less hassle and expense to get your license, the better.

The car is too big. It's a high-end sedan which is almost 2m wide, 5m long and has a wheelbase of 2.8m. You'll barely fit in normal-sized lanes and there are a lot of streets you'll get caught in due to bends and parking. Speaking of parking, you'll find few places to put that beast.

The car has a 70l tank; that'll cost you around $120 to fill up. The fuel economy is shit at almost 11l/100km (although it's better than a BMW 5 series).

With a 3l engine at 268 horsepower it'll cost a fortune to insure. It's a luxury car; Vollkasko (complete) insurance will be even higher. Plus car tax. And parking

The car isn't built for the EU, only the US and Australia. That means they didn't have to design in all the EU requirements. You could be looking at having a lot of parts replaced, including electrics, glass, catalytic converter, filters, and anything else the schlub at the TÜV decides he wants you to get in order to punish you for being so stupid and arrogant as to bring that thing here.

You're better off putting your car in storage in the US and picking up something here. In many places you can avoid cars and all their related costs and use the excellent public transportation. On the occasions you need a car you can pick up rentals cheap from the no-name local firms. Nice cars, I might add.

Just saw cinzia's post and want to add: you'll need to get a German driver's license if you're here longer than 6 months. If at all possible, trade yours in NOW for a VA license. Virgina's is fully reciprocal and requires you to take no tests.

woof.

ok...so here is a dilema...moving to Germany from US. I have a Bmw 645ci...it is a 2005 fully loaded. These things are pricey in EU.
I can take it to Europe and sell for way more than here is US. Also, I can have a nice ride while touring Europe. I'm a car guy BTW. Company is offering me a car ...some piece of shit VW...not sure of Jetta or Passatt.
What should I do? I would never be able to afford such car in Germany...even used...

Your thoughts?

If I was to dump 50-60,000 Euro for a BMW 645ci, I certainly would not buy a reimported USA version of the car (which you'll be able to see on the Fahrzeugbrief). Dump the BMW and take the "piece of shit VW". Look at BadDoggie's port...he is spot on.

As far as i can remember you will have to have the brakes and the lighting changed here after a certain time,to comply with the EU Regulations.

First of all, don't listen to anyone who says "don't bring your car!", especially baddoggie. He's an asshole and disagrees with just about everything, maybe he thinks people shouldn't have cars. And for once he may actually be wrong about something, though I'm sure he'll dispute that.

L / km traveled = 2.3522 / MPG (in US gallons), so if you really get close to 29mpg, you'll have 8-9L per 100km ($16 to drive 62 miles). My car that was an actual (usage-based) 24mpg in the States gets about 9-10L/100km depending whether it's city or highway (or if I go up to the 140mph speed limiter, hehe).

I did bring a car here and it was well worth it. If I'd sold it in the states and bought a similar car here, I would've come out $10,000 on the short end of the stick for various reasons. I am a car person so would not want to go without one. But it depends on the car (e.g. in my case, don't sell a convertible which once had an accident, in the winter). The exchange rate bites now, so you wouldn't want to sell it and then get here and realize "I want a car!"

The roads are great, no need to worry about narrow streets in most areas. Highways and regional roads are fine, I've seen plenty of people w/ 7-series bmw's, hummers, etc that seem to be able to get around the "narrow streets." Just know that if you drive in a city it can be hard to find parking downtown, and side streets might be interesting if a car comes the other way (you can pull to the side in a driveway or something).

- You must have owned the car for a while (6 months or 1 year, not sure exactly) otherwise you would have to pay import duty. Fortunately if yours is a 2000 it's likely you didn't *just* buy it.

- Get the DL of a state which has full reciprocity with Germany, BD is right about that. I am from VA so had to do very little. You have 6 months as a resident to get the German license before your US one is no longer accepted. Then after you get the German version, they take your US license. But you can tell the state you lost it and get a new one. The German license never expires, it's good for life.

- Make sure you have letters from every insurance company going back 20+ years (or, back to when you last caused an accident). Letter must state "accident free driving on the duration of this policy" and the policy duration. If it's not clear enough, the German insurance may reject the letter and demand a "correct" one. You get lower and lower insurance the farther back you go accident-free. You can get Vollkasko (collision) or just (forget the German name for) liability just like in the States, depends how good a driver you think you are. My parents always switched to liability only when the value of the car was low and it was a few years form replacement time.

- Check with a Toyota dealer in Germany in advance about what you need to get changed on your car. For my BMW it was ~600 euro. Needed a rear fog light (red light brightness like a brake light, which often goes where one of the two reverse lights would be in the US). I've never used it. But they had to replace the rear light clusters to have the place for it on my car; add a switch; and run the wires. Also I needed the side turn-signals replaced with a different color. Brakes, headlights, etc depends on what yours are now. There's a good chance it's compliant and you won't have to change those things. Because the German specs are good specs, so a lot of quality automakers like Toyota use parts that are passing the German rules. I'm pretty sure you won't have to replace any glass

- My car came unscathed (roll on / roll off) but I had to get special insurance b/c it was >5y old. Check if they cover that with the 2% fee, because your car is also old. Also check if the 2% is the current, used car value or the new car value. I'm sure an insurance agent could also quote you for marine insurance (which you MUST have, otherwise they can drop a steel beam on it or sink it and you're screwed). Also check about delivery in Germany, unless you want to pick it up in Bremerhaven and get the conversion done there (I wouldn't risk driving it to your final location unregistered / uninsured, from the lack of insurance it's probably not legal anyway). I guess Bremerhaven companies charge a lot for conversion knowing this. I got mine delivered by truck to Munich for about $240 extra, then sorted the rest here.

- My 3.2L engine M car with 240hp costs a whopping 240 euros or so per year in taxes. Hell, I think that's less than I paid in Virginia. Don't listen to BD on that one.

Let us know what you decide to do, good luck...

Jarek, I would bring the car if I were you (if you can afford it, which you probably can if you own a 645). But check the conversion costs first. Most likely the same as me, just a couple light clusters to get the rear fog light.

Can't lecture you on the fine points of selling a US spec bimmer since I still have mine. Mine has the added problem of a smaller engine, which the US M's had for years. But you probably would still get more than in the US.

yoyo...there is not difference or very tiny difference between the US spec and German version. If anything, US version has more toys/options...

J

I really doubt you would have much luck selling your car here, most Germans who can afford those sort of cars buy new ones every 3 years anyway & I doubt they would consider a used US spec unless it is way cheap.

I worked in this field and personally dont think that is all. Next question is who is doing your custom clearance in Germany? Also you say you only have a few days. You need to have your car at the port and inspected by custom up to 72 hours before the ship is there. On top of that the car needs to be stuffed (industry lingo) into the container and secured. As what others have said you need full insurance, there is a good chance your car will have scratches on it...it happens. Sea water damage is highly possible as it is going across the North Atlantic this late in the year, the seas are rough.

I shipped only about 200 kilos of personal goods out of NY and paid 371 Euros plus another 200 here. My goods were only valued at $1000...you ca is worth more...
I also know to ship Ro-Ro (Roll on roll off ships, what is used for importing cars ie BMW) run about $2000...

So you might want to check into that again...

I brought my car over 10 years ago and am glad I did. Shipping out of Baltimore cost $800 to Bremerhaven. Best money I ever spent! My car still gets 7l/100km and the resale value is a little higher here than in the States.

BTW, you cannot resale the car within a year or two without paying import taxes!

The company that shipped my car handled everything included in the fees, which were similar to what was mentioned by Entropy. I paid about $1200 and I think, that was roll on / roll off including delivery from Bremerhaven to Munich. (container shipping costs more than RO/RO as I found out). My car didn't have any scratches or salt water damage. What, do you think they park the cars on the upper deck of the freighter?

Actually, Yes.. Some shipping companies do, or when the ships crew runs outta room and puts it where ever they want.

Typical. When you can't argue facts, just go straight to the insults.

L / km traveled = 2.3522 / MPG (in US gallons)
No, it's not a multiplied conversion. It's a inverse ratio. In MPG it's distance/volume and the opposite for l/km.

so if you really get close to 29mpg, you'll have 8-9L per 100km
8.1l/100km, actually, but why bother being precise now? You're on a roll.

But it depends on the car
Awwww, you ruined it and finally wrote something sensible. It depends on the car. He's got a Toyota which isn't marketed in the EU. It's as wide as a truck and longer than most SUVs. There are no parts for it here. Repairs for anything could take weeks. Replacement lights and equipment to meet EU specs may well not be available at all since the car was never made for the EU. It wasn't even made for Japan, ONLY the US, Canada and Australia.

My 3.2L engine M car with 240hp costs a whopping 240 euros
Ah, that's better. Your car with 240hp which just happens to be UNDER 250hp, unlike the Toyota which has 268hp and is therefore OVER the 250hp threshold. Clearly maths aren't your strong point.

woof.

I live in Germany, but thinking of bringing a used German sports car (since they are way cheaper than here) from US/Canada.

Assuming the spec' is like-for-like, does anyone have a feel for how much re-sale value is lost if the car is a re-import? 10% less? 15% less? No difference?

Also, does anyone know if i can avoid import tax (I think it is about 20%) by waiting 6 months (which I think is the period required to avoud tax) before I ship it over?

Or does this only work if you are a US/Canadian resident.

Cheers

@entropy

Brought my car here in 2005
Cost 1,200 euro san fran to bremerhaven
Get some anti mold pellets and toss around the car and you will be fine.
The biggest headache is TUV.
Do they sell the Avalon in Germany ? If yes you're good. If not, you will have a pain the ass trying to get it registered ... If not I would even consider not bringing it ... otherwise you'll have to get creative to get it through TUV ...

Do It!
First, it will make you feel at home, second, if you can afford the gas and government crap then having a nice big comfortable car is a plus, most people here drive little tin cans powered by sewing machines, and third, AC, automatic, power stuff etc... is expensive here to buy. If you want fully loaded then bring your car, here fully loaded means it has four tires and a steering wheel.
Forget public transit, its a pain and only reasonably priced if you book way ahead of time, and the DB (Deutsche Bahn) is notorious for late trains!

I'd have to disagree with you there, scubated. Public transit within cities and laender is very reasonably priced.

The DB isn't always the most economical way to go long distances though, it's true. Lufthansa has been running off-season deals the past couple of years with 99 Euro flights within Germany, though. And renting a car is also often a better deal than DB, especially if you're splitting the cost with other passengers.

Sure, the cars are smaller there, but I'm sure it's not fun to try to park a large vehicle in spaces designed for the more typical small ones.

Don't forget they expect to get that car record book thing, as well. Americans don't keep one, and many people would hesitate to buy a car without it, especially if it's a car they could just as well get in Germany.

That might be a big assumption. Due to technical requirements or "marketing reasons" there are differences.

For instance a Renault car in UK is not (was not in my day) the same as a "identical" Renault in Germany (apart from the left-hand - right-hand).

Just out of curiousity, I checked online for Toyota Avalons for sale in Germany.

www.autoscout24.de has two brand new 2007 models for sale, but for export only
www.mobile.de also has one new for sale, but export only

Sounds like this car may be a little troublesome since it really doesn't exist here in Germany.

If you're going to a fairly rural area like the one I live in (Oberpfalz), you will need a car if you intend to hold down any sort of professional job that might require you to leave your main workplace for appointments. The whole public transportation thing is a myth out here. There are busses, but the times don't work out too well. I take the train to Nuremberg if I want a relaxing day in the city; I drive when I need/want to get somewhere in Nuremberg (including downtown) in a hurry.

Munich: transit supplemented with the occasional rental probably is the most sensible option
Nuremberg: doable without a car, unless you need to get out to the 'burbs on a regular basis, or worse yet, between the burbs.
Any other good-sized Bavarian city (Regensburg, Wuerzburg): depending on type of work, you might need a car
Smaller cities and the country: you'll probably need a car for the household
Dual-career family in the country: you will need two cars

US-purchased BMW 645 - SHIP IT. New cars here cost about 30% more than their US equivalents. I can buy a fully-loaded Jetta SportWagen in the US for about what I'd have to shell out to get a three year old mid-range Golf wagon around here, and that includes $2000 to ship the thing roll-on/roll-off and an estimated 1000 EUR to convert it. I've found the Volvo S40/V50 to be about the same. A new Volvo S40 costs around $25,000 base in the US and 25,000 EUR ($37,000) base in Germany. The inconsistency is even stronger with the higher-end models like the S80, so I imagine it's similar for BMW.

2000 Toyota Avalon - parts are going to be a pain, and think carefully about how many miles of good use you have left on it. Argument for shipping it: finding reasonably-priced automatic transmission vehicles is quite difficult. If you have more than six months before you move, I suggest you sell the Avalon and buy a 2005-6 Camry. More suitable gas mileage, engine size and will give you better return on your shipping/converting investment as it will last longer once you get it over here. It's smaller, but still a good-sized car.

Hey guys!

I'm obviously new but I turn to you guys in search of answers. I found this topic and decided to get more specific by asking my own questions.

And for the record, a US car to the right group of people, could potentially bring in HIGH bidders. Americans want European parts, Europeans want American parts. Trust me!

After I graduate, I would like to ship my car to germany in hopes of some day travel the Nürburgring Speedway. Always been a dream since Gran Turismo 3. It would be a very sentimental trip for me to travel all over Germany in the car I've been building for 3 years now.

I'd like to know

A) If it can even be done

B) How it could be done

and

C) What are we looking at here... financially.

Thanks a bunch!