Vehicle import · Germany
Import a car from Germany
German-built cars pay the EU rate: 15% in total for a car made in 2002 or later. Allied files the CBP entry, the DOT HS-7 and the EPA 3520-1 at any U.S. port.
Duty in 2026
What duty does a vehicle from Germany pay?
| Vehicle | Total duty | Chapter 99 heading |
|---|---|---|
| Car made in 2001 or earlier (8703) | 10% | 9903.94.04 (no Section 232), 9903.05.39 (Section 301) |
| EU-built car made in 2002 or later (8703) | 15% | 9903.94.51 |
| EU-built light truck or pickup (8704) | 25% | Base rate. 9903.94.50 adds nothing. |
| German brand built in the United States | Free, with proof | 9801.00.10, U.S. goods returned |
Since July 24, 2026, a product of the EU that pays no Section 232 duty pays the Section 301 forced labor duty: 10% in total when the base rate is under 10% (9903.05.39, U.S. note 52).
CBP also charges the merchandise processing fee: 0.3464%, with a minimum and a maximum. An ocean shipment also pays the harbor maintenance fee of 0.125%. All rates and a worked example.
Leaving the country
Which documents do I need from Germany?
Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II
The ownership document, formerly called the Fahrzeugbrief (FZV § 14). The seller must hand you the original. We need a copy for the U.S. entry.
Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I
The registration document, formerly the Fahrzeugschein. It shows the first registration date, which helps to prove the age of the car.
Export declaration (Ausfuhranmeldung)
Filed electronically in ATLAS or with IAA-PLUS. You can file it yourself or use a forwarder or customs agent established in the EU.
Export plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen)
For a car driven out of Germany. The registration office issues them, and their number goes on the export declaration. Without them, the export proof does not count for German VAT.
Arrival
Where does a vehicle from Germany arrive, and does the steering side matter?
Ports of entry
Vehicles from Germany usually cross the Atlantic to East Coast ports, for example Baltimore or New York and New Jersey. Allied files at any U.S. port.
Left-hand drive
Germany drives on the right, so German cars are left-hand drive. For a car under 25 years old, the question is the U.S. certification, not the steering side.
Common imports
Which vehicles do people import from Germany?
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Built in Graz, Austria, so the EU rate applies. A European model under 25 years old needs a Registered Importer, and NHTSA must list that model year.Air-cooled Porsche 911 and classic BMW
Most are old enough for the 25-year and 21-year rules. Made in 2001 or earlier, they pay no Section 232 duty, but the Section 301 forced labor duty brings the total to 10%.U.S.-built BMW and Mercedes-Benz SUVs
BMW builds the X5 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A U.S.-built car is a product of the United States and can return free of duty, with proof.European delivery
A U.S.-specification car collected in Germany enters under HS-7 Box 2A and EPA code B. For duty it is still an EU product: 15% in total.
The brand does not decide the duty
CBP applies the rate of the country where the vehicle was manufactured. The VIN and the manufacturer's label show the plant. CBP decides origin from the facts of the entry.
Our service
How does Allied handle a vehicle from Germany?
Before you buy: send the listing, a photo of the labels and the export document. We confirm the HS-7 box, the EPA code, the country of origin and the duty.
Before arrival: we file the CBP entry and transmit the HS-7 and the EPA 3520-1 in ACE. We arrange the customs bond when the entry needs one.
After release: we send you the released entry papers for your state title. See the full import process.
Request: Vehicle import entry (CBP entry, DOT HS-7, EPA 3520-1)
Quote on request
Questions
Importing a vehicle from Germany: common questions
Is the duty on a German car 10% or 15%?
It depends on the year. An EU-built car made in 2002 or later pays 15% in total on a 2026 entry (Section 232). A car made in 2001 or earlier pays 10% in total: the 2.5% base rate plus the Section 301 forced labor duty (9903.05.39).
Do I need the Fahrzeugbrief?
Yes. Today it is called the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II. It is the ownership document, and the seller must give you the original. Keep it for the U.S. entry and your state title.
Can I get the German VAT back?
That is a matter between you and the seller under German law. German Customs says the export declaration must show the VIN. For a car driven out, the export plate number must also be on the declaration.
Buying a vehicle from Germany? Check it first.
Call (908) 291-8001 or email info@alliedchb.com
Last reviewed September 26, 2026. This page explains customs rules in general terms. It is not legal advice. Duty rates and CBP procedures change often, and we confirm the figures for your shipment in writing before you commit.