Car Shipping to the USA
Shipping a car to America is one of the more paperwork-heavy parts of an international move, and it is also where the biggest, most avoidable mistakes happen. A vehicle can cross the Atlantic in perfect condition and still be turned away at the port if it does not meet United States federal standards. That is why the process starts long before a car is driven onto a ship. Flyto Relocation, a European relocation company established in 2018, arranges car shipping to the USA through vetted freight partners, pairing our own hubs across Northern, Central and Southern Europe with a trusted overseas partner network at the American end.
To be clear about how we work: Flyto does not own ships or carriers. We coordinate the move, book capacity with reliable RoRo and container operators, manage European collection, and hand over to our vetted partners at the US port. We do not operate a Flyto office in the United States; the American leg is served through partners we have selected and checked.
How the process works, step by step
The single most important point about importing a car to the United States is that compliance comes first. Every other step depends on it.
- Compliance check. Before anything moves, we assess whether the vehicle can be legally and permanently imported. This centres on two federal agencies: the EPA (emissions) and the DOT / NHTSA (safety, under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, or FMVSS).
- Documentation. We gather the title, purchase invoice, and the federal forms typically required at import: CBP Form 7501 (entry summary), EPA Form 3520-1 (emissions declaration), and DOT Form HS-7 (safety declaration).
- European collection. We arrange pickup from your home or a nominated point and deliver the car to the departure port.
- Ocean freight. The car sails from a European port by RoRo or container to a US port of entry.
- US customs and partner handover. Our overseas partner manages customs clearance, duty payment and, where needed, onward delivery.
Timeline
Sea transit from Europe to the US East Coast is commonly around 2 to 4 weeks; West Coast routes take longer. Add time either side for booking, port scheduling, and customs clearance, so a realistic door-to-door window is often 5 to 9 weeks depending on origin, destination and season. These are indicative ranges, not guarantees.
RoRo versus container shipping
There are two main ways to ship a car across the Atlantic. Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) means the car is driven onto a dedicated vehicle vessel; it is usually the most economical option. Container shipping encloses the vehicle in a steel container, on its own or shared, offering more protection and the ability to pack personal effects (subject to declaration rules).
| Factor | RoRo | Container |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | Lower | Higher |
| Protection | Exposed on vehicle deck | Fully enclosed |
| Personal items inside | Generally not allowed | Possible, if declared |
| Best for | Standard running vehicles | Classic, high-value or non-running cars |
| Port availability | Route dependent | Widely available |
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What it costs
We do not quote invented fixed prices, because the honest answer depends on several variables. As a broad market guide, ocean freight for a standard car from Europe to a US port often falls somewhere in the region of a few thousand euros, with RoRo at the lower end and container shipping meaningfully higher. On top of freight you should budget for US customs duty, port and handling fees, and any compliance work.
The main cost drivers are:
- Origin port and route — direct sailings are cheaper than transhipment.
- Method — RoRo versus sole-use or shared container.
- Vehicle size and weight — larger vehicles and SUVs cost more.
- Season and capacity — freight rates fluctuate through the year.
- Duty and taxes — see below.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) generally applies a duty of around 2.5% on the value of an imported passenger car, with a higher rate on trucks. A gas-guzzler tax may also apply to certain fuel-inefficient models. A firm quote requires your specific origin, destination, vehicle and timing.
The rules you must get right: EPA, DOT and the 25-year exemption
This is where careful attention pays off. To be permanently imported, a vehicle normally must comply with US EPA emissions standards and DOT/NHTSA safety standards (FMVSS). Vehicles built for other markets frequently do not conform. A non-conforming vehicle generally cannot be permanently imported, with important exceptions:
- NHTSA allows a widely known safety exemption for vehicles that are 25 or more years old — the classic “25-year rule” that makes older cars far simpler to import.
- The EPA operates its own exemption for vehicles 21 or more years old in original condition.
For newer non-conforming cars, permanent import usually requires conversion through a Registered Importer and an Independent Commercial Importer, which can be costly and is not always feasible. Rules change, and official compliance is mandatory: always confirm current requirements directly with CBP, the EPA and the DOT, or let Flyto’s advisor help you check before you commit. Do not assume — verify.
Biosecurity in the USA is not as strict as in some countries such as Australia, but you must still declare the vehicle’s condition accurately. A clean car helps clearance go smoothly.
Preparing the car and insurance
Before shipping, reduce the fuel tank to roughly a quarter, remove personal belongings unless you are declaring them in a container, disable alarms, and provide a working key. Photograph the car from all angles and note existing damage. We strongly recommend dedicated marine transit insurance covering the vehicle’s declared value; standard motor policies rarely cover ocean transport. Our team will walk you through valuation and cover options.
How Flyto coordinates your move
Flyto acts as your single point of contact from start to finish. We run the upfront compliance check, prepare and check your CBP, EPA and DOT paperwork, arrange collection from your European address, book the right freight partner and method, and coordinate the handover to our vetted US partner for customs clearance and delivery. You deal with one relocation team in Europe rather than juggling separate carriers, brokers and agents across two continents.
Whether you are relocating permanently, bringing a treasured classic, or shipping a specialist vehicle, we will give you an honest assessment of what is possible and what it will cost. Get a car shipping quote and our advisor will help you confirm compliance, choose RoRo or container, and build a firm, transparent price for your specific vehicle and route.