Ship Car to Berlin with Trusted Global Transport Services

Car Shipping Berlin

Berlin, the Capital of Germany, is a densely populated city with beautiful rivers, lakes, and woodland areas. When you relocate to Berlin, you may find that hiring a rental car or taxi to complete your daily travel can become quite expensive, and the best way to combat the excessive transportation fees, as well as to enjoy your new home in Berlin, is to have your vehicle imported to the city for your use. While Germany has some strict import regulations for motor vehicles, your auto transport agent in the United States will be able to walk you through the steps to export your vehicle out of the U.S. and into Berlin as easily and quickly as possible. Your agent will require specific documents from you, as well as financial and insurance obligations that will be discussed before shipping. Another essential thing to consider is that Germany has necessary regulations for motor vehicles and the environment. There may be a chance that you will need to modify your vehicle before it can be shipped.

Import Duties and VAT for Vehicle Imports

When shipping a car to Berlin from outside the European Union, it's essential to understand the associated import duties and taxes. Typically, a 10% import duty is levied on the vehicle's value, followed by a 19% Value Added Tax (VAT) applied to the combined value of the car, shipping costs, and the import duty. However, exemptions may apply if you're relocating to Germany and have owned your vehicle for over six months. You might qualify for duty-free importation in such cases, provided you meet specific residency and documentation requirements. Consulting with customs experts or your shipping provider can provide clarity and assist in navigating these financial obligations.

Compliance with Berlin's Environmental Zone

Berlin has established an Environmental Zone (Umweltzone) to reduce air pollution, restricting access to vehicles that meet specific emission standards. To drive within this zone, your car must display a green emissions sticker, indicating compliance with Euro 4 standards or higher. Vehicles failing to meet these standards may require modifications, such as installing a diesel particulate filter, to qualify. Verifying your vehicle's eligibility before shipping is crucial, as non-compliant cars may face restrictions or fines when operating within Berlin's city center.

Cost & Time Examples For Shipping a Car to Berlin

*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.

*Save the ground transport cost by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.

*Allow an additional 10 days to process the documents.

*Prices are for 1 car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.

*Using the RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.

Motor Vehicle Regulations for Customs

When you are importing your vehicle to Berlin from the United States, you will have to adhere to many factors before bringing the car into the port. You must pay VAT (Value Added Tax) and import duties for the vehicle. You can have this waived on a few conditions. Those conditions include:

• You are planning on becoming a resident of Berlin
• The car is registered in your name
• You have lived outside of the EU for the last twelve months
• You have owned the car for at least six months before shipping
• You will either export the vehicle back to the U.S. or sell it in Germany before leaving Berlin and returning to the U.S.

If you cannot prove the listed requirements to waive the taxes and duty fees, you must pay a duty fee equal to 10% of the total vehicle value and a 19% Import tax. The customs agent will determine the vehicle value by checking the U.S. manufacturer’s handbook. If you plan on registering your vehicle once it has cleared customs, you must have the car inspected at the local TUV office, a technical inspection association. The inspection will verify that your vehicle meets all national safety standards. You cannot drive your vehicle if it does not pass the inspection. Once the car passes the technical inspection, you will then proceed to the Department of Motor Vehicles and will be able to apply to register the car in Berlin. Contact the German Missions in the United States for more information on Customs requirements and Motor Vehicle Registration.

Before Shipping

Before shipping your vehicle to Berlin you need to decide the type of shipping that is best for your situation, pay your auto transport fees for local as well as international shipping and make sure you have a finalized quote showing what fees, if any, you will need to pay immediately upon the vehicle being delivered to Berlin. U.S. Customs will be able to provide you with more information on export regulations when shipping vehicles or personal items from the U.S. to Berlin, Germany. Once all of the paperwork has been taken care of, you must confirm the shipping method you will be using and pay your shipping fees. The ways you can ship to Berlin are:

• Roll On Roll Off Shipping (Also known as Ro-Ro Shipping)

Ro-Ro Shipping is the preferred choice for shipping a vehicle to another country. With Ro-Ro Shipping, vehicles are driven directly on the carrier ship at the origin point and off at the destination. This is the quickest and least expensive way of shipping a vehicle to Berlin.

• Container Vehicle Shipping

Your vehicle will be shipped inside a container on a carrier ship from the United States to the closest port of Berlin. While Container Shipping is a bit more expensive than Ro-Ro Shipping due to the added cost of the container fee, it is a great value when you want to ship other items with your vehicle. You have an option of a 20-ft or a 40-ft container and can easily have your vehicle and other items shipped at the same time.

• Shipping by Air

Air shipping is by far the fastest way to transport a vehicle to Berlin, but it is also the most expensive. Your transporter can give you full details of the cost of air service when you speak with them.

Other Services

• Moving to Berlin