- Car Shipping Czech Republic
- Ship Your Car To Or From Czech Republic
- Typical Shipping Prices – How Much Does It Cost?
- Cost & Time Examples For Shipping A Car To Czech Republic
- Popular Shipping Destinations
- Other Types Of Vehicles We Transport To Czech Republic
- Inspections
- Duties And Taxes
- Required Documents For Shipping A Vehicle To The Czech Republic
- Shipping Of Heavy Equipment & Oversized Cargo To Czech Republic
- International Shipping Methods Used For Heavy Equipment And Oversized Cargo
- Other Services
- Related Information
Car Shipping Czech Republic
Ship Your Car To Or From Czech Republic
Typical Shipping Prices – How Much Does It Cost?
- For a normal sized car from the U.S., it costs $1,600 to $3,300 to import a car from the U.S.
- Customs and VAT (value added tax) are roughly 30%, based on the assessed value of your vehicle so that’s an important additional cost to bear in mind.
Cost & Time Examples For Shipping a Car to Czech Republic
| To/From | Ground | Ocean | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to (California port) to Prague | $200 | $2,700 | 5+34 |
| Boston, MA to (New York port) to Prague | $400 | $1,600 | 5+20 |
| Portland, OR to (California port) to Prague | $475 | $2,700 | 6+34 |
| Phoenix, AZ to (California port) to Prague | $550 | $2,700 | 6+34 |
| Charlotte, NC to (New York port) to Prague | $575 | $1,600 | 6+20 |
| Atlanta, GA to (New York port) to Prague | $700 | $1,600 | 6+20 |
| Denver, CO to (California port) to Prague | $775 | $2,700 | 7+34 |
| Memphis, TN to (New York port) to Prague | $800 | $1,600 | 6+20 |
| Miami, FL to (New York port) to Prague | $925 | $1,600 | 7+20 |
| Dallas, TX to (California port) to Prague | $1,025 | $2,700 | 7+34 |
*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.
As a member of the European Union, the Czech Republic follows the same standards of importation set forth by the other members within the conglomeration of countries. That being said, there are still nuances that are specific to the Czech Republic that you will need to follow when importing your vehicle into the country.
Popular Shipping Destinations
Other Types Of Vehicles We Transport To Czech Republic
Get a Free, No Obligation to Buy, Auto Shipping Quote.
Get my free quote now or call us to do it for you:
Inspections
In order for a vehicle to be exported to the Czech Republic, it will need to meet the standards of road readiness before it can be awarded entry. One of the first standards that are checked is the emission standards. This is typically a problem for many vehicles made in the United States because Europe has vastly different emission standards than the U.S. Fixing the emission standards of a vehicle can be a costly process, so you will need to determine whether your car meets the Czech Republic’s standard or not.
In addition, the vehicle must also be inspected to ensure that its technical specifications are up to code. This means they will check the brakes, tires, bumpers, engine, blinker, and other parts in order to ensure the safety of the vehicle before allowing it into the country.
The process for making the car road legal for the Czech Republic can be a long one taking at least a month. It may cost about 15.000 CZK, excluding import taxes in order to import your vehicle into the Czech Republic. Most people find that selling your car back home and buying a new one once you arrive in the Czech Republic is the most financially beneficial option.
Note: For older vehicles, there is an additional ‘eco-tax’ of 10.000 CZK.
Duties and Taxes
Cars being imported from outside the EU will be charged a customs duty of 10% of the vehicle’s market value and a value added tax of 19%. Both of these charges will need to be paid before the vehicle can be imported into the country. From within the EU, no customs duty will need to be paid and the VAT will be the difference in the taxes between the two countries.
However, if you have previously owned the car for at least a year abroad and have used the car for a minimum of six months prior to importation, no duties or VATs will be required because the vehicle is considered part of your personal possessions, which are exempt.
Required Documents For Shipping A Vehicle To The Czech Republic
In order to import your vehicle into the Czech Republic, you will need the following documents:
- Proof of purchase.
- Certificate of the title.
- Personal/company declaration.
- Copy of housing contract.
- Copy of long-term visa.
- Copy of passport.
- Copy of work permit.
For more information regarding the importation of your vehicle, please visit Alexio.cz.
Process of registering a vehicle in the Czech Republic.
Shipping Of Heavy Equipment & Oversized Cargo To Czech Republic
Hiring qualified transporters with experience in the international shipping process of heavy equipment and oversized cargo is the outright safest and most affordable way to get your equipment delivered to the Czech Republic. As leaders in the auto transport industry, A1 Auto Transport has been shipping large and heavy cargo all over the globe for nearly 30 years. With our extensive clientele, we are frequently asked to ship all types of cargo overseas. Some of the heavy equipment and oversized cargo types we have shipped in the past, and are certainly able to ship again include…
- Construction Equipment including bulldozers, forklifts, dumpers, cranes, etc.
- Mining Equipment including loaders, excavators, haulers, etc.
- Paving Equipment including asphalt pavers, planers, compactors, motor graders, reclaimers, etc.
- Agricultural Equipment including tractors, combine harvesters, plows, balers, backhoes, spreaders, drills, mowers, etc.
International Shipping Methods Used for Heavy Equipment and Oversized Cargo
There are several methods of overseas transport available to those trying to ship their cargo from the U.S. to the Czech Republic. After you describe your cargo to the representatives we have awaiting on your phone call, you will learn of which methods are available to you as according to the type of cargo you have. However, we’d like to give you a glimpse as to how we’re capable of overseeing your international transport by telling you a little bit about each of our overseas shipping methods.
- Flat Rack- an open air service that secures your cargo to a metal flat rack before it is placed on the ship. Securing it to the metal frame prevents your cargo from shifting during its travels.
- LoLo Shipping- this open air service is for anyone with inoperable vehicles or crated equipment. A crane is used to carefully get your cargo on top of and off of the ship.
- RoRo Shipping- this is the most popular and affordable of all the options. Your vehicle must be operable or able to roll onto and off of the ship using a ramp.
- Container Shipping- As the most expensive method, this transport option encloses your cargo within metal walls and a ceiling as long as it can fit into the 40ft container.
Other Services
- Overseas moving services to Czech Republic
- Moving business to the Czech republic
- Czech republic container shipping
Related Information
- What are my shipping options to get a car from the US to the Czech Republic?
- Shipping a car to Czech Republic through professional transport services in the US
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common ports in Czechia?
The Czech Republic (Czechia) is a landlocked country in central Europe. The country has three core networks that pass through it, each having a major waterway that links it to the rest of Europe with a network of ports. Before you can understand the ports, you have to understand the three distinct corridors that form the Czech Republic's port network.
The Baltic-Adriatic Corridor: This corridor connects Poland, Slovenia, and Italy through Czechia through the Gdansk, Gydnia, Koper, Trieste, Venice, and Ravenna ports.
The Orient/East-Med Corridor: Connects Romania with Germany while passing through Czechia, with additional branches passing through Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
The Rhine-Danube Corridor: Connects Germany with Romania, passing through Austria, Slovakia, and Czechia.
These are the three corridors that make up the gateway of the Czech Republic with the rest of Europe. The major ports of the country include:
- Decin Port – This port is located on the Elbe River and is one of Czechia's smaller ports. The port is located in the northern part of the country and is more of a tourist attraction, handling some but not a lot of bulk cargo.
- Usti nad Labem Port – This port is well connected with Europe and Czechia through multiple rail and road networks. Czechia is connected with Hungary, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, France, Austria, and Poland through the network provided by the Elbe River. The port offers warehouses, handling equipment, customs, freight forwarding, etc.
- Port Praha Radotin – Located on the Bernouka River's left bank, this port works with translation and business activities. The port operates 24/7/365 and is public. It offers offices, garages, workshops, storage, a gatehouse with a road scale, a gantry crane, etc.
- Port of Kolin – Located on the left bank of the Elbe River, the port offers storage on a paved surface. Ramps allow access to offices and warehouses. It is connected with road and railway sidings that make the transport of goods an easy process. The European Union has funded a major expansion for the port.
- Port Melnik – Located on the right bank of the Elbe River, this port is equipped with modern storage facilities, roads, railway siding, handling areas, and a crane track. This port is also the home to the Melnik International Logistics Centre, a self-sufficient logistics hub with its own river port and tariff railway.
What is required when importing into Czechia?
When importing into Czechia, the following documents must be presented to Customs:
- A declaration of the goods (air or maritime manifest)
- Common law declaration (SAD – single administrative document) and the accompanying documents that allow clearance. The SAD can be obtained from the Chambers of Commerce or an authorized printer. A computerized customs clearance platform can be accessed in Customs offices or Chambers of Commerce.
- A commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of Origin
- Insurance certification
Customs may require more forms, but your shipping company will provide you with the list before the shipping date. The shipping company for your car will often act as the customs broker, handling the process for you.
For importing a car, these are the documents required:
- Proof of purchase
- Certificate of the title
- Personal/company declaration
- Copy of your housing contract (proof of address)
- Copy of long-term visa
- Copy of passport
- Copy of work permit
These documents show where the vehicle will be garaged and the reason for entering the country (like for work).
What is the SAD – single administrative document?
The SAD is a form used for customs declarations in the European Union, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, the Republic of North Macedonia, Turkey, and Serbia. It is made of eight copies, each with different functionality. Using the one document helps reduce the administrative burdens and increase the standardization of data collection on trade.
The SAD is used:
- In the European Union for trade with non-EU countries and for the movement of non-EU goods within the EU
- For applicable (extremely limited) cases of movement of EU goods within the EU
The document covers any goods placed under customs procedures, including export, free circulation, transit, warehouses, inward processing, outward processing, temporary admission, and more.
What is the difference between a freight forwarder and a customs broker?
A freight forwarder is someone who is connected within the supply chain, concentrating on the logistics and physical transportation of cargo. They are in touch with every entity in the export process that handles or is aware of the cargo moving via truck, boat, train, plane, or any combination thereof. Freight forwarders are in charge of assembling and completing a variety of documentation and compliance filings.
The Department of Homeland Security defines customs brokers as a private individual, partnership, association, or corporation licensed, regulated, and empowered by US Customs and Border Protection to assist importers and exporters in meeting the regulatory requirements. Brokers charge their clients a fee for the services they provide, such as submitting the necessary information and appropriate fees or taxes to the government it is required.
Freight Forwarder | Customs Broker |
Wide-ranging term | Specific duties and must be licensed |
Freight forwarders can be customs brokers | Not every customs broker is a freight forwarder |
Handle both imports and exports of goods/vehicles | The primary focus is on the importation side |
Both can work together to help facilitate the issues with import or export transactions. | |
How long and how much does it cost to ship my vehicle to Czechia?
Depending on where you are shipping from, time and cost can fluctuate. If you ship from a port that is on the eastern seaboard of the US, it will take less time than if you were to ship from the western seaboard. This is primarily due to the location of the exporting port and the importing port in Czechia.
When shipping from the US to Czechia, you can expect there to be ground charges and transport time unless you plan on dropping your car off at the port. Then there is the time and cost for shipping it as cargo on an ocean liner. You can expect five to seven days of ground transport and an additional 20 to 34+ days for sea transport. Altogether, you can expect the process to range from just under $2,000 to over $3,000, depending on varying factors.
One thing to remember, when discussing prices and transport time, they are all estimates. Some factors can speed up or delay the shipping time, which are not in the control of the shipping company you use. There should also be an additional 10 to 14 day period added for customs paperwork and duty processing times.
To/From | Ground Cost | Ocean Cost | Estimated Time (Ground+Ocean) |
New York, NY (New York Port) to Prague | $275 | $1,600 | 5+20 days |
Los Angeles, CA (California Port) to Prague | $350 | $2,700 | 5+34 days |
Seattle, WA (California Port) to Prague | $550 | $2,700 | 6+34 days |
Atlanta, GA (New York Port) to Prague | $700 | $1,600 | 6+20 days |
What are the best shipping methods for a vehicle being shipped to Czechia?
Two of the most common vehicle shipping methods for overseas transport are container and RoRo.
Containers are dedicated boxes that protect all four sides and the top and bottom of the vehicle. Most vehicles can use a dedicated 20 ft. container, but for larger vehicles or multiple shipments, it may be more cost-efficient to secure a 40 ft. container. These containers are lifted onto the ships using a crane, often stacked on top of one another. While this may be the most expensive form of transport, it is also the safest.
RoRo stands for Roll-on/Roll-off and is exactly how it sounds. The vehicle is driven onto the ship and then driven off. This is the least expensive shipping method for transporting a vehicle but has its own downsides. When using RoRo for shipping, the car is exposed to the elements and potential theft of accessories, like the license plate. Unless you have made the proper preparations (which your shipping company will tell you about), you may want to try a more secure method of transport.
Will my car be inspected when arriving in Czechia?
Yes, in order for your vehicle to be granted entry into the country (and the EU), it will have to meet the standards of road readiness before it can be awarded entry. One of the first things that are checked is the emissions standards. Herein lies the problem for most vehicles from the US into the EU, mainly because of the different standards between these countries. Fixing the emission standards can be costly, so determining if it meets standards before you ship the car may be in your best interest.
Your vehicle will also be inspected to ensure that the technical specifications are up to code. This means that your car's brakes, tires, bumpers, engine, turn signals, and other parts that enhance the vehicle's safety will be checked before it is allowed into the country. So, for example, if your bumper is being held up by duct tape and bungee cords, you might want to consider seeing a mechanic to fix it before shipping it.
If you have to make adjustments to get your car road-ready in Czechia, it can be a long process – taking up to a month or more. Additionally, you may be subject to additional fees for importing the car into Czechia. Most people tend to sell their car and buy a new one when they move from the US to Czechia.
What types of duties and taxes are charged on my imported car?
When a car is imported from outside the EU, it is charged a customs duty of 10% of the vehicle's market value. In addition to this, it is also assessed a value-added tax of 19%. Both of these charges have to be paid before the vehicle can be imported into Czechia. If the car is coming from within the EU, there is no customs duty, and the taxes owed are the difference between the two countries.
One caveat to these charges is based on how long you have owned the vehicle. If you have owned the car for at least one year abroad and used it for a minimum of six months before importing it, no duties or VATs are charged because the car is considered a part of your personal possessions. These are exempt from these types of charges.
Why is my vehicle shipment taking so long to get to the port in Czechia?
When shipping a vehicle overseas, something to keep in mind is the number of steps that it takes before it reaches the destination. Your shipping company picks the car up from you, transports it to the port where it will be exported, it gets loaded onto a ship, it sails across the sea, is then unloaded at the destination port, and dropped off to you. Several things could pop up between pickup and drop-off that you should take into consideration. (Please note that not all of these occur regularly – it is just best to be prepared.)
- Traffic causes many problems for shipments. Road construction, accidents on the roadways, and other things can create traffic obstacles for trucks carrying vehicles. There are some roads that these vehicles cannot make it down, so sometimes they are simply stuck in traffic until it clears up.
- Weather and other things that are considered "force majeure" create obstacles for shipments. This can occur both on the road and on the open waters. These are instances that are beyond anyone's control and include things like unfavorable weather (storms, hurricanes, etc.), piracy, fires, and more.
- Customs hold up a lot of shipments. Between their inspections and requirements for paperwork, if your shipment is delayed, you should start with customs. Sometimes it is just a missing document, or the one they have is illegible and needs to be redone.
- Port congestions happen when there are more shipments than workers. Busy times of the year often result in congestion, especially at popular ports. Strikes can also be grouped into this category because when the workers go on strike, weeks to months worth of shipments can go untouched until it is resolved.
If you worry that your shipment has been delayed, you can check with your shipping company. Most vehicle transport companies now have ways of tracking your vehicle for every part of the shipping process. This not only gives you peace of mind but allows you to be a proactive part of the shipping process.
Share on Facebook 
Share on LinkedIn 
Share on Twitter 
