Frequently Asked Questions

The total cost depends on many factors: the auction price, engine displacement, shipping route and the current USD exchange rate. The cost includes: car price, auction buyer's fee, inland transport in the USA, ocean freight, 10% customs duty, 23% VAT, excise tax of 3.1% (engines up to 2,000 cc) or 18.6% (over 2,000 cc) and our commission. Contact us for a free, personalised quote for your vehicle.

Customs duty on passenger cars imported from the USA (and Canada) to the European Union is 10% of the customs value. The customs value equals the purchase price plus transport costs to the EU border (ocean freight, inland transport to the port). The duty rate is the same regardless of make, model year or engine size. For motorcycles the duty is 6%, and for jet skis — 2.7%.

Excise tax on passenger cars is 3.1% for vehicles with engines up to 2,000 cc or 18.6% for engines over 2,000 cc. Battery-electric vehicles (BEV) are exempt from excise (0% rate), making EV imports from the USA particularly cost-effective. Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) with engines up to 2,000 cc benefit from a reduced 1.55% rate. The tax base is the customs value plus duty.

The total price is the sum of: the auction price, buyer's fee, inland transport in the USA, ocean freight, 10% customs duty, excise tax (3.1% or 18.6%), 23% VAT, our commission and additional costs in Poland (sworn translations, US-to-EU headlight conversion, technical inspection). Exact amounts depend on the auction price, engine displacement, shipping route and current carrier rates. Contact us for a free, personalised quote for your vehicle.

No. At USA Import Auto we believe in full transparency. Before bidding we provide the client with a detailed cost breakdown covering every component — from the auction buyer's fee to the technical inspection in Poland. You know exactly how much you will pay before making a decision. We do not add any hidden margins or commissions. VIN report costs (Carfax/AutoCheck) are covered by our company.

We accept bank transfers (PLN), foreign-currency transfers (USD, CAD) and cash at our office in Piaseczno. Payment is split into stages: a deposit before the auction (PLN 3,300), payment for the vehicle after winning the auction (within 48 h), and the remaining costs (freight, duty, VAT, excise, commission) — after the car arrives in Europe. We do not require full upfront payment.

Container: the car is loaded into a sealed 40' container, secured with straps and wheel chocks. It protects against weather and damage. Mandatory for non-running vehicles, recommended for premium cars. RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off): the car drives onto the ship under its own power. A cheaper option, but only available for running vehicles. Freight rates depend on the route and current carrier availability — contact us for an individual quote.

Ocean freight takes 3-5 weeks from East Coast ports (Newark, NJ; Savannah, GA) or 4-6 weeks from West Coast ports (Los Angeles, CA). From Canada (Halifax) the time is shorter: 2-3 weeks. Ships sail to Bremerhaven (Germany) or directly to Gdynia (Poland). Add 3-10 days for inland transport from the auction yard to the loading port.

Yes. Every vehicle shipped by sea is covered by marine cargo insurance for the duration of the voyage. The policy covers mechanical damage, flooding, theft and total loss. Insurance is included in the freight cost — the client pays no additional fees. In the event of a claim, the freight forwarder pays compensation based on the declared vehicle value.

In the USA we use: Houston (TX), Newark (NJ), Savannah (GA) and Los Angeles (CA). In Canada: Halifax (NS) and Montreal (QC). Port selection depends on the auction location — we choose the nearest port to minimise costs and inland transport time. Cars arrive in Europe — most often at Bremerhaven (Germany) or directly at Gdynia (Poland).

Before every auction we verify the vehicle's VIN in two independent databases: Carfax and AutoCheck. The reports contain the full vehicle history: mileage at every service visit, accident and repair history, number of owners, lien and theft records, as well as state inspection records. The cost of the reports is covered by our company — the client pays nothing for VIN verification.

Salvage title means the insurer declared the vehicle a total loss. This does not mean the car is only good for scrap — in the USA insurers write off a vehicle when repair costs exceed 70-75% of its value. Often these are cars with cosmetic damage (hail, interior flooding, scratches) or minor mechanical issues. The key is to carefully review the extent of the damage — our team analyses photos, the VIN report and estimates repair costs before bidding. We advise against purchasing vehicles with structural damage (frame, rails).

The risk is minimal. In the USA, odometer tampering is a federal crime (Federal Odometer Act), and the Carfax and AutoCheck systems record mileage at every service visit, state inspection and sale. The VIN report contains a full mileage history — any discrepancies are immediately visible. This is a huge advantage over the European market, where rolled-back odometers remain a serious problem.

Yes. For vehicles with a salvage/rebuilt title that required repairs, we can arrange a physical inspection by our partner in the USA or Canada before the auction. After arrival in Poland the car undergoes a technical inspection that verifies its mechanical condition. We also work with Polish workshops specialising in US car repairs — if the vehicle needs additional work, we coordinate the entire process and oversee quality.