How to Import a Car from the USA — Step by Step

From auction pick, through ocean shipping, to registration in Poland. 5-8 weeks.

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Cars at auction

600k+

Years in automotive

20+

Cheaper than in Poland

40%

★★★★★ Google Reviews

Licensed importer

Secure transaction

Importing a car from the USA to Poland is a process that, with the right support, is straightforward and safe. At USA Import Auto, a family business with over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, we guide our clients through every step — from choosing a car at auction to picking up a fully registered vehicle at your door. The entire process typically takes 5–8 weeks.

Whether you are looking for a sporty Ford Mustang, a family-friendly Chrysler Pacifica, or a luxurious Mercedes GLE — the procedure is always the same. Only the details differ: costs, shipping time, and any required modifications.

STEP 1

Car selection

Everything starts with defining what car you are looking for. Together with the client, we determine the make, model, year, budget, and technical requirements. Then we search the largest auction platforms in the USA:

Copart

The largest auction in the USA, over 200,000 vehicles. Cars with both clean title (accident-free) and salvage title (damaged). Great for finding deals.

IAAI

The second largest platform, often featuring newer models with minor cosmetic damage.

Manheim

A dealer-only auction with premium cars in excellent condition. Access is restricted to licensed dealers — we hold that license.

We look for cars that offer the best value for their condition. The client can also point out a specific vehicle — in that case, we verify it and advise whether it is worth bidding on.

STEP 2

VIN check and vehicle history

Before every auction, we pull a full vehicle history report based on the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). We use two main services:

Carfax — shows service history, accidents, previous owners, odometer readings, and insurance claims.
AutoCheck — an alternative report, often supplementing Carfax data with information from other databases.

What we pay special attention to: title type (clean title vs salvage title vs rebuilt title), number of previous owners, whether the mileage is original (in the USA, odometer rollback is a federal crime), and whether the car has been flooded (flood damage — the worst type of damage).

STEP 3

Quote and cost breakdown

Before the auction, we prepare a detailed cost breakdown covering all expenses from the auction to delivery in Poland: estimated purchase price, auction fee (buyer's fee), inland transport in the USA, ocean freight, customs duty 10%, VAT 23%, excise tax (3.1% or 18.6%), sworn translations, technical inspection, and our commission.

The quote is free and non-binding. The client knows exactly how much they will pay before deciding to bid. We present exact costs in an individual quote — contact us for a free cost breakdown.

STEP 4

Deposit payment

If the client accepts the cost breakdown, they pay a deposit of 3,300 PLN. The deposit secures participation in the auction. If we do not win or the client withdraws before the auction — the deposit is 100% refundable.

STEP 5

Auction bidding

We bid live on behalf of the client up to the pre-agreed price limit. On platforms like Copart and IAAI, our bidder reacts in real time to other buyers' offers — allowing us to fight for the best price without overpaying beyond the actual market interest.

The entire bidding process is transparent — the client receives the result immediately after the auction ends. If we do not win, we search for other vehicles and try again at no additional cost.

Sounds complicated?

We handle everything — from bidding to registration. You just choose the car.

Message on WhatsApp 574 693 460

STEP 6

Settlement and payment

After winning the auction, the client pays the purchase price plus auction fees. We assist with the international wire transfer — providing exact bank details, amounts, and deadlines. Typically, payment is due within 3–5 business days of winning. Exact costs are presented in an individual quote.

STEP 7

Inland transport to the US port

The car is transported from the auction lot to the loading port. Main ports we ship from: Houston, TX (south and west), Newark, NJ (east coast), Savannah, GA (alternative east coast port). Transport takes 3–7 days, and the rate depends on the route. Exact costs are presented in an individual quote.

STEP 8

Ocean freight to Europe

This is the longest step — ocean freight takes 3–5 weeks. We offer two shipping options:

Feature	Container	RoRo
Safety	Highest — enclosed container	Good — car on open deck
Duration	3–5 weeks	4–6 weeks
Best for	Premium and damaged cars	Driveable, budget-friendly cars

The car arrives at a European port — most often Bremerhaven (Germany) or Rotterdam (Netherlands), from where it is transported to Poland (Gdynia or directly by flatbed truck). Freight rates depend on the route, vehicle dimensions, and current shipping carrier conditions — exact costs are presented in an individual quote.

STEP 9

Customs clearance and fees

After arrival in Europe, we handle customs clearance. The fees include:

Customs duty — 10% of the customs value (purchase price + shipping)
VAT — 23% (calculated on customs value + duty)
Excise tax — 3.1% (engines up to 2,000 cc) or 18.6% (over 2,000 cc). Electric vehicles: 0% excise tax!

We handle all customs formalities — the client does not need to visit the customs office or file declarations on their own.

STEP 10

Registration in Poland

The final step is preparing the car for registration:

Sworn translations of documents (title, invoice) — per translator's rates
Headlight conversion from US to EU spec — American cars have different lighting (amber front turn signals, no rear fog lights). Cost depends on the model
Technical inspection at a vehicle inspection station — per station rates
Registration at the vehicle registration office — we compile the documents, the client picks up the plates
Liability/comprehensive insurance — we help find the best deal

After registration, the car is ready to drive. We deliver it to any address in Poland. Exact costs are presented in an individual quote — contact us for a free cost breakdown.

Popular models

Which cars do we import from the USA most often?

Based on over 20 years in the automotive industry, the most frequently imported models include:

Ford Mustang

An icon of American automotive culture. EcoBoost 2.3L and V8 GT versions. Significantly cheaper than at European dealerships.

Bestseller Ask for a quote

Dodge RAM 1500

The most popular pickup truck in the USA. HEMI 5.7L engine, perfect for work and recreation. Virtually unavailable at European dealerships.

Pickup Unavailable in EU

Chevrolet Camaro

Sporty character at an affordable price. V6 and V8 SS versions. Significantly cheaper than European equivalents with similar performance.

Sports car Cheaper than in EU

Tesla Model 3

An EV from the USA with a huge advantage: 0% excise tax on electric vehicles in Poland.

0% excise tax Ask for a quote

Jeep Wrangler

An off-road legend. Holds its value exceptionally well over the years.

Off-road Holds its value

Mercedes GLE / BMW X5

Luxury SUVs with rich standard equipment. In the USA, often available at significantly lower prices than at European dealerships.

Premium SUV Ask for a quote

Full gallery of imported cars available on our Completed Projects page.

Client concerns

Common client concerns

Can a car from the USA have a rolled-back odometer?

In the United States, odometer rollback is a federal crime enforced by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Every mileage change is recorded in databases. Carfax and AutoCheck reports allow verification of the original mileage — a major advantage over the European market, where odometer fraud remains widespread.

Is a salvage title a bad choice?

Not necessarily. Many cars with a salvage title have only cosmetic damage (bumper, fender, paint) or were classified as a total loss due to the high cost of repairs in the USA. After professional repair in Poland, the car can be in excellent condition for a fraction of the price of an accident-free vehicle. The key is thoroughly checking the extent of the damage before purchase — and that is exactly what we do.

Can I import a motorcycle or a jet ski?

Yes! We also import motorcycles (e.g., Harley-Davidson) and jet skis (e.g., Yamaha FX). The procedure is similar — only the customs rates and type-approval requirements differ. More in our FAQ.

Comparison

DIY import vs import company

Criterion	DIY	With an import company
Auction access	Requires a dealer license or a broker	Full access to Copart, IAAI, Manheim
Risk	High — no experience in evaluating cars	Low — over 20 years in the automotive industry
Your time	Lots of paperwork to handle	Everything handled for the client
Hidden costs	Easy to make calculation mistakes	Full cost breakdown upfront, no surprises
Support	None	Dedicated project manager

Timeline

How long does the entire import process take?

The average turnaround time for importing a car from the USA to Poland is 5–8 weeks. The longest step is ocean freight (3–5 weeks). The remaining steps — bidding, customs clearance, registration — take a combined 2–3 weeks.

Week 1 ~7 days

Car selection, VIN check, cost breakdown, bidding on Copart / IAAI

Week 1–2 ~5 days

Settlement, payment, inland transport to the US port

Week 2–6 longest step

Ocean freight to Europe — container or RoRo to Bremerhaven / Rotterdam

Week 6–7 ~7 days

Customs clearance, duty + VAT + excise tax, transport to Poland

Week 7–8 DONE

Headlight conversion, technical inspection, registration — car ready to drive

Ready to import?

Tell us about your dream car — we will prepare a free quote and an import plan within 24 hours.