EagleCars Blog

Your Guide to Importing Cars from the USAYour Guide to Importing Cars from the USA

What is the "Price to Your Door"

When you think about importing your dream car from the USA, one of the first and most crucial questions is the final price. You often hear the phrase "price to your door." But what exactly does this term mean? It's not just the purchase cost at the auction. It's the sum of all necessary fees, taxes, transport costs, and services you must incur for the car to be ready for registration in Poland/EU. In this article, we will break down the full cost, explaining what you are paying for and why, to avoid unpleasant surprises. 1. Auction Purchase Price This is the easiest part to define. It is the amount for which the car was successfully bid on at a US auction (e.g., Copart or IAAI). Remember that small auction fees and US intermediary commissions are added to this amount, which are included in the final bill. 2. US Logistics Costs and Sea Freight This is one of the most varied components. It includes: Inland Transport in the USA: The cost of transporting the car from the place of purchase (auction yard) to the loading port. Port Fees and Handling: Costs associated with preparing the car for loading and securing it inside the container. Sea Transport: The main cost—the price of space in a container from the US port to a European port (e.g., Bremerhaven, Gdynia). 3. Customs Duties and Taxes in Europe (Duty, VAT, Excise Tax) These are the formalities you must settle to legally introduce the car into circulation in Poland/EU. These are the three main components, calculated on the value of the car plus the sea transport costs (CIF): Customs Duty: Standardly amounts to 10% of the car's value. VAT: Usually 19% (in Germany) or 23% (in Poland). Paying VAT in Germany and then transporting it to Poland is often the most optimal solution. Excise Tax: A mandatory tax in Poland, which depends on the engine capacity: 3.1% of the value (for engines up to 2000 cc). 18.6% of the value (for engines over 2000 cc). 4. Inland Transport to Poland and Unloading Fees After arriving at the European port, the car must be collected and transported to Poland. This includes: Unloading and Port Fees: Costs associated with retrieving the container and unpacking the car. Transport to Poland: Car carrier transport from the port (e.g., Bremerhaven) to the EagleCars headquarters or directly to your address. 5. Preparation for Registration and Insurance The final stage is adapting the car to Polish legal requirements: Modifications: Replacement of turn signals, adjustment of lights, change of units (miles to km). Document Translation: Certified translation of the US registration certificate. Technical Inspection/Homologation: Mandatory inspection before registration. At ApexCars, "Price to Your Door" means you don't have to worry about any of these stages. You receive a full, final calculation, and we handle every fee until the moment you pick up the car, ready for registration. The "Price to Your Door" is the sum of all costs—from the auction, through transport, duty, VAT, and excise tax, up to the final preparation of the car. By choosing our service, you gain transparency and the certainty that the amount we set at the beginning is the final amount. Want to know the real "price to your door" for a chosen model? Contact us, and we will prepare a free, detailed calculation for you!