What does it cost to import a car into the United States?
Enter the car you have your eye on and see straight away the tariff, customs fees, state sales tax and registration costs. Amounts in US dollars.
In short
The US has no VAT and, since 2025, a tariff that depends on where the car comes from. The real gate is compliance: a car under 25 years old must meet US safety and emissions rules, and most foreign-market cars simply do not.
- 25 years — DOT exemption (21 for EPA)
- 15 % — tariff on EU, Japanese, Korean cars
- 0 – 10 % — state sales tax at the DMV
- 3–6 weeks — door to door from Europe
Taxes
Registration & paperwork
Not included: annual state registration renewals, insurance, gas guzzler tax on some new high-consumption cars, and any state-specific emissions modifications (e.g. California).
Registration tax by CO₂ band
| CO₂ g/km | General | Canarias | Increased* |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 120 | 0 % | 0 % | 0 % |
| 121 – 159 | 4,75 % | 3,75 % | 4,75 % |
| 160 – 199 | 9,75 % | 8,75 % | 9,75 % |
| ≥ 200 | 14,75 % | 13,75 % | 15 – 16 % |
* Asturias, Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Valencia: 16 %; Cantabria 15 %; Murcia 15.9 %. Ceuta and Melilla: 0 % in every band.
Hacienda depreciation table (Orden HAC/1501/2025)
| Age | Value | Age | Value |
|---|
Worked examples: what does it cost in practice?
Two typical cars, calculated with this tool for a purchase in Germany. Change any detail in the calculator above to see your own figure.
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI (petrol), 2023, 60,000 km, 125 g/km CO₂
Purchase price: $24,200 · Transport (indicative): $1,000–$1,900
| Import tariff (Section 232 + base duty) | $3,848 |
| CBP merchandise processing + harbor fee | $121 |
| State sales / use tax | $1,452 |
| Registration tax | $0 |
| Customs broker & entry (ISF, bond) | $450 |
| Title, registration & state inspection | $200 |
| Number plates | $0 |
Taxes & fees on top: $6,070
BMW X5 xDrive30d (diesel), 2021, 90,000 km, 185 g/km CO₂
Purchase price: $52,800 · Transport (indicative): $1,000–$1,900
| Import tariff (Section 232 + base duty) | $8,138 |
| CBP merchandise processing + harbor fee | $256 |
| State sales / use tax | $3,168 |
| Registration tax | $0 |
| Customs broker & entry (ISF, bond) | $450 |
| Title, registration & state inspection | $200 |
| Number plates | $0 |
Taxes & fees on top: $12,211
Importing a car into the United States
The US has no VAT and, since 2025, a tariff that depends on where the car comes from. The real gate is compliance: a car under 25 years old must meet US safety and emissions rules, and most foreign-market cars simply do not.
Before you buy
- Check the manufacture date on the door-jamb label: the car must be 25 years old to the month for the DOT exemption.
- Under 25 years: is there a US FMVSS label and an EPA label? If not, only a Registered Importer can bring in eligible models — at $8,000–20,000+.
- Confirm the tariff for the country of origin in the calculator; rates changed several times in 2025–2026.
- California and a few other states apply extra emissions rules to cars with under 7,500 miles.
Documents you will need
- Foreign title / registration and export certificate (de-registration)
- Bill of sale and proof of payment
- EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7
- ISF (10+2) filing and a customs bond, arranged by your broker
- Bill of lading from the shipping line
- Your passport / US ID and proof of address for the DMV
Step by step
- Confirm eligibility
25+ years: exempt from FMVSS, and from EPA at 21+. Younger: US-spec label required, or an RI conversion for eligible models. Anything else is not importable.
- Ship the car
RoRo from Bremerhaven, Antwerp or Zeebrugge to New York, Baltimore or Houston; from Japan and Korea to Los Angeles or Tacoma. The car must be empty and clean (USDA soil rules).
- Customs entry
Your customs broker files the entry with the EPA and DOT forms, pays the tariff (15 % for EU/Japan/Korea, more for China and the UAE) and the CBP processing fees. The car is released from the port.
- State title and registration
At the DMV: pay state sales/use tax on the purchase price, get a title, plates and — where required — a safety or emissions inspection.
- Insurance
Insure the car before it leaves the port; many states require proof at the DMV.
Traps
- The 25-year rule is by month of manufacture, not model year — a car built in June 2001 becomes eligible in June 2026.
- There is no "moving to the US" exemption for immigrants' cars unless the car was previously US-registered.
- Kilometre speedometers are accepted in most states; California's CARB rules can block cars with few miles.
Official sources
Run this route in the calculator with the origin tariff, CBP fees and your state's sales tax.
Calculate for the United States →Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to import a car into the United States?
25 years — DOT exemption (21 for EPA)
Which taxes do you pay when importing a car into the United States?
The US has no VAT and, since 2025, a tariff that depends on where the car comes from. The real gate is compliance: a car under 25 years old must meet US safety and emissions rules, and most foreign-market cars simply do not.
Which documents do you need to import a car into the United States?
Foreign title / registration and export certificate (de-registration); Bill of sale and proof of payment; EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7; ISF (10+2) filing and a customs bond, arranged by your broker; Bill of lading from the shipping line; Your passport / US ID and proof of address for the DMV.
What are the most common mistakes when importing a car into the United States?
The 25-year rule is by month of manufacture, not model year — a car built in June 2001 becomes eligible in June 2026. There is no "moving to the US" exemption for immigrants' cars unless the car was previously US-registered. Kilometre speedometers are accepted in most states; California's CARB rules can block cars with few miles.
Do I pay VAT or customs duty when importing a car into the United States from another EU country?
From the EU: 15 % all-in tariff under the 2025 EU–US deal (includes the 2.5 % base duty). No VAT — state sales tax applies at registration.
What applies when the car comes from outside the EU?
Tariff depends on the origin deal: Japan, Korea, Switzerland 15 %; UK 10 % (quota); Mexico 25 % on non-US content; UAE 27.5 %; China 52.5 % (EVs over 100 %). No VAT — state sales tax at registration.
What should I check before buying a car to import into the United States?
Check the manufacture date on the door-jamb label: the car must be 25 years old to the month for the DOT exemption. Under 25 years: is there a US FMVSS label and an EPA label? If not, only a Registered Importer can bring in eligible models — at $8,000–20,000+. Confirm the tariff for the country of origin in the calculator; rates changed several times in 2025–2026. California and a few other states apply extra emissions rules to cars with under 7,500 miles.
Import into the United States from another country
Other destinations
These guides describe the usual procedure as of September 2026 and are indicative. Rules, fees and deadlines change and vary by region and office; carimportcalculator.com accepts no liability for decisions based on them. Confirm the steps with the authority named in each guide or a licensed agent before you buy.