Car import USA → Europe
Full-service car buying on Copart and IAA — from the auction floor to your doorstep in Europe. Ocean transit, customs clearance, duty, VAT and excise handled in one place.
- Copart, IAA, Manheim auction bidding
- Container consolidation (2–4 cars per 40')
- Full European customs clearance
- "Buy in the USA, pay on arrival" available
Importing a car from the USA to Europe through Leśniewski Shipping takes about 6–10 weeks door-to-door: a few days to win the Copart or IAA auction and move the car to a US port, 3–5 weeks of ocean transit (typically 16–20 days from New York/New Jersey to the port of Gdynia), then 1–2 weeks for European customs clearance and final delivery. We bid on your behalf using our own dealer license, consolidate 2–4 cars per 40' container, and handle full customs — duty, VAT, excise, vehicle paperwork — door-to-door. Leśniewski Shipping has run the USA–Europe route since 1994 with offices in the USA and Poland and 5 warehouses in the USA.
What you get importing a car through us
25+ years in the business, full service from loading to clearance, direct contracts with carriers — your car arrives faster and for less.
We bid on your behalf
Active accounts on Copart, IAA, and other auctions. No registration fees — you can bid through us today.
US inland transport
Flatbed pickup from the auction yard to our warehouse or directly to the port in NJ or Savannah.
Container consolidation
Typically 2–4 cars per 40' container. Cheaper than RoRo, safer, and more flexible on schedule.
Full European clearance
Duty, VAT, excise, vehicle paperwork, translations — we handle it all so you don't have to visit a customs office.
Clear pricing, real invoice
Itemized invoice for transport services. Price agreed up front — no hidden costs.
Auction advisory
We help you assess damage extent, history, and whether a specific lot is actually worth the bid.
Prefer to bid yourself?
On our platform lesniewskiauction.com you browse live Copart and IAAI auctions and bid directly for a flat $300 commission — while Leśniewski Shipping handles the ocean transport, customs clearance and delivery.
Browse auctions at lesniewskiauction.comHow importing a car from the USA works
- 1
Pick a car and bid
Browse live Copart / IAAI auctions on lesniewskiauction.com and bid yourself, or send us a lot and we bid up to your cap.
- 2
Pickup and transport to port
After the auction win we collect the car by flatbed and deliver it to the port in NJ or Savannah.
- 3
Loading and ocean transit
Loaded into a 40' container (usually with other cars). Ocean transit to Europe takes 3–5 weeks.
- 4
Clearance and delivery
Full European customs clearance, paperwork, excise, and delivery to your address.
How much does it cost to import a car from the USA
The cost of importing a car is made up of European duty and taxes plus transport. Customs duty, VAT and excise are statutory rates; ocean transport and clearance are quoted individually.
Car import cost components
| Component | Rate / basis |
|---|---|
| Customs duty | 10% (of car value + transport) |
| VAT | 23% |
| Excise | 3.1% (engine ≤ 2.0 L) or 18.6% (> 2.0 L) |
| Ocean transport | individual quote |
| Clearance & paperwork | per scope |
Transit time by route (approximate)
| Route | Ocean transit | Total |
|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey → Gdynia / North Europe | ~16–20 days | 4–6 weeks |
| Savannah → Gdynia / North Europe | ~18–24 days | 5–6 weeks |
| Houston / Gulf → Gdynia / North Europe | ~24–30 days | 6–7 weeks |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach → Gdynia / North Europe | ~30–38 days | 7–8 weeks |
The final cost depends on the car value, engine size and transport — we prepare an exact quote individually once you send a lot number or VIN.
Frequently asked questions
The total is: auction price + buyer's fee + US inland transport to port + ocean freight (usually in a shared 40' container) + European customs clearance (duty 10%, VAT, excise) + final delivery. Each car gets a personalized quote once you send us the lot or VIN.
Yes — two ways. We bid on your behalf using our dealer license (you set the price cap, we watch the auction), or you bid yourself online on our platform lesniewskiauction.com — live Copart and IAAI auctions, a flat $300 commission, with transport and customs handled by Leśniewski Shipping.
Usually 6–10 weeks: a few days to pick up from the auction and reach a US port, 3–5 weeks of ocean transit, then 1–2 weeks for European customs clearance and final delivery.
Yes — full service: duty, VAT, excise, vehicle paperwork, translations, and delivery to your inspection station or directly to you.
Most Copart / IAA cars have some damage. We advise on which lots are worth pursuing, check Carfax/AutoCheck history, and after delivery help arrange transport to a repair shop.
Yes. A "buy in the USA, pay on arrival in Europe" arrangement is available after we agree terms. Usually we take a deposit to start the process.
Most cars leave from the East Coast — New York / New Jersey or Savannah — because the transit to Europe is shortest there. From New York / New Jersey to the port of Gdynia ocean transit runs about 16–20 days; we also load from Houston and Los Angeles when the auction location makes it cheaper. Cars clear at the port of Gdynia, where we handle the full customs process before delivering to your address.
You just send us the auction lot number or VIN and your delivery address — we take it from there. We collect the original US title and bill of sale at the auction, verify the VIN, and prepare all the paperwork European customs requires, including translations. Leśniewski Shipping has managed these documents on the USA–Europe route since 1994, so the title and clearance are handled end to end with no customs-office visit on your part.
Get a quote for a specific car
Send us a lot number or VIN, the auction source, and your destination. We'll come back with a real quote.
- We answer within one business hour during office hours.
- English- and Polish-speaking support from both sides of the Atlantic.
- No commitment — the quote is free.
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