How to import a car from Copart or IAA — step by step

You can browse Copart and IAA auctions on lesniewskiauction.com. Every car has a lot number, which makes it easy to find and quote. Before you think about price, check which ownership document (title) the vehicle has, because it decides who is allowed to buy it.

According to Copart's help center, a salvage title is usually issued when an insurer has declared the car a total loss because repairs would cost more than the car is worth. A clean title goes with a car that runs or can be repaired and can be registered and insured in the US. A rebuilt title goes with a former salvage car that was repaired and went through the state's process. IAA adds that a car with a clear title has never been declared a total loss by an insurer. The criteria for issuing titles differ from state to state.

Copart shows two damage codes on each lot: Primary Damage and Secondary Damage. Its official glossary includes codes such as FR (front end), RR (rear end), SD (side), HL (hail), WA (water/flood), MN (minor dents/scratches) and FD (frame damage reported). Copart also states that the codes reflect only known or reported damage and should not be relied on when deciding to bid.

Copart describes mileage with one of four odometer codes: ACTUAL (the reading is believed to be the true mileage), NOT ACTUAL (the reading does not reflect the true mileage, or the mileage cannot be known), EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS (the mileage has gone past what the odometer can show, for example it passed its maximum and started again at 0) and EXEMPT (federal law does not require an odometer reading to be shown for this vehicle).

Run & Drive does not mean road-ready. Copart uses it when, at check-in, the car started (on its own or with an external jump box), could be put into gear and moved forward. IAA sets three conditions: the engine starts and idles (with or without a jump); forward and reverse gears engage; and the steering wheel turns one full rotation each way. Both auctions say plainly that this is no guarantee of roadworthiness, and both sell vehicles “as is, where is” with no warranty.

That is why, before you set a price cap, we help you assess the photos, the extent of the damage and the vehicle history (Carfax/AutoCheck). In the listing, check these first:

Copart explains that every state has its own rules on buying vehicles at auction, and which vehicles you can buy depends on the laws where the vehicle is located. Copart also notes that most states require a license to purchase vehicles of each title type. The simplest route is to buy through a company with a dealer license: we bid on your behalf up to the cap you set, and you don't need your own auction account.

Two rules from Copart's terms are worth knowing before your first bid. A submitted bid cannot be retracted. And if the seller listed the car with a minimum bid or as “On Approval,” the seller has until 7:45 p.m. Pacific Time on the next business day to accept the high bid. So winning the bidding does not always mean the car is yours right away.

After a win, business days count. IAA's auction rules require payment within three business days (auction day plus two business days), and paying late triggers a late fee. Copart moves cars not removed by 5:00 p.m. local time on the third business day after the sale to a locked storage area and releases them only after an additional gate and storage fee, where applicable, is paid. At IAA the branch sets the pickup window, and storage is charged for every day after it.

So we agree payment terms with you before bidding, and after a win we book the truck. Under Copart's terms, the risk of loss or damage passes to the auction buyer as soon as the bid is accepted, so a quick pickup also protects the car. We also obtain the title from the auction and handle it through export and customs.

From the auction yard the car goes by truck to New Jersey or Savannah. From there we ship cars to Gdynia consolidated in 40' containers with other vehicles. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires the vehicle and its documents, including the original title or a certified copy, to be presented at the port at least 72 hours before export. We take care of that.

The ocean leg from New Jersey to Gdynia typically takes 16–20 days, and from Savannah 18–24 days. If you are moving to Poland with your household goods, the car can travel in the same container as your belongings, even together with a motorcycle. There is one condition: the car must be empty. Sailing times, documents and costs for Poland are covered on our car shipping from the USA to Poland page.

We handle customs clearance in Gdynia for you. It all starts with the customs value: under the Union Customs Code (UCC), it includes the price of the car plus transport and insurance costs up to the point where the car enters the EU customs territory.

The EU import duty on a passenger car (CN 8703) is 10% of its customs value.

In Poland, excise tax is added: 3.1% for engines up to 2,000 cm³ and 18.6% above 2,000 cm³. Hybrids have lower rates: 1.55% for a hybrid other than a plug-in with an engine up to 2,000 cm³, and 9.3% for a hybrid, including a plug-in, with an engine over 2,000 cm³ but not more than 3,500 cm³. Electric cars are exempt from excise, and plug-in hybrids with an engine up to 2,000 cm³ are exempt until December 31, 2029. Polish excise is calculated on the customs value plus duty, and 23% VAT on the customs value plus duty and excise. Both bases also include any commission, transport and insurance costs up to the first place of destination in Poland that are not already in the customs value. An illustrative example in Poland for a hypothetical customs value of PLN 40,000, a non-hybrid combustion engine up to 2,000 cm³ and no extra costs to add (amounts not rounded):

We can prepare the cars we import in our own workshop in Krze Duże near Radziejowice, Poland. We carry out US-to-EU conversions there, such as lighting. The scope depends on the model, and we agree it case by case. New parts for repairs can be bought from US stores and eBay through our sister site lesniewskiczesci.com.

In Poland you register the car at the vehicle registration office for your place of residence. For a car from outside the EU, the application must be filed within 30 days of its release for free circulation by the customs and tax office, and third-party liability insurance (OC) must be bought first. The office registers the car temporarily for 30 days and issues a temporary permit and plates. The official gov.pl service lists documents including the ones below, and the office may ask for others depending on the case: