Question
Does anyone have any solid intel on the costs of importing a US car in Spain?
I have a quote of around $6000 door to door to have my auto shipped to me, but I know there are other, administrative costs to import an auto, and some mechanical mods that have to be made.
Would appreciate solid info from anyone who has done it.
Answer
These are the answers of some Facebook group members.
“Eric loved his US car and spent time researching the costs to import and ensure it 100% EU requirements. And if it fails in customs they will store it until necessary changes or updates are made. You pay storage costs. It just wasn’t worth it. He sold there and bought here.”
“I imported a Swiss historic vehicle to Spain in 2016. Importing a newer vehicle is more complicated due to modern EU safety compliance standards. I suggest contacting a local Gestoria that has experience with all the steps and taxes. Be sure to ask around. Local car clubs often are familiar with importing cars and should know of a good Gestoria.”
“Check https://spainguru.es/question/is-it-worth-to-bring-a-car-from-the-us-to-spain/”
“Is it coming from California? I think that is the only place that will have stricter emissions requirements etc than the EU. We started to research, but ended up selling before we moved.”
“4000 1/2 a 40 foot shipping container before supply chain crisis. 1500 registration gestor and costs. 500 changes. 950 driving school and exams. So roughly 7K, Give or take about 1 k.”
“Yes, was going to bring mine in my container, roughly $7000, ditched it before, bought a car in Spain.”
“I imported my car 10 years ago, and still drive it here. My advice is to use a car import company that specializes in getting an imported car legally registered and plated in Spain. In general, if it’s a brand and model already approved for sale here in Europe, there are few modifications needed. I only needed a rear bumper fog light (about Euros 50). Do a Google search on car import companies and send them your US vehicle info (year, brand, model, engine size, VIN).
Ask them to confirm they can handle a turnkey importation and get it tested, registered and plated. Work with a company that knows what’s needed – anywhere in Spain so that you can just pick it up and drive home. If you decide to proceed, try to negotiate that the last 10 or 20 percent is paid when you pick it up so that they have a stake in getting the job finished!
My advice is avoid freight handlers or others not actually experienced in the issues for car imports! The fellow I used in Barcelona area retired and moved back to the UK. My advice is focus on finding the best company here in Spain to handle the import and getting it road ready to drive. That’s the critical element! Based on that info, decide to move forward or not.
Then arrange shipping from the US to that company. I lived in NYC and drove it to the port in New Jersey. The shipping company will tell you what you need to ship (paperwork, minimal gas in the tank, etc). When I dropped it off, I think it took over 2 and a half months until I picked it up, gassed it up and drove it home to Nerja. My experience was over 10 years ago, so things obviously different, but at that time, I think the whole process cost me about $5400.”
“Just keep an eye on shipping costs– huge increases are being reported with more to come in the current global mess.”
“I imported my car recently. One thing that you will need to do is pay duty and taxes. Because you are only exempt the first year you are in Spain. Then you need to consider the homologación. For instance, I had to have my rear lights changed because they didn’t have an amber turn signal. That was costly.”
“We did not have to pay duty or taxes as it was shipped with our household goods. We have a gestor handling the registration, plating and ITV inspections/homologacion.”
“They would let mine off the dock because of the catalytic converter. I sold it to a family returning stateside. It was thousands to modify. Luckily, I didn’t have to pay for the transport to Spain, so no loss.”
“Don’t forget the expense of changing the title, inspection and tags. It was around $5k for us.”
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