Shipping & costs
How a car gets from a US auction to your port, what each step costs and which documents you receive. All prices in US dollars.
How a car gets from a US auction to your port, what each step costs and which documents you receive. All prices in US dollars.
Route
Usually 4–9 weeks in total. Delays mostly come from vessel schedules; we tell you about any change as soon as we know.
Costs
| Item | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Car price | your bid | We never bid above the limit you approve in writing |
| Auction fees | $450 – $1,500+ | Buyer, gate and online bidding fees; depend on the price. Source |
| Transport to the port | $150 – $1,200 | Local runs are cheapest; cross-country costs more. Source |
| Export paperwork | $275 | Export filing, title validation, port handling |
| TACHKI service fee | $600 | Fixed per car, agreed before purchase |
Ocean freight
Shared container is usually the best value for one car: it travels inside a 40-ft container with 2–3 other cars. RoRo (driven onto the vessel) is offered on some routes and can be cheaper for running cars.
| Region | Ocean freight | At sea |
|---|---|---|
| Western EuropeBremerhaven, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Le Havre | $1,000 – $1,800 | 20–35 days |
| United KingdomSouthampton, Felixstowe | $1,100 – $2,200 | 20–35 days |
| Middle EastJebel Ali (Dubai) | $1,100 – $1,400 | 25–40 days |
| Black Sea & CaucasusPoti (Georgia) | $900 – $1,500 | 30–45 days |
| Central & Latin Americaby destination | $1,500 – $3,500 | 10–35 days |
| AustraliaSydney, Melbourne | $2,150 – $2,250 | 35–50 days |
| Other destinationsAfrica, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Asia | on request | — |
Port-to-port, shared container, from published rates of West Coast Shipping and BG Cars (Poti). Transit times are typical, not guaranteed. Your exact rate is quoted per shipment. Destination port charges (unloading, terminal, delivery order) are paid at arrival and vary by port.
US ports
We pick the export port that gives the lowest total for your destination — the closest port to the car is not always the cheapest overall.
Customs at home
Every country has its own import rules: duty, VAT, excise, age limits, and rules for salvage-title or left-hand-drive cars. You (or your local customs broker) clear the car on arrival. We send everything the broker needs: original title, bill of sale, bill of lading and invoice.
Before you buy, check with your customs office or a broker that the car can be registered in your country. Tell us your country and we'll point out anything we know that may affect the purchase.
Original US title (or salvage certificate) · bill of sale · invoice · bill of lading · export filing confirmation · photo report from the port.
Request
Tell us the car (or lot link) and your destination port — we'll send a full estimate within one business day.