How to ship a classic car from the USA to Europe

Exporting a classic or collector car from the United States to Europe is not the same as shipping an ordinary vehicle. The value, the rarity, and the care these cars deserve mean the details matter — the container you choose, the paperwork, and above all the people handling it. This guide walks through how it works, written by a licensed NVOCC that specializes in exactly this.

Why classic cars need a specialist

A modern used car can travel in a shared container with little fuss. A 1960s European sports car, a restored American muscle car, or a low-mileage collector vehicle is different. It is often irreplaceable, frequently worth six figures, and sensitive to how it is secured and protected in transit. The wrong handling can turn a prized asset into an expensive disappointment.

This is where working with a licensed NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) matters. Rather than passing your car down a chain of brokers, a licensed carrier takes direct, accountable responsibility for the shipment. For cargo like this, that single point of accountability is worth a great deal.

Enclosed vs sole-use containers

The single most important decision is how your car travels. The two best options for valuable vehicles are:

• Enclosed container: your car is loaded into a closed steel container, protected from weather, salt air and handling. This is the baseline standard for any car worth protecting.
• Sole-use container: the entire container is dedicated to your vehicle alone, with no other cargo sharing the space. This is the premium choice for the most valuable and delicate cars.

Open or shared shipping methods may be cheaper, but for a genuine classic the small saving rarely justifies the added exposure. You can compare exact container dimensions and capacities on our Shipping Tools page.

The paperwork

Exporting a vehicle from the US involves a few key documents. While requirements vary by destination, you will generally need:

• The original vehicle title (and any lien release if applicable)
• A bill of sale showing the purchase
• Identification for the shipper
• The US export filing (AES/EEI), which your NVOCC files on your behalf

A specialist handles the export filing for you and confirms exactly which documents your destination country requires, so nothing holds up the shipment at the port.

Choosing your European port

Europe is served by several major car-handling ports. The right one depends on your final destination:

• Antwerp (Belgium) and Rotterdam (Netherlands) — major gateways for Western Europe
• Bremerhaven and Hamburg (Germany) — for Germany and Central Europe
• Genoa (Italy) — for Italy and the Mediterranean
• Le Havre (France) — for France

We focus on premium European lanes including Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. You can look up seaports in any country using our seaport lookup tool.

How the process works, step by step

• 1. Request a quote — tell us the car, where it is, and where it is going.
• 2. Collection — we offer automobile towing from any state to bring your car to our warehouse.
• 3. Loading & securing — the car is professionally loaded and secured in an enclosed or sole-use container.
• 4. Export filing — we handle the AES/EEI filing and documentation.
• 5. Sailing & arrival — your car ships to the chosen European port, ready for collection or onward transport.

A note on cost

Shipping cost depends on the route, the container type, the origin location, and whether collection is needed, so there is no single fixed price. Rather than guess, the honest approach is a real quote based on your specific car and destination. We never inflate with hidden middleman markups — as a direct NVOCC, you deal with one accountable party.

When you are ready, our online shipping form guides you through every detail and produces your signed instructions as a PDF.