Cars, machinery and general cargo from anywhere in the USA into central Europe through Rotterdam, Antwerp and Bremerhaven. This page is about the corridor rather than the seaports themselves: how cargo for Vienna, Warsaw, Prague or Budapest actually gets there.
How the corridor works
Rotterdam
Europe's largest port, with the deepest inland connections by barge, rail and road into Germany and beyond.
Antwerp
Strong on vehicles and project cargo, with established road and rail links east.
Bremerhaven
One of Europe's principal vehicle handling ports, well positioned for cargo heading into central Europe.
Road and rail inland
To Vienna, Warsaw, Prague, Budapest and Bratislava. Arranged by the buyer or their agent.
Where we stop and where your agent starts
Our responsibility runs to the port of discharge. We deliver the container to Rotterdam, Antwerp or Bremerhaven and hand over the bill of lading and documentation. The inland movement to Austria, Poland, Czechia, Hungary or Slovakia is arranged by you or your agent.
We say that plainly because the shipments that go badly on this corridor are the ones where nobody was clear who owned the inland leg. A quote that implies door delivery to Vienna from a US carrier is describing something it does not control.
What we move on this corridor
Classic and collector cars, which have a strong following across Austria, Czechia and Poland. Modern vehicles and pickups. Used construction machinery from US auctions, where the inland leg matters more because of the size. And general containerised cargo for traders and businesses.
Get a real price in 24 to 48 hours
Tell us the cargo, where it is in the USA, and the final city rather than just the seaport.
Get a free quoteWhy the final city matters to the quote
Tell us Vienna rather than Rotterdam and we can route around the whole journey rather than just our leg of it. Which seaport lands the cargo closest, which has the better inland connections for that destination, and whether the sailing schedule suits, all change with the final city.
Rotterdam is the default for most central European cargo because of the depth of its inland connections, but it is not automatically the right answer for every destination.
Why book with us
We are the carrier. Cassandra Logistics is federally licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission under OTI No. 025125NF, and the bill of lading is issued in our own name.
We collect from anywhere in the USA, including non-runners, and load at our own warehouse where the cargo is braced and photographed before the doors close.
We file the US export declaration, so the American side is clean and your agent has a consistent document set to work from when the cargo reaches the seaport.
How do I ship a car from the USA to Austria?
Austria is landlocked, so the vehicle arrives at a North Sea port, most often Rotterdam, Antwerp or Bremerhaven, and travels onward by road or rail. We ship it containerised to the seaport and hand over the documents; your agent arranges the inland leg and the customs position. Get a price in 24 to 48 hours.
Does cargo for Poland route the same way as cargo for Austria?
Broadly yes, through the same North Sea gateways, but the best seaport differs. Cargo for northern and central Poland sometimes routes differently from cargo heading to Vienna or Budapest, and the inland distance changes which port lands it cheapest. Tell us the final city and we will route around the whole journey.
Which seaport is best for central Europe?
Rotterdam is the default for most central European cargo because it has the deepest inland connections by barge, rail and road. Antwerp is strong on vehicles and project cargo, and Bremerhaven is one of Europe's principal vehicle ports. The right one follows the final city, not the size of the port.
Do you deliver to Vienna, Warsaw or Prague?
Our service ends at the port of discharge. The inland movement is arranged by you or your agent at that end. We say that plainly because the shipments that go wrong on this corridor are the ones where nobody was clear who owned the inland leg.
Can the cargo move inland before it is cleared?
It can, under a transit procedure, with clearance happening in the destination country instead of at the seaport. The alternative is clearing at the port of arrival. The two are handled differently from the first document, so decide with your agent before the vessel sails rather than after.
Where is the duty paid on this corridor?
Wherever the cargo is formally cleared, which is either the seaport or the destination country depending on the route chosen. That is why the clearance decision matters and why it should be settled at quote stage. Your agent will advise which suits your situation.
Can I ship a classic car to central Europe?
Yes, and classics are among the strongest cargo on this corridor, with an established following across Austria, Czechia and Poland. We ship containerised rather than on an open deck, braced at the wheels and suspension and photographed before the doors close. See the classic car guide.
Can I ship construction machinery to central Europe?
Yes. Excavators, loaders and plant bought at Ritchie Bros., IronPlanet or Purple Wave move regularly. Size matters more here than on a coastal destination because the inland leg is longer, so send the make and model early and we will confirm the transport dimensions.
Do you carry general commercial cargo?
Yes. Full container freight from any US origin, including industrial goods, spare parts, components and trade goods. Tell us the commodity, weight and volume and we will price it the same way we would a vehicle shipment.
Can you collect from anywhere in the USA?
Yes. Nationwide collection from any state, whether the cargo is at an auction yard, a dealer, a factory or a private seller. Non-runners are winched rather than driven, which is routine. Distance affects the cost, not whether we can do it.
How much does it cost to ship to central Europe?
It depends on the US origin, the seaport and the container size. Because we are the NVOCC rather than a reseller, the figure is the carrier rate for our leg. The inland leg and destination charges are quoted separately by your agent at that end. Request a quote
What does your price include and exclude?
It includes collection from the US seller, transport to our warehouse, loading and bracing, the US export filing, and the ocean freight to the seaport. It excludes the inland leg into central Europe, customs duty and VAT, clearance and any storage at the port.
Why should I tell you the final city?
Because it changes the routing. Which seaport lands the cargo closest, which has better inland connections for that destination, and whether the sailing schedule suits all depend on where the cargo is actually going. Rotterdam is the usual answer but not automatically the right one.
How quickly can I get a price?
Within 24 to 48 hours in normal cases. Send the cargo details including the VIN or machine model, where it sits in the United States, and the final city in central Europe rather than just the seaport you assume it should use.
Are you a licensed shipping line or a middleman?
We are the NVOCC. Cassandra Logistics is a federally licensed Ocean Transportation Intermediary under FMC licence OTI No. 025125NF, legally Royal Port Container Lines, Inc. The number is public and verifiable with the Federal Maritime Commission before you send anyone money.
Import rules change. The customs information on this page comes from official government sources and was accurate when published, but duties, age limits and eligibility requirements are set by the destination country and can change without notice. Cassandra Logistics is a licensed ocean carrier, not a customs authority or a legal adviser. We are not responsible for changes to foreign import law, or for decisions made by customs at destination. Always confirm current requirements with a licensed customs agent in the destination country before you buy a vehicle.