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Using Online Car Auctions To Import Used Cars From The US

Using Online Car Auctions To Import Used Cars From The US

Chapter 01

Online Car Auctions in the United States

Auctions for new, used and salvage vehicles in the United States are nothing new. However, there are two primary roadblocks that have been in place for those living outside of the United States who might wish to participate in them. First, car auctions are typically held in person. Second, these car auctions have until recently only been open to those in possession of a dealer’s license.

As it has to so many other things, the Internet has changed everything. In recent years, online car auctions have grown in popularity, giving customers in the United States, as well as businesspeople living abroad, the chance to participate in the lucrative car auctions that take place across the United States each and every day.

Until recently, though, the majority of these online car auctions, like those conducted by Manheim and Adesa, have only been open to those with dealer’s licenses.

This is no longer the case, and that’s because of Auto Auction Mall.

Through Auto Auction Mall, anyone in the world can participate in online car auctions at the click of a button. This is possible because users of Auto Auction Mall are able to take advantage of the site’s license as well as the licenses of the auction brokers who work on the site’s behalf.

While this has been a boon to consumers in the United States who have longed for a means to purchase new, used and salvage cars cheaply, it’s also been a boon for foreign business interests. In fact, many importer-exporters around the world have discovered that online car auctions through Auto Auction Mall offer the opportunity to purchase vehicles at steep discounts. These vehicles can then be imported and sold for considerable profits!

Different Business that Used Online Car Auctions in the United States

Importer-exporters who specialize in dealing luxury automobiles have found an incredible partner in Auto Auction Mall. Through the website, these businesspeople can easily and cheaply source high-quality luxury automobiles, and they can get all the help they need when it comes to arranging shipping and customs clearance in the U.S. and abroad.

But, it’s not just foreign luxury auto dealers who are able to use Auto Auction Mall to further their own business interests. In fact, importer-exporters have discovered that online car auctions present an incredible opportunity to purchase ordinary used cars at rock-bottom prices, sometimes with savings of up to 70% or even 80%.

In addition to this, savvy foreign businesspeople have also discovered the opportunities that exist for purchasing salvage vehicles through online car auctions provided by Auto Auction Mall. These vehicles, which can be purchased for literal pennies on the dollar, can either be exported and then rebuilt in a different country, or they can be mined for spare parts.

How to Sign Up for Auto Auction Mall

Regardless of what kind of import auto business you’re trying to build, Auto Auction Mall can be an invaluable resource. Through this website, you can gain access to a staggering inventory of new, used and salvage vehicles, which you can then turn for a profit. If there’s one thing better than the business opportunity afforded by Auto Auction Mall, though, it’s how easy it is to get started. In fact, you can get going in three easy steps!

  • One: Click here, and you’ll be taken to the account creation page. Only a few details are needed, including your name and email address.
  • Two: Once you’ve signed up, you can instantly began browsing the thousands of new, used and salvage cars available through Auto Auction Mall’s online car auctions.
  • Three: Ready to bid? Then the last step you’ll need to undertake is making a deposit. This deposit is only necessary to establish your bidding power on the site, with the size of the deposit equating to 10% of what your maximum bid can be. (Do note, though, that the minimum deposit is $400)

And that’s all you need to do in order to start bidding on new, used and salvage cars in the United States through Auto Auction Mall!

Chapter 02

Types of Cars Available Through Auto Auction Mall

When you first get started with Auto Auction Mall, the first thing that you’re likely to notice is the sheer volume of choice available to you. In fact, it’s not just used and salvage cars that you’ll find through the site. You’ll also find completely new cars, in addition to other vehicles like boats, all-terrain vehicles and more.

The Three Categories: Used, Salvage, New

For the purposes of creating an import business around automobiles purchased through auctions in the United States, there are three main categories of vehicle that you’ll encounter: used, salvage and new.

Used vehicles find their ways onto the online auction block for a multitude of reasons. Most often, these will be vehicles that have been cleared off the inventory of a used car dealership. Rather than taking a total loss on the vehicle, these dealers will simply do away with old inventory by putting that inventory up for auction. In addition to this, many used cars are auctioned off by law enforcement or other government agencies.

Many of the vehicles that you’ll encounter through Auto Auction Mall will be salvage vehicles. These are vehicles that for one reason or another were written off as total losses by insurance companies. While in some cases this will be because of exactly what you think – the vehicle was damaged in an accident to a point where the cost of repairs was in excess of the vehicle’s value – this is not always the case. This will be discussed more below.

Finally, it is actually possible to encounter completely new vehicles through online car auctions. Again, these vehicles most often end up on the auction block due to a new car dealership clearing out old stock. However, there may be a number of other reasons that a completely new automobile can end up available through Auto Auction Mall or another online car auction provider.

The Hidden Value of Salvage Vehicles

Salvage vehicles are the most misunderstood category of vehicle available through an online car auction. Some instantly write these vehicles off, believing them to be essentially worthless. Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, salvage vehicles present perhaps the best opportunity to turn a profit – provided you know what you’re doing, of course.

The first thing to understand is this: a vehicle can be totaled for a wide variety of reasons, and the laws concerning the circumstances under which a vehicle can be totaled vary from state to state. Because of this, many so-called “salvage” vehicles are often in much better condition than you might expect. For example, a vehicle that has been stolen, its policy paid off, and then is subsequently recovered is technically ‘salvage’. In addition, remember that insurance companies will sometimes total a vehicle as a matter of expedience.

Regardless of why a salvage vehicle ends up with its designation, one thing is true of all. They can be had for rock-bottom prices. Because of this, they present perhaps the best chance to create a profitable business when importing cars from the United States that are purchased through online car auctions.

Chance to create a profitable business when importing cars from the United States that are purchased through online car auctions.

Remember that insurance companies factor in the total cost of parts and labor in the United States when making their determinations to total vehicles. If your business can make the repairs itself, then this is the first manner in which you can save a bunch. Even if you can’t, though, remember that labor costs in the United States are typically much higher than in other countries. Even further, parts are often more expensive. It could be that the cost of repairing the vehicle in your country is orders of magnitude lower than in the U.S. Needless to say, this presents the opportunity for profit too!

Factor all of this together, and it’s easy to see how there’s money to be made in buying salvage cars in the United States and importing them into other countries. In fact, doing this just might be the most profitable business model of all for an auto importer-exporter.

Luxury Vehicles Bought from Auto Auction Mall Lead to Huge Profits

Another attractive target in online car auctions provided by Auto Auction Mall are luxury vehicles. These can be found through the site in new, used and salvage condition and are always much cheaper than you’d find through any other source. Because of this, the potential for profit when buying luxury cars through online cars auctions and then importing them elsewhere is tremendous!

The potential for profit is further compounded by the fact that luxury automobile prices are often higher in other countries than they are in the United States. This is especially true when you look into the number of classic and collectible automobiles that can be found through Auto Auction Mall. In order to make the savviest bidding and purchasing decisions, you need only research the market for luxury and classic automobiles in your country. This should guide you toward the best deals on the site!

Why You Should Use Auto Auction Mall to Buy Used Cars in Bulk

Finally, online car auctions through Auto Auction Mall present another tremendous advantage to foreign importer-exporters. It’s incredibly easy to buy in bulk! By working with the auction agent who will be assigned to you, you can identify certain auctions through which multiple vehicles can be purchased. Because of this, you stand save an extraordinary amount at various stages in the importing process.

First, you’ll find it easy to get a competitive and cost-effective rate when arranging for transportation of your purchased vehicles. Next, you’ll be able to save on shipping your vehicles from the United States to where you’re located, as you will be able to arrange a bulk rate (either through container or RORO) with a shipper.

Finally, whatever savings you net through shipping will often be compounded when it comes time to pay duties and taxes. This is because many countries and most likely yours collect their duties and taxes based upon CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight). This last point is an important one, and it will be discussed more below.

Chapter 03

Finalizing Payment and Arranging for Transportation and Shipping

Needless to say, there’s something for every kind of auto import business on Auto Auction Mall. After you’ve created your account and browsed the inventory of car auctions, you’re sure to identify vehicles that will make sense for your business’ particular needs and clientele.

Given that, you’ll want to understand the next steps. Below, we’ll discuss what’s involved in arranging for payment in auctions that you’ve won through Auto Auction Mall. Next, we’ll discuss the question of arranging for transportation of your purchased vehicles to your chosen place of export. Finally, we’ll tackle the question of arranging shipping for the vehicle or vehicles your purchase through Auto Auction Mall.

How to Pay for Vehicles Bought Through Auto Auction Mall

Finalizing payment for vehicles that you purchase through Auto Auction Mall is incredibly simple. Using the same mechanism by which you made your deposit, you can complete payment for any vehicle that you win at auction. Do note, though, that your prompt attention to full payment upon vehicles that you’ve won at auction is of paramount importance.

After winning a vehicle, you will have two full business days during which you can complete payment. After that, a $100 per day late fee is applied to all cars won at auction that have not been paid in full. This fee is assessed until a week’s time, after which if payment has not been made, the vehicle will be put back up for auction and the deposit forfeited.

Arranging for Transportation from the Used Car Auction Site

In pricing out vehicles that you purchase through Auto Auction Mall’s online car auctions, it’s important that you factor in the cost of transportation for your vehicle to your chosen port (or method) of export. For this reason, it’s recommended that you conduct some research into shipping options prior to bidding. Doing this will enable you to make sure you’re making the most cost-effective bidding decisions for your business.

Thankfully, you do not have to embark on this journey by yourself! Auto Auction Mall is more than happy to help in terms of arranging transportation for vehicles you win. In fact, on any online car auction provided through the site, you’ll notice a shipping widget. By using this, you’ll be connected to competing bids from multiple transportation companies. From there, you can choose whichever one is best for you.

While you’ll definitely want to save as much money on transportation for your vehicle or vehicles as possible, remember that cheap isn’t always best. Particularly if you’re seeking to deal luxury or classic automobiles, you may wish to consider transportation options that come at a higher cost but that have a more established reputation.

About Shipping Used Vehicles to Outside of the United States

Auto Auction Mall can help with more than just arranging for transporting your vehicle away from the auction site. You can receive assistance with arranging international shipping, too!

When it comes to international shipping for vehicles bought through online car auctions, there are essentially three main options. One can ship a vehicle by air, land or sea. Each of these options has its own pros and cons.

The biggest benefit to shipping by air is speed. Simply put, there is no faster way to get a vehicle from point A to point B. That said, air shipping is by far the most expensive, oftentimes prohibitively so. Still, if you’ve purchased a luxury vehicle that needs to be delivered to a client who simply can’t wait, then there’s no better option.

If you’re operating in North America or South America, then delivery by land is also possible. All things considered, this can be a fairly cheap and quick way to deliver a vehicle, but there are complications. Most notably, unless you’re delivering to Canada or Mexico, the vehicle will have to cross multiple borders, which can present myriad headaches when it comes to dealing with customs.

In the end, shipping by sea is the most common method by which used vehicles are exported from the United States to other countries. While the slowest of the three shipping options, it’s generally the cheapest and most reliable. Of course, when it comes to shipping vehicles by sea, your options are more numerous than you might expect.

Shipping Used Vehicles from the United States by Sea

When shipping a vehicle by sea, you’ll essentially have two options. The first is traditional container shipping, and the second is something that’s known as RORO shipping, which stands for “roll-on roll-off”.

This second option may be particularly appealing to many who are importing used and salvage cars from the United States. The reason for this is simple. RORO shipping is by far the cheapest shipping option.

When you ship a vehicle via the RORO method, that vehicle will simply be rolled (or driven) onto the ship at its U.S. departure port and then rolled off once it arrives in your country. This is, of course, much more convenient than container shipping, which involves a number of additional steps. More to the point, though, the minimal overhead and labor involved leads to big savings, something that can be compounded when it comes time to pay import duties and taxes.

Still, there are a few drawbacks to RORO shipping of which you should be aware. Most notably, because a container will not protect your vehicle, the possibility exists for inclement weather to cause damage to your vehicle during transit. Further, since ship workers will handle your vehicle in one form or another, the possibility of damage occurring due to human error does exist. All of that said, the risk is fairly miniscule.

Even if these potential drawbacks do not dissuade you from using RORO shipping, there may be reasons to opt for container shipping. For one, if you’re dealing in luxury or classic automobiles, then protecting your investment is of paramount importance. Also, if you’re shipping in bulk, then remember that more than one car can fit into a large container. For this reason, container shipping may end up being the cheaper of the two options.

Chapter 04

Exporting Used Cars from the United States

Accepting delivery of a car that you’ve purchased through an online car auction on Auto Auction Mall isn’t as simple as merely arranging for shipment, though. You will also need to ensure that you’re adequately prepared for the customs clearance process both at the U.S. border and in your home country. Below, we’re going to discuss what’s involved in clearing a new, used or salvage vehicle through U.S. customs.

Clearing a Vehicle Through U.S. Customs

The good news is that clearing a new, used or salvage car through U.S. customs is an incredibly simple process. The first step in this process is gathering the appropriate paperwork. In addition to forms that must be submitted to U.S. customs at your chosen point of departure, you will also need to have the Original Certificate of Title for each vehicle that you’re exporting. In addition to this, U.S. customs also requires one of the following:

  • One (1) Certified Copy of the Original Certificate of Title OR
  • Two (2) Complete Copies of the Original Certificate of Title

Either of the above can be obtained from the titling authority in the state where the vehicle’s title was issued. If you have any questions about obtaining these documents, be sure to contact the auction broker that Auto Auction Mall has assigned to you.

Once the forms and the above documents are completed and obtained, the vehicle must be brought to your chosen point of departure. Note that U.S. customs requires that any vehicle being exported from the country be presented (along with the above documentation) to customs authorities at your chosen point of departure at least 72 hours in advance of the ship date.

After U.S. customs has taken possession of your vehicle, they will inspect both your documentation and the vehicle itself. When inspecting the vehicle, U.S. customs agents will ensure that the VIN present on the vehicle matches the documents provided. In addition, they will also examine the vehicle to ensure that nothing illegal has been stowed away.

Provided the vehicle and documentation passes the above inspection, the vehicle will be cleared by customs and then loaded for shipment. Should you have any questions about the above process, please see this guide provided by U.S. Customs and Border Security.

Why You Might Work with a Customs Broker

While the above process is incredibly straightforward, it may be advisable to work with a customs broker. This is particularly the case if you’ll be dealing with multiple vehicles, as ensuring everything is submitted on time to U.S. customs is of paramount importance.

If not enough time is given to customs agents, your vehicle may miss its ship date, which could lead to complications or the loss of money or even your vehicle. If you believe that having a customs broker working on behalf would be beneficial in your circumstance, then let Auto Auction Mall help to connect you with one.

Chapter 05

Importing Used Cars from the United States

After a vehicle has been exported from the United States, the next step in taking possession is clearing customs in your country. To be sure, the rules governing the import of motor vehicles are as various as the countries on the planet. However, there are some things that are generally the same no matter where you’re importing your U.S. vehicles.

Typical Paperwork Required when Importing Used Cars from the U.S.

While U.S. Customs and Border Security does not require much in terms of documentation, the same will most likely not be true in your country. By and large, most countries around the world require, at a bare minimum, the following documents:

  • Original Certificate of Title
  • Original U.S. Vehicle Registration
  • Original Bill of Landing
  • Inspection Documents
  • Proof of Insurance
  • Documents that Corroborate Declared Value

In addition to the above, you will most likely be required to furnish additional documentation. To find out what documentation is required in your country, please consult the sections 6 and 7, which provide links to guides that go into greater detail about the customs clearance procedures for a number of different countries.

Understanding the Process for Clearing Used U.S. Cars Through Customs

In addition to understanding the paperwork involved in importing a new, used or salvage vehicle that originates in the United States, it’s also important to understand the numerous restrictions that might be in place in your country. While new cars are generally okay for import wherever you may be located, the fact is that many governments around the world have specific rules when it comes to used and salvage vehicles.

The most common kind of restriction that you’re likely to encounter will pertain to a vehicle’s age. In many countries, only used vehicles that are of a certain age or younger are permissible for import. When looking into these rules, be sure to keep in mind that a vehicle’s age can be calculated differently, i.e. one country might use the date of manufacture while another might use model year. Also, do note that in some countries where an age restriction is in place, there are special exemptions made for luxury or classic automobiles.

Outside of age, another common restriction you’ll encounter has to do with left-hand and right-hand drive vehicles. If you’re importing new, used or salvage U.S. vehicles into a country where right-hand drive vehicles are standard, be sure to find out whether or not imported U.S. vehicles need to be converted prior to leaving the U.S.

Due to ever increasing international interest in protecting the environment, more and more countries are putting restrictions in place that pertain to emissions. By and large, any vehicle that you purchase through an online car auction in the United States should be in conformity with environmental regulations wherever you’re based. But, you’d best check to make sure.

For the most part, restrictions placed upon the import of used and salvage automobiles take some form of the above. However, there are other restrictions that could be imposed, ones that encompass everything from the tinting of auto glass to the presence of damage on a vehicle’s body. In the final section below, you’ll find general overviews for the restrictions in place in many countries around the world. In addition, you’ll find a link for each country to a guide that provides more detailed information.

Understanding Import Duties and Taxes for Used Cars from the U.S.

When importing new, used and salvage cars from the United States into another country, import duties and taxes will be due. Understanding how these duties and taxes work is vitally important to the success of your import business.

Virtually every country levies a duty on imported automobiles. There are exceptions, though. The United States enjoys a number of free-trade agreements with countries around the world, and oftentimes these agreements allow for vehicles to be imported duty free provided that certain Rules of Origin are met. Do note that while import duties are generally a flat percentage, there are some countries wherein the percentage of the import duty can be tied to anything from the engine displacement of a vehicle to its value or its weight.

Aside from an import duty, the most common kind of tax that you’ll encounter is a Value Added Tax (VAT). In almost every case, this VAT will be a flat percentage and won’t adjust. However, there are a few exceptions.

Outside of the above, a number of other duties or taxes might be in place depending upon the country to which you’re importing new, used or salvage U.S. vehicles. Below, you’ll find a list of common countries to which U.S. vehicles are imported along with an overview of the duties and taxes in place.

Getting a Handle on CIF

One thing you may wish to know is that many countries assess their duties and taxes based upon an imported vehicle’s CIF. If you are not already familiar with the term, CIF stands for “Cost, Insurance, Freight”. This figure reflects the value of the vehicle, plus the cost of shipping and shipping insurance. If your country uses the CIF value of an imported vehicle to calculate its import duties and taxes, then be sure you’re shopping for the best rates when it comes to shipping your vehicle (or vehicles) from the United States. Money saved in shipping can translate into big savings in import duties and taxes!

About Reselling Used and Salvage Cars Imported from the U.S.

If you’re going to import used cars from the United States into your country as part of a business, be sure to find out if you’ll need to register as an importer or as a car dealer. While most countries do not restrict how many vehicles one can import or what that individual can do with imported vehicles, there are some that do. In these cases, private individuals are required to sign a “Non-Sale Certificate” in order to secure clearance of their vehicle once it arrives.

If your country has such laws in place, this is not the end of the matter. As mentioned, you will generally have to register as an importer with your country’s customs authority, or else you will have to register as a dealer through the relevant government agency. To find out if this the case in your country, consult section 7 below!

Chapter 06

Import Duties and Taxes by Country

In order to make the most money possible when importing used cars from the United States into another country, you must understand the various import duties and taxes that are in place. Below you’ll find an overview of the duties and taxes for countries to which U.S. used and salvage cars are most often exported.

Australia

The United States and Australia enjoy a free-trade agreement with one another, which can lead to a dramatic reduction in import duties and taxes. Those that meet Rules of Origin are exempt from an import duty. However, there are still a Goods and Services Tax (GST) and a Luxury Car Tax (LCT) that may apply. To learn more, consult this guide to import duties and taxes for used cars in Australia.

Belgium

The duties and taxes due on vehicles imported from the United States will vary in Belgium depending upon the vehicle type, its value and its engine capacity. What stays constant are the Value Added Tax (VAT), which is set to 21% currently, as well as the registration tax, which is set to 25% currently. To learn more about import duties and taxes for used cars imported from the United States into Belgium, please consult this guide.

Benin

For imported used vehicles, Benin distinguishes between those that will be for personal use and those that will be resold. In the instance of a used car that will be sold, the import duty is currently set to 50% of the vehicle’s CIF. In addition to this, there is also a flat 3.65% tax on imported used vehicles that is again based upon the vehicle’s CIF. To learn more about Benin’s duties and taxes for imported used cars from the U.S., please visit this guide.

Cameroon

Although there is no import duty assessed on used cars originating in the United States, there are exceptionally high taxes. For vehicles with engine capacities of less than 2000cc, these taxes total 58% of the imported vehicle’s CIF. For vehicles with engine capacities of 2000cc or greater, these taxes jump up to 78% of the CIF. To learn more about Cameroon’s taxes for imported used cars, please visit this guide.

Canada

As a member of the North Atlantic Free-Trade Agreement (NAFTA), many used vehicles imported from the United States will not be subject to import duties. (These vehicles will meet NAFTA’s Rules of Origin requirements.) There are however, taxes that will apply in all cases and that vary depending upon the province to which the used vehicle is being im-ported. To learn more about these taxes and NAFTA’s Rules of Origin, consult this guide to imported used cars from the United States into Canada.

Ecuador

Currently, Ecuador does not allow used cars to be imported from the United States for the purpose of being resold. If you are looking to import a used vehicle into the country for your own personal use, though, you can consult this guide to import duties and taxes for imported used cars in Ecuador.

El Salvador

As a member of the Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), there are a number of breaks to import duties and taxes that you might be able to take advantage of. However, navigating the rules to take advantage of these rules typically requires the expertise of an experienced customs broker. To learn more about this, please consult this guide.

Finland

When importing a used passenger vehicle into Finland, the vehicle will be subject to a 10% tariff. (This tariff varies for trucks and busses.) In addition, there are a number of taxes assessed, including a Value Added Tax (VAT), Car Tax and a Fuel Tax. These taxes will vary depending upon the vehicle, and each of them is assessed on the import vehicle’s CIF. To learn more about these import taxes for used cars imported into Finland, visit this guide.

France

When importing a used car from the United States into France, the vehicle will be subject to a 10% import duty based upon the CIF. In addition to this, there are a number of different taxes assessed, including a Value Added Tax (VAT) on 19.6% of the CIF. Once the vehicle is cleared by customs, it will also be subject to an emissions tax. To learn more about this, please consult this guide.

Georgia

Georgia is a particularly attractive country to which one can import used and salvage vehicles from the United States. There is currently no import duty assessed on such vehicles, meaning one is only responsible for the payment of an 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) that is assessed on the imported car’s CIF. To learn more about this, please consult this guide.

Germany

Regular passenger vehicles that are imported from the United States into Germany are subject to a 10% tariff, while larger vehicles like trucks and busses are subject to a 22% tariff. In addition to this, there is also a “turnover tax” (similar to a Value Added Tax) that is assessed. Currently, this tax is 19% of the import car’s CIF. To learn more about Germany’s import duties and taxes for used vehicles, please consult this guide.

Ghana

Import duties and taxes for imported used vehicles from the United States and elsewhere are exceptionally complex in Ghana. Customs authorities use their own calculations for assessing the value of used cars, and they use this assessed value to administer a number of different duties and taxes. For a comprehensive guide to Ghana’s import duties and taxes for used vehicles, please visit this site.

Guatemala

As a member of the Central American Dominican Republic United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), there a number of duty and tax breaks you may be able to take advantage of when importing used cars from the United States. However, doing this can be quite complicated, and you therefore may wish to work with a customs broker. To learn more about Guatemala’s import duties and taxes for imported used U.S. cars, please consult this guide.

Honduras

Hounduras is one of the Central American Dominican Republic United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) member nations, and therefore used cars imported from the United States are subject to preferential treatment when it comes to duties and taxes. To learn what these are, as well as how you can take advantage of the CAFTA-DR, please visit this guide to Honduras’ import duties and taxes for imported used cars.

Iceland

Currently, Iceland does not allow for vehicles to be imported from the United States (or elsewhere) for the purposes of being resold. If you wish to import a vehicle into the country for your own personal use, though, then there are a number of duties and taxes that will be assessed. To learn what these are, please consult this guide.

India

Import duties and taxes for used vehicles imported into India from the United States and elsewhere can be exceptionally high. In fact, it’s often found that the total of these duties can sometimes be up to 125% of the imported vehicle’s value. For this reason, working with a customs broker is most definitely advised. To learn more about these Indian duties and taxes for imported used vehicles, consult this guide.

Israel

Duties and taxes for imported used (and new) cars from the United States vary widely in Israel. They have much to do with the importer’s citizenship status, as well as whether or not the importer is a mechanic or dealers. For this reason, you may wish to research the rules and regulations surrounding the import of used vehicles from the United States further. To do so, we recommend starting with this guide to importing used cars from the United States into Israel.

Italy

The typical 10% tariff on imported vehicles (both new and used) is in effect in Italy. Do note that this tariff is 22% for imported trucks and busses. In addition to this duty, there are a number of different taxes assessed by Italian customs on imported used vehicles, including a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 22%. To learn more about this, as well as Italy’s luxury tax on certain imported vehicles, please consult this guide.

Jordan

Jordan and the United States enjoy a free-trade agreement with one another, which means that vehicles are not subject to an import duty upon arrival. However, the are a number of different taxes that are assessed upon imported used vehicles, which vary depending upon the size and type of the vehicle. To learn more about these taxes upon vehicles imported from the United States into Jordan, please visit this link.

Kenya

Currently, the import duty for used vehicles imported from the United States into Kenya is set to 25% of the imported vehicle’s CIF. In addition this, there are a number of different taxes assessed, including a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 16% which is based on the sum of the import duty and the CIF. To learn more about the VAT and other taxes assessed by Kenyan customs on imported used vehicles, please consult this guide.

Lebanon

All duties and taxes for used cars imported from the United States into Lebanon are calculated based upon CIF. In addition, these taxes and duties vary depending upon the customs-assessed value of the imported vehicle. For this reason, you may wish to work with a customs broker when exporting used cars from the U.S. into Lebanon. To learn more about these duties and taxes, you can consult this handy guide.

Lithuania

Ordinary passenger vehicles imported into Lithuania are subject to a 10% import tariff. However, if the imported vehicle is hybrid or electric, this import tariff is lowered to 5%. In addition to this, there is a Value Added Tax of 21% assessed on vehicles whose engine capacity is in excess of 1600cc. For those that fall below this threshold, the VAT is eliminated. To learn more about this, as well as other taxes that might be assessed when importing a used car into Lithuania, please consult this guide.

Mexico

As a member of the North Atlantic Free-Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Rules of Origin are in place within Mexico. For this reason, it is possible to import used vehicles from the Unit-ed States into the country without paying a duty. That said, there are a number of different taxes that are assessed, including a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 16% and a General Import Tax (IGI) that varies depending upon the vehicle’s age. To learn more about these taxes, please consult this guide.

Netherlands

When importing an ordinary passenger vehicle into the Netherlands, you will be subject to a 10% tariff. Note that this tariff jumps up to 22% for trucks and busses. If a vehicle is older than 30 years, however, there is no tariff applied. In addition to the above, there is a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 22%, which is lowered to 6% if the vehicle is more than 30 years old. To learn more about this, please consult this guide.

Nigeria

In order to protect its automotive manufacturing industry, Nigeria has recently taken steps to curb the import of used cars from abroad. Because of this, you’ll find that the import duty for used cars imported from the United States is currently 75%. However, there is no import duty placed upon Completely Knocked Down (CKD) vehicles, which means importing salvage cars for parts can be lucrative. To learn more about this, please consult this handy guide.

Panama

When collecting an import duty on a used vehicle imported into Panama, customs will determine the rate based upon the value of the vehicle. This is import to understand, as Panamanian customs are notorious for being arbitrary when it comes to determining what the value of any given imported vehicle is. To learn more about navigating this difficulty when importing used cars from the United States into Panama, please consult this guide.

Paraguay

When importing a used vehicle from the United States in Paraguay, the vehicle will be subject to a 10% import duty. In addition to this, there is a transfer tax that is assessed by Paraguayan customs. The percentage of this tax will vary from 30% to 37% depending upon the engine displacement of the imported used vehicle. To learn more about this, as well as potential tax breaks you might be able to use, please consult this guide.

Poland

In Poland, the import duty for used passenger vehicles is currently set to 10%, with the percentage increasing to 22% for trucks and larger vehicles. In addition to this, there is a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 23% assessed by Polish customs, as well as an excise tax that varies depending upon the imported used vehicle’s engine displacement. To learn more about these duties and taxes on used cars imported into Poland, please visit this detailed guide.

Qatar

This country happens to be one of the most attractive places to which one can export used cars from the United States, due in no small part to the incredibly low import duties and taxes. In fact, when importing a used car from the U.S., one needs only pay a 5% duty on that vehicle; there are no other applicable taxes. To learn more about exporting used cars to Qatar, please consult this guide.

Russia

The most difficult part about importing used vehicles from the United States into Russia is navigating the complicated rules regarding import duties and taxes. For this reason, you may find it advisable to work with a customs broker, one who can make sure you’re paying the lowest amount possible. If you’d like to learn more about what Russia’s import duties and taxes are for used vehicles originating in the United States, please take a look at this guide.

Saudi Arabia

When importing a used (or new) car into Saudi Arabia from the United States, no taxes will be due. However, there is an import duty that is assessed, and this duty is calculated upon the value of the vehicle as determined by Saudi Arabian customs and their formula for depreciation. The import duty is currently 10%. To learn more about how the depreciation formula works, please consult this guide to importing used cars into Saudi Arabia.

South Africa

There are a number of different duties and taxes that are assessed by the South African government upon imported used vehicles. Most notably, there is a 32% import duty that applies to all vehicles regardless of size or age. In addition, there is also an “Ad Valorum” duty of 2% currently in place. In order to learn more about these duties, as well as additional taxes and opportunities for savings, please consult this step-by-step guide to importing used cars into South Africa.

South Korea

The United States and South Korea currently enjoy a favorable trade agreement with one another known as the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS). Because of this, imported used cars are no longer subject to a duty. However, there are taxes in place that must be paid, including a Value Added Tax (VAT) and a Special Consumption Tax (SCT) of 10% and 5% respectively that are assessed on used cars that will be resold. To learn more about this, please consult this guide to importing cars into South Korea.

Switzerland

Unlike many other countries around the world, Switzerland determines its import duty on new and used vehicles by vehicle weight. Generally speaking, you will be expected to pay between 12 and 15 CHF per every 100kg. In addition, there is also a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 8%, which is assessed on the value of the vehicle as determined by Swiss customs. To learn more about this, as well as other taxes that must be paid, please consult this guide.

Tago

The duties and taxes for imported used and salvage vehicles in Togo are relatively high. Generally speaking, the sum total will be about 53.5% of the imported vehicle’s CIF. There are, however, a few tax and duty breaks that you might be able to take advantage of. To learn more about these breaks and Togo’s import duties and taxes, please visit this guide to importing used cars into Togo.

Trinidad & Tobago

When importing a used or salvage car into Trinidad & Tobago, you may find the duty and tax structure a bit complex. For this reason, it might be advisable to secure the services of a qualified customs broker. In addition to an import duty that’s determined by engine displacement, there is also a Value Added Tax (VAT) and a Motor Vehicle Tax (MVT). To learn more about these duties and taxes, please visit this guide.

United Arab Emirates

Without any taxes placed upon imported used and new cars in the United Arab Emirates, one is only responsible for paying the import duty. For ordinary passenger vehicles, this import duty is 5% of the car’s value as determined by UAE customs. (If the vehicle is a truck, then the import duty is 12%.) In addition to this duty, you will also be required to pay 1% of the cost for shipping the vehicle and securing shipping insurance. To learn more about these duties, please consult this guide.

United Kingdom

Regardless of vehicle type or age, the United Kingdom imposed a flat tariff of 10%. If, however, the imported vehicle exceeds 5 tons in gross weight, then the tariff jumps up to 22%. In addition to this, there is also a Value Added Tax (VAT) assessed on imported new and used vehicles, which is currently set to 20%. To learn more about these import duties and taxes, as well as how you can import used cars from the U.S. into the U.K. please consult this step-by-step guide.

Uruguay

For vehicles that are allowed import into Uruguay, there are a number of different duties and taxes assessed. Ordinary passenger vehicles are subject to a 23% tariff that’s based upon the vehicle’s CIF. In addition, there is also a Special Consumption Tax (SCT) that’s based upon the engine displacement of the vehicle. Finally, there is also a Transfer Tax for vehicles that will be resold after import. To learn more about these duties and taxes, please consult this step-by-step guide.