For Germany-to-USA moves, separate the physical arrival of the vessel from the moment you can legally and practically take possession of the vehicle. Government POV shipments and privately arranged second-POV shipments can use different pickup workflows.
The ship reaches the U.S. gateway. This does not mean the car is immediately accessible.
The vehicle is unloaded and moved through the terminal process.
The applicable entry, customs and import-compliance steps must be completed for the vehicle.
The ocean carrier, destination agent or terminal confirms that its release conditions have been satisfied.
You receive the authoritative notice that the vehicle is available for pickup or onward movement.
You collect the vehicle, an authorized third party collects it, or a separate inland carrier moves it to the final destination.
For a government-shipped POV, follow PCSmyPOV and the destination Vehicle Processing Center. Military OneSource currently states that the destination VPC will notify you within 24 hours by email or postcard when the vehicle is ready and that the vehicle can be tracked through PCSmyPOV.
Military OneSource also states that you have 21 days from the day the POV is available to pick it up. That is government POV guidance; do not automatically apply the same timeline to a privately arranged commercial shipment.
A private commercial shipment follows the provider, ocean carrier, destination agent and terminal process in the verified booking. The provider may send arrival information before the vessel reaches port, but estimated arrival is not the same as a final release notice.
Use your booking or Bill of Lading reference to follow available carrier tracking. For example, Wallenius Wilhelmsen provides Track & Trace tools for supported shipments, but the shipment event history still does not replace the destination agent's actual pickup instructions.
The exact package depends on whether the vehicle is a government POV, U.S.-spec returning vehicle, foreign-spec import or another private shipment. For imported vehicles, U.S. Customs and Border Protection explains that formal entry documentation is important for later registration; proof of ownership and federal emissions/safety compliance can also matter.
Do not leave the document plan until the vehicle reaches port. Review the Germany → USA vehicle shipping documents guide before departure and keep important originals accessible.
Possibly. Third-party pickup can require a power of attorney, specific authorization wording, identification or consignee information. Requirements can differ between a government VPC and a private terminal or destination agent.
If you already know you will not be at the destination when the car becomes available, organize the authorization before arrival. See the Power of Attorney and third-party pickup guide.
For private shipments, yes when a provider offers a separate U.S. inland transport service. The arrival gateway is not necessarily the final household destination, so port-to-destination trucking should be visible as its own cost unless the verified quote explicitly includes it.
Ship or Sell separates this leg in the U.S. inland vehicle transport methodology. That makes it easier to compare true landed cost instead of treating an ocean-arrival price as door-to-door.
No. Discharge, import/customs processing and carrier or terminal release may still be outstanding.
Military OneSource says the destination VPC will notify you when it is ready, and you can track the shipment through PCSmyPOV.
Current Military OneSource guidance says 21 days from the day the POV is available.
Possibly, but confirm the exact POA or authorization requirements with the VPC, terminal or destination agent before arrival.
The analyzer can account for a separate U.S. inland leg. The actual commercial rate should be provider-verified for the vehicle and destination.
Last reviewed: 7 October 2026.
The free Ship or Sell report combines the vehicle, gateway, import path, pickup plan and possible inland delivery with the SHIP / SELL / STORE decision.
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