Two vehicles leaving the same country for the same state can produce different totals because the carrier is pricing space, handling and route requirements — while import and inland costs depend on the actual vehicle and destination.
Ship or Sell uses the actual vehicle, Germany origin and U.S. destination, and labels planning estimates separately from live or verified evidence.
Analyze my route →Length, width and height affect how much carrier space a vehicle occupies and whether it fits standard handling. Large pickups, vans and oversized SUVs can therefore price differently from compact passenger cars. Factory dimensions are useful only if the vehicle is still stock.
Lift kits, oversized tires, roof racks, tents and other modifications can change actual dimensions or handling requirements. A modified vehicle should be quoted using real measurements rather than assuming the factory specification still applies.
A non-running vehicle can require additional loading or terminal handling. Carrier acceptance and any extra charges should be confirmed before booking.
The international leg does not begin at your driveway. Moving the vehicle from Wiesbaden, Kaiserslautern, Stuttgart, Grafenwöhr or another origin to the export process can change the cost and scheduling.
The booked carrier, sailing, gateway and commercial availability affect the ocean component. A planning route is not a booking confirmation; the provider must confirm the actual service and any current surcharges.
Importability can dominate the economics. NHTSA states that a vehicle under 25 years old that was not originally manufactured and certified to applicable U.S. safety standards generally needs an approved eligibility path. EPA emissions compliance is a separate federal requirement. A cheap freight quote does not solve a difficult import path.
The port is not necessarily where you need the car. If the vehicle arrives in Baltimore, Brunswick, Galveston, Long Beach, Tacoma or another gateway and your final ZIP is inland, the onward truck move belongs in the true cost.
Terminal free time and storage rules vary. If documentation or pickup is delayed, storage can become an additional cost. Verify the terminal rules for the booked shipment instead of assuming one universal free-storage period.
Carrier liability and optional marine cargo insurance are different products. The level of cover you choose can affect the total cost, especially for higher-value vehicles.
Rental cars, rideshare or buying a temporary vehicle can be real household costs during transit. They may not appear on the freight invoice, but they belong in the ship-versus-sell decision if you would actually incur them.
Where verified or authorized live data is unavailable, Ship or Sell keeps the number labeled as a planning estimate or Review. A provider quote can then replace the planning value. This prevents a precise-looking estimate from being mistaken for a live carrier rate.
See how the same factors apply to a privately arranged second vehicle.
Second POV cost →Published and last reviewed: 6 October 2026.
Use your actual vehicle and destination to see which factors matter most before requesting a final carrier quote.
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