Importing a BMW Z1 to the USA: What It Really Costs
A quirky roadster with vertically dropping doors and a clever composite body.
By Marcus Lane, Vehicle import & export specialist · 6 min read
The Z1 is a low-volume BMW roadster famous for its drop-down doors and innovative construction.
It was never sold new in the US, so every example is a European import.
The full cost breakdown
Plug in your own purchase figure — everything below the vehicle scales only modestly with value. All amounts are researched 2026 estimates in USD.
| Vehicle (purchase price) | $45,000 |
| Export agent & auction fees | $1,200 |
| Ocean freight | $2,600 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $675 |
| The standard US passenger-car import duty is 2.5% of declared value | $1,125 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $830 |
| EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork | $300 |
| Inland transport & registration | $1,500 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $53,230 |
Compliance & the fine print
Because the Z1 was never federalized, US ownership depends on the 25-year exemption once a car is old enough. Verify the body panels and trim, since the composite parts can be costly to source.
Frequently asked questions
Was the Z1 sold in America?+
No, it was European-market only, making the 25-year rule the route to US ownership.
What taxes apply at import?+
Just the 2.5% import duty, since the US levies no VAT.
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