Exporting a Ford Mustang from the US to Europe: what it costs
American muscle is cheap in the States and coveted in Europe — but VAT and duty add a third to the price.
A Ford Mustang GT costs about $67,125 all-in to export on the USA → Germany route in 2026 — a $45,000 purchase plus roughly $22,125 in shipping, 10% duty + 19% VAT/GST, compliance and registration.
- Route
- USA → Germany
- Est. all-in cost
- ~$67,125
- Duty & tax
- 10% duty + 19% VAT/GST
- On a purchase of
- $45,000
Europe taxes a US car twice: 10% duty on CIF, then import VAT on the duty-inclusive value.
Type-approval (TÜV / Certificate of Conformity) is the off-invoice hurdle, often $1,500–$3,500.
How much does it cost to export a Ford Mustang GT?
Every line below is a researched 2026 estimate in USD. We start from the $45,000 purchase price, add marine insurance at about 1.5% and ocean freight, then 10% duty and 19% VAT/GST on the duty-inclusive (CIF) value, and the broker, compliance and registration fees. Change the purchase price and everything else scales only modestly.
| Vehicle (purchase price) | $45,000 |
| Seller-side export documentation | $150 |
| Ocean freight | $1,800 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $675 |
| EU car duty is 10% of CIF value | $4,748 |
| German import VAT is 19% on the duty-inclusive value | $9,922 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $830 |
| Type-approval / inspection | $2,500 |
| Inland transport & registration | $1,500 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $67,125 |
On this Ford Mustang GT, destination taxes are the real story: roughly $4,748 in import duty plus $9,922 in import VAT/GST — about $14,670 together, frequently more than the $1,800 of ocean freight and every handling fee combined. All in, budget around $22,125 on top of the $45,000 purchase price (about 49%) before the car is registered in Germany.
How to export a Ford Mustang GT, step by step
- Agree the purchase and secure the title/export paperwork in USA.
- Book ocean freight — roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) is cheapest, a sole-use container is safest for a high-value car.
- Make the customs entry and pay 10% duty plus 19% import VAT on the duty-inclusive value.
- Obtain EU type-approval (a Certificate of Conformity) or pass individual approval such as the German TÜV, plus any registration tax.
- Register the vehicle in Germany and settle any CO2-based registration tax.
Exporting a Ford Mustang GT: rules & compliance
A US-spec Mustang needs lighting and emissions checks for EU registration; strictness and VAT vary by country, so choose the destination deliberately.
Frequently asked questions
EU duty on a US car?+
10% of CIF, with VAT charged on top of the duty.
Can I reclaim VAT?+
Private buyers generally cannot; VAT-registered businesses sometimes can.
What is the total estimated cost to export a Ford Mustang GT?+
About $67,125 all-in for a $45,000 example — the purchase price plus roughly $22,125 in freight, insurance, duty, VAT/GST, compliance and registration. Your figure shifts with the exact price, route and exchange rate.
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