Exporting a US pickup truck to Europe: duty and the size problem
Exporting a truck, not a car, triggers the EU's punishing 22% commercial-vehicle tariff.
A US pickup truck costs about $81,562 all-in to export on the USA → Germany route in 2026 — a $50,000 purchase plus roughly $31,562 in shipping, 22% duty + 19% VAT/GST, compliance and registration.
- Route
- USA → Germany
- Est. all-in cost
- ~$81,562
- Duty & tax
- 22% duty + 19% VAT/GST
- On a purchase of
- $50,000
Light commercial vehicles attract 22% EU duty versus 10% for cars — classification is everything.
German registration of an oversized truck adds practical hurdles beyond tax.
How much does it cost to export a US pickup truck?
Every line below is a researched 2026 estimate in USD. We start from the $50,000 purchase price, add marine insurance at about 1.5% and ocean freight, then 22% 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) | $50,000 |
| Seller-side export documentation | $150 |
| Ocean freight | $2,000 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $750 |
| EU duty on light trucks is 22%, far higher than cars | $11,605 |
| 19% German import VAT on duty-inclusive value | $12,227 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $830 |
| Type-approval / inspection | $2,500 |
| Inland transport & registration | $1,500 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $81,562 |
On this US pickup truck, destination taxes are the real story: roughly $11,605 in import duty plus $12,227 in import VAT/GST — about $23,832 together, frequently more than the $2,000 of ocean freight and every handling fee combined. All in, budget around $31,562 on top of the $50,000 purchase price (about 63%) before the car is registered in Germany.
How to export a US pickup truck, 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 22% 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 US pickup truck: rules & compliance
How the vehicle is classified (passenger vs goods) decides whether you pay 10% or 22% — get it confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
Why 22%?+
The EU taxes light trucks far higher than passenger cars.
Can I avoid it?+
Only if it legitimately classifies as a passenger vehicle.
What is the total estimated cost to export a US pickup truck?+
About $81,562 all-in for a $50,000 example — the purchase price plus roughly $31,562 in freight, insurance, duty, VAT/GST, compliance and registration. Your figure shifts with the exact price, route and exchange rate.
Read next
Exporting a Ford Mustang from the US to Europe: what it costs
Exporting a Chevrolet Camaro from the US to Germany
