Import · Germany → USA

Importing a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Cosworth to the USA

The DTM homologation Benz, in full Euro Evo trim the US never officially received.

Marcus Lane
By Marcus Lane, Vehicle import & export specialist · 6 min read
Mercedes 190E Cosworth — Germany → USA cost guide
Mercedes 190E Cosworth. Photo: Tkosho24v · FAL via Wikimedia Commons
Quick answer

A Mercedes 190E Cosworth costs about $63,630 all-in to import on the Germany → USA route in 2026 — a $55,000 purchase plus roughly $8,630 in shipping, 2.5% duty, compliance and registration.

Route
Germany → USA
Est. all-in cost
~$63,630
Duty & tax
2.5% duty
On a purchase of
$55,000

Euro 2.5-16 and Evo cars are 25-year eligible and far more desirable than detuned US versions.

Evo II cars are blue-chip; verify provenance before bidding.

How much does it cost to import a Mercedes 190E Cosworth?

Every line below is a researched 2026 estimate in USD. We start from the $55,000 purchase price, add marine insurance at about 1.5% and ocean freight, then 2.5% US duty on the declared value, and the broker, compliance and registration fees. Change the purchase price and everything else scales only modestly.

Estimated landed cost — Mercedes 190E Cosworth, Germany → USA, 2026
Vehicle (purchase price)$55,000
Export agent & auction fees$1,200
Ocean freight$2,600
Marine insurance (~1.5%)$825
2.5% US duty$1,375
Customs broker & port handling$830
EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork$300
Inland transport & registration$1,500
Estimated all-in landed cost$63,630

Into USA the duty is light, just $1,375, so tax is the small part of the bill. It is shipping (about $2,600), compliance and registration that make up most of the roughly $8,630 you add on top of the $55,000 purchase price — around 16% before you turn a wheel.

How to import a Mercedes 190E Cosworth, step by step

  1. Agree the purchase and secure the title/export paperwork in Germany (an export agent or auction house usually handles de-registration).
  2. Book ocean freight — roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) is cheapest, a sole-use container is safest for a high-value car.
  3. Confirm eligibility from the build month — the US 25-year DOT exemption is calculated month by month, not by model year.
  4. Clear US customs and pay the 2.5% duty, then file EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7 at entry.
  5. Arrange inland transport, then title and register in your state — a few states add emissions or kei-vehicle checks.

Is a Mercedes 190E Cosworth legal to import? Rules & compliance

Standard exemption; documentation is everything on the rare Evo models.

Frequently asked questions

Why import from Germany?+

Higher-spec Euro and Evo cars not sold new in the US.

Duty?+

2.5%.

What is the total estimated cost to import a Mercedes 190E Cosworth?+

About $63,630 all-in for a $55,000 example — the purchase price plus roughly $8,630 in freight, insurance, duty, compliance and registration. Your figure shifts with the exact price, route and exchange rate.

Read next