The short answer
Buying a classic across a border isn't harder than buying domestically — it just has more moving parts that all need to land correctly. Get the provenance check right, factor in transport + customs honestly, and use a local pre-purchase inspection. In that order.
Most problems we see with imported cars trace back to skipping the local pre-purchase inspection because the seller was "trusted." Trust is useful; it's not a substitute for a specialist walking around the car in the metal.
Provenance first
Before you transfer money, confirm:
- VIN + chassis-number match to what the seller is advertising. Photograph both from the car itself, not from paperwork.
- Title / ownership history is clean. In the US, ask for the title document; in the UK, the V5C; in the EU, the logbook (Fahrzeugbrief / carte grise / libretto).
- Matching-numbers status. For a 190SL, E-Type, or long-case 911, mismatched numbers cut the post-restoration market value by 30–50%. The seller should know — if they don't, assume non-matching until proven otherwise.
- Accident history. For US cars, Carfax or AutoCheck. For EU cars, look for mismatched panel gaps and ask directly.
- Prior restoration. A previously-restored car can be wonderful or a disaster. Ask for photos of the previous work, not just the finished product.
Don't skip any of these because the car looks good online. We've seen six-figure cars with fabricated chassis numbers.
Use a local pre-purchase inspection
Engage a specialist in the seller's country — not the seller's preferred mechanic — to do a walk-around:
- Body survey: paint thickness readings, panel gap measurements, sill + floor inspection.
- Mechanical: compression + leakdown on the engine, transmission shift behaviour, brake test, steering wear points.
- Electrical: headlights, gauges, fuel gauge, heater, wipers — every switch.
- Documentation cross-check: VIN on chassis matches title, engine number matches chassis records where relevant.
This costs €300–€700 depending on country. It's the single highest-ROI spend in the whole process.
Transport options
| Option | Typical cost (2026) | Transit time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open trailer, EU → EU | €500–€1,200 | 3–7 days | Driver-grade cars |
| Enclosed trailer, EU → EU | €900–€1,800 | 5–10 days | Show Driver+, high-value |
| Sea freight, US → EU (shared container) | €2,500–€3,500 | 4–6 weeks | Any non-European purchase |
| Enclosed sea freight (sole container) | €6,000+ | 4–6 weeks | Concours / Carrera RS / 300SL |
| Consolidated run (our bi-monthly Rotterdam–Bucharest) | €600–€1,000 per car | coordinated schedule | Cars coming to our workshop |
Budget in loading and unloading at both ends — often €200–€400 extra if the car doesn't roll. Discuss winching + tie-down if the car has seized brakes or a non-running engine.
Customs and VAT
This is where most first-time importers get surprised:
- Inside the EU: freely moveable between member states. No customs. VAT settled in the origin country if it was a private sale; no further VAT if both seller and buyer are private.
- UK → EU (post-Brexit): 10% duty + 19–21% VAT on the declared value (varies by EU country). Classic cars >30 years old registered at origin get a reduced 5% VAT in some EU countries — Romania included. Check your specific country's rules.
- US → EU: 10% duty + 19–21% VAT. Cars >30 years old: reduced-VAT status in most EU countries (5% in Romania) if correctly classified at customs. Get a customs broker who's done classic-car imports before — they know the right codes.
- Classic status: the "historic vehicle" classification (30+ years, in original configuration) cuts VAT dramatically. Ensure your customs broker applies it.
Budget €2,000–€8,000 for customs + VAT on a typical mid-tier EU-destined import from the US, after the reduced-VAT classic rate.
Registration
Once the car's in your country:
- Romania: RAR inspection, translated documents, historic-vehicle registration paperwork. All-in ~€500 including the plates. We can coordinate on your behalf for cars passing through our workshop.
- Germany: TÜV inspection + H-plate for classics 30+ years. Around €1,200 all-in.
- UK: V55/5 form, NOVA for imports, MoT. ~£500–£800.
Red flags that should end the deal
- Seller refuses a pre-purchase inspection by an independent specialist.
- VIN plates that don't match the chassis stamping (look at both).
- "Undercoating" that hides bodywork you can't see — always ask for the car without fresh undercoat.
- Fresh paint with no disclosure. Could be hiding anything. Ask when, why, and to see photos of the bare panel.
- Engine number "restamped" — sometimes legitimate after a rebuild, often indicates a non-matching-numbers swap.
- Pressure to "decide today" — no legitimate seller of a quality classic operates this way.
How we help
When clients ask us to source + import a car, we handle:
- The provenance check against registry data.
- A pre-purchase inspection in the origin country (we've built a network of trusted inspectors in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, UK, US).
- Transport end-to-end via our partner logistics.
- EU customs clearance with correct classic-vehicle classification.
- Registration paperwork at the destination country (Romania primarily; other EU by arrangement).
This service runs about 8–12% of the vehicle value on top of transport + customs costs — but it removes almost every way the deal can go sideways.
Read our restoration cost guide for what to budget once the car arrives.