AAtlantic Auto Imports
Cargo ship loaded with cars at a European port at sunset

The process

From a US auction lot to your driveway in Europe.

  1. 01

    Source

    Manheim and Copart auctions, dealer trades, private sellers — we cast a wide net for the right VIN, year and option list.

  2. 02

    Independent inspection

    Our US partner produces a 180-point report with HD video, paint depth readings and a Carfax history before you commit.

  3. 03

    Purchase & US title

    We buy the car in our company name with cleared funds. Title is transferred clean and goes straight to our customs broker.

  4. 04

    Inland trucking

    The car is moved by enclosed or open carrier to Baltimore, Newark or Galveston for the next outbound RoRo sailing.

  5. 05

    Ocean crossing

    Roll-on / roll-off shipping with Wallenius Wilhelmsen or K-Line. Crossing time is 14 to 21 days, fully insured at agreed value.

  6. 06

    EU customs

    On arrival in Rotterdam we file the import declaration, pay 10 % duty and 21 % VAT in your name, and receive the EUR.1 document.

  7. 07

    Homologation

    Light units, fog rear lamp, daytime running lights, kph speedometer and emissions paperwork — done in our workshop, not outsourced.

  8. 08

    Registration & handover

    RDW (NL), TÜV (DE), DGT (ES) — we work with national authorities to deliver plated, road-legal and fully documented.

Frequently asked

The questions everyone asks first.

How long does the whole thing take?
From signed offer to plates in your hand: 14 to 18 weeks. Eight of those are the ocean and customs windows we can't compress.
What does it cost on top of the US sale price?
Roughly 35–45 % of the US value: 10 % duty, 21 % VAT, ocean freight (~€1,800), brokerage, homologation and registration. Our service fee is fixed and disclosed upfront.
Do I pay anything before the car ships?
A 30 % deposit is due once a vehicle is sourced and inspected. The balance is due before the car leaves our Rotterdam yard.
Can I finance an imported car?
Yes. We work with three European specialist lenders who finance imported vehicles using the EU-registered value, not the US invoice.
What if I want to import to Germany or France?
We register through Dutch RDW first (the fastest path) or directly in your home country if you prefer. Final on-road delivery is included anywhere in Western Europe.
Talk to a file manager