Bringing Your American Car To Austria: What You Need To Know

Importing a car to Austria involves several steps, and the process can vary depending on whether the car is being shipped from a country within the European Union (EU) or a non-EU country. The cost of importing a car to Austria typically ranges from $2,500 to $4,500, excluding the actual shipping charges, as there are additional costs such as marine insurance, duties, and import taxes. The time taken to ship a car from the US to Austria is approximately 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the chosen shipping method and other factors.

When importing a car to Austria, it is essential to gather the necessary documentation, including the sales contract or bill of sale, a valid passport, the original car title certificate, local registration documents, an exit certificate, and proof of insurance. Additionally, the car must comply with Austrian specifications for emissions, noise, and lights.

There are two common methods for shipping a car to Austria: container shipping and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo). Container shipping offers more protection for the vehicle but may take longer, while RoRo is usually cheaper and involves driving the car into the hull of an ocean liner.

Upon arrival in Austria, the car must be declared at customs, and the required documentation may differ depending on whether the car is being imported from an EU or non-EU country. For example, when importing a car from an EU country, a registration certificate or its equivalent is required, along with an invoice if the car was purchased. On the other hand, importing a car from a non-EU country will require additional documents such as proof of ownership and value of the car, a Certificate of Conformity, and a completed Customs Import Declaration.

It is important to note that all vehicles using the autobahn in Austria are required to display a highway toll sticker, which can be purchased at the border or gas stations when entering the country.

Importing a car to Austria: checklist

Importing a car to Austria involves several steps, from gathering the necessary documentation to choosing the right shipping method. Here is a comprehensive checklist to guide you through the process:

Documentation:

• Sales Contract/Bill of Sale
• Valid Passport
• Original Car Title Certificate
• Local Registration Documents
• Exit Certificate
• Proof of Insurance
• Proof of ownership and value of the car (for non-EU imports)
• A Certificate of Conformity to declare the car's safety
• Completed Customs Import Declaration (Form ZBefr 2aE)
• T1 Consignment Note (for non-EU imports)
• Proof of residence in Austria
• Proof that the car has been used for at least 6 months and is not new

Shipping Method:

There are two common methods for shipping a car to Austria from the US:

• Ocean Cargo Container: You can choose to purchase your own container or use a consolidation car shipping service, where multiple vehicles are loaded into one container.
• Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo): Cars are driven into the hull of large ocean liners and secured. This method is usually cheaper and offers weekly departures.

Port of Entry:

As Austria is landlocked, you will need to select a port of entry in a neighbouring European country. Popular options include Bremerhaven and Rotterdam, with subsequent transportation to Austria.

Vehicle Preparation:

• Clean the vehicle's undercarriage: Ensure it is free of foreign soil to comply with biosecurity requirements.
• Comply with Austrian specifications: Austrian specifications cover factors such as emissions, noise, and lights. Converting your car to meet these specifications may incur additional costs.

Costs and Timeframe:

The cost of shipping a car to Austria depends on factors such as vehicle type, origin/destination, and shipping method. Expect costs to range from $2,500 to $4,500, including marine insurance, duties, and import taxes. The timeframe for shipping is approximately 4-8 weeks, depending on the chosen method and ports of departure and arrival.

Customs and Duties:

When importing a car to Austria, you may be subject to customs duties and taxes, including:

• 10% duty on the value of the car
• 20% import turnover tax
• Standard consumption tax (NOVA)
• Additional road tax, depending on the horsepower of the car

Registration and Insurance:

Once your car arrives in Austria, you will need to register it and obtain Austrian insurance:

• Registration: Contact any car dealer of the brand and ask them to add your car to the Austrian vehicle register (Eintragung in die Genehmigungsdatenbank). You will need to provide documentation, including the Zulassungsbescheinigung (registration document) and the Typenschein ("Vehicle Type Certificate").
• Insurance: Austrian law requires a third-party liability insurance policy ('Haftpflichtversicherung') before you can drive your car in Austria.

Vehicle import options

There are two practical ways of shipping a car to Austria from the US. The first uses an ocean cargo container and the other uses the roll-on roll-off system.

Container Shipping Service

For the first method, clients will have the option of purchasing their own container or using a consolidation car shipping service. With a personal container, your vehicle will ship as soon as it is ready to go. On the other hand, consolidations need time to prepare all the vehicles in the container. The time required to consolidate may take slightly longer, but you save money by only paying for the space you use. Since car shipping to Austria requires transshipment, the car can be loaded with any container heading to Europe.

Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) Service

With the RoRo service, your car will be departing from the east coast, most likely Baltimore, as this port offers the best options for RoRo. Cars are driven into the hull of large ocean liners and then secured and braced. Items cannot be loaded inside the vehicle.

Air Freight Service

A third alternative way to ship a car to Austria is through air freight service. Using air freight is much more expensive, but it is the fastest way to ship internationally. If you need your car in Austria ASAP and money is not a factor, air freight would be the service to use.

Costs and time frame

The cost of shipping a car to Austria from the US depends on several factors, including the vehicle type, origin/destination, ocean rates, and service ordered. For example, shipping a car from California will be priced differently from shipping from New York. The cost of shipping a car from the United States to Austria typically ranges from $2,500 to $4,500, excluding the actual hauling charges. The final cost will depend on factors such as marine insurance, duties, and import taxes. It is important to note that vehicle imports are taxed based on their assessed value in Austria, so luxury cars will attract a higher duty.

The time it takes to ship a car from the US to Austria is approximately 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the shipping method and whether you opt for door-to-door or door-to-port service. The shipping process involves several steps, from delivering the vehicle to the warehouse to performing a full inspection and issuing a dock receipt. The chosen shipping method will also impact the timeline, with container shipping taking longer than the roll-on/roll-off system.

When shipping a car to Austria, it is essential to consider the time required for processing the necessary documents, which can add about 10 days to the overall timeline. Obtaining the required documentation, such as local registration documents and insurance coverage, is crucial for a smooth shipping process.

To save on ground transport costs, you can deliver the vehicle to the nearest port. However, it is worth noting that the final cost and timeframe can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle being shipped.

When importing a car to Austria, you may be subject to customs fees and duties. It is important to check with local authorities as policies can change. However, you may be exempt from duties and fees if you meet certain requirements, such as owning the car for more than six months and using it for personal use.

Additionally, it is recommended to apply for a Grundlagenbescheid through the customs office in Vienna before transporting the car to Austria. This will help ensure a smoother process and avoid potential delays.

Ports served in the US and Austria

US Ports

The US has many ports spread across the country. The Port of Houston is the largest in the country by tonnage, followed by the Port of South Louisiana, Port of Corpus Christi, Port of New York and New Jersey, and Port of Long Beach, California, to name a few. These ports handle a wide variety of goods, including automobiles, and act as entry points for imports.

Austrian Ports

Austria, a landlocked country, has several river ports along the River Danube, which is the second-longest river in Europe and functions as a trade artery. The Port of Vienna is the largest Austrian river port and one of the largest ports on the Danube River. It has an annual traffic capacity of around 12 million tonnes of cargo and can accommodate large numbers of cars and passengers.

Other major Austrian ports include:

• Port of Linz - the third-largest river port in Austria, handling goods like coal, chemicals, steel, timber, and project cargo.
• Krems Port - a smaller port with a fertiliser terminal and a grain terminal with a 20,000-tonne capacity.
• Port of Enns (Ennshafen) - a crucial port for the Austrian economy, with a modern container terminal and a multimodal logistics hub.
• Port of Melk - a small river port that serves the economy and tourism sector, handling goods like grains, timber, and oil.
• Port of Tulln - a tourist spot with facilities for loading/unloading cargo and passenger terminals for river cruises.
• Port of Ybbs an der Donau - a small river port in a picturesque town that deals with timber, construction materials, and agricultural goods.

Required documentation

The documentation required to bring an American car to Austria depends on whether you are importing the car from a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) or from a third country outside the EEA.

Importing a Car from a Country Within the EU or EEA

If you are importing a car from a country within the EU or EEA (EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), you will need the following documents:

• Registration certificate or any equivalent official document
• Invoice, if there has been a sale
• Zulassungsbescheinigung (commonly known as the Zulassungsschein) - this registration document comes in two parts. Part 1 must be carried in the vehicle at all times, while Part 2 should be filed away with the Typenschein.
• Typenschein - the official confirmation of the exact vehicle type and chassis number.

Importing a Car from a Third Country Outside the EEA

If you are importing a car from a third country outside the EEA, in addition to the documents listed above, you will also need:

• Proof of ownership and value of the car
• A Certificate of Conformity to declare the car's safety
• Completed Customs Import Declaration - Form ZBefr 2aE
• A T1 Consignment Note
• Proof of your new primary residence in Austria
• Proof that your car has been used by you for at least 6 months and it is not a new vehicle

Additional Requirements for All Imports

Regardless of the country of origin, there are some additional requirements and documents that you will need to take care of when importing a car into Austria:

• Vehicle Import Approval - upon arrival of your vehicle shipment to Austria, the vehicle must be declared to Customs.
• Sales Contract/Bill of Sale
• Valid Passport
• Original Car Title Certificate
• Local Registration Documents
• Exit Certificate
• Proof of Insurance - third-party liability insurance is mandatory in Austria.
• Proof of Identity (Identity Card or Passport)
• Tax Confirmation document (to confirm that you have paid the relevant taxes)

Driving Requirements in Austria

If you plan to drive your American car in Austria, there are some additional requirements and documents that you will need:

• International Driving Permit (IDP) - this can be obtained from AAA in the US and is valid for one year.
• Austrian Driver's License - if you are a resident of Austria, your US driver's license in connection with an international driving permit is only valid for 6 months. After that, you must exchange your US license for an Austrian one.
• Toll Sticker - since 1997, it has been compulsory for vehicles to carry a toll sticker, the so-called "Vignette", on Austrian highways.

Frequently asked questions