Importing a US car to Poland
Shipping a car from the USA to Poland? Here is how the import and registration work — and the checks to run before you pay, because a US auction car's history is exactly what you cannot see in the photos.
Check the car before you ship it
Most cheap US cars are salvage-auction cars. Before you send money, decode the VIN and look for a salvage title or odometer rollback — it is free.
How to import a US car to Poland
- 1
Check the VIN first. Salvage, flood and odometer rollback are common on US auction cars — decode the VIN and read the history before you buy.
- 2
Ship it and clear customs. Send the car by RoRo or container; on arrival it must clear customs, where import duty and VAT apply (see the rates note below).
- 3
Pass individual approval. A US-spec car has no EU type-approval, so it is inspected one by one via dopuszczenie jednostkowe individual approval (TDT) — US lighting and emissions usually need converting.
- 4
Register it. Register the car with the local starostwo powiatowe / urząd miasta (Wydział Komunikacji) to get local plates and documents.
Duty, VAT and taxes
Import duty and VAT apply when the car enters Poland. The EU–US tariff position changed in 2025–2026, so do not rely on an old figure — check the current rate with the official EU tool and Poland's customs authority linked below.
Poland also charges a one-time registration tax — akcyza (excise duty on first registration). Confirm the amount with the authority below; it usually depends on engine size, CO2 or value.
Documents you will need
- The US Certificate of Title (the original vehicle title)
- The bill of sale or purchase invoice
- Customs clearance proof (that duty and VAT were paid)
- The individual-approval certificate from the inspection
- Motor insurance for the car
- Your ID and proof of residence
Official sources
- EU Access2Markets — official duty & tax lookup
- PUESC (KAS) — excise for an imported car (AKC-U/S)
- TDT — national individual vehicle approval
Sources last checked: 2026-07-08
This is a general guide, not legal or customs advice. Rules, taxes and rates change — always confirm the current requirements with the official authorities linked above before you buy or ship.
Importing a US car to Poland — FAQ
- Can I import a salvage or rebuilt US car to Poland?
- Usually yes — Poland does not ban salvage-title cars outright, but an imported car must pass the local inspection or approval, and a poorly repaired salvage car often fails it. Check the VIN for a salvage, rebuilt or flood brand before you buy: the US title brand follows the car even when the paperwork looks clean.
- How much does it cost to import a car from the USA to Poland?
- On top of the purchase price and shipping, budget for Poland's import duty, VAT and any registration tax. The exact rates change and depend on the car, so confirm them with the official customs authority linked below before you commit — a wrong guess can cost thousands.
- What documents do I need to import a US car to Poland?
- At a minimum: the US Certificate of Title, the bill of sale, the shipping and customs-clearance papers, and proof of identity. Poland's registration authority may ask for more, so check the official links below for the current requirements.
- Should I check the VIN before importing a US car?
- Yes, always — and do it before you pay. Salvage, flood damage and odometer rollback are common on US auction cars and are invisible in the listing photos. Decoding the VIN and reading the history is free and takes seconds.