Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Lexington, Kentucky to Frankfurt

The average cost to ship a car from the US to Germany is between $900 and $1300 plus applicable duty fees and taxes. Any car less than 30 years old will be subject to a 10% import duty and a 19% value-added tax (VAT) upon arrival in Germany, though these may be waived at the discretion of the customs official.

The cheapest international car shipping method is usually Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO), where your car is driven onto a specialized ship, costing less than containers but offering less protection; for more security with shared costs, consider a shared container (consolidation), while air freight is the most expensive but fastest, and platforms like uShip or Shiply help find competitive quotes from reliable carriers.

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, the cost difference shrinks, and shipping can become comparable or even cheaper once you factor in gas, lodging, food, wear-and-tear, and your time, making the decision depend on distance, vehicle, your schedule, and budget. Driving saves money on carrier fees but adds wear on your car, while shipping costs more upfront but saves time, fuel, and stress.