{"id":856,"date":"2025-07-15T08:55:24","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T08:55:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/?p=856"},"modified":"2025-07-08T09:14:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T09:14:13","slug":"e-car-from-europe-to-the-usa-procedure-permits-tips-for-transport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/e-auto-von-europa-in-die-usa-ablauf-genehmigungen-tipps-fuer-den-transport","title":{"rendered":"E-car from Europe to the USA: Procedure, permits &amp; tips for transport"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The demand for environmentally friendly mobility is growing worldwide - including on different continents. Anyone wishing to export an electric car from Europe to the USA faces regulatory, logistical and documentary challenges. In this guide, you will find out how to manage the transport step by step and what you should pay particular attention to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why export EVs to the USA?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Electric vehicles from Europe are in high demand in the USA - whether from expats with their own vehicles or dealers who import premium models. The reasons for this are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Energy efficiency and range advantages of European vehicles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Popular brands such as VW, BMW and Renault<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personal preference and longer stay in the USA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. transport method: RoRo or container?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">RoRo shipping<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Roll-on\/roll-off is an efficient method in which your electric car drives onto the ship ready to go and is unloaded again at the port of destination.<br>\u27a1\ufe0f Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/roro-vs-flatrack-a-comparison-of-the-methods\/\">RoRo vs. flatrack - a comparison<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/orient-spedition-hamburg_roroshipping-flatrackcontainer-logistics-activity-7292875977787883520-vq8b?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">odsorient.com+2linkedin.com+2odsorient.com+2<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/roro-vs-flatrack-a-comparison-of-the-methods?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">expeditionportal.com+7odsorient.com+7odsorient.com+7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Container shipping<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This option offers additional protection and more flexibility - e.g. for sensitive vehicles or if you need storage space.<br>\u27a1\ufe0f See the comparison above for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. important authorisations &amp; US regulations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Environmental Protection Agency - EPA<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You need the <strong>EPA Form 3520-1<\/strong> to declare the emission capability of your vehicle.<br>\ud83d\udcc4 Here you will find the form and instructions: <a href=\"https:\/\/19january2017snapshot.epa.gov\/importing-vehicles-and-engines\/epa-standard-form-3520-1-declaration-form-importation-motor-vehicles_.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EPA Standard Form 3520-1<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/19january2017snapshot.epa.gov\/importing-vehicles-and-engines\/epa-standard-form-3520-1-declaration-form-importation-motor-vehicles?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nhtsa.gov+1219january2017snapshot.epa.gov+12cbp.gov+12<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Department of Transport - DOT<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Compliance with US safety standards is the responsibility of the <strong>DOT-HS-7<\/strong> Form required. You can download it from the official government website:<br>\ud83d\udcc4 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/importing-vehicle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Importing a Vehicle - HS-7 Form &amp; Guidelines<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.help.cbp.gov\/s\/article\/Article-1396?language=en_US&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">help.cbp.gov+4help.cbp.gov+4cbp.gov+4<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/importing-vehicle?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">help.cbp.gov+10nhtsa.gov+10nhtsa.gov+10<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. charging equipment &amp; electrical compatibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Check:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whether a <strong>Type 1 adapter<\/strong> is necessary<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether the <strong>Charging infrastructure<\/strong> in the USA fits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether this <strong>Wiring system<\/strong> must be converted<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some models are <strong>dual-compatible<\/strong>others require a workshop upgrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. customs, taxes &amp; US approval<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Important factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Customs clearance &amp; harbour dues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sales tax (depending on the state)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Licence fees &amp; technical inspections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> The costs vary greatly - depending on the type of vehicle, departure and destination harbour. You can get a personalised offer directly from <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/contact\/\">ODS Orient<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. scheduling &amp; procedure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Step<\/th><th>Description of the<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Enquiry<\/td><td>Initial consultation &amp; advice<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Vehicle inspection<\/td><td>Technical condition, loading capacity, authorisations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Booking<\/td><td>Select route &amp; transport method<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Handover<\/td><td>Transporting the vehicle to the harbour<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Shipping<\/td><td>RoRo or container<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Arrival &amp; handover<\/td><td>Customs clearance &amp; collection in the USA<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u27a1\ufe0f Also take a look at the current <strong>Departure plans<\/strong> from ODS Orient: <a href=\"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/driving-plans\">Timetables &amp; Departure Plans<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbp.gov\/trade\/basic-import-export\/importing-car?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nhtsa.gov+14cbp.gov+14search.epa.gov+14<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/orient-spedition-hamburg_roroshipping-flatrackcontainer-logistics-activity-7292875977787883520-vq8b?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">linkedin.com+1odsorient.com+1<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">linkedin.com+2odsorient.com+2instagram.com+2<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Orient.Spedition.HH\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nhtsa.gov+5facebook.com+5facebook.com+5<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/driving-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">facebook.com+4odsorient.com+4odsorient.com+4<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How long does the export take?<\/strong><br>Approximately 2-4 weeks including customs clearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Does my car need an MOT test in the USA?<\/strong><br>As a rule, a technical inspection is necessary, but there are <strong>no T\u00dcV<\/strong> as in Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Can I leave personal belongings in the car?<\/strong><br>With RoRo mostly <strong>not allowed<\/strong>. Container usually offers more flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An EV export to the USA can be well planned with good preparation. By adhering to the <strong>EPA and DOT requirements<\/strong> and experienced support such as <strong>ODS Orient<\/strong> nothing stands in the way of safe import.<br>\ud83d\udce9 For questions or individual offers: <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/contact\/\">ODS Orient Contact<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Disclaimer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All information has been carefully researched but is subject to change at any time. ODS Orient accepts no liability for the information being completely up-to-date and correct.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Die Nachfrage nach umweltfreundlicher Mobilit\u00e4t w\u00e4chst weltweit \u2013 auch auf unterschiedlichen Kontinenten. Wer ein Elektroauto von Europa in die USA exportieren m\u00f6chte, steht vor regulatorischen, logistischen und dokumentarischen Herausforderungen. In diesem Leitfaden erf\u00e4hrst du, wie du den Transport Schritt f\u00fcr Schritt bew\u00e4ltigst und worauf du besonders achten solltest. Warum ein EV-Export in die USA? Elektrofahrzeuge [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":857,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-856","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=856"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":858,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856\/revisions\/858"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/857"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}