Before bidding on a car from Copart or IAAI, you need to know the real total cost of import. Many buyers focus only on the winning bid and are surprised by additional fees that can double the final price. This guide breaks down all the costs for 2026.

Component 1: Auction Winning Bid

The base price is the amount you pay for the vehicle on the auction. Remember that salvage cars are typically cheaper than clean-title vehicles - on Copart and IAAI you can find the same model for 30-70% of its market value, depending on the extent of damage.

Component 2: Auction Fees

Both Copart and IAAI charge buyer fees on top of the winning bid:

  • Auction buyer fee: $50-800 depending on the sale price (scales with value)
  • Internet bid fee: $49-99
  • Gate fee: $79
  • Documentation fee: $70-150
  • Environmental fee: $15-40

Typical auction fees: 8-15% of the winning bid.

Component 3: Broker Fee

Since most private buyers cannot bid directly on Copart/IAAI, you need a licensed broker. Broker fees: 5-10% of the vehicle value, typically $300-1500.

Component 4: US Transport to Port

After winning, the vehicle must be transported from the auction yard to the shipping port (Baltimore, Houston, New York, or Los Angeles). Prices:

  • Short distance (<500 miles): $300-600
  • Medium distance (500-1500 miles): $600-1200
  • Long distance (1500+ miles): $1000-1800
  • Non-running vehicle: +$150-300

Component 5: Ocean Shipping

The most common methods:

  • Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo): $800-1300 - for drivable cars
  • Container (20ft): $1500-2500 - for non-running or luxury vehicles
  • Shared container (1/4): $900-1400

Transit time: 2-4 weeks to European ports (Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Gdynia).

Component 6: EU Customs Duty + VAT + Excise

These are the biggest costs:

  • Import duty: 10% of (purchase price + shipping)
  • VAT: 19-27% of (purchase price + shipping + duty) - varies by country
  • Excise tax (Polish akcyza): 3.1% for engines under 2.0L, 18.6% for 2.0L and above

Component 7: Homologation and Registration

American cars don't automatically meet European regulations. Costs:

  • Translation of documents: $50-100
  • Technical inspection / homologation: $150-500
  • Lights conversion to European standards: $200-600
  • Registration fees: $100-300
  • First license plates: $50

Example: $10,000 Car Total Cost

For a $10,000 salvage Dodge Challenger (3.6L engine, 2018):

  • Auction fees: $1,200
  • Broker fee: $800
  • US transport: $700
  • Ocean shipping (RoRo): $1,000
  • Duty (10%): $1,170
  • VAT (23%): $3,187
  • Excise (18.6%): $2,571
  • Homologation: $500
  • TOTAL: ~$21,100 (roughly 2.1x the auction price)

How to Reduce Costs

  • Choose vehicles with engines under 2.0L (lower excise tax)
  • Check auction history on BidCheck.info to avoid cars with hidden damage
  • Compare shipping rates from different ports
  • Consider vehicles over 30 years old (classic car customs benefits)

Summary

Realistic total cost of import is 1.8-2.2x the auction winning bid. Before bidding, always use the full calculation, not just the bid price. BidCheck.info helps you check the auction history and condition of the vehicle before making a decision.