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Car Import Cost Calculator from USA

Estimate the total costs (auction, transport, sea freight, customs) for the year 2025
Import Estimator USA - MD
What is included in the calculation?
Auction fees (IAAI, Copart, Manheim), domestic transport to the port of departure, sea freight to Bremenhaven (DE), Klaipeda (LT), or Constanța (RO), as well as customs duties & excise taxes upon entry into Moldova.
Precision ≈ ±7 %
Displayed values are quarterly updated averages and may vary depending on the destination city, loading method (Ro-Ro vs Container), and vehicle size.

Last update: 25.10.2025 (BNM, CBP, A.N. Vamă)

Estimation Accuracy and Data Update
Displayed values are quarterly updated averages based on market data provided by our transport and customs brokerage partners. Overall estimation accuracy is approximately ±7%, but may vary depending on:
  • Selected departure and arrival ports;
  • Sea shipping method used (Ro-Ro or Container);
  • Vehicle size, weight, and type;
Why Use Our Calculator?
Accurately estimating car import costs is essential to avoid financial surprises and make informed decisions. Using our USA - Moldova car import calculator, you benefit from:
  • Full transparency over all cost components;
  • Estimation tailored to your specific vehicle type and current market conditions;
  • Automatic calculation of customs duties and excise taxes based on the CIF value of the car;
  • Real-time integration of the official USD/MDL exchange rate.
Important Notes
The calculator is intended for informational use. For personalized offers and exact estimates for transport and customs procedures, we recommend consulting an authorized customs broker and a logistics partner specialized in USA to Moldova car imports.

Last update: 25.10.2025 — Data sources: BNM, CBP, A.N. Customs, logistics partners, and auto auction houses (IAAI, Copart, Manheim).

Cost Components

Below you can find the average rates used by the calculator for estimation. You can manually adjust the values on the right to match the real situation.
Sea Transport USA
StatePort of OriginDomestic TransportSea Freight
AlabamaMobile200 USD975 USD
AlaskaAnchorage500 USD1.675 USD
ArizonaLos Angeles400 USD1.300 USD
ArkansasHouston600 USD975 USD
CaliforniaLos Angeles200 USD1.300 USD
ColoradoHouston1.000 USD1.075 USD
ConnecticutNew York200 USD875 USD
DelawarePhiladelphia200 USD875 USD
FloridaJacksonville300 USD925 USD
GeorgiaSavannah300 USD925 USD
HawaiiHonolulu500 USD1.850 USD
IdahoSeattle900 USD1.275 USD
IllinoisChicago300 USD975 USD
IndianaChicago400 USD975 USD
IowaChicago600 USD975 USD
KansasHouston1.000 USD975 USD
KentuckyNorfolk800 USD975 USD
LouisianaNew Orleans300 USD975 USD
MainePortland300 USD875 USD
MarylandBaltimore200 USD875 USD
MassachusettsBoston200 USD875 USD
MichiganDetroit300 USD975 USD
MinnesotaDuluth800 USD1.025 USD
MississippiGulfport300 USD975 USD
MissouriSt. Louis600 USD1.025 USD
MontanaSeattle1.000 USD1.275 USD
NebraskaOmaha800 USD1.025 USD
NevadaLos Angeles400 USD1.300 USD
New HampshirePortsmouth300 USD875 USD
New JerseyNewark200 USD875 USD
New MexicoHouston1.000 USD975 USD
New YorkNew York200 USD875 USD
North CarolinaWilmington400 USD925 USD
North DakotaMinneapolis1.000 USD1.025 USD
OhioCleveland400 USD975 USD
OklahomaHouston700 USD975 USD
OregonPortland300 USD1.275 USD
PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia300 USD875 USD
Rhode IslandProvidence200 USD875 USD
South CarolinaCharleston300 USD925 USD
South DakotaMinneapolis1.000 USD1.025 USD
TennesseeMemphis400 USD975 USD
TexasHouston300 USD975 USD
UtahLos Angeles1.000 USD1.300 USD
VermontBoston300 USD875 USD
VirginiaNorfolk200 USD875 USD
WashingtonSeattle300 USD1.275 USD
West VirginiaNorfolk700 USD975 USD
WisconsinMilwaukee400 USD975 USD
WyomingDenver800 USD1.075 USD
Customs Duties / Import Excise
Calculate import taxes for vehicles brought from abroad by entering vehicle data or its parameters.
Sea Transport Canada
StatePort of OriginDomestic TransportSea Freight
AlbertaVancouver800 USD1.425 USD
British ColumbiaVancouver300 USD1.300 USD
ManitobaMontreal1.000 USD1.125 USD
New BrunswickSaint John400 USD975 USD
Newfoundland and LabradorSt. John's500 USD1.025 USD
Nova ScotiaHalifax200 USD975 USD
OntarioToronto300 USD1.150 USD
Prince Edward IslandCharlottetown500 USD1.025 USD
QuebecMontreal200 USD1.150 USD
SaskatchewanVancouver1.000 USD1.425 USD
Northwest TerritoriesVancouver1.500 USD1.675 USD
NunavutMontreal1.800 USD1.675 USD
YukonVancouver1.500 USD1.675 USD

IAAI Auction Fees

IAAI Logo
Fee TypeValue
Buyer Fee8%
Bid Fee89 USD
Gate Fee79 USD
Environmental Fee15 USD
Documentation Fee50 USD

Copart Auction Fees

Copart Logo
Fee TypeValue
Buyer Fee7%
Bid Fee39 USD
Gate Fee79 USD
Environmental Fee10 USD
Documentation Fee50 USD

Manheim Auction Fees

Manheim Logo
Fee TypeValue
Buyer Fee5%
Gate Fee50 USD
Simulcast Fee50 USD
Condition Report Fee25 USD
Post Sale Inspection Fee75 USD
Exchange Rate & Conversion

The USD/MDL exchange rate used in the calculation is the one published by the National Bank of Moldova on the day of estimation.

1 EUR = 19.7039 MDL
1 USD = 17.0868 MDL
1 KRW = 0.011773 MDL

Full Details of USA - Moldova Car Import Cost Calculation
Our advanced calculator considers all major components of the car import process from the United States to Moldova. It covers:
  • Auto auction fees (IAAI, Copart, Manheim);
  • Domestic transport costs in the USA, from the purchase location to the port of departure;
  • Sea freight rates to European ports: Bremenhaven (DE), Klaipeda (LT), and Constanța (RO);
  • Applicable customs duties, excise taxes, and VAT for import into Moldova;
  • Daily updated USD/MDL exchange rate according to the National Bank of Moldova (BNM);
  • Other import-related costs such as port handling and possible logistics fees.
South Korea import calculator
Estimate total costs for importing a vehicle from South Korea, including auction, transport, maritime shipping, and customs.
Frequently Asked Questions — Car Import from USA
Quick answers regarding the import process and cost calculation for cars imported from the United States to Moldova.

How does the USA → Moldova car import cost calculator work?

It calculates a full CIF-based estimate including auction fees, inland transport, sea freight, customs duties, excise taxes, and exchange rates.

Which costs are included in the final import estimation?

Auction fees, US inland transport, sea freight to Europe, customs duties, excise taxes, exchange conversion and estimated port/logistics fees.

How accurate are the import cost estimates?

Displayed estimates have an average accuracy of about ±7%, depending on shipping method, destination and vehicle characteristics.

How often are transport and auction fees updated?

Quarterly, based on latest market rates. The USD/MDL exchange rate is updated daily from the National Bank of Moldova.

Are Copart, IAAI and Manheim auction fees included?

Yes — buyer fee, documentation fee and administrative costs are included depending on the selected auction.

How is domestic transport inside the USA calculated?

Based on the average rate per km and the distance from the auction yard to the nearest port of departure.

Which departure ports in the USA and Canada are supported?

Major ports including New York, Houston, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Jacksonville, as well as Vancouver and Halifax in Canada.

Does the shipping cost include Ro-Ro and container options?

Yes — both methods are supported. Containers are recommended for non-running or high-value vehicles.

Does the calculator include customs taxes for Moldova?

Yes — customs duty, excise tax and other applicable taxes are calculated automatically based on Moldovan regulations.

How is excise tax calculated?

It depends on engine volume, vehicle age, fuel type, and whether the vehicle is hybrid, diesel or electric.

Is VAT included in the estimate?

VAT only applies to commercial vehicles at import, so it is not included for personal-use passenger cars.

Is the USD/MDL exchange rate updated daily?

Yes — using the official exchange rate from the National Bank of Moldova for the current day.

Does delivery to a specific city in Moldova change the cost?

Yes — transport from the European port to Moldova may vary slightly by distance and logistics availability.

Can I manually adjust the displayed costs?

Yes — every cost element can be edited to reflect real offers from customs or logistics partners.

Are there other possible import-related costs?

Additional expenses may include port storage, inspection, customs brokerage, and extra logistics services.

Which documents are required for import from the USA?

Auction invoice, US title (ownership), bill of lading, export documents, and Moldovan customs declaration.

Can salvage or damaged vehicles be imported?

Yes — but they may require container shipping and additional inspections to meet roadworthiness rules.

Which European ports are used for final delivery?

Bremenhaven (DE), Klaipeda (LT) and Constanța (RO) are used as main entry locations to the EU region.

How long does shipping a car from the USA take?

Typically 4–8 weeks including inland delivery, sea transit and customs procedures in Europe.

Do electric or hybrid cars benefit from tax reductions?

EVs are exempt from excise tax, while hybrids receive partial reductions based on battery and engine type.

Are motorcycles or commercial vehicles supported?

Yes — but taxes and logistics vary depending on technical category and intended usage.

Are customs broker services included?

Broker fees are estimated. Final pricing depends on the chosen broker and required assistance.

What factors can increase the final cost?

Vehicle damage, auction category, additional inspections, longer inland routes, or market price fluctuations.

Can you help with shipping and customs?

Yes — full support is available through specialized logistics and customs partners if requested.

Can I request a personalized import offer?

Yes — send the VIN and auction link to receive a precise quote tailored to your vehicle.

Is importing a car from the USA cheaper than buying locally?

Often yes, especially for premium, electric or damaged vehicles purchased at auction.

How do I select the best US port?

Usually the closest port is cheapest. The calculator automatically suggests the most cost-efficient option.

Why do auction fees differ between IAAI, Copart and Manheim?

Fee structures vary by auction house, state regulations, vehicle price category and membership level.

How is the inland transport distance calculated?

Based on the nearest suitable port to the auction yard or seller’s location to minimize cost.

What taxes apply when importing a car from the USA?

Customs duty, excise tax and certification expenses may apply depending on engine and vehicle type.