Buying a Porsche abroad – Car import done right

Here at Elferspot, you can browse through Porsche sports car listings from all over the world. Especially when looking for specific, rare models, it is worthwhile to look beyond national borders. Due to different market conditions, regulation changes or fluctuating exchange rates, buying abroad is sometimes a real alternative. But for the subsequent car import there is a whole lot of regulations and paperwork to be observed.

An expert like Christian Reyer can help. I met him for an interview about vehicle transport and logistics. His profession is importing and exporting sports cars all over the world. Christian can look back on more than 15 years of experience in the industry and has already imported or exported more than 5,000 cars. With his company REYER Group he offers the all-round carefree package for vehicle transport. He also tells us what pitfalls there are to be aware of when importing a car, especially a Porsche, to the USA.

Christian, we hear that auto imports and vehicle logistics are undergoing big changes. How exactly has the industry changed in recent years?

Drastically. Just a few years ago, a relatively large number of “normal” cars were shipped to Europe from the US, including Mustangs and Camaros. Classic Porsche sports cars were also relatively affordable at that time. But that has changed. The income and wealth gap continues to widen, the range of vehicles available in the US is declining, and the strong dollar makes imports expensive.

At the same time, a new market is developing: “We are seeing a clear shift from the US market towards Arabia,” explains Christian. “Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, for example, have very import-friendly laws. Dubai is increasingly becoming the final destination – or the logistical hub for onward transport to Abu Dhabi or Kuwait, for example.”

Dubai, for example, has ambitious plans for population growth. The number of inhabitants is expected to double in the medium term. So it’s no wonder that air freight to Arabia is becoming increasingly important. “Customers from the Gulf region in particular value speed – they want their cars quickly. Political developments, such as local unrest, have also led to a rethink in the choice of transport mode.”

The American market remains unique – but is changing

While demand from the US has declined slightly, it remains high in certain areas. “Porsche 964 and 993 from Germany continue to be in particularly high demand,” says Reyer. “Americans appreciate the well-maintained condition and complete history of European vehicles. The vehicles here have often been lovingly maintained, which sets them apart from many US models.”

Find your Porsche 964 and 993 from Europe now on Elferspot!

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This also applies to exclusive or limited-edition vehicles. “In America, there is still high demand for cars with a good service and maintenance history. This remains a decisive purchasing criterion. An exciting trend: more and more people are having their vehicles transported to other regions as tourists – by container or even air freight. An Arab has his Porsche brought to Europe, travels there by plane, visits the Porsche Museum, drives to the Côte d’Azur – and maybe even buys another vehicle along the way. Conversely, there are also rallies such as the Mille Miglia Dubai – international ties are becoming stronger.”

Porsche 964 and 993 from Germany continue to be in particularly high demand.

Christian Reyer, REYER Group

What really matters when importing from the US?

Legislation certainly plays a role here. Cars less than 25 years old can only be imported into the United States under very strict conditions. All air-cooled 911s have now exceeded this threshold. This is why customers in the US can also import cars such as the Porsche 993 Carrera RS, which were not available there when new. For vehicles less than 25 years old, the applicable customs duties must be observed.

Engine modifications can cause problems with US customs

One aspect of US imports that is often underestimated is engine conversions. For example, early 911 F-models that originally had a 2.2-liter engine but were later converted to 2.7 or 3.2 liters are considered significantly modified in the US. “This often means that they are no longer considered ‘matching numbers’ – and that’s a problem for customs,” explains Reyer.

“Every converted vehicle must be assessed individually – blanket statements are of no help here.” Correct documentation is also important. This is especially true for Porsche 911 Backdates: as soon as the engine is no longer period correct, the import may fail – or require creative solutions such as importing the body and drive separately, “which we generally do not recommend,” says Christian.

What exactly does this mean for importing Porsche 911 Backdates into the USA?

It depends on how exactly the vehicles are declared. If a Porsche 911 Backdate is declared as a new vehicle, importation is not possible anyway due to the 25-year rule. If the Backdate retains its chassis number and type designation in the registration documents, the situation is different. But here, too, the restriction regarding the engine applies. If, for example, it is a reconditioned engine with the original engine housing, there are usually no problems. However, there is no guarantee.

I therefore always make a comprehensive initial consultation with the customers before accepting the order. For the import and customs clearance, I can arrange competent partners, or offer it as part of the service. They are then available to answer questions on the topics of registration and customs regulations. Only when everything has been clarified, we take care of the further processing. So there are no unpleasant surprises at the end.

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Are there similar hurdles for the car import to countries like Dubai or Canada?

In direct comparison with the USA, Canada is significantly less regulated. There, for example, only 15 years of vehicle age are prescribed. Shipping vehicles to Dubai is also very uncomplicated. There, originality or vehicle age do not really play a role. Taxes and customs duties are also at a relatively low level there.

For particularly high-value cars, transport in a single or consolidated container is recommended. The Reyer Group usually ships only two vehicles per container, which then face each other at ground level on the container floor. This way, no vehicle stands above the other and no liquids can drip onto another one. However, every forwarder handles this differently and it is also a question of budget.

Within the EU, it is generally not a big problem to import or export vehicles. Switzerland is of course an exception. Especially during the air-cooled Porsche-era, the Swiss models had their peculiarities. This makes the import of some Porsches complicated. For example with Porsche 911 G models there were many different country versions. These all had different power ratings, making registration in Switzerland difficult. In addition, the import duties are relatively high.

Transport and processing – How much does it actually cost?

“Transport costs have become significantly more volatile in recent years. Container rates are subject to sharp fluctuations. In addition, import duties such as the ‘gas guzzler tax’ or special tariffs under the Trump administration are placing an additional burden on imports into the US,” Christian Reyer sums up.

Transport costs have become significantly more volatile in recent years.

Christian Reyer, REYER Group

Example transport costs from Europe

The cheapest option for importing a car would be roll-on/roll-off transport by ship (RoRo). This involves driving the car onto a ship under its own power and driving it off again upon arrival. However, this means that you have no control over how the car is handled by the shipping company, as the loading process is the sole responsibility of the port staff.

Therefore, only insurance against total loss is possible, but not against scratches and paint damage. If you want more security, you must choose container transport. Here, the freight forwarder is still in control of loading the container. In contrast to RoRo transport, all-risk insurance is also possible for container shipping. This covers all potential damage.

What type of transport does the expert recommend?

Logistics expert Reyer recommends individual or two-car container transport, especially for high-quality vehicles. “Here, two vehicles are placed opposite each other and loaded at ground level without ramps. This prevents damage from dripping fluids or transport movements.”

How much do taxes and customs cost for a car import?

There are also other alternatives. If you are in a hurry to transport your vehicle, you can also opt for transport by plane. The vehicle is stowed in the nose of the aircraft and flown directly across the ocean. For shorter intra-continental distances, the train can also be a good option.

New regulatory hurdles in Europe from 2025 onwards

The rules of the game are also changing in Europe: from the beginning of 2025, dealers who export vehicles will have to register on the EU’s F-Gas Portal. There, they will have to declare the type and quantity of greenhouse gases that are exported. This also applies to vehicle exports, for example in the case of air conditioning systems. Christian Reyer: “This is another point that professional suppliers will have to clarify with their customers in the future.”

The Emirates as a market of the future: potential for bargains?

Another interesting aspect: in many countries in the Middle East, cars that are three to four years old are already considered “old.” This can prove to be an opportunity for European buyers. “Young Porsches with low mileage in particular quickly reappear on the market there – often at very fair prices,” says Reyer.

This also has to do with millionaires moving in and out of the region. The Arab world is becoming increasingly wealthy, while in Europe’s strongest economies – the United Kingdom, France, and Germany – there has been a drastic loss of millionaires, i.e., people with at least one million US dollars in liquid assets.

Supply chains remain a sensitive issue in the global economy. Do customers also have to be more patient than before in car imports?

Yes, the transports now take a little more time. The pure logistics time for vehicle transport averages between six and eight weeks for overseas freight. That only includes the pure door-to-door time. However, handling the paperwork and the commissioning itself naturally takes some time as well. Customs clearance can certainly also cause delays. But as long as all the documents have been completely compiled beforehand, it rarely takes longer than eight weeks.

Christian, thank you very much for giving us an insight into the world of vehicle logistics. Last but not least, here’s a question I ask all my interview partners: What is your dream Porsche?

“I don’t need to think twice about that. I love convertibles, and my favorite 911 model is the 997. So my answer is the Porsche 997 Carrera 4S Cabriolet. I’ve already been able to fulfill that dream. If money were no object, I would probably also consider the Porsche 964 Turbo.”

© title image: David Fierlinger, Elferspot