Why does the shipment go through Klaipeda instead of directly to Odesa?

Sea freight to Black Sea ports carries elevated war-related risk, which makes vessel and container insurance significantly more expensive, and some shipping lines don't call at Ukrainian ports at all. Klaipeda is a major, reliably operating EU port with direct sea lines from the USA; from there the car is delivered to Ukraine by truck. This route is more reliable and often faster.

How long does shipping take on the USA to Klaipeda to Ukraine route?

The full journey usually takes 45-60 days: 3-7 days to move the car from the auction to a US port, 25-35 days for the ocean crossing, and another 5-10 days for port handling in Klaipeda and truck delivery to Odesa. Exact timing depends on the shipping line's schedule and port congestion.

Do I have to pay EU customs duties while transiting through Klaipeda?

No. The car is processed under a customs transit procedure (a T1 document), which allows the cargo to move through EU territory without paying EU duties or VAT. All customs payments are made once, when the car is cleared in Ukraine.

How does customs clearance work in Ukraine after shipping via Klaipeda?

Once the truck arrives at the Ukrainian border or a bonded warehouse, the car is declared under the standard procedure: an electronic customs declaration is filed, duty, excise tax, and VAT are paid, and the car undergoes conformity certification. Our brokers manage the process from filing the declaration through to handing you the finished documents.

How can I track the car at every stage of the route?

As soon as the car is loaded at the US port, you receive the container number and vessel details, which you can use to track the shipment on the carrier's website. During the truck leg from Klaipeda, our manager gives you an estimated arrival date and keeps you updated at each key stage.

Carfax — How to Check a US Car's History Before Buying

Carfax is one of the most well-known vehicle history services in the USA.

Using a car's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), it reveals the real history of the vehicle — details you can't see in the auction photos.

Why check a car through Carfax

Tens of thousands of vehicles are stolen in the US every year, and some auction lots have been in accidents, flooded, or have hidden mechanical issues. Sellers
don't always disclose this — Carfax compiles its report from official databases: police records, insurance companies, service shops, and accident registries.

Checking before you buy lets you verify whether the car's actual condition matches the listing, and make your decision before you put down a deposit.

What information a Carfax report includes

Manufacture date, make, and model.
Number of owners and registration history.
Mileage at different points in time — and whether it was rolled back.
Accident and repair history (if recorded in insurance databases).
Title status (clean, salvage, rebuilt) — critically important information.
Service history, if it was recorded.

How much it costs

Carfax operates on a paid model — a single report costs a few tens of dollars, and bundle pricing is available for buyers checking multiple vehicles. Compared
to the cost of the car itself, this is a small amount that significantly reduces the risk of an expensive mistake.

What to keep in mind

Carfax depends on the quality of the data reported to it — if an accident or repair wasn't officially recorded (for example, paid for in cash without going
through insurance), it may not appear in the report. So treat the report as a strong tool, but not the only one — use it alongside the lot photos and expert
judgment. At Star Trans Logistic, we regularly work with Carfax reports and help clients read them correctly before purchasing a lot at auction — so you understand the
car's actual condition, not just its price. From there, we handle the purchase, transport, and customs clearance.

Select a lot, and we'll run a Carfax check on it and prepare a shipping cost estimate.