One of the most common questions from our clients is why a car from the USA first arrives in Lithuania instead of going straight to a Ukrainian port. Here are the five questions we hear most often.

 

1. 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.

2. How long does shipping take on the USA → Klaipeda → 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.

3. Do I have to pay EU (Lithuanian) 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.

4. How does customs clearance work in Ukraine after shipping via Klaipeda?
Once the truck arrives at the Ukrainian border the car is declared under the standard procedure: an electronic customs declaration is filed, duty, excise tax, and VAT are paid. Our brokers manage the process from filing the declaration through to handing you the finished documents.

5. 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.

 

📞 +38 067 441 55 33
📧 office@startranslog.com.ua
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