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.

Car Shipping from the U.S.

Need to ship a car from the U.S.?

Then you need “Star Trans Logistic.” We’ll purchase, ship, clear through customs, and register your car. We operate throughout Ukraine: Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Zaporizhzhia, and other cities.

We Answer Your Questions

The total price consists of seven components: the auction lot price, auction fees, shipping within the U.S. to the port, ocean freight, car carrier transport to Ukraine, customs duties, and the company’s services. The most unpredictable component here is customs clearance, so it’s important to factor it in before purchasing the lot, not after. We provide this calculation free of charge and show the customer each expense item. We’ll provide the exact cost after the car is selected.

For cars with gasoline, diesel, or hybrid engines, you pay a duty of 10% of the customs value, an excise tax, 20% VAT, and a pension levy of 3–5%. VAT is calculated based on the sum of “car price + duty + excise tax.” The excise tax depends on the type of fuel, engine displacement, and the car’s age. To get an accurate calculation, you’ll need the year of manufacture, engine displacement, fuel type, and price. Use the calculator on the website or submit a request, and a manager will send you the calculation.

Starting January 1, 2026, a 20% VAT must be paid when importing an electric vehicle. Prior to this, electric vehicles were exempt from VAT. The excise tax remains unchanged at 1 euro per kWh of battery capacity, and the import duty on electric vehicles is still zero. Due to the reinstatement of the VAT, the cost of importing electric vehicles has increased by at least 20% compared to the previous total cost. Be sure to calculate the cost before making a purchase, because when choosing between an electric vehicle and a car with an internal combustion engine, the price difference is now smaller than before.

We ship cars through the European port of Klaipėda (Lithuania). The container is shipped by sea from the U.S. to Klaipėda, and then the cars are transported to Ukraine by car carrier. Due to military risks, insurance for ships and containers in Black Sea ports has become much more expensive, and some shipping lines no longer call at those ports. Transit through the EU is processed under the T1 procedure, so no EU duties or VAT are payable. You pay all customs fees only once, upon customs clearance in Ukraine.

On average, it takes 45–60 days from the time of purchase at auction to receiving the keys. This includes: 3–7 days from the auction to the port in the U.S., 25–35 days for ocean freight, and 5–10 days for customs clearance at the port and delivery to Ukraine. The exact timeframe depends on the port of departure, the ship’s schedule, and port congestion. After loading at the port, you’ll receive a container number and vessel details, which you can use to track your shipment on the carrier’s website, and your manager will keep you informed at every stage.

“Turnkey” means that we purchase the vehicle at auction, arrange for delivery, customs clearance, and certification. All we need from you is an application, your passport, and your identification number, as well as your decision on which car to choose. Our in-house brokers and freight forwarders handle the rest; they are full-time employees of the company. We do not use third-party intermediaries.

Before placing a bid, we check the vehicle’s history using the VIN, the title type, and the actual extent of damage shown in the photos. A clean title is the most predictable option. A vehicle with “salvage” status is cheaper, but the repair costs and risks are higher. Our specialists review several lots that fit your budget and calculate the total cost, including customs clearance, in advance. The decision to buy is always yours.

We operate under a contract that specifies all stages and terms. Payment is made in installments: “lot and auction fees,” then “shipping,” then “customs clearance.” We insure the freight forwarder’s liability, meaning we assume full financial responsibility for the shipment. You can review all the terms in detail before signing the contract. You can view real reviews on Google Maps and on the reviews page of our website.

Years on the market

9550

Satisfied customers

15300

Cleared cars

1235

Сargo delivered in 2025

Favorable conditions for dealers

Why Choose Us?

Shipping a car from the U.S. lets you buy modern models at prices lower than in Europe, even after transport costs. In the U.S. you can find almost any model, and thanks to the mild climate in many states the body is often in very good condition. The standard equipment is frequently richer than on European equivalents, even for economy-class cars.

Our company has been shipping cars from the U.S. to Ukraine for 20 years, and the process is refined down to the smallest detail. You get a consultation, and our specialists will suggest which options to consider within your budget. If you already have specific preferences, we’ll tell you where to look or select several lots for you to choose from.

It’s best to take your time choosing a car: compare several lots, their condition and delivery times. If you have questions, contact a manager, which helps avoid problems that often arise from unclarified details.

Customers always know how much it costs to ship a car from the U.S. to Ukraine. They receive a calculation that includes customs payments, with no hidden costs or markups. The final amount becomes known after the purchase, once the departure point is known and the shipping cost is calculated. You can check prices in advance and choose where to buy so that transport costs less.

How the Process Works

We currently ship cars through the European port of Klaipėda (Lithuania). The route has several stages. First, the car is transported from the auction to a port in the U.S. Then the container goes by sea to Klaipėda, and from there the car travels to Ukraine by car carrier. We arrange all stages on a turnkey basis, so you don’t need to take part in them.

Why did we choose this route? Because of military risks, insurance for ships and containers in Black Sea ports has become much more expensive, and some shipping lines no longer call at those ports. Klaipėda is a major EU port with direct sea connections to the U.S. Transit through EU territory is processed under the T1 procedure, so no EU duties or VAT are payable. You pay all customs fees only once, upon customs clearance in Ukraine.

The process usually takes 45–60 days from the moment of purchase at auction to receiving the keys. The exact time depends on the port of departure, the ship’s schedule and port congestion. That’s why it’s best to plan the purchase in advance and leave a little extra time in case of unforeseen delays with paperwork.

After the car arrives in Ukraine, it is cleared through customs and registered. You can pick up the car yourself or order delivery to your city. During transport, proper securing procedures are followed, and you receive photos of the car before shipment. You don’t need to handle customs paperwork yourself: all you need to do is choose the model, set a price limit and register the car at your place of residence.

What About the Port of Odesa

At the moment, container service to the ports of Odesa is suspended. Once the service is restored, we will return to the USA–Odesa route: then the car can be picked up directly at the port or shipped across the country. We will inform our customers about any route changes and update this page.

Learn more about how delivery currently works given the port situation in our blog.

Contact Information

Address

103 Chernomorskogo Kazachestva St., Odessa, 65003

Phone Numbers

+38 (063) 242 32 45

+38 (067) 441 55 33

office@startranslog.com.ua

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