0% Duty on American Cars in Europe: What You Need to Prove (2026)

Since July 1, 2026, cars originating in the United States can enter the European Union duty free, down from the previous 10%. This is part of EU Regulation 2026/1455, which implements the trade framework agreement between the EU and the US, widely known in the press as the "Turnberry deal". On a €25,000 car, that is a theoretical €2,500 saving. In practice, there is a catch that surprises many buyers: duty-free treatment is not automatic, and the burden of proving origin falls entirely on the buyer.

How much can you actually save?

Here is a concrete example. If you buy a car in the US for $20,000 (roughly 6.3 million forints at today's exchange rate), the old 10% duty would have added $2,000 (about 630,000 forints) on top of shipping and VAT. Since July 1, 2026, that line item is, in theory, zero. Only in theory, because you still have to prove the car was actually built in the United States.

The real question: how do you prove a car is American?

This is the part that is rarely explained clearly. The EU has not created a dedicated EU-US certificate of origin for this rule. Origin is determined under the EU's general, non-preferential rules of origin (Union Customs Code, Regulation 952/2013, Articles 59-63). In other words, there is no single mandatory document you can stamp and hand over.

New cars still have it easy — a manufacturer's certificate of origin exists, and this document travels with the car through its first sale. Once the US authority issues the title to the first buyer, that certificate is surrendered. From that point on, it no longer exists.

Used cars, however, have nothing to show. Most of the vehicles our customers import (auction cars, classic cars, used cars a few years old) fall exactly into the category where the official certificate of origin simply no longer exists. A 2015 Ford Mustang or a Copart auction Tesla has no such document to hand a customs officer as official proof.

What counts as proof, based on what we know so far

The European Commission's June 30, 2026 guidance confirms that there is no standardized certificate or required wording for this claim. It also warns that a third-party "Made in USA" statement, an invoice origin statement, or even a certificate of origin is not sufficient by itself. The EU importer needs additional evidence tied to the specific vehicle. The following can help as parts of a broader evidence package, but none guarantees the outcome:

• A saved or printed NHTSA VIN Decoder result showing manufacturer-reported plant and country information
• A manufacturer build sheet, original window sticker, production record, or manufacturer statement confirming the assembly location, if available
• The title, bill of sale, and available title history
• A CARFAX, AutoCheck, or similar vehicle-history report as supporting history rather than official proof of origin
• Clear photos of the VIN plate and manufacturer certification label

Do not forget the direct-transport evidence

The current EU procedure also requires evidence that the vehicle was transported directly from the United States to the EU. If it travelled through a third country, the importer must be able to show that it remained under customs supervision and was not altered there. Relevant evidence can include the bill of lading, booking and pickup records, transport contracts, packing information, customs transit documents, or a non-manipulation certificate. We coordinate the applicable shipping records with the customs broker, but the records must be available when the adjusted duty is claimed.

Where does this stand, country by country?

As of this writing (July 14, 2026), only Italy has issued official guidance. The three busiest ports for US car imports, Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, and Antwerp, fall under Dutch, German, and Belgian authorities, none of which have published their own position yet. We are watching for developments and will update this article as soon as any of these countries publishes something.

What should you do right now?

1. 1Run the VIN through the official NHTSA VIN Decoder and save the result
2. 2Ask for the title, bill of sale, build sheet, original window sticker, and any available manufacturer records
3. 3Get a CARFAX, AutoCheck, or similar history report before you buy
4. 4Keep clear photos of the VIN plate and manufacturer certification label
5. 5Contact us before shipping so the direct-transport records can be coordinated with the customs broker

This evidence is usually easier and less expensive to collect while the car is still in the United States. A complete file improves the basis for the claim, but the relevant customs authority still makes the final decision.

Frequently asked questions

Is a certificate of origin mandatory?

There is no single standardized certificate for this claim. The importer must provide sufficient vehicle-specific origin evidence and the required direct-transport or non-alteration evidence. A certificate or invoice statement alone is not sufficient.

What if my car is used and I do not have a certificate of origin?

This is common. Build a vehicle-specific package from the NHTSA VIN result, available manufacturer records, title and sale documents, certification-label photos, and a vehicle-history report. The customs broker must assess the complete file together with the transport evidence before the claim is made.

When will there be one final rule across the whole EU?

There is no announced deadline yet. As soon as the Netherlands, Germany, or Belgium (the countries of the main arrival ports) publish something, we will update this article.