Official · Free
NHTSA VIN Decoder
The US government VIN decoder can display manufacturer-reported plant and country information. Save or print the result as one part of the vehicle-specific evidence package.
Decode a VINCustoms and documents
Know what paperwork may be needed before your shipment leaves the USA.
General information only
This page is general educational information. Import rules, duties, taxes, and document requirements vary by shipment and may change. Before you purchase or ship, ask us to coordinate the current requirements with the appropriate destination-side customs broker. The relevant customs authority makes the final decision.
Commonly required documents
The documents needed depend on what you are shipping, its origin, and its destination. Requirements vary and may change.
Vehicle shipments
Commonly required documents may include:
- Original title or certificate of ownership
- Bill of sale or purchase invoice
- Seller or auction name and location
- Vehicle year, make, model, and VIN
- Copy of buyer identification or authorization where required by logistics partners
- Shipment details and destination contact information
- Lien release if a loan was outstanding on the vehicle
Packages and goods
Commonly required documents may include:
- Purchase receipt or commercial invoice
- Item description and declared value
- Seller name and address
- Destination recipient information
- Dimensions and total weight
- Restricted item documentation if applicable
Household goods
Commonly required documents may include:
- Detailed packing list with item descriptions
- Inventory with approximate declared values
- Owner and shipper contact information
- Pickup address and destination address
- Notes on fragile, high-value, or oversized items
- Relocation documentation where applicable for personal effects
Requirements vary by vehicle, shipment type, and destination. We help explain what may apply to your specific situation.
US vehicle origin resources
Build a stronger origin-document package
Use these resources before you buy or ship to collect vehicle-specific information that may support a request for adjusted EU customs duty on eligible US-origin vehicles.
No single report guarantees a 0% duty decision. The importer must provide sufficient evidence, and the relevant customs authority makes the final determination.
Start here
Read the 0% duty guideWhat the 0% duty rule means for US-built cars
Read our practical guide to the current rule, the evidence worth collecting, and the questions to resolve before the vehicle leaves the United States.
Commercial · Paid
CARFAX Vehicle History Report
A vehicle-history report may include title, registration, ownership, mileage, accident, and service records. It can provide supporting history, but it is not an official proof of origin.
Get a CARFAX reportCommercial · Paid
Experian AutoCheck
AutoCheck is an alternative vehicle-history source for title, ownership, damage, and other reported events. It may support the file, but it does not guarantee origin or duty treatment.
Get an AutoCheck reportAlso ask the seller or manufacturer for
Availability varies by vehicle. Collect what exists while the vehicle is still in the United States.
- Original window sticker or Monroney label
- Manufacturer build sheet or production record
- Manufacturer statement confirming the assembly location, if available
- Title, bill of sale, and available title history
- Clear photos of the VIN plate and manufacturer certification label
We coordinate the transport evidence
The current EU rule may also require evidence that the vehicle travelled directly from the United States to the EU, or remained under customs supervision and was not altered while routed through another country.
Relevant records may include the bill of lading, booking and pickup records, transport contracts, packing information, or customs transit documents. We coordinate the applicable shipping records with the customs broker.
CARFAX and AutoCheck are independent third-party commercial services. East Coast Freight Logistics is not affiliated with them and does not control their reports, availability, pricing, or content. These links are provided for convenience and general information only.
Import costs and what to expect
Customs duties, VAT, and import taxes may apply when goods arrive in Hungary or Europe. These are separate from shipping costs.
- 1Customs duties, VAT, and import taxes may apply when goods arrive in Hungary or Europe.
- 2Applicable rates depend on item type, vehicle age, declared value, import category, and rules in effect at the time of import.
- 3These charges are set by customs authorities, not by shipping companies.
- 4We strongly recommend confirming expected import costs before purchasing a vehicle or expensive item.
- 5For vehicles: we coordinate the current import-cost review with the appropriate customs broker; the destination customs authority determines the final amount.
- 6For packages: EU import rules apply for goods shipped from the USA, including de minimis thresholds for low-value purchases.
- 7We help explain what documentation may be required and coordinate with appropriate partners for the customs process at the destination. We do not quote customs duties or guarantee customs outcomes.
Before you buy a vehicle
For vehicle imports from US auctions or private sellers, these steps can help you avoid common problems.
Have a vehicle or shipment in mind?
Send us the listing, invoice, or shipment details before you buy or ship. We will review what information is needed for the next step.