Question 1

How long does shipping from the USA to Europe take?

Accepted Answer

The Atlantic crossing on a direct service takes about as long eastbound as westbound — roughly two weeks from the East Coast to the North Range ports — but eastbound port rotations differ by carrier, so we confirm each sailing rather than quote an average. From the West Coast, cargo either sails all-water through the Panama Canal or moves by rail to an East Coast port first; we quote both. Air freight from LAX, Chicago or New York to Frankfurt or Amsterdam takes a few days door to door.

Question 2

What duty does the EU charge on goods from the USA?

Accepted Answer

Since 1 July 2026, none on most US industrial goods — machinery, vehicles, chemicals, instruments, furniture and other manufactured goods — under Regulation (EU) 2026/1455, which runs to the end of 2029. Some farm goods have zero-duty quotas instead: US tree nuts share a 500,000-tonne quota every twelve months, and once a quota is used up the normal EU duty applies. The goods must be of US origin — made or last substantially transformed in the USA — and shipped directly or kept under customs supervision in transit; buying from a US supplier is not proof on its own. The EU can suspend the regulation, and import VAT and excise are still due, so the destination agent confirms the treatment for each CN code at quoting.

Question 3

What documents do I need to export from the USA to Europe?

Accepted Answer

On the US side: Electronic Export Information filed in AES for any Schedule B line over $2,500 or any shipment that needs a license, and for every used vehicle whatever its value; an export-control classification, which is EAR99 for most goods; and a commercial invoice and packing list that support US origin. Your European buyer needs an EORI number, and the carrier files the EU's ICS2 entry summary before the container is loaded, which needs a proper description and HS code — "machine parts" is rejected. Products sold in Europe also need their own conformity paperwork, such as CE marking for machinery and electrical goods.

Question 4

How do I ship a car from the USA to Europe?

Accepted Answer

By RoRo for a running car, or in a container — a sole-use 20ft, or a shared 40ft with three or four cars on racking — from ports including Baltimore, New York/New Jersey, Savannah and Los Angeles to Bremerhaven, Antwerp or Rotterdam. The title goes to CBP at least 72 hours before export, and EEI is filed for every used vehicle. A US-built car has paid no EU duty since 1 July 2026, but import VAT is due at the destination country's rate, and registration needs a national individual approval and, in some countries, a registration tax that can outweigh the freight. Our vehicles guide covers each step.

Question 5

Does my American machine need CE marking to be sold in Europe?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if it is placed on the EU market. A UL or other US listing does not transfer: the manufacturer, or the EU importer, needs a technical file, a declaration of conformity and the CE mark under the Machinery Directive, and under the new Machinery Regulation from 20 January 2027, plus the low-voltage and EMC rules for the electrical side. Many US machines need electrical changes — 230/400 V supply, European plugs and components — so settle this with the buyer before quoting the sale, not at the port.

Question 6

Which European port should my cargo go to?

Accepted Answer

The one closest to the buyer with a good direct sailing. Rotterdam, Antwerp and Bremerhaven are the usual choices for Germany, the Benelux and Central Europe, Le Havre for France, and Valencia, Genoa or Barcelona for southern Europe. Goods do not have to be cleared at the port: they can move under EU transit to an inland customs office near the buyer and be cleared there, and the partner agent decides which works better for each shipment.

Question 7

Who clears customs in Europe — do you have an office there?

Accepted Answer

AGF has no office in Europe. EU import clearance is handled by our WCA partner agent in the destination country, acting as customs representative for your buyer, who is the importer and needs an EORI number. The agent files the import declaration, accounts for import VAT — some countries let a registered importer defer or self-account for it instead of paying at the border — and arranges delivery. AGF coordinates the whole move from Glendale, so you have one point of contact.

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