Importing a car from Korea to Europe
We have been doing this since 2010. The process below is the same one we have run 2,400 times — refined over 16 years, and deliberately free of surprises.
No import duty — thanks to the EU–Korea trade agreement
Since the agreement entered into force, cars built in South Korea have entered the European Union free of customs duty. For a €25,000 vehicle, that is roughly €2,500 that buyers importing from other regions simply have to pay and you do not.
What remains is your own country’s VAT and registration — payable to your authorities, at the standard national rate, exactly as on any other vehicle. We provide the proof of Korean origin that the exemption depends on.
From listing to your driveway
1. You choose a car
Browse our live Korean inventory, or tell us the specification you want and we will source it. Every listing carries a single euro price covering the car, the shipping and the Korean-side costs.
2. We inspect and buy
Before any money changes hands, our team in Seoul examines the car in person: bodywork, mechanicals, service history and accident record. You receive a photographic report. Only once you approve do we purchase.
3. Export and sea freight
We handle Korean export clearance, de-registration and the document set your authority will require. The car is loaded at Incheon or Pyeongtaek and sails to your nearest European port, insured for its full value throughout.
4. Customs and delivery
On arrival we clear the vehicle and arrange inland transport to your address. You pay your country’s VAT and registration; we supply every document needed to complete it.
How the vehicle travels
Cars leave Korea from Incheon or Pyeongtaek on roll-on/roll-off vessels — the same method manufacturers use for new stock. The vehicle is driven aboard and secured on a dedicated deck rather than sealed in a container, which keeps handling to a minimum.
Crossing time to northern Europe is around four weeks. We discharge at Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Le Havre, Antwerp and other major ports, choosing whichever is closest to you. Marine insurance covering the full value is included for the entire voyage.
- Roll-on/roll-off shipping, no container packing
- Full-value marine insurance throughout the voyage
- Korean export clearance and de-registration handled
- European customs clearance on arrival
- Inland transport to your address
Frequently asked
Do I pay import duty on a Korean car in the EU?
No. Under the EU–South Korea Free Trade Agreement, cars manufactured in South Korea enter the European Union at 0% customs duty. You are liable only for your own country’s VAT and registration costs. The car must have a valid proof of Korean origin, which we supply with every vehicle.
What does the price on your website include?
The vehicle itself, all Korean-side handling, export documentation, and sea freight to Europe with marine insurance. It is one all-in figure — the same number you saw when you chose the car. Your national VAT and registration are paid separately to your own authorities on arrival.
How long does delivery take?
Typically 30 to 45 days from purchase to your address. Sea freight from Korea takes around four weeks; port handling, customs and inland transport account for the rest. Northern European ports are usually at the faster end of that range.
Can I see the car before I commit?
You see it before we buy it. Our inspection report includes photographs of the exterior, interior, engine bay, undercarriage and any imperfection we find, together with the Korean service record. We purchase only after you confirm.
Are Korean cars left-hand drive?
Yes. South Korea drives on the right and its domestic vehicles are left-hand drive, which is why they suit continental Europe so well without conversion.
Will the car pass my country’s technical inspection?
Korean domestic specification is close to European in most respects. Some countries require headlight adjustment or a rear fog lamp; we address these before shipping where they apply. Your country page sets out the specific inspection route.
What if something is wrong when it arrives?
Contact us. Every car is inspected before purchase and insured in transit, so discrepancies are rare — but when they happen we deal with them directly rather than pointing you at a shipping line. That is the practical benefit of buying from an importer rather than a broker.
Ready to start?
Browse what is in stock today, or tell us what you are looking for and we will find it.