How much does it cost to bring a car from America

Bringing a car from America to Georgia is the best way for many people to buy their dream car at an affordable price. However, often buyers only consider the value of the car at the auction and forget about other related costs. In 2026, some changes were made to the transportation and auction rates. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the costs associated with importing a car from America to Georgia.

Auction Fees

When you win a car on Copart or IAAI, an Auction Fee is added to the winning amount. This amount directly depends on the value of the car. For example, if you win a car for $3,000, the fee can range from $400 to $600, depending on what type of account you have (registration type) and which platform you use. Online trading fee (Gate Fee) and other small fees are additionally charged. To accurately calculate these costs, read our detailed article: Hidden Auction Fees in America 2026.

Domestic transportation in America (Land Transport)

Transporting a car from the auction yard to a US port is called inland transport. Its price depends on the distance between the auction and the nearest port (for example, New York, Savannah, Houston or Los Angeles). On average, the domestic shipping price ranges from $200 to $800. If you win a car in Central America (for example, Colorado), the cost of transportation will be quite high, so experienced dealers always try to buy the car in states close to the port.

Ocean Freight

Ocean transportation (container shipping) is a process from an American port to a Georgian port (Poti or Batumi). In 2026, the cost of shipping from the East Coast (ie, New Jersey) to Poti will average between $1,000 and $1,300, depending on seasonality and fuel prices. Shipping from the West Coast (eg Los Angeles) is more expensive and can cost $1,500-$1,800. The average shipping time is 45 to 70 days.

Customs clearance in Georgia

After the car arrives in Georgia, you have to clear it through customs. The cost of customs clearance is calculated according to the volume of the vehicle's engine and the year of manufacture. It should be noted that a 50% discount on excise duty applies to hybrid vehicles, while electric vehicles are fully exempted from excise duty. In addition, you will have to pay the opening of the container and the port fee at the port, which is about 150-200 GEL.

Summary and Logistics Services

As you can see, there are quite a few ancillary costs added to the cost of a car. If you want this process to be transparent and not to face unexpected charges, it is important to cooperate with professionals. We offer full service in this direction. For more details see: Auction Logistics and Marketing. You can also learn how to register and buy a car: How to buy a car from Copart.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the total cost of transportation from America to Georgia?

On average, the total cost of inland and ocean shipping from the East Coast is $1,200-$1,600. From the West Coast, this amount can be $1,700-$2,200.

2. Is insurance included in the shipping price?

As a rule, no. Insurance is not included in the standard shipping price. Purchasing additional insurance costs 1-2% of the vehicle's value and is strongly recommended.

3. Does the price vary according to the size of the vehicle?

Yes. A standard sedan is cheaper to transport than a large SUV or pickup truck. Large cars take up more space in the container, therefore the price increases.

4. Is it possible to get a shipping discount?

If you are a dealer and are importing multiple vehicles at once, logistics companies often offer corporate discounts on both inland and ocean shipping.