📢Beta Phase: KUC is currently 100% free to use. Our goal is to make your buying decision easier. All prices shown are estimates — please verify final costs with your chosen importer.

    Korean Used Cars Landed in the EU

    Import directly from South Korea to the EU with a transparent total cost in EUR.

    Featured Cars

    A quick look at ten cars from the current inventory

    View All Inventory

    Import Rules & Landed-Cost Breakdown

    European UnionVAT, customs duty, age limits, fees & worked example

    Customs Duty
    10% (standard across EU for non-EU cars)
    VAT (Germany example)
    19% (varies by destination member state)
    Max Age
    No strict limit, but must meet emissions standards
    Official Reference
    European Commission — Customs & Taxation
    Germany used as the reference EU member state; rates vary by country.
    Tax Rates
    Customs Duty
    10% (standard across EU for non-EU cars)
    VAT (Germany example)
    19% (varies by destination member state)
    Age Restrictions
    Max Age
    No strict limit, but must meet emissions standards
    Engine / Fuel Rules
    • Must pass EURO 6 emissions homologation.
    • Physical modifications may be required for KDM cars to pass inspection.
    Required Documents & Fixed Fees
    TÜV / Technical Inspection + Bremerhaven Port Handling
    ≈ 700 EUR
    Worked Example — Standard Import into Germany
    Base Value20,000 EUR
    Customs Duty (10% of 20,000)2,000 EUR
    VAT (19% of 22,000)4,180 EUR
    Fixed Fees (TÜV + Port)700 EUR
    Final Landed Cost26,880 EUR
    Official Reference: European Commission — Customs & Taxation
    Why import here

    Korean used cars in European Union

    European Union imports are practical only for electric and eco-friendly Korean vehicles — petrol and diesel face WLTP emissions hurdles plus CO2 taxes that erase the price advantage. EVs (Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, EV6, Niro EV) clear cleanly under EU type approval and benefit from member-state EV incentives. Antwerp, Hamburg, and Rotterdam are the standard entry ports.

    استيراد دول الاتحاد الأوروبي عملي فقط للسيارات الكورية الكهربائية والصديقة للبيئة — البنزين والديزل يواجهون عقبات انبعاثات WLTP بالإضافة إلى ضرائب CO2 التي تمحو ميزة السعر. السيارات الكهربائية (أيونيك 5، أيونيك 6، EV6، نيرو الكهربائية) تخلَّص بسلاسة تحت موافقة نوع الاتحاد الأوروبي وتستفيد من حوافز الدول الأعضاء للسيارات الكهربائية. أنتويرب وهامبورغ وروتردام هي موانئ الدخول القياسية.

    Ports & routes

    Port of Antwerp-Bruges

    Antwerp

    Largest car-handling terminal in Europe — preferred for Korean EVs.

    Port of Hamburg

    Hamburg

    Strong Northern/Eastern Europe distribution — Germany, Poland, Czech corridor.

    Port of Rotterdam

    Rotterdam

    Largest European container port — Benelux and onward distribution.

    Most-imported Korean models

    Hyundai Ioniq 5

    EU EV-of-the-year 2022 — strongest resale of any Korean EV in Europe.

    Kia EV6

    350kW Ultra-Fast charging — supported across the IONITY network.

    Hyundai Ioniq 6

    Most aerodynamic Korean EV — best real-world range in EU climate.

    Key import facts
    • 10% EU customs duty + member-state VAT (19–25%) + CO2 tax (varies by country).
    • EU type approval mandatory; KUC's Korean exporters supply EU-spec units only.
    • EV-only inventory recommended — petrol/diesel imports rarely make economic sense.
    Country-specific questions

    Why are only Korean EVs practical for EU import?

    Petrol and diesel Korean cars face WLTP emissions hurdles, EU type-approval gaps, and CO2 taxes (varies by member state) that erase the price advantage. EVs benefit from member-state EV incentives and clear cleanly under EU type approval. The math only works for electrics; ICE imports usually cost more landed than buying locally.

    Can I drive a Korean import on EU plates immediately?

    After clearance you'll receive transit plates valid for the registration window in your destination country. Final EU plates require a country-specific roadworthiness test (TÜV in Germany, RDW in Netherlands, ITV in Spain, etc.) and registration with the local authority. Total time from clearance to final plates: typically 2–4 weeks depending on country.

    Does the Korean Hyundai Ioniq 5 qualify for German EV bonus?

    As of recent EU policy, used-EV imports may not qualify for the new-purchase Umweltbonus, but member-state-specific incentives (charging-infrastructure rebates, road-tax exemptions, free parking in some cities) often apply. Check your specific country before importing — the rules change frequently.

    Which EU port should I clear my Korean car at?

    Antwerp-Bruges has the largest car-handling capacity and KUC's most reliable RoRo schedule for Korea-EU. Hamburg suits Northern/Eastern Europe (Germany, Poland, Czech Republic). Rotterdam is best for Benelux-bound vehicles. KUC routes by buyer postcode automatically and books the optimal sailing for each shipment.

    Importing Korean Cars to European Union

    KUC is an informational platform that surfaces inventory from the largest Korean car export yards for buyers in European Union. The prices shown are estimates in EUR covering the Korea purchase cost, ocean freight, customs duty, local VAT, and port handling — use them to set your budget before contracting. Each car ships with its standard Korean dealer inspection report; the final binding price, any pre-purchase physical inspection, shipping, and insurance fall within the importer's scope, not KUC's.

    Why import a Korean used car to European Union?

    The Korean domestic market turns over quickly. Most cars are sold under five years old with less than 60,000 km on the clock and dealer-stamped service records. The result is high-condition Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models landing in European Union at prices 25–40% below local market equivalents.

    How does KUC help me import a Korean car to European Union?

    KUC is a free informational platform: it shows you live Korean inventory in your language, estimates the total landed cost in European Union's currency (duty, shipping, insurance, taxes), and walks you through every step of the import process. The actual purchase, shipping, and customs clearance are executed by an independent importer or shipping agent you contract with directly in European Union.

    How long does shipping take from Korea to European Union?

    Typical transit is 18 to 28 days from departure at Incheon Port, plus 5 to 10 days for customs clearance and final delivery once the vessel arrives at the destination port.

    What's included in the landed-cost estimate?

    Korea purchase price, ocean freight (RoRo or 20-ft container), marine insurance, European Union customs duty, local VAT, port handling charges, and clearing-agent fees. These are estimates based on market data and exchange rates; the final binding price comes from the importer you contract with.

    Are the cars inspected and verified?

    Every listing carries the standard Korean dealer inspection report (도이전등록), which includes recorded accident history and the certified odometer reading. Any additional pre-purchase physical inspection is arranged by the importer you choose, at your expense — KUC does not perform an independent inspection and does not guarantee the condition of any specific car.

    How are payments handled?

    Payments are arranged directly between you and the importer you contract with. KUC does not collect or hold any funds. The industry-standard staged-payment pattern (deposit, main payment, balance on arrival) is set by your importer's contract, not by KUC.
    Other Import Destinations

    Korean Car Exports to

    Compare landed prices and import rules across every country we serve

    Blog

    Latest from the Blog

    Guides, tips, and news about importing Korean cars

    All Articles