What Does Importing a Car from Korea Really Cost? A Worked Example

The cost lines

1) Auction price. 2) Korean export fees: export de-registration, export plates, inland transport to the port and shipping preparation — $450 in our calculator. 3) Ocean freight: RoRo to the Gulf about $1,200 for a sedan-size car, and $1,200–$2,300 depending on the region; large vehicles and containers cost more. 4) Marine insurance: optional, quoted on request. 5) Our commission: 5% of the car price with a $500 minimum, published upfront. 6) In your country: customs duty, taxes, port and broker fees — these differ by country and by car, and we confirm them before you buy.

Example: a $10,000 car to the Gulf

Auction price $10,000 + export fees $450 + RoRo freight $1,200 + commission $500 = $12,150 landed at the arrival port, before optional marine insurance (indicative rates, updated 2026-07). Your country's customs duty and taxes come on top; they depend on the country and the type of car, so we — or your customs broker — confirm them before you pay. Then compare the total with the same car in your local market.

What pushes the cost up

Large vehicles (SUVs, vans) pay more freight because shipping is charged by volume. A container for a single car costs more than RoRo. Distant destinations or ones without a direct line (Central Asia, some African ports). Slow customs clearance adds port storage fees (demurrage).

How to get the exact number

Use the import cost calculator on the site for an instant estimate, then ask for a written quote — we give you the final price landed at your port before any payment, and the numbers don't change unless you change the car or the shipping method.

Frequently asked questions