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Arrival Port Selector

Check your arrival port before booking RoRo shipping — avoid the Germany customs bond trap.

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Critical: Germany requires a cash bond of ~29% of your vehicle's value

For a vehicle valued at €175,000, this means ~€50,750 in cash euros, payable at the port. If the vehicle does not exit via Germany within 6 months, Germany keeps the entire deposit. Real incident documented: an American owner was demanded ~USD 19,000 cash on arrival — their shipping agent was unaware of this requirement.

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Your trip configuration

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All arrival ports — comparison

Recommended default: Zeebrugge or Antwerp (Belgium) — no bond, efficient RoRo operations, well-documented for North American travelers. Contact IVSS or SeaBridge to confirm current requirements before booking.
Important: Port requirements can change. This tool is based on traveler reports from 2017–2024 and Guide 1 §1.1. The 29% Germany bond has been consistently documented but exact rates may vary. Always confirm current requirements directly with your shipping agent (IVSS or SeaBridge) before booking. Ask specifically: "Does the arrival port require a temporary import bond, and under what conditions is it refunded?"

© 2026 Jack-Éric Vandenbroucke · CC BY-NC 4.0