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For most international moves, the honest starting answer is: check the driving side first, then do the math. If your destination drives on the opposite side of the road from where you are now, importing is rarely worth it regardless of cost — converting a car’s steering side is a niche, expensive specialty job, not a routine service. If the driving side matches, it genuinely comes down to numbers: what importing costs versus what you’d net from selling and buying locally. Use the tool above to run your own numbers either way.
Why this decision is more complicated than it looks
The financial comparison seems simple — import cost versus (replacement cost minus resale value) — but the number that trips people up is the import cost itself. It’s rarely just shipping. A complete estimate needs shipping, import duties and taxes, compliance or homologation work to meet local safety and emissions standards, and re-registration fees. Skip any of these in your estimate and importing will look artificially cheap compared to reality.
The driving-side issue is the other thing people underestimate. It’s not just inconvenient to drive a car with the steering wheel on the “wrong” side long-term — overtaking, parking, and drive-through service all become harder, and many countries restrict or heavily tax importing a car built for the opposite configuration specifically because conversions are impractical. This is why the tool above treats a driving-side mismatch as an automatic override, regardless of how favorable the financial math looks.
How to use the tool
- Select where you’re moving from and to. This drives the automatic driving-side check.
- Enter your car’s current resale value — what you could realistically sell it for now, in your home market.
- Enter your estimated total import cost — get a quote from a vehicle shipping/import specialist, or research your destination country’s customs rules, and include duties, compliance, and registration, not just freight.
- Enter the cost of an equivalent replacement car in your destination country.
- Check the timing box if relevant — if you need a car within your first month, factor in that import processing commonly takes weeks to months.
What to research before entering your import cost estimate
| Cost category | What to check |
|---|---|
| Shipping/freight | Get quotes from at least two vehicle shipping companies — container vs. roll-on/roll-off shipping can differ significantly in price. |
| Import duties & taxes | Check your destination country’s customs authority directly — rates vary by vehicle age, value, and emissions class, and change often. |
| Compliance/homologation | Some countries require modifications (lighting, emissions equipment) to meet local standards before registration is allowed. |
| Registration & inspection | Factor in local registration fees and any mandatory inspection before the car can be legally driven. |
A few things the numbers alone don’t capture
- Familiarity and reliability — keeping a car you know well, with a known maintenance history, has real value that’s hard to put a number on, especially in an already-stressful move.
- Local market conditions — used car prices and availability vary a lot by country; research your destination’s actual market rather than assuming your home country’s prices translate directly.
- Ongoing car loan — if you’re still financing your current car, check whether your lender allows the vehicle to leave the country before you commit to importing it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my car temporarily without a full import?
Some countries allow temporary vehicle admission for visitors or short stays without full import procedures, but rules and time limits vary widely and typically don’t apply once you’re relocating permanently — check your specific destination’s customs rules.
Does my car’s fuel type affect whether I should import it?
It can — some cities and countries have low-emission zones or restrictions that affect older diesel or high-emission vehicles specifically, which is worth checking before committing to import a car that might face driving restrictions once it arrives.
Is leasing a car locally often simpler than importing?
For many relocations, yes — leasing avoids import paperwork entirely and gives you flexibility while you settle in, though it usually costs more over time than owning outright once you’ve decided you’re staying long-term.
What if I’m still paying off a car loan on my current car?
Check with your lender before making any decision — some loan agreements restrict taking the vehicle out of the country, and selling a financed car requires paying off the remaining loan balance first.
Does my car’s resale value change once people know I’m moving?
It can, particularly if you need a fast sale close to your move date — a rushed sale often nets less than one with more lead time, so getting a resale estimate early and planning the sale timeline matters for the accuracy of this comparison.
Related tools and guides
- Multi-Country EV Cost Comparator — compare ongoing running costs between your origin and destination.
- EV Charging Cost Calculator — if you’re considering an EV specifically for your new country.
- Gas vs EV Cost Comparison — useful if you’re deciding what type of replacement car to buy locally.
This tool and article were built with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy. All cost figures come from what you enter — this page doesn’t assert specific import duties, taxes, or fees for any country, since they vary enormously and change often. Always verify current rules with your destination country’s customs authority or a vehicle import specialist before making a relocation decision.