Your First Car from the US: From Auction to Registration in Poland
11 min read
A complete beginner’s guide — how the import process works step by step, how long it takes, and what to watch out for on your first purchase.
A first import can feel intimidating, but it’s a repeatable process with a few clear stages. We’ll walk you through each one.
The stages of an import
| Stage | Time | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| Bidding and purchase | 1–7 days | Carimporta on your behalf |
| Transport to the US port | 3–10 days | freight forwarder |
| Ocean freight | 20–40 days | shipping line |
| Clearance in Europe | 3–7 days | customs agency |
| Transport to Poland + registration | 7–14 days | Carimporta |
A registered car on the road
The whole process usually takes 6–10 weeks from auction to collecting a registered car. Ocean freight eats up the most time — the rest of the stages are quick when the paperwork is complete.