Buying Used Cars from Korea: Who Can Buy and How It Works
Who can buy from SSANCAR, how the order process works, how long it takes, and what makes Korean used cars attractive for European dealers.
SSANCAR › FAQ
Korean Used Car Export FAQ: 103 Questions Answered for European Buyers
Direct answers to 103 questions dealers ask about buying used cars from Korea: prices, payment, inspection, shipping, EU duty and VAT, COC/TÜV, country rules for Poland, Germany, Albania, Kosovo, Ukraine and more.
Key facts about buying used cars from Korea
- SSANCAR Co., Ltd. has exported Korean used cars since 2001 (incorporated 2018); 47 staff in Siheung, Gyeonggi-do; 2025 revenue about KRW 93.7 billion (USD 20 Million Export Tower, 62nd Trade Day).
- Business-to-business only: registered companies and sole traders in 34 countries. About 80% of volume goes to Albania and Kosovo, 18% to Germany and the rest of the EU.
- Typical payment schedule: 10% deposit at order, 50% when SSANCAR buys the car, 40% one week before arrival. Exact terms vary by country, vehicle and buyer history and are stated on each pro-forma invoice; first-time buyers can use 10% + 90% before arrival.
- Prices on ssancar.com are FOB Korean port. EU buyers pay 10% customs duty + import VAT (Germany 19%, Poland 23%) on the CIF value because used Korean cars normally cannot claim Korea-EU FTA preference.
- Every car is inspected before purchase by Korea Inspectors: 50+ photos, 6+ videos, insurance accident history and odometer check. First 3 inspections are free for trade buyers.
- RoRo shipping Korea to Bremerhaven or Zeebrugge takes about 32-38 days; to Durres 38-45 days. A 40ft container carries 3-4 cars.
- Korean cars are left-hand drive, metric (km/h), and Korean-spec EVs use the CCS1 charging plug, so an adapter is needed in Europe (CCS2).
- Damage claims must be filed within 10 days of the car's recorded arrival date with VIN-visible photos and video.
Payment Terms, Deposits and Deferred Payment for Korean Used Cars
SSANCAR's payment schedule, first-order terms, accepted payment methods, deposit and refund rules, and how deferred payment works for established dealers.
Korean Used Car Prices and Total Landed Cost in Europe
What the FOB price includes, typical price ranges for popular Korean models, and how to calculate duty, VAT, freight and registration costs for Germany, Poland, Albania and Kosovo.
Inspection, Accident History and Mileage Checks on Korean Used Cars
What the pre-purchase inspection covers, how Korean accident and insurance history works, how odometer fraud and flood damage are detected, and what the inspection costs.
Buying Korean Used Cars at Auction: Glovis, Autohub, Lotte and SK
How Korea's dealer-only auctions work, what auction grades mean, how to bid remotely through SSANCAR, and how auction prices compare with dealer lots.
Shipping Used Cars from Korea to Europe: RoRo, Containers, Ports and Transit Times
RoRo versus container shipping, costs, transit times to European and Balkan ports, marine insurance, port free time and what happens when the car arrives.
Documents, EU Customs Duty, VAT and Registration for Korean Used Cars
Which export documents you receive, how EU duty and VAT are calculated, why the Korea-EU FTA rarely applies to used cars, and how cars without an EU Certificate of Conformity are registered.
Importing Korean Used Cars into Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Other EU Countries
Country-by-country notes for Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Lithuania and the Baltics, Czechia, Romania and Bulgaria: taxes, approval procedures and the ports dealers use.
Importing Korean Used Cars into Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia
Age limits, Euro emission requirements, duty, excise and VAT for the non-EU markets where Korean used cars are popular, with 2026 rates.
Korean Electric Cars, Hybrids and Korean-Spec Features in Europe
Charging plug compatibility (CCS1 vs CCS2), battery health certificates, warranty, navigation and software, LPG cars and other Korean-market differences European buyers should know.