3 min
“What’s the total?” is the most common question we get about importing cars from the US – and it’s also the most context-dependent. The final figure is made up of several components, each of which varies by vehicle, destination country, and who’s handling the import.
We’ll walk through the cost structure using a real example – a 2024 Range Rover Vogue Autobiography Black – and explain what’s behind each line item, including where people often miscalculate when trying to estimate it themselves.
The Cost Structure: What You’re Actually Paying For
1. Vehicle price at auction
This is your starting point. US auctions – Copart, IAAI, Manheim – offer a wide range, from lightly damaged insurance vehicles to well-maintained dealer trade-ins with full service history. A 2024 Range Rover Vogue Autobiography Black with 15,000 miles sells at auction for around $80,000. The same car on the Georgian market starts at $140,000.
2. Auction commission and agent fees
Auctions charge a buyer’s premium on each lot – typically 2–5% of the purchase price, plus administrative fees. These add up and need to be factored in from the start, not discovered after the fact.
3. Shipping from the US to Georgia
Sea freight from a US port (Savannah, Baltimore, Houston) to Poti includes the freight itself, cargo insurance, and all export documentation. For a standard premium SUV, the all-in shipping cost runs around $10,000. Transit time: 2–2.5 months.
4. Customs clearance in Georgia
Georgia has some of the most favorable vehicle import conditions in the region. For cars under 6 years old, the rates are manageable. As of April 2026, vehicles older than 6 years have become significantly more expensive to import – to the point where it no longer makes financial sense for most buyers.
5. Agent fee for handling the deal
We charge 10% of the vehicle’s auction price. This covers the search, bid coordination, export paperwork, shipping management, and all deal-related communication from start to finish.
Total Cost: A Real Example
2024 Range Rover Vogue Autobiography Black, 15,000 miles:
- Auction price: $80,000
- All-in shipping to Georgia: $10,000
- Service fee (10%): ~$9,000
- Total: ~$99,000
Market price for a comparable vehicle in Georgia: from $140,000. Savings: approximately $41,000 – around 40%.
What Affects the Final Price
Model and specification. The higher-end and rarer the vehicle, the bigger the gap with CIS market prices. On more mainstream models, the savings are proportionally smaller.
Year of manufacture. Cars under 6 years old are the sweet spot. Older vehicles create a very different customs picture.
Destination country. Keeping the car in Georgia keeps costs minimal. Sending it on to Russia, Kazakhstan, or Belarus adds local customs clearance – and each country has its own rules and rates.
Vehicle condition. We work only with clean-title cars. If someone is offering substantially cheaper, it usually means a damaged-title vehicle or undisclosed restoration costs.
Where Not to Cut Corners
Pre-purchase inspection. A VIN check is the bare minimum. A physical inspection on the ground in the US ensures there are no hidden damages that don’t show up in auction photos.
Legal documentation. Contract, payment schedule, status updates at each stage – everything needs to be in writing. For transactions of this size, verbal agreements are not a reliable foundation.
