Korea or Germany

What Germany has that Korea does not

Germany is inside the European Union. No duty, no import VAT, no customs clearance. Transport takes days rather than weeks, and you can go and look at the car yourself before paying.

If you want a German brand in ordinary trim, Germany is almost always the better call. We are not going to argue you out of it.

What Korea has that Germany does not

The Korean market is left-hand drive, unlike Japan. Nothing is converted, nothing is compromised, the car registers as it is.

Every car from an auction or an official dealer arrives with a structured inspection report: each body panel, the engine and the gearbox graded separately by an independent inspector. The usual German equivalent is a description written by the seller.

Standard equipment on the Korean domestic market is richer. Things sold in Europe as a paid package are often standard there.

The arithmetic that decides it

Duty is 10% on the price plus freight, and 20% VAT is applied on top — on a sum that already contains the duty. About 32% over the price at source.

Which means one simple thing: to match a German offer, the Korean price together with freight has to be roughly a quarter lower. Here is the sum for a car that costs €20,000 in Germany:

Price in Germany

€20,000

Maximum Korean price including freight

€15,152

Duty at 10%

€1,515

VAT at 20%

€3,333

Break-even

€20,000

Where Korea wins comfortably

The gap at source has to be at least a quarter. In these segments it usually is much more:

• Hybrids and electric cars — the Korean domestic market carries them in volume Europe does not, at prices Europe does not offer.
• High trims of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis — where the European version was simply never sold that well equipped.
• Large SUVs and vans that are unusual in Europe and ordinary in Korea.
• Any case where documented condition matters more than the badge — because the Korean report can be checked and a seller's description cannot.

Where Germany wins

German brands in ordinary trim. Cars you want to see and drive yourself before paying. Cases where speed matters more than price — sea freight from Korea takes weeks.

If that is your situation we will tell you. We would rather not sell than sell something that was not the right decision.

FAQ

Then why import from Korea at all?

Because in the right segment the price gap is far beyond the quarter it needs to be, and the condition is documented in a way the European market does not offer.

How long does delivery from Korea take?

Sea freight is weeks rather than days, with customs clearance on top. The exact timing depends on the route and we confirm it for the specific car.

Can you compare a specific German offer?

Yes. Send the link to the German advert and we will price the Korean equivalent turnkey. If Germany comes out better, we will say so.