Importing a Ford Thunderbird 1957 (example value $55,000) from the USA into Europe costs from about €3,101 in taxes by the right route. The figures below cover customs duty, import VAT and the national registration tax (transport and fees excluded). A vehicle over 30 years old can qualify for the collection regime, which legally reduces the registration tax. Run your own case in the free calculator.
Run the full free simulation for this car →| Country | Total cost | Annual tax |
|---|---|---|
| Italy Cheapest | 3,101 € | 28 €/yr |
| Poland | 3,296 € | — |
| Luxembourg | 3,316 € | 25 €/yr |
| Belgium | 3,383 € | 110 €/yr |
| Germany | 3,466 € | 192 €/yr |
| France | 3,470 € | — |
| Sweden | 3,516 € | — |
| Netherlands | 4,216 € | — |
| Portugal | 7,974 € | — |
| Spain | 12,778 € | 120 €/yr |
The 1957 Thunderbird is the last year of the two-seater 'Baby Bird', recognisable by its small tail fins. It used the 292 or 312 V8.
Check the floors, the trunk, the lower rear quarters and the rocker panels. The removable hardtop with porthole windows is worth a lot on its own, so check that it comes with the car. Supercharged F-code cars are rare and often faked: the VIN starts with F for those.
The Ford Thunderbird 1957 left the factory with several engines. Registration taxes are mostly calculated on engine size, so the same car can cost very different amounts to register. Same purchase value (55,000 $), best route in each case:
| Engine | Portugal (best route) | Cheapest country |
|---|---|---|
| 292 V8 (4.8 L) | 7,606 € | 3,101 € (Italy) |
| 312 V8 (5.1 L) | 7,974 € | 3,101 € (Italy) |
Same car, same engine, three purchase prices. Taxes based on the value (import VAT, and in some countries the registration tax) follow the price; taxes based on engine size and age do not.
| Purchase price | Portugal (best route) | Cheapest country |
|---|---|---|
| 28,000 $ | 6,483 € | 1,805 € (Poland) |
| 55,000 $ | 7,974 € | 3,101 € (Italy) |
| 110,000 $ | 10,897 € | 5,631 € (Italy) |
The figures above assume the car is accepted as a collector vehicle: more than 30 years old and in original condition. If customs refuse that status, the Ford Thunderbird is taxed like an ordinary used car:
| Portugal (best route) | Cheapest country | |
|---|---|---|
| With collector status | 7,974 € | 3,101 € (Italy) |
| Without collector status | 13,704 € | 9,026 € (Poland) |
A vehicle over 30 years old usually qualifies for the EU collection regime (0% customs duty, reduced VAT, exemption from many registration taxes) — when the status is granted. This 1957 model is over 30 years old → eligible for the collection regime.
It depends on the vehicle: engine size, CO₂, value and age all change the ranking, as does the route the car takes into the EU. The full comparison for this example is in the table above — run your own case in the free simulator.
No — the figures cover taxes and the national registration tax only. Ocean freight (USA→Europe), handling and customs-broker fees are added separately in the calculator.
Estimates based on 2026 rates — to be confirmed with the competent authorities. Not tax advice.