Shelby import

In 1962, a Texan racing driver dropped an American V8 into an English roadster. The Shelby Cobra was born, and with it a name that still makes every Mustang fan smile. Carroll Shelby is no longer with us, but Shelby American in Las Vegas still builds cars under his name: Mustangs and F-150 pickups with more than 800 horsepower, and even new Cobras built to the original drawings. Ford now sells the Mustang in Europe, but you will not find a Shelby at a European dealer. If you want one, Shelby import is the way to get it. SCL Rotterdam brings your Shelby from the United States, checks that it is genuine and handles everything up to registration. Before you commit, we tell you honestly what it costs.

Why import a Shelby into Europe?

A Shelby is more than a tuned Mustang. Every car gets its own serial number, a plaque inside and an entry in the official Shelby registry. That is why they hold their value, and limited editions often become worth more as they age.

Then there is the driving. A supercharged V8, a manual gearbox and a body that sits lower and wider than any regular Mustang. In Europe they are a rare sight, which is exactly why a Shelby is the ultimate American car for so many enthusiasts.

Popular Shelby models to import

Shelby GT350

Shelby American's new GT350 is based on the current Mustang. With the supercharger it makes 810 horsepower, the R version 830. A six speed manual is standard. Prices in the US start at 109,995 dollars.

Shelby Super Snake

The flagship. A widebody with carbon fibre wings, functional vents and up to 830 horsepower from the 5.0 Coyote V8. The Super Snake starts at 175,885 dollars in the US.

Ford Shelby GT500 (2020 to 2022)

The last GT500 built by Ford itself, with 760 horsepower. It is no longer made, so you will be looking for a good used example.

Shelby F-150 Super Snake

A lowered pickup with up to 810 horsepower in limited numbers. The four door SuperCrew costs 140,795 dollars with the supercharger, while the two door Super Snake Sport starts at 115,795 dollars and is limited to 500 units.

Classic Shelbys and Cobras

The original 1960s GT350 and GT500 are dream cars for collectors. Shelby American also builds new continuation Cobras and heritage models with an official Shelby serial number.

Genuine Shelby or tribute?

This is the most important point on this page. Because Shelbys are so valuable, there are many tributes and clones around: Mustangs with Shelby stripes and badges, but no genuine paperwork. A real Shelby has a Shelby American serial number and is listed in the official registry. On the registration documents it often remains a Ford Mustang, so the Shelby paperwork is what determines its value. Our pre purchase inspection checks this before you pay.

What to know before you import a Shelby

Duties and VAT

A passenger car from the US pays 10 percent import duty plus import VAT at the rate of the country where it is cleared. A pickup such as the F-150 Super Snake may fall under a different rate depending on its classification. Classic Shelbys over 30 years old in original condition often qualify for the favourable collector's vehicle rules.

Registration and taxes differ per country

Once cleared through customs in Rotterdam, the car can move freely within the EU, but registration and road tax are national matters. A supercharged V8 can be very expensive to register in countries that tax CO2 heavily, such as the Netherlands with its BPM, while Germany has no registration tax at all. SCL arranges Dutch and German registration in house and can advise on other European countries.

Conversion for Europe

An American Shelby has different lighting, no rear fog light and a speedometer in miles. Our workshop adapts all of this without losing the car's character.

How your Shelby import works

1. Advice first. We discuss the model, its authenticity, your destination country and a realistic cost estimate.
2. Purchase and inspection. We help you find a good car and check the Shelby paperwork and condition before you pay. Our payment service keeps the transaction safe.
3. Shipping. Your Shelby travels from the US to Rotterdam in a closed container. For a car of this value, transport insurance is a must.
4. Customs clearance. We file the declaration and settle all duties and taxes correctly.
5. Conversion and inspection. We prepare the car for European rules, ready for the inspection in your country.
6. Registration and delivery. We arrange registration where possible and deliver your Shelby in an enclosed transporter to your door, wherever you are in Europe.

You can follow every step in real time through our customer portal.

What does it cost to import a Shelby?

The final price is made up of the purchase price, shipping, import duty, import VAT, conversion work, inspection and registration. Registration taxes vary widely across Europe and can make a big difference with a supercharged V8. Classics usually work out considerably better. Want to know where you will end up? Calculate your costs or ask us for a tailored quote.

Why SCL Rotterdam?

American cars are our daily business. For more than 15 years we have been bringing Mustangs, Corvettes, RAMs and classics from the US to Europe. We know what to look for in a Shelby and how to tell a genuine car from a clone. Rotterdam is Europe's largest port and a natural gateway to the rest of the continent. Customs, storage, workshop and registration are all under one roof. Our customers rate us 9.2 out of 10 on average.

Bring your Shelby to Europe

Can you hear that supercharger whine already? Call us on +31 10 427 77 20 or request a free quote. Within 24 hours you will know where you stand and whether a Shelby import is the right move for you.