Buying a Car in Curaçao vs Importing from the US (2026)
Same car, two paths. Here is what you actually pay, and what you actually get.
If you need a car in Curaçao, you have three options: buy from a local dealer, buy used from a private seller on the island, or import one yourself. Each has trade-offs. But when you run the actual numbers, the picture gets clear fast.
Option 1: Buy from a local dealer
Curaçao has a handful of authorized dealerships,AutoCity (Chevrolet, Honda, Suzuki, Mercedes), Premier Automotive, and a few independents. They sell both new and pre-owned vehicles.
The advantages are obvious: you see the car, you test drive it, you drive it home the same day. No waiting for shipping, no customs paperwork, no risk of surprises.
The disadvantage is equally obvious: the prices are significantly higher. Local dealers face the same import costs as everyone else,duty, freight, taxes,but they also add their margin, overhead, and the reality of selling in a small market with limited competition. A vehicle that sells for $45,000 in the US can easily carry a sticker price of ANG 130,000+ at a local dealer.
Selection is also limited. You get what is on the lot. Want a specific trim, color, or option package? You are likely waiting months for a factory order, or settling for something close enough.
Option 2: Buy used on-island
The private used market in Curaçao is active,Facebook groups, local classifieds, word of mouth. Prices are lower than dealers but still inflated compared to the US market because supply is limited.
The risks are real: no vehicle history transparency, limited recourse if something goes wrong, and a small market means you cannot be picky. You take what is available, at whatever price the seller is asking, because the next buyer is right behind you.
For budget vehicles under $10,000, buying used locally makes sense. The import costs on a cheap car eat too much of the total. But for vehicles above $25,000, importing starts to make financial sense,and the gap widens as the vehicle price increases.
Option 3: Import from the US
This is where the math gets interesting. The US used car market is the largest in the world,millions of vehicles, full transparency through CARFAX and AutoCheck, competitive pricing, and every configuration imaginable. A 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sahara with 25,000 miles might list at $42,000 at a Florida dealer. That same vehicle, if you could even find it on-island, would be priced at ANG 120,000+ ($67,000+).
Yes, importing adds costs: shipping, insurance, duty, and tax. But even after all of that, the total delivered price is often $5,000 to $15,000 less than buying the equivalent vehicle locally. And you get exactly the vehicle you want,right year, right trim, right color, right mileage.
The real comparison: three vehicles
Let us compare the total cost of three popular vehicles,what you would pay locally versus importing the same vehicle from the US.
Toyota RAV4 (2022, ~35,000 km)
| Path | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Buy used on-island | ANG 55,000–65,000 |
| US dealer price | $26,000 |
| Import all-in (delivered, plated) | ~$38,500 (ANG 68,500) |
| Difference | Comparable,slight edge to local |
At this price point, importing offers better selection but savings are marginal. Local purchase is simpler if you find the right vehicle.
Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited (2023, ~25,000 km)
| Path | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Buy used on-island (if available) | ANG 115,000–135,000 |
| US dealer price | $44,000 |
| Import all-in (delivered, plated) | ~$60,500 (ANG 107,700) |
| Savings by importing | ANG 7,000–27,000 |
At the mid-premium level, importing clearly wins,better price, exact specification, full vehicle history.
Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 (2022, ~30,000 km)
| Path | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Buy from local dealer | ANG 160,000–190,000 |
| US dealer price | $48,000 |
| Import all-in (delivered, plated) | ~$68,000 (ANG 121,000) |
| Savings by importing | ANG 39,000–69,000 |
At the luxury level, importing is dramatically cheaper. The savings can exceed $20,000.
The pattern
The savings increase as the vehicle value goes up. On a $25,000 car, the import tax overhead eats most of the price advantage. On a $50,000+ car, the US market discount is so large that even after duty, shipping, and tax, you come out significantly ahead.
This is why importing makes the most sense for premium and popular vehicles,the segment where local supply is thinnest and the price gap is widest.
What about the hassle?
The main argument against importing has always been complexity. Sourcing the car, verifying condition, arranging shipping, handling customs paperwork, paying the right duties, registering the vehicle. It is a multi-step process with real logistics.
If you want to do it yourself, our step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process. Use our calculator to estimate total costs before you start.
Or skip the process entirely. Browse our inventory,we source premium vehicles from trusted US and European dealers, handle every step of the import, and deliver to your door with one transparent, all-in price. No paperwork, no customs, no surprises. Just the keys.