Import from the USA
US car title: Salvage, Rebuilt, Flood — what it means and what you can register in Poland
At Copart and IAAI the price is tempting, but whether the car ever drives on Polish roads is decided by one field in the listing: the title type. It’s the American equivalent of a registration document, with the car’s “history” written into its name. Some titles mean an ordinary car, others a total loss, flood damage or a vehicle meant only for parts. Below we break down the most common brands and say plainly when bidding makes sense and when it ends in trouble with the authorities.
What a “title” is and why it matters more than the photos
In the US the certificate of title is issued by the state where the car is registered. When a car suffers serious damage, the insurer or the state adds a brand to the title that stays with the car for good — even after repair. Auction photos show one side and damage descriptions can be vague, but the title tells you how the car was formally classified. Naming differs between states (e.g. a “salvage certificate” instead of a “salvage title”), so always read the exact wording of the Title / Sale document field in the listing.
The most common titles — table
| Title | What it means | Registration in Poland |
|---|---|---|
| Clean | No total-loss brand | Yes, the standard route |
| Salvage | Total loss declared by the insurer; not road-legal in the US | Usually yes after repair and a technical inspection — but with a risk of being treated as waste (see below) |
| Rebuilt / Reconstructed | A former salvage car, repaired and re-licensed in the US | Yes; the safest form of a “damaged” car |
| Flood / Water damage | A flooded car (state brand or auction damage type) | Formally usually yes, technically very risky |
| Junk, Parts only, Certificate of Destruction, Non-repairable | A car meant only for parts or scrapping | Practically no — don’t buy |
| Lemon / Manufacturer buyback | Bought back by the maker over defects | Yes, but check which defect triggered it |
Salvage: why “it can be registered” isn’t the whole story
Polish registration offices generally register salvage-title cars after repair and a passed technical inspection. At the same time, the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (GIOŚ) has taken the view that a damaged car brought from the US without a “rebuilt/reconstructed” title may be treated as waste, and its import as an illegal international shipment of waste. The press has reported cases in which GIOŚ ordered a car to be handed over for dismantling and a regional administrative court upheld the decision — including a car that had covered over 100,000 km in Poland after repair. In 2025 Auto Świat warned that cars with “salvage”, “total loss”, “junk” or “for parts only” records may still be treated as waste.
The practical takeaway: salvage isn’t a death sentence, but it is a legal risk that the bid price doesn’t show. The heavier the damage and the weaker the repair paperwork, the greater the exposure. Keep the damage photos, invoices for parts and labour, and the auction documents.
Junk, Parts only, Certificate of Destruction — don’t bid
These brands say outright that the car is not meant to return to the road in the US. In Poland such a car is practically impossible to register, and importing it carries the highest exposure to a waste-shipment allegation. A low price here is a trap, not a bargain — unless you knowingly buy a parts donor and have a lawful route for it.
How to check the title before bidding
- Read the Title / Sale document field on Copart/IAAI — the exact name and the issuing state.
- Compare the damage type (Primary/Secondary damage) with the title: “Water/Flood” on a Clean title is a red flag.
- Decode the VIN to confirm that trim, engine and year match the listing — VARTOCAR VIN decoder.
- Check the history in a report from US databases (including NMVTIS) — earlier brands from other states.
- Work out the full import cost — USA import calculator — and add a realistic repair budget.
What next
If the title is acceptable, the next steps are customs clearance and registration. We cover them separately: clearing customs in Bremerhaven or in Poland and registering a US car in Poland. For a car flagged as water-damaged, also read how to spot a flood car.
Financing a US car? Compare a loan and a lease: Finumero →
This material is informational and is not legal advice. Whether a vehicle is treated as waste depends on the authority’s assessment in the individual case; for a seriously damaged car, get individual advice before buying.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can a salvage-title car be registered in Poland? Registration offices generally register such cars after repair and a passed technical inspection. There is, however, a risk that GIOŚ treats a damaged car without a rebuilt title as waste; orders to hand cars over for dismantling have been issued and upheld by an administrative court.
What is the difference between a Salvage and a Rebuilt title? Salvage means a total loss and no road licence in the US. Rebuilt (or Reconstructed) is a former salvage car that has been repaired and re-licensed for the road in the US, which makes it formally safer.
Can a car with a Parts only or Junk title be registered? Practically no. These brands mean the car is intended only for parts or scrapping, and importing it carries the highest exposure to an illegal waste-shipment allegation.
Where do I check the title of a Copart or IAAI car? In the Title or Sale document field of the listing, together with the issuing state. Compare it with the damage type and check the VIN history in US databases, because brands from other states may not appear in the listing.