Import paperwork: the complete list

Where an import fails

An import rarely fails over money and often over one missing sheet of paper. Here is the route, step by step.

The steps in order

1. 1From the seller: invoice or purchase contract and the original vehicle papers (in Germany both parts of the registration certificate). The car is declared for export and leaves deregistered or on export plates; for Germany and Switzerland see a car from Germany and a car from Switzerland.
2. 2At customs: the customs declaration (DUD), filed by you or a customs agent, with invoice and vehicle papers. With a preferential proof of origin (EUR.1 or an origin declaration on the invoice, e.g. from the EU) the 10 % duty is waived. After valuation you pay duty, excise and VAT; keep the receipt.
3. 3Technical inspection: the certificate must be no older than thirty days when you hand it in at the registration centre.
4. 4Insurance: the TPL policy must be no older than fifteen days.
5. 5Registration at the registration centre: ID or passport, a valid driving licence, the original vehicle papers, proof of clearance, the homologation certificate where required, the inspection certificate, the TPL policy and proof of municipal tax.

When the car is already cleared

If you buy a car that is already cleared or carries RKS plates, the whole first part disappears. That is why many buyers take this route even at a slightly higher price.

The tight deadlines are the papers and the plates. If you live in Kosovo, you may drive on foreign or export plates for only eight days (Law on Vehicles, Art. 41); until registration you can get trial plates for up to 15 days. The policy may be no older than 15 days, the inspection certificate no older than 30: get both once the other documents are ready.