Vehicle Import / Export
Customs clearance for vehicles in Germany & EU
When is customs clearance required for vehicles?
Customs clearance is required in the following cases:
Importing a vehicle from a non-EU country
Export of a vehicle from the European Union to a third country
Returned goods or re-export cases
Import of vehicles as personal effects during removals
commercially used vehicles (e.g. vehicle dealerships, company fleets)
Which vehicles are affected by these cases?
Passenger car (PKW)
Commercial vehicles and vans
motorcycles
classic cars
Special or special vehicles (individual inspection required depending on the case)
Typical customs risks
In practice, the following problems frequently arise during vehicle processing:
Incorrect customs tariff classification of the vehicle
unclear or unproven origin
missing or incomplete invoices or purchase contracts
Incorrect information regarding the customs value
False assumptions about private or commercial use
These issues regularly lead to delays, additional requests, or more in-depth audits by customs authorities.
Our role in customs clearance
In practice, the following problems frequently arise during vehicle processing:
Incorrect customs tariff classification of the vehicle
unclear or unproven origin
missing or incomplete invoices or purchase contracts
Incorrect information regarding the customs value
False assumptions about private or commercial use
These issues regularly lead to delays, additional requests, or more in-depth audits by customs authorities.
What documents are typically required?
We support you through, among other things:
Preliminary review of the relevant documents before submitting the customs declaration
Customs clearance by direct representation in accordance with Article 18 of the Union Customs Code (UCC)
Communication with the responsible customs office
transparent assessment of applicable duties and customs risks
Support for special cases
(e.g. classic cars, household goods, individual cases)
Who is this page relevant for?
This information is aimed particularly at:
private individuals
Car dealerships and vehicle dealers
Companies with company vehicles
Freight forwarders or logistics companies without their own customs department
Delineation of our services
We do not accept any:
technical vehicle inspections
Admission procedure
Expert opinions or technical modifications
Insurance or registration services
Our service focus is exclusively on the customs clearance of vehicle imports and exports.
Häufige Fragen zum KFZ Import und Export
Ask:
When is customs clearance required for vehicles?
Answer:
Customs clearance is required when importing a vehicle from a non-EU country as well as when exporting from the EU to a third country.
Ask:
Which vehicles require customs clearance?
Answer:
Among the vehicles affected are cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, classic cars, and special and specialized vehicles.
Ask:
Are there differences between private and commercial vehicle imports?
Answer:
Yes. Customs treatment varies considerably depending on the intended use, ownership, and type of import.
Ask:
What documents are required for vehicle customs clearance?
Answer:
Generally, a purchase contract or invoice, vehicle documents, transport documents, and, depending on the case, further evidence are required.
Ask:
What are typical customs risks associated with importing or exporting motor vehicles?
Answer:
Common risks include incorrect valuations, unclear usage, lack of proof of origin, or incorrect classification as household goods.