If you want to save money when buying a car, you should take a look across the border. In neighboring countries, a new car can be up to a third cheaper. But the heart does not always beat for a new model. Used cars of all kinds can be imported from all over the world. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
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Importing within the EU can be worthwhile
BMW's largest plant is not in bavaria, but in south carolina. The SUVs that are in demand all over the world are mainly built here. This makes munich the number 1 car exporter in the u.s.
This example shows that the automotive industry is thinking globally. However, this applies only to the production, but not to the prices. These vary from country to country. This applies above all to the EU economic area. The same current golf model costs less in spain than in germany, for example. the reason for the price fluctuations is the net pricing of the manufacturers. This is based on the purchasing power of the respective market. This opens a favorable alternative through the import of vehicles. However, this only applies to the volume segment. the more expensive the car, the smaller the difference.
Used car annual average price per country
(source: autoscout24.De)
The tax rules of the place of registration apply
In addition, one pays duties and taxes where the car is registered. So the registration fees in the countries of origin of the car are eliminated. example italy: here you pay fees for the registration in the pubblico registro automobilistico. But if the car goes to germany, the standard rates there apply. In addition, the sales tax rates are reduced. In sweden the rate is 25 percent. In the netherlands and spain, 21 percent VAT is added, but only 19 percent in germany. This already reduces the price of the vehicle by at least 2 percent.
& when the car arrives, you have to declare the sales tax within a certain period of time. In germany, for example, within ten days with the anlage ust 1 B, which has the catchy name "umsatzsteuererklarung fur die fahrzeugeinzelbesteuerung" (sales tax return for individual vehicle taxation). If no value-added tax is due (e.g. B. Switzerland), be sure to include this in the purchase contract.
If you decide to import a car from the EU, you have several options: either you look for a car from a dealer in the EU country via online car exchanges or you contact a car dealership specialized in imports in your area. The important thing is that it is a dealership and not an agent. Only then do the warranty rules apply to the trade.
If it is foreign, you should check a few things, like the imprint on the website. There are address, contact details, the name of the management and in most cases the tax number noted. if the information is not complete, be careful.
the insurer allianz points out one more thing: in the event of legal disputes, the legal system of the country where the vehicle was purchased applies. Since the sales contract is usually written in the respective national language, a translation is therefore already required. And: an invoice is part of the purchase contract.
Do not buy a used car without a thorough check
For used cars, be sure to cross-check the sales information with a CARFAX used car history. However, this does not replace the test drive. If this is not possible due to the distance, a current technical inspection report should be requested from the seller.
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Check now without obligation if we have information about your vehicle.
According to the European Consumer Center (ECC), this is one of the required registration documents if the car is more than three years old. The registration office will provide information on whether the corresponding technical inspection report from the country of origin is also accepted. In addition, when registering the vehicle from another EU country, "the EC certificate of conformity or COC paper" must be presented. If this is not available, it can be requested from the manufacturer. If the form exists (e.g. B. In case of reimport from the EU or retrofitted vehicles) not, a full certificate of a testing center, for example at the TuV with technical data sheet is to be presented. In addition, there is the notification of intra-community acquisition (for new vehicles). According to the ECC, this is available from the registration office. "this enables the authorities to determine whether the value-added tax has to be paid in germany," says the consumer center.
& also, if in the colloquial language the term reimport is gladly used, it is not always correct. If the car comes from abroad, this only applies if it is sold in the country where it was produced. example: an audi from ingolstadt that is imported into germany from poland, for example, is a reimport. A seat, on the other hand, is only an import, since it is manufactured in martorell near barcelona.
Be careful when buying a private car
However, these cars are not usually found in the yards of dealers, but are offered for sale privately. If the seller is a private person, the used car history of the vehicle should be checked via CARFAX. The amount for this is well invested. Because in the private trade are unfortunately criminal elements on the way. They often ask for a down payment of a few thousand for the transport or for other dubious reasons. One can only warn: "beware of the trap"!". Especially if the seller insists on a quick bank transfer.
Vehicles from the USA are a popular import item
Fans of iconic US vehicles should in any case get as accurate a picture of the car as possible before negotiating the sale. Because in the USA, repairs and restorations are sometimes carried out at a lower level of quality than in europe. Again, the CARFAX used car history provides a good basis for research.
& since the year 2000, 1,7 mio. vehicles with pre-damage are exported from the USA to europe, we have prepared the development of the last five years for you in the CARFAX used car market insights. Behind these abstract numbers are 1.7 mio. Individual stories and fates. People who have saved for a long time for their new car, but have received only an inferior and, in case of doubt, even unsafe car. Let’s assume an average price of 22.995 euros calculated by a large online marketplace for used cars for seven european countries, almost 40 billion euros were spent on vehicles with previous damage.
number of US import to europe – vehicles with risks
Another tip: calculate the additional costs before you buy the car. On top of the selling price of a US import you have to add the following car import costs. These are possible import taxes, customs duties, transport insurance and costs, registration and possible technical conversion expenses (for US vehicles, these are the lights, which are checked for compliance with the TuV requirement, tires (if they do not have an EC or ECE mark) or the navigation system, which must be adapted to europe). The limit values prescribed in europe with regard to pollutant emissions and noise levels are also an issue)). US vehicles are not only inspected by customs, but must be presented to the TuV in any case. This puts the total purchase price into perspective once again. The ADAC has illustrated this using an example with a purchase price of 15.000 US-$ (the german customs converts the amount into euro at the respective daily exchange rate):
US purchase price of 15.000 US dollars equivalent to € 13.805
+ freight u. Insurance to german port ca. € 767 = € 14.572
+ of which 10 % customs € 1.457 = € 16.029
+ of which 19 % import sales tax € 3.046
(source: ADAC).
the good news: for oldtimers from the states no customs duty is charged – not like for normal used cars. Another advantage: a reduced import sales tax rate of seven percent applies. For this, the car must be in original condition, have no major modifications to the chassis, steering, brakes or engine, be 30 years old or no longer in production. Otherwise, according to the adacs, 10 percent duty applies EU-wide. According to the automobile club, the import duty is levied on the so-called C.I.F.-value (C.I.F. Stands for cost, insurance and freight). That is calculated from the purchase price plus insurance plus packaging and freight costs. The amount of the import sales tax is calculated on the basis of the C.I.F.-value and the import duty set.
Now the car only has to be transported from the states to the EU. This takes up to four weeks, if the car is at the port with complete papers three days before loading. It is possible for everyone to organize this, but it is a pain in the neck. From this point of view, a professional who has bought between 1.600 and 2.000 euros, not that expensive.
Once the imported car, whether new or a rarity, is registered on the domestic roads, nothing stands in the way of driving fun with a guaranteed high attention factor.
& besides vehicle documents, contract and invoice the certificate of title is necessary for used vehicles. But this does not inform about the previous owners. for new vehicles you need the original certificate of origin including two notarized copies of the front and rear sides.
get the used car history
Check now without obligation if we have information about your vehicle.